Post by cjm on Feb 20, 2023 17:56:54 GMT
Still have to check links below
What would be the safest long term medium to store your precious data on? The solutions offered here vary greatly. Some of the solutions are labour intensive in that you have to keep tabs on the state of the files. One recommendation is to have multiple copies of the media. Even the cloud is suggested. I don’t like this solution particularly in that you are in the hands of another party. Companies come and go, some go bankrupt and what happens then to your files? I also have the impression that my pictures on the cloud are stored on systems which detrimentally affect their quality. Perhaps I am wrong, as I have never pursued the matter methodically.
In any event, it appears that the most reliable and long term medium you can employ on your own is DVD (or CD) optical disks which are read-only.
I list a number of links where this is stated (together with some other interesting information):
1. Optical media longevity
2. Stability Comparison of Recordable Optical Discs—A Study of Error Rates in Harsh Conditions
3.NIST/Library of Congress (LoC) Optical Disc Longevity Testing Procedure
4.Longevity of Recordable CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays — Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) Notes 19/1
It seems that very little development in disk technology was done after, say 2010, and most of the Internet information I could find is rather dated. The reason, most likely, is that other storage formats started taking over.
There appears to be one exception to which I am coming.
One of the most important factors (although not the only one) in preserving content on disk is the dye used to record the information in. There are three types of dye of which one is the Azo group of dyes . Also see
One of the most prominent (and one of the few remaining, it seems) current manufacturers of optical disks is Verbatim with their much advertised patented Azo Dye Technology.
Verbatim’s story:
The Azo part of the story goes back to at least 2008.
As can be seen especially from links 1 and 4 above, a storage life of some 100 years was claimed for optical disks in general and this claim is repeated by Verbatim from time to time. It is to be noted that they do make disks for which a much longer life is claimed, but my focus here is on the more generally available disks which from time to time include the 100 years claim:
This claim is carried by Amazon as well:
So, the long and the short is that their DVD and CD optical disks are claimed to have a possible lifespan of decades. Some further protective measures (info largely lifted from generic sites) which should be taken toprserve disk integrity, include storage in the dark under a range of humidity and temperatures. An important measure also is not to record at high speeds.
The disks are available in packs for both DVD+R and DVD-R (distinguished respectively by yellow and purple get-up). Apparently the difference between +R and -R has become of less practical concern
As noted, Verbatim makes a range of different types of disks (including a product for which a storage life of a 1000 years is claimed).
A general discussion of 1000 year M-disks disks can be found here
Some general information about Verbatim products. About Gold Grade :
Of course, the run-of–the-mill disks (perhaps 100 years life?) are also available in SA (note the AZO designation on the packs) Verbatim - Printable DVD-R(16X) 4.7GB Jewel Case - 10 Pack
Locally, I tried to buy disks (any disks) at computer shops – to no avail.
What would be the safest long term medium to store your precious data on? The solutions offered here vary greatly. Some of the solutions are labour intensive in that you have to keep tabs on the state of the files. One recommendation is to have multiple copies of the media. Even the cloud is suggested. I don’t like this solution particularly in that you are in the hands of another party. Companies come and go, some go bankrupt and what happens then to your files? I also have the impression that my pictures on the cloud are stored on systems which detrimentally affect their quality. Perhaps I am wrong, as I have never pursued the matter methodically.
In any event, it appears that the most reliable and long term medium you can employ on your own is DVD (or CD) optical disks which are read-only.
I list a number of links where this is stated (together with some other interesting information):
1. Optical media longevity
2. Stability Comparison of Recordable Optical Discs—A Study of Error Rates in Harsh Conditions
3.NIST/Library of Congress (LoC) Optical Disc Longevity Testing Procedure
4.Longevity of Recordable CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays — Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) Notes 19/1
It seems that very little development in disk technology was done after, say 2010, and most of the Internet information I could find is rather dated. The reason, most likely, is that other storage formats started taking over.
There appears to be one exception to which I am coming.
One of the most important factors (although not the only one) in preserving content on disk is the dye used to record the information in. There are three types of dye of which one is the Azo group of dyes . Also see
One of the most prominent (and one of the few remaining, it seems) current manufacturers of optical disks is Verbatim with their much advertised patented Azo Dye Technology.
Verbatim’s story:
Verbatim is a brand for storage media and flash memory products currently owned by CMC Magnetics Corporation (CMC), a Taiwanese company that is known for optical disc manufacturing. Formerly a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical, the global business and assets of Verbatim were sold to CMC Magnetics in 2019 at an estimated price of $32 million USD.[1][2]
Originally an American company and known for its floppy disks in the 1970s and 1980s, Verbatim is now known for its recordable optical media.
