Longevity
See also: Compact disc#Recordable CD and CD-R#Expected lifespanRetail recordable/writable optical media contain dyes in/on the optical media to record data, whereas factory-manufactured optical media use physical "pits" created by plastic molds/casts. As a result, data storage on retail optical media does not have the life-span of factory-manufactured optical media. One must therefore be wary of storing family photos and videos (or any other miscellaneous important data) solely on dye-based optical media. MAM-A (Mitsui) claims a life of 300 years on their archival gold CD-R and 100 years for gold DVDs. Good alternatives would be to additionally backup one's media using other media technologies and/or investing in non-volatile memory technologies.
Read more about this topic: Optical Disc Recording Technologies
Famous quotes containing the word longevity:
“Every thing teaches transition, transference, metamorphosis: therein is human power, in transference, not in creation; & therein is human destiny, not in longevity but in removal. We dive & reappear in new places.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (18031882)