Article concerning DVD degradation

thursdaynighter · 12-27-07, 11:14 AM

There was an interesting article (link beneath article) about digital storage and I found this paragraph particularly eye catching. The article was linked from the IMDB homepage.

"To begin with, the hardware and storage media — magnetic tapes, disks, whatever — on which a film is encoded are much less enduring than good old film. If not operated occasionally, a hard drive will freeze up in as little as two years. Similarly, DVDs tend to degrade: according to the report, only half of a collection of disks can be expected to last for 15 years, not a reassuring prospect to those who think about centuries. Digital audiotape, it was discovered, tends to hit a “brick wall” when it degrades. While conventional tape becomes scratchy, the digital variety becomes unreadable."

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/23/bu...JIacYG+g1h2CJA

Peep · 12-27-07, 11:23 AM

I'm wondering if the article is talking about DVD-Rs, since most of the studios wouldn't be "pressing" their archival content onto disc.

Giggles · 12-27-07, 12:51 PM

If this happens I'm gonna kill myself... Finally, I thought, they invented something that will last if not forever then longer than my lifetime, and I won't have to worry about it. But on the other hand if DVD content dies, we can still keep the fancy boxes etc. while films itself will be on some micro-chips.

dx23 · 12-27-07, 01:27 PM

The article has to be talking about Anchor Bay early releases, which some discs didn't even last 5 years.

DVD Polizei · 12-27-07, 03:06 PM

Considering how many studios re-issue titles in two and three and four and five-disc editions, combined with how many times yours truly and other DVD collectors will upgrade in 15 years...I'm not worried.

rw2516 · 12-27-07, 03:43 PM

Since all my 25 year old vhs tapes play fine, these guys are full of shit.

mike7162 · 12-27-07, 04:25 PM

I've read this kind of article on every format I've ever owned, and it's never happened. I have a broadcast of "Videodrome" I taped off cable in 1985 that plays as well as the day I recorded it. Take care of your media, and your media will take care of you.

DRG · 12-27-07, 04:27 PM

I'd be more concerned about this happening to my data/home movie DVD-Rs than anything.

chris_sc77 · 12-27-07, 04:32 PM

I too will kill myself if my DVD's start to not play anymore.

DVD Polizei · 12-27-07, 04:33 PM

With DVD-Rs, you should be making new copies every few years.

mikelowry · 12-27-07, 04:53 PM

Some sort of prophet of doom eh? If ever that happens, my world will crumble!

Takeshi357 · 12-28-07, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peep

I'm wondering if the article is talking about DVD-Rs, since most of the studios wouldn't be "pressing" their archival content onto disc.

Well I wouldn't take that for granted - remember how they shot so much stuff back in the 80's on video instead of properly on film.

Though I guess they didn't so much think of preserving them forever, shooting straight to video was a cost-cutting move as they didn't have to create a telecine for TV broacast...or something.

12-27-07, 11:14 AM	#1
thursdaynighter Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sacramento Posts: 620	Article concerning DVD degradation There was an interesting article (link beneath article) about digital storage and I found this paragraph particularly eye catching. The article was linked from the IMDB homepage. "To begin with, the hardware and storage media — magnetic tapes, disks, whatever — on which a film is encoded are much less enduring than good old film. If not operated occasionally, a hard drive will freeze up in as little as two years. Similarly, DVDs tend to degrade: according to the report, only half of a collection of disks can be expected to last for 15 years, not a reassuring prospect to those who think about centuries. Digital audiotape, it was discovered, tends to hit a “brick wall” when it degrades. While conventional tape becomes scratchy, the digital variety becomes unreadable." http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/23/bu...JIacYG+g1h2CJA

12-27-07, 12:51 PM	#3
Giggles Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 727	If this happens I'm gonna kill myself... Finally, I thought, they invented something that will last if not forever then longer than my lifetime, and I won't have to worry about it. But on the other hand if DVD content dies, we can still keep the fancy boxes etc. while films itself will be on some micro-chips. __________________ My DVDs My Texas Chainsaw Massacre collection My SAW collection

12-27-07, 03:06 PM	#5
DVD Polizei DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Overpricedville, OR Posts: 36,857	Considering how many studios re-issue titles in two and three and four and five-disc editions, combined with how many times yours truly and other DVD collectors will upgrade in 15 years...I'm not worried. __________________ Blu-ray Titles: ~380 \| HD DVD Titles: ~323 "I don't sell airplane parts. I've never sold airplane parts."

12-27-07, 04:25 PM	#7
mike7162 DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Trencher's Farm Posts: 1,615	I've read this kind of article on every format I've ever owned, and it's never happened. I have a broadcast of "Videodrome" I taped off cable in 1985 that plays as well as the day I recorded it. Take care of your media, and your media will take care of you. __________________ My collection: http://mike7162.dvdaf.com/owned "Is that how you define success - gettin' rich and living out your dreams? Not me!" - Thurgood Stubbs

12-27-07, 04:33 PM	#10
DVD Polizei DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Overpricedville, OR Posts: 36,857	With DVD-Rs, you should be making new copies every few years. __________________ Blu-ray Titles: ~380 \| HD DVD Titles: ~323 "I don't sell airplane parts. I've never sold airplane parts."

12-27-07, 11:23 AM	#2
Peep DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 7,332	I'm wondering if the article is talking about DVD-Rs, since most of the studios wouldn't be "pressing" their archival content onto disc.

12-27-07, 01:27 PM	#4
dx23 Banned Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 11,975	The article has to be talking about Anchor Bay early releases, which some discs didn't even last 5 years.

12-27-07, 03:43 PM	#6
rw2516 DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 4,397	Since all my 25 year old vhs tapes play fine, these guys are full of shit.

12-27-07, 04:27 PM	#8
DRG DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: ND Posts: 11,394	I'd be more concerned about this happening to my data/home movie DVD-Rs than anything.

12-27-07, 04:32 PM	#9
chris_sc77 Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bellefontaine, Ohio Posts: 5,628	I too will kill myself if my DVD's start to not play anymore.

12-27-07, 04:53 PM	#11
mikelowry Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Daydream Nation Posts: 884	Some sort of prophet of doom eh? If ever that happens, my world will crumble!