DVD Lifetime?

[Xemnarth]

Is it true that DVD's or CD's can live for a certain amount of years then die out?
Is that so for HDD too?
If so, what are the factors that decrease their usability?

Edit: Oops I forgot that google is my bitch. =)

[Lupin]

Depends on the how you use, store and handle them. I have 10 year old harddrives that are still working. I also have a few DVDs bought in the late 90s that are still working.

For blank discs, it depends on who manufactured them (note: it's not the brand that matters here but the manufacturer)

[Xemnarth]

What are good manufacturers you know of?

[Lupin]

It's hard saying who the manufacturer of a certain brand is. There are brands like TDK, Imation and Memorex that are manufactured by the same company. The most reliable ones I've tried have been Verbatim, Taiyo Yuden and Sony.

You might find this worth reading: http://www.digitalfaq.com/media/dvdmedia.htm

[halfelite]

I explain it as a hard drive will either last a year or close to 15 years. Depends on how much you use it. how it is stored.

A dvd can last a month or a couple years. depends how it is stored how often it is used. The more you use a dvd the more chance of the top foil layer coming off. Is it stored in one of them books with the plastic sleeves does it have a chance of getting damp and the foil layer sticking to the plastic sleeve. Bit rot is just a thing we have to live with.

[Xtras]

Wait, so if I buy like, box sets of anime now, then I might not be able to rewatch them, say 30 years from now, even if I left them untouched and in perfect condition.

[halfelite]

Wait, so if I buy like, box sets of anime now, then I might not be able to rewatch them, say 30 years from now, even if I left them untouched and in perfect condition.

They are made out of material that can deteriorate over time. All depends how they are stored. Dark cool dry places are the best.

[Xtras]

Alright well say I did store them in the perfect place. How long would say, Bandai's Anime Legends box sets last?

[Rhino]

10 years: 9 months: 3 weeks: 2 days: 21 hours : 36 min. 45 sec    no one rally knows how long u can still do every thing to prevent damage but is still gonna get damaged if your still lookin for an approximate answer there is none

[Xtras]

10 years: 9 months: 3 weeks: 2 days: 21 hours : 36 min. 45 sec    no one rally knows how long u can still do every thing to prevent damage but is still gonna get damaged if your still lookin for an approximate answer there is none

*sigh* I kinda want to create a library of all of my favorite shows and movies (of which anime would be like 60%). But if they are just going to go bye in a few years then it is probably better to stick with the files I have gotten from BakaBt. What would you recommend?

[Spanks]

10 years: 9 months: 3 weeks: 2 days: 21 hours : 36 min. 45 sec    no one rally knows how long u can still do every thing to prevent damage but is still gonna get damaged if your still lookin for an approximate answer there is none

*sigh* I kinda want to create a library of all of my favorite shows and movies (of which anime would be like 60%). But if they are just going to go bye in a few years then it is probably better to stick with the files I have gotten from BakaBt. What would you recommend?

Your going to lose data over a long time period no matter how you store it, only safe way is storing it on several and different mediums. I found some 15 year old cd's the other day and they still worked, though they were extremely slow and had several errors and crashes transferring data.

[Arveene]

Store it on different mediums and make regular backups. Edit: We're getting off topic.

DVD lifetime can vary considerably. There are multiple factors including, but not limited to: Manufacturer, usage, age, and environment.

Edit2: I have CDs from the 80s that still work. If you take good care of your stuff, it'll usually be ok.

[Xtras]

Edit2: I have CDs from the 80s that still work. If you take good care of your stuff, it'll usually be ok.

I hope so. I plan to create a library of my favorite anime, and one day have a mini library of my favorites.

[Lupin]

Assuming you never opened the box, the discs are of very high quality, you will still be able to read them 30 years from now. If you still have a working DVD drive or player by that time.

[Mele]

Assuming you never opened the box, the discs are of very high quality, you will still be able to read them 30 years from now. If you still have a working DVD drive or player by that time.

QFT. Don't get the wrong idea from this thread. Media does not automatically stop working one day if it's properly stored and maintained.

[Xtras]

Thanks for the reassurance. I guess I am going to take my chances. I suppose this quote may not fit but hey "It is better to have loved and lost, then to never have loved at all". But just in case, I am going to keep the encodes I have gotten off of this site on an external hard drive, just in case.

[kurandoinu]

(P.S. I am not a psyco that is in love with DVD boxes).

Lmao! I don't think we thought you were until you said it.

[fohfoh]

I thought burned discs and "legit" discs had different life spans?

[Lupin]

That depends on the dye used. Some of the best recordables are made by Verbatim which can compete with stamped discs in terms of longevity.

[Xtras]

Lmao! I don't think we thought you were until you said it.

Yeah i thought most people would agree that was lame. But hey, the last time I used the quote on a forum I got back 3 rude comments.