While searching for an Epson P-2000 photo viewer recently I came across a device which will read your compact flash card and write it onto a DVD. I have seen many of these that will write to a CD but this is the first I've seen in DVD. It seems like a very good way to copy your memory cards while on vacation or travelling and just mail them to yourself. It is made by Delkin and is called DVD Burn-Away.
That is fantastic What is the story now on DVD are they stable? Will they last if using high quality? How long would it take to burn the DVD with an 8X dirve? I know a lot of questions! It's my inner child. Ron
I have not had a single problem with data on a dvd. I backup all of my photos annually onto a dvd. If you burn at 8x it should take about 15 minutes. I prefer to burn at 4x to insure integrity and that takes about 30 minutes if the disk is full.
CDs are created a bit different from DVDs. I think they've learned. On CDs the data was stored on the 'foil' layer which was laminated directly onto top of the plastic disk. On some brands, this layer actually delaminates and hence your data starts to deteriorate to the point where the CD is not readable. Some of the chemicals in some pens caused deterioration of this layer as well. I have had numerous disks deteriorate and become unreadable. On DVDs, this 'foil' layer is sandwiched inbetween two plastic disk layers so it's more stable. I haven't heard of DVDs disintegrating so far, BUT I do keep three separate storage systems, one on a separate hard drive, and two sets of DVDs, different brands, stored in different locations.
Dave, I have the Delkin Burnaway and like it. I burn all my cards onto the DVD first thing and then have them saved. I use good quality DVDs but don't know if that really makes a big difference. I know it makes me feel better to get them on a DVD and not CD.. THis is all I use the Burnaway for. I carry it with me when I travel and burn the pictures using the battery when driving home from taking pictures.. It's not anything you could carry in your pocket. I just keep it in my bag and use it when needed. I think it has a car hookup. I also think that Frank (Flew) has one. Best to you, Gaye
Thanks Sandi, I keep multiple copies of everything too. DVDs are the only way I could do this, because if I kept them on 700MB CDs, I'd be drowning in disks by now! What kind of external HD do you use? I have a 240GB Western Digital, and it's a stinker. One partition is completely crashed and the others are flakey. I'm thinking of retireing it from backup service, and reformatting it as a Photoshop scratch disk.
Chris, I have a C: drive for all my programs, and NOTHING else. I have a 250GB D: drive for all my data and photos. I backup my photos to an external Maxtor at night (Karen's Replicator - freeware and an EXCELLENT program). My DVD burner is a Plextor external so I can also take it on the road with me and my laptop. In the field, I back up to a 40GB storage device just for insurance. I can shoot 600-800 pics in one day when kayaking if there are plenty of birds around. I think all these companies are in cahoots with part us with our $$$ *LOL*
Yes Sandi is correct, That is exactly what I was thinking about. Thank you everyone for all the info. I just remembered that about 8 months ago there was a big thing on CDs not being stable for long term storage. Thanks Ron
I wouldn't count on DVD being anymore stable than CD. If Sandi's description of the DVD manufacturing process is accurate, the 2 layers can separate too. That's what happened to a lot LDs. Granted, one might expect LDs to be more susceptible due to their size/weight placing more stress on the bonding between layers, but that doesn't mean DVDs are not susceptible to different issues that might also lead to separation of the layers. And if I had to guess, I'd think that the higher data density of DVD might make it more susceptible to certain things that can potentially ruin the dye, etc. since there is probably less margin for error w/ the higher density. Hmmm... What do people use to store their CDs/DVDs for on-the-field use? Does everyone use hard jewel cases or similar to prevent flexing of the discs? I would not want to store them in a CD/DVD wallet/album for too long. Anyway, whatever method you choose for on-the-field offloading/backup of photos, make sure you make extra backups when you get home. _Man_