History
The original Verbatim first started in Mountain View, California, in 1969, under the name Information Terminals Corporation, founded by Reid Anderson. It grew quickly and became a leading manufacturer of floppy disks by the end of the 1970s, and it was soon renamed Verbatim. In 1982, it formed a floppy disk joint venture with Japanese company Mitsubishi Kasei Corporation (forerunner of Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation), with the joint venture called Kasei Verbatim.
Verbatim mostly struggled in the decade and was purchased by Eastman Kodak in 1985, while its floppy partnership with Mitsubishi Kasei Corporation was still intact. It was eventually purchased fully by Mitsubishi Kasei Corporation in March 1990, after eight years in a joint venture. Many new products were launched under the new Japanese ownership, and the brand saw immense growth in the decade.[3] Mitsubishi Kagaku Media was founded in October 1994 as a subsidiary through the merger of Mitsubishi Kasei and Mitsubishi Petrochemical, resulting in Mitsubishi Chemical. The new company absorbed the former American company and created a new Japanese entity, whilst the old Verbatim brand lived on.
In addition, Mitubishi Kagaku Media sell products under the Freecom brand. Freecom was founded in Berlin, Germany, in 1989 and had been based in the Netherlands when it was purchased by Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings in September 2009.
The company was selling products under the Mitsubishi brand in Japan from 1994 to 2010, when Verbatim fully replaced it.
Originally an American company and known for its floppy disks in the 1970s and 1980s, Verbatim is now known for its recordable optical media.
History
The original Verbatim first started in Mountain View, California, in 1969, under the name Information Terminals Corporation, founded by Reid Anderson. It grew quickly and became a leading manufacturer of floppy disks by the end of the 1970s, and it was soon renamed Verbatim. In 1982, it formed a floppy disk joint venture with Japanese company Mitsubishi Kasei Corporation (forerunner of Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation), with the joint venture called Kasei Verbatim.
Verbatim mostly struggled in the decade and was purchased by Eastman Kodak in 1985, while its floppy partnership with Mitsubishi Kasei Corporation was still intact. It was eventually purchased fully by Mitsubishi Kasei Corporation in March 1990, after eight years in a joint venture. Many new products were launched under the new Japanese ownership, and the brand saw immense growth in the decade.[3] Mitsubishi Kagaku Media was founded in October 1994 as a subsidiary through the merger of Mitsubishi Kasei and Mitsubishi Petrochemical, resulting in Mitsubishi Chemical. The new company absorbed the former American company and created a new Japanese entity, whilst the old Verbatim brand lived on.
In addition, Mitubishi Kagaku Media sell products under the Freecom brand. Freecom was founded in Berlin, Germany, in 1989 and had been based in the Netherlands when it was purchased by Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings in September 2009.
The company was selling products under the Mitsubishi brand in Japan from 1994 to 2010, when Verbatim fully replaced it.
The Azo part of the story goes back to at least 2008.
As can be seen especially from links 1 and 4 above, a storage life of some 100 years was claimed for optical disks in general and this claim is repeated by Verbatim from time to time. It is to be noted that they do make disks for which a much longer life is claimed, but my focus here is on the more generally available disks which from time to time include the 100 years claim:
Sales Information: Ultimate resistance to UV light for increased protection and reliability. High quality picture and sound with more than 100 years archival life.
This claim is carried by Amazon as well:
100 high-grade non-rewritable DVD+R discs with a one hundred year archival life and OEM drive certified.
So, the long and the short is that their DVD and CD optical disks are claimed to have a possible lifespan of decades. Some further protective measures (info largely lifted from generic sites) which should be taken toprserve disk integrity, include storage in the dark under a range of humidity and temperatures. An important measure also is not to record at high speeds.
The disks are available in packs for both DVD+R and DVD-R (distinguished respectively by yellow and purple get-up). Apparently the difference between +R and -R has become of less practical concern
As noted, Verbatim makes a range of different types of disks (including a product for which a storage life of a 1000 years is claimed).
A general discussion of 1000 year M-disks disks can be found here
Some general information about Verbatim products. About Gold Grade :
Manufactured using proprietary, unique dual reflective layers, these discs maximize both compatibility and longevity. To further extend media life, UltraLife™ Gold Archival Grade DVD-R’s contain a hard coating on the recording side to protect surface from scratches. In proper environmental conditions, these discs are designed to last as long as 100 years.
Of course, the run-of–the-mill disks (perhaps 100 years life?) are also available in SA (note the AZO designation on the packs) Verbatim - Printable DVD-R(16X) 4.7GB Jewel Case - 10 Pack
Locally, I tried to buy disks (any disks) at computer shops – to no avail.