How long do self recorded dvds last?

[steven.brown487]

I posed this question in response to another query in a different thread but thought I'd give it it's own as I'm very curious to find an answer.

A few months ago I put some home movies (video) onto dvd using a stand alone dvd recorder. How long can I expect these discs to last?
I've heard from one source that with recorded dvds you can only expect a few years? That can't be true can it? Surely the selling point of dvd recorders was the longevity of your recordings.
I've got video tapes that are 15 years old (originals, home movies and stuff off tv) and they still play perfectly!
I know original dvds have a shelf life of at least 20 years but is it a big con with dvd recorders?
Also which is more reliable, a stand alone dvd recorder or the dvd recording drive on a pc?

As I said, I'm very curious to see if anyone knows the answer. None of my friends have a clue.

[TheFatBoy]

I do know that if you leave DVD-Rs exposed to sunlight it trashes them...

But I would have thought in a proper case and handled gently they'd last a long time...

Don't think it makes a difference whether it's burnt via PC or stand alone.

[Bigsby]

Problem is, nobody really knows, as they haven't been around that long. As said, store properly and you should be OK. Also, use a decent brand for important stuff.

I plan to back up important stuff like home movies to a portable hard drive. With the price of media so cheap it's worth the belt and braces approach I feel.

[bumfrog]

I plan to back up important stuff like home movies to a portable hard drive. With the price of media so cheap it's worth the belt and braces approach I feel.

you've got more chance of losing them on a hard drive then you have a dvd.

If you must back up to hard drive, make sure you do a dvd copy as well. Can't even begin to count the amount of data I've had to try and recover from hard drives because people didn't back up to dvd/cd/tape.

[broadz]

I know original dvds have a shelf life of at least 20 years but is it a big con with dvd recorders?

How do you know that? Have you got DVDs dating back to 1988?

[steven.brown487]

How do you know that? Have you got DVDs dating back to 1988?

No, but when dvds came out and all the Home Entertainment mags went ape**** for them, I remember the 20yr quote. In fact, I've read in Hi-Fi Choice that 30yrs is more like the standard.

Thanks for all the other replies. It seems like no-one still really knows though.

Best not get rid of the videos!

Do not bypass the Auto Sensor. Type the word as normal and let it do it's job.

[threadkiller]

I've had discs fail in 6months, (verbatums not cheapies) and others still going strong after several years. If its important stuff I make 2 copies, and store 1 in a dry dark place, whilst the other I keep in my Disc case. In the case of home vids, I still have the original unedited tapes as well

[joconnor]

and store 1 in a dry dark place

It rubs the lotion on its skin, or else it gets the hose again.

[broadz]

It rubs the lotion on its skin, or else it gets the hose again.

LOL. Here Precious.

[Bigsby]

you've got more chance of losing them on a hard drive then you have a dvd.

If you must back up to hard drive, make sure you do a dvd copy as well. Can't even begin to count the amount of data I've had to try and recover from hard drives because people didn't back up to dvd/cd/tape.

That's what I meant by "back up". One copy on DVD, one on a hard drive. If both fail then I suppose that's just tough luck, but I would hope that that would be unlikely.

[Grandmaster]

Burn at the lowest possible speed onto a decent brand like Taiyo Yuden or Verbatim. Store carefully and you'll be fine. I've got discs from 2000 that are as good as the day I burned them.

[thescrounger]

Burn at the lowest possible speed onto a decent brand like Taiyo Yuden or Verbatim. Store carefully and you'll be fine. I've got discs from 2000 that are as good as the day I burned them.

Agreed. Good quality media and burned slowly and they should last.

Also, not that I'd recommend it, but's surprising how much you can trash a DVD-R and it still plays. I made some for my little brother (who doesn't put them away and leaves them lying around) and even covered in little scuffs they seem to still work, so long as you give them a wipe before use.