Archiving with M-Disc

M-Disc is a more robust form of writable DVD and Blu-Ray media for making longer-lasting archives and backups. Here I look at M-Disc hardware, test compatitbility, and perform an intensive data retention test to see if M-Discs really do last longer than traditional optical media.

[Tuauld]

So we are back to carving into stone. Neat.

[nikkopt]

M-Discs DVD's can be read in any DVD player, the "M-Disc certified drive" requirement is only for writing on them since they need a more powerful laser to etch that material.

[LuisMercadoorg]

As a neurotic archiver with multiple redundant backups this interest me greatly. Three backup HDs have suddenly died on me in the past two months so I was looking for a reliable yet cheap solution. I have a library of DVDs that I have to re read every six months or so because sometimes they just suddenly can't be read; the humid and hot climate of where I live corrodes them quickly. This is the solution many of us have been waiting. Thanks a lot professor.

[gam]

I have converted all my old VHS videos and old family photos to digital, and one of the media I have used is the m-disc dvd and bluray. I hope they never have to be used as a last resort one day, but I can at least sleep a bit more peacefully knowing that I have done everything I can and in my power to preserve the memories of my family and deceased mother

[LazerLord]

Happy 100K! Now you should expect a silver play button in 1-2 years.

[woodwaker]

Great video that I just stumbled across. I was in charge of a Digital Archive department for a company that supplied data services to mutual funds. I started testing M-Disc in 2009 or 2010 and was impressed with the potential for our customers. Ultimately it came down to cost vs advantage. We purchased 10K to 20K blank disks per month for production at $.43 each. M-Disc in DVD format were about $5 each - over 10 times the cost. I could not convince top management that the advantage to our customers was worth the added expense. I retired in 2011 and still have stacks of M-Discs and burners.

[nxxynx]

Despite everyday storage exploding into the 21st century, long term archival data storage is still very far behind, most people have no long term data storage plans.

[chunkymonkey]

I used to work in an Antenna factory, and the guys there used to regularly test new designs of Antenna in a special chamber that could emulate 50 years of British weather. The Antennas used to come out looking all weathered and such, it was pretty cool to see :)

[llggpagm]

It's been over 7 years since the publication of this much appreciated and helpful video, and I was wondering if you're still using M-Discs for data archival. It may be material worth for an "data archival revisited" video in the near future! Thank you very much for your help spreading computer knowledge in such a clear and concise way!

[DanielSRosehill]

"I also tried it on this Sony machine that was recently dug up from an archaeological site.. I believe it was made by the Romans." Love British humor and its quintessential deadpan / understated delivery. And as a fellow albeit realatively newly minted M Disc enthusiast.... Great info!

[TechNoPhobiaGirl]

Hiya! Found your vids "along the way" and I'm glad I did! You speak clearly and your audio and video are both very well done. Keep up the GREAT work!

[mclaine]

M-Disc is pretty awesome especially for archiving video. It might be a good replacement over tape media but only time will tell how long it can really last.

[MichelPASTOR]

Nice. I did not known about the M-Disk. I would like to see a UV test of those discs compared to traditional DVD/BR tech too.

[phoenixsmaug]

Thanks for this great video. I'm an amazed user of the Verbatim 100 GB M-Discs, which finish my backup system as long-time archival storage

[LazerLord]

That standard DVD looked pretty cool after that long-term water test. I mean, it wasn't very useful, but at least the pattern was interesting.

[MrJason]

Subscribers! Well done, ExplainingComputers

[Mobay]

I like this type of video, talking about none mainstream technology stuff. Thanks!

[alexbright]

We need an update video on this please. thank you.

[scottsater]

This video made my day :)! I came to learn more about the M-Discs that I now own for archival, but I came away with a much bigger smile and some LOL chuckles at your humor and your experiment! Thanks for your info AND all the fun :)!!

[VVayVVard]

A word of caution: in an accelerated aging test conducted by the French Laboratoire National de Métrologie et d’Essais, the resilience of the M-Disc was found not to differ significantly from other reputable types of DVD-R. Only the GlassMasterDisc survived the test without errors, but it is no longer produced (it was basically a DVD custom-made out of glass in a cleanroom environment). Silica discs (Microsoft) or 5D optical storage might eventually replace it.

And in 2022, it was reported that Verbatim no longer produces the M-Disc DVD-R's, and instead only produces a newer Blu-Ray version, which has never undergone independent accelerated aging tests.