DVD+/-R media longevity

[Nucleus111]

Are there still DVD recordable media longevity issues with the current variations of media? I first started transfering video content to DVD-R media around 2 years ago. Today, those discs are all thrown out as the data won't read correctly. Considering what is made today, will my videos still play years down the road?

 

[akira34]

I don't think this has anything to do with the media itself. I believe it has more to do with how you made the dvd's 2 years back. If you put the dvd into a player on a tv does it read properly? What media (brand, speed, etc.) are you using (then and now)?? Using cheap media will yield lower reliability than using name brand media. Personally, I only use either Ritech, Imation or Verbatim media since I've had excellent luck with those brands. Sony, Memorex, and all others are avoided since I tend to get at least a few coasters per 50 or 100 count spindles. I've gone through [literally] thousands of Imation and Verbatim media without a hitch.

 

[Nucleus111]

It was considered "cheap" media at the time...around $3/disc. Videos started to pixelate and break up or just not read at all after less than 1 year. This was with 1x burns on a first generation Pioneer (A03?). This was confirmed with all of the discs in multiple players.

Had no choice but to throw them all out. I'm just glad I didn't trust them and still have tapes of my home movies.

 

[n7]

You are experiencing what happens when you buy cheap media.

I am too lazy too look up the threads on this, but if you go CDFreaks or VideoHelp, there are threads confirming that with cheap crappy media, the discs basically deteriorate over time.
That's why i buy Taiyo Yudens (generally regarded as the best brand out there) for anything important, since with high quality media, you will have it lasting many many years rather than only a few years.

 

[glorygunk]

Originally posted by: n7
You are experiencing what happens when you buy cheap media.

I am too lazy too look up the threads on this, but if you go CDFreaks or VideoHelp, there are threads confirming that with cheap crappy media, the discs basically deteriorate over time.
That's why i buy Taiyo Yudens (generally regarded as the best brand out there) for anything important, since with high quality media, you will have it lasting many many years rather than only a few years.

Whoa whoa....where is the article backing this up? If this is true, I would like to know so I can get those home videos off the cheap GQ media I used and onto Taiyo Yudens. Those GQs better not be ticking timebombs.....

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: glorygunk

Originally posted by: n7
You are experiencing what happens when you buy cheap media.

I am too lazy too look up the threads on this, but if you go CDFreaks or VideoHelp, there are threads confirming that with cheap crappy media, the discs basically deteriorate over time.
That's why i buy Taiyo Yudens (generally regarded as the best brand out there) for anything important, since with high quality media, you will have it lasting many many years rather than only a few years.

Whoa whoa....where is the article backing this up? If this is true, I would like to know so I can get those home videos off the cheap GQ media I used and onto Taiyo Yudens. Those GQs better not be ticking timebombs.....

It's true.
It's entirely possible many your GQs (which are notorious for being crap) will be unreadable after a few years.

Low quality dyes & error-filled burns will mean there's a much shorter life on the really cheap medias.

I personally don't use TYs for my unimportant stuff, since i don't care as much, but i do avoid the ultra cheap ones, since most stuff i want to last for a little while.
TYs are the brand of choice for burning anything of value for myself & many others though.

 

[Nucleus111]

I've learned about using quality checking tools to evaluate my burns (cdfreaks helped a lot). So far so good. I guess the thing is that even with a "good" burn I still have to consider the lifespan of the dye used.

 

[shortylickens]

I agree, use GOOD media. It saves headaches down the road.
I shop at www.meritline.com. The cheap stuff should be ignored. They only sell it because not enough people know better and (as a bussiness) they need customers.