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What DVD format is best for archiving purposes?
SirPeale:
Ask on FreeCycle for old computers.
Or look on eBay.
sirwoogie:
--- Quote from: Grasshopper on February 23, 2008, 09:31:39 am ---I would never use online storage on its own. However it might be worth considering as an additional means of backup, in case the house burns down or something. But, and I realise this might be slightly irrational, I feel slightly uneasy entrusting my personal data to a faceless corporation. Anyway, that point aside, I’m going to look into it.
--- End quote ---
Just to help you on this point. Some online backup vendors provide the ability to use your own encrypted key scheme, not just theirs. If you want to get even more paranoid about it, you could use an encrypted file volume such as something TrueCrypt provides.
I have this same dilemma as you regarding copies and backups. I use a combination of removable hard drives (to take to an offsite location), flash memory (for real-time access), and online (for archival and secondary copy). I don't have that much stuff (about 3 gigs), so it works out good for most media sizes nowdays.
You can't go wrong with most recommendations in this thread.
ChadTower:
I use DVDs... but I do have a USB drive enclosure and a stack of 12G drives. I think I'm going to move to making backups on those every couple of months.
Since this guy is looking at a relatively small amount of data... I wonder if 3-4 thumb drives would do him just as well. Much smaller and if he's not using them for regular access they may be just as safe as a hard drive.
ark_ader:
--- Quote from: Grasshopper on February 16, 2008, 10:58:32 am ---After about 5 years of keeping my fingers crossed, I’ve finally decided to back up all the data on my hard disk onto DVDs.
I’ve deleted all the crap and divided up the remaining data into the following categories:
- personal data that cannot be replaced. This includes letters I’ve written, photos, financial records, arcade CPO designs I’ve made etc. All my personal data comfortably fits onto a single DVD.
- programs and data (mostly movies) that I’ve downloaded. This stuff can mostly be replaced albeit with difficulty.
I’ve already decided what to do with the personal data. I’m going to put it on DVD-RAM (a very underrated format IMHO) and have a proper rotating disk arrangement. Anything else would be overkill for such a small amount of data.
However DVD-RAM disks are pretty expensive. So for most of the other stuff (which takes up far more space) I plan to make a single copy on another DVD format and that will be it. If the odd disk becomes unreadable over time then it won’t be the end of the world. However, I’m not sure which of the DVD formats is most durable.
From what I’ve been reading DVD+ offers some theoretical advantages over DVD-. However, the differences appear to be marginal and I haven’t found any evidence that they make a difference in the real world. Has anyone got any views on this? My DVD drive can handle anything btw.
A more significant question appears to be whether to use R or RW media. Most people seem to be saying that R media is more durable and that sounds plausible to me. But is there any hard evidence to back it up?
Also, what brand is best? The more I read about different the manufacturing methods used, the more confusing it gets.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
--- End quote ---
Get a HD-DVD burner.
I hear they are going cheap.
SavannahLion:
NVM. Delete this. Lost my temper. One persons opinion is equally as valid as another.
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