How long do recorded DVD discs last?

 

All DVD recordable discs are extremely sensitive to heat, UV light and humidity. You should avoid exposing them to any extremely hot environment such as automobile interiors in the sun, or inside near radiators or heaters, or near an outside window, and so on.

It's best to keep all DVD-R discs stored in a cool, dry place, closed up in a blank plastic DVD movie case. This will ensure that they last the longest.

Avoid any abrasive, scratching or etching treatment of the disc's top or bottom. Remember that they are much more sensitive than DVD VIdeo or Game discs, and that even a small scratch can make them unplayable.

However, a scratched DVD-R can be destroyed in seconds, and one exposed to high temperatures, humidity or strong UV light sources can become unplayable within anything from a few hours to a few days. One study of average DVD-R discs stored at 80 degrees and high humidity showed that many of them became unplayable in only a few hundred hours. Imagine what storage in a sun-heated car interior's "oven" at about 200 degrees would do!

Treat your recorded DVD-Rs with care. Handle them by their edges, gently. Avoid harsh chemicals in marking pens, ink and label adhesives. Avoid touching the top or bottom surfaces. Don't slide them across tables, players or computer cases. Return them to their black DVD cases immediately after playing. Don't stack DVD-Rs one on top of each other and shuffle them like a deck of cards.

Do buy white coated DVD-Rs. The extra top coating can add a bit of extra protection against some chemicals and minor nicks and abrasions. Do buy gold metal reflectors when you want to get the absolute longest storage possible. Gold does not tarnish. Silver alloy metal reflector discs can last for many years also, especially with the white top.

With proper handling and protection during storage, a DVD-R disc can last for longer than you will probably want to re-play them. One company claims that its DVD-R discs can last up to 100-years or more. Store your own DVD recorded discs carefully in a cool, dark, dry place and they should last for many years.