dvd library

[imported_warlock]

I have a dvd library of backed up movies around 400 or so and I'm looking for a storage option for these since these do have a limited shelf life. I was suprised to find myself that burned DVDs start to degrade after a period of time. Any recommendations?

 

[Dryft]

Assuming single layer discs, you're sitting on about 1880GB of data. Typically when I get a new DVD I rip a .iso of it and store it on an external drive (my two toddlers destroy DVDs, no matter where I keep them). I don't have nearly the quantity you do, right now I've got a 320GB backup drive.

Ideally I'll eventually get to something like this accessing a RAID array over gigabit: http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/avcards/8af5/

Quality 1TB SATA drives can be had for just over $200 (Seagate is my personal favorite), while that's not cheap by any means, it's certainly attainable.

 

[Kevlin]

One option you have would be to get a external My Book Drive, They're about $500 for 2TBs of space. Even though a hard drive also has a shelf life, if you were to unplug it and leave it somewhere safe (Safety deposit box maby?), as long as its not spinning. And watch out for magnets! http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136145

 

[Dryft]

I'll never purchase another MyBook, fortunately it was only the interface controller that died on mine and not the drive itself, but I was 1 month out of warranty and Western Digital wouldn't even help me troubleshoot it. I finally ripped the enclosure open with pliers, crossed my fingers, and tried the drive directly. Fortunately it worked fine, but that was scary since I had over 2000 photos of my kids and video of my older sons first steps on there and nowhere else because I'd just formatted and reinstalled the OS on my laptop.

 

[USCG Hammer]

Don’t waste your money on W/D My book! At least you were able to recover your photo's dryft. I lost everything and it took me kicking and screaming for W/D to help me out. All they did was give me contact info for companies that recover data. Starting price of $500.00 and above!