Quote:
Originally Posted by Anthraquinone
I am starting to wonder how long DVDs will last for.
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Funny you should say that. a video forum where I am a member had a lengthy debate on this very subject some time ago. It seems that the lifespan of 'home made' DVDs can vary depending on storage conditions and brand of DVD. Commercial DVDs have a longer/infinite life as the manufacturing process is different.
One guy found that a DVD that had been stored (with others) in a jewel case in a conservatory suddenly would not play. Close inspection revealed an arc of discolour. He put it down to sunlight affecting it as the transparent edges of the jewel case may have allowed the light to be focussed over the DVD.
Others found that DVDs would not play after 5 years possibly due to the coating of the material that is burnt by the laser deteriorating. Others found DVDs working OK after 8 or more years.
The advice given at the time was to copy DVDs at 5 years old, although it was aknowledged that if any deterioration had taken place in the coating, these imperfections would also be copied, so might have an accumulative effect.
It would appear that there is no 100% reliable long term storage media, so the best bet is to spread your risk by using more than one media.