Storage forum: Long term DVD v CD storage

Thanks for your response. I did read the reports but, unless I am mistaken, it did not actually compare DVD v CD. It did mention gold plated finishes are better which, as far as I know makes Sony the leading contender.

I do not intend to sway your selection. However, this is my experience. I have CD media that I have had info stored for a period of 10-12 years. Yes, they are still readable. However, If I were to redo them I would use the DVD media instead of CD. The biggest problem I have had is the difference between the Recording programs themselves. Such as, NERO and ROXIO. They use different recording principles. I personally like ROXIO but they are not as readily readable on machines that use NERO. I believe both provide a utility to read the other format though and should cause you no trouble. Assuming you use the same recording program you should not have trouble storing your data on either CD or DVD. I find DVD better myself. Also, I would suggest periodically copying your data to more recent disks instead of remaining dependent upon the older disks. The technology is always improving as you know.

I ran into the 2 to 4 year issue as well. The owner was miffed to find that not only the media can age but so do the CD/DVD drives.

We installed a new DVDRW drive and all his disks came back and read just fine.
Bob