10/19/2010
DVDs- How Long Will They Last?
Using ISO standards in their testing, most DVD manufacturers claim a lifespan of 50-100 years under optimal conditions, however, just like with videotapes, DVDs will last longest if the following is kept in mind:
Do
•Handle discs by the outer edge or the center hole
•Use a non solvent-based felt-tip permanent marker to mark the label side of the disc
•Keep dirt or other foreign matter from the disc
•Store discs upright (book style) in original jewel cases that are specified for CDs and DVDs
•Return discs to their jewel cases immediately after use
•Leave discs in their spindle or jewel case to minimize the effects of environmental changes
•Remove the shrink wrap only when you are ready to record data on the disc
•Store in a cool, dry, dark environment in which the air is clean -- relative humidity should be in the range 20% - 50% (RH) and temperature should be in the range 4°C - 20°C
•Remove dirt, foreign material, fingerprints, smudges, and liquids by wiping with a clean cotton fabric in a straight line from the center of the disc toward the outer edge
•Use deionized (best), distilled or soft tap water to clean your discs. For tough problems use diluted dish detergent or rubbing alcohol. Rinse and dry thoroughly with a lint-free cloth or photo lens tissue
•Check the disc surface before recording
Do not
•Touch the surface of the disc
•Bend the disc
•Store discs horizontally for a long time (years)
•Open a recordable optical disc package if you are not ready to record
•Expose discs to extreme heat or high humidity
•Expose discs to extreme rapid temperature or humidity changes
•Expose recordable discs to prolonged sunlight or other sources of UV light
•Write or mark in the data area of the disc (area where the laser "reads")
•Clean in a circular direction around the disc.
(Thanks to Andy Marken for the list! http://www.audioholics.com/education/audio-formats-technology/cd-and-dvd-longevity-how-long-will-they-last)
In the early '90s when the first CD-R disc was introduced manufacturers said the media had a data life in excess of 40 years. In the late 90s when the first DVDR discs appeared on the scene producers
