DVDs as storage media?

**Gomar** · December 17th, 2011, 11:29 PM

With prices of external HDDs dropping, and capacity increasing, there is no longer use for DVDs as storage media. A portable 500gb HDD goes for $79. That's one light weight item instead of 100 DVDs.
I have a shoe box filled with 50 DVDs that weighs about 5x more than a single portable hdd.

However, comparing costs:
1cd-r 700mb(0.7gb) - 0.11c each
1DVD 4.37gb - 0.20c each
100 DVDs(437gb) - $20 [0.04c - 1gb]
100 CD-Rs(70gb) - $11 [0.16c - 1gb]

So, in the long run, you do get more storage far cheaper (4 times less) from DVDs than HDDs. However, you need to swap them alot if backing up a hdd, + jewel cases add to cost, +storage, + risk of scratches or damage, +wear out of DVD drive.
Also, you cant play DVDs in cd players or in the car, and my DVD player does not play jpgs nor mp3s.

**evereddie** · December 18th, 2011, 12:00 AM

Whether burned DVDs or Cds they do not have infinite life. A hard drive that is new and not used except to store new media and then turned off, will last a very long time.

**stroyal** · December 18th, 2011, 12:30 PM

My main backup has been hard drives for over 20 years, and I still have data from over twenty years ago.
Just have your data on a minimum of 2 hard drives at all times, (3 is better), and you will not loose data, and won't have to worry about CDs, or DVDs going bad.

From what I have read, tape is still the most dependable, long term backup.

**RicheemxX** · December 18th, 2011, 02:06 PM

Every storage media has its pluses and minuses. For back-up obviously hdd's are going to be easier and faster. But for simple storage or transfers DVD's are still viable. Cloud storage is actually taking over some of what I still use DVDs for.

Instead of having to burn a few files here and there. I can upload anything to my cloud space and share it with whomever. For larger files Over 2GBs its still a bit easier and faster to just burn a disk and hand it off.

Also, you cant play DVDs in cd players or in the car, and my DVD player does not play jpgs nor mp3s.

Most people these days have dvd players that can play jpgs or mp3s or have one in their computer that can. Most still don't have car stereos capable of using an external drives. This is actually the only reason I still have a few CD-Rs laying around. I can burn disks to play in my care stereo.

**-FMA** · December 18th, 2011, 11:25 PM

If your data is important and you need stability, one HDD isn't safe. I would bet on a DVD before a single HDD. I would have at least 2 HDD's running to ensure your data is safe. This certainly adds to the cost of storage, but it's still a viable option.

I generally just have all my stuff backed up on multiple HDD's, but I DVD's still have their place. If your data is really important, I would make a DVD backup of it on top of having it on your HDD(s).

**osprey4** · December 19th, 2011, 09:46 AM

People need to separate backup from archive. They are separate things.

An external drive is fine for routine backup. But good quality archival grade DVD media is best for long term storage.

**Taxmancometh** · December 19th, 2011, 03:20 PM

I recommend DVD's because if there's a nuke that goes off your data is gone from the EMP.

I use DVD's for backup, but would like to migrate to Blueray.

**Gomar** · January 17th, 2012, 10:58 PM

Originally Posted by Taxmancometh

I recommend DVD's because if there's a nuke that goes off your data is gone from the EMP.

.

You are right! An EMP could destroy all data on any hdd. Also, files on DVDs cant
be accidentally deleted; not like on hdd's. That's why storage on DVD-RWs is not
recommended. There is no write-protect knob on my external hdd, like there is
on a SD card or USB drive.
In fact, SD cards are small and cheap enough to be used for storage. I heard
data could last 10years.