Will my burned copys last? only, recently, reading, backing, popular

andy

I have just recently started backing up my movies using maxell
dvd+R,but i was reading in popular mechanics that burned
disk will only last about five years before they start to degrade? is there any truth in this?

Yes, dvds will degrade over time.  Depending on what kind of dvds you have (ie, manufacturer), they can last 6 months or 10 years.  

Well, there's also luck...

js

For an interesting read on this topic, check out this link:

PUBS/reports/pub121/sec4.html

Here's a portion of the information presented there:Among the manufacturers that have done testing, there is consensus that, under recommended storage conditions, CD-R, DVD-R, and DVD+R discs should have a life expectancy of 100 to 200 years or more; CD-RW, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and DVD-RAM discs should have a life expectancy of 25 years or more. Little information is available for CD-ROM and DVD-ROM discs (including audio and video), resulting in an increased level of uncertainty for their life expectancy. Expectations vary from 20 to 100 years for these discs.
(No, there aren't any typos about the quot;life expectancyquot; ;gt;})

Absolutely store the disks in the dark. I had devasting experiences with CD-ROMS that died who were stored in their jewel case box in a room. However, in summertime, these boxes were in direct sunlight during a couple of hours in the morning. After less than 6 months more than 10% of these disks produced reading errors. Maxell disks were extremely bad, much more so than TDK's. It is only now, four years later, that slowly my trust in CD/DVD technology is returning

I have a purchased Disney DVD that already freezes after only 2 years. I also have 3-4 DVD's from a limited release videographer that all do the same thing after 2 years. Luckily I can put them in a computer and make working backups. Go figure.
Personally I think this stuff about any DVD lasting 100 years is utter garbage. Would any DVD manufacturer out there care to give us even  a 20 year warranty?   Obviously VHS tapes start degrading immediately, but at least you can still watch them 20 years later if they don't get stretched out.

@trolltuning

Storage conditions (cool/dry/dark) and handling (clean and careful) are critical.

All of my backups, including those that are now 5 years old, play perfectly. I store them in padded looseleaf binders, in double-sided sheets that each have 8 sleeves (4 on each side)...

Personally I think this stuff about any DVD lasting 100 years is utter garbage.

I doubt that too many of us will be around to either confirm or refute this ;gt;}