DVD+/- For Data Storage?

E

emaN resU

New Member
I have some GB with random data.

avi/mov/txt/jpeg/exe/msi/iso ect. ect.

I want to take backup from those files on a DVD.
What is the prefered format for data storage?

DVD+R or DVD-R?

I have always wondered.

Thanks on advance.:)
 
Either would be acceptable for data backups. See which your drive burns faster, or which are cheaper in your area. I use -R and they work just fine.
I am not sure that one is *actually* better; they are just two competing formats.
 
I re-write my backups so often, I use DVD+RW's and have never had a problem with longevity or reliability.
Tom
 
Then perhaps i sould split them up in DVD+ and DVD- Backup, so even if the discs are the same, there will be a greater safety, if a dsic malfunction then i will rip that plate and say
"Argh you stupid DVD-and/or+ plate. I hate you, burn i DVD HELL!"
And then i can save the data from the other disk. And ill be all like
"Hurray, you are the greatest disk ever!!!!"

Thank you guys.
 
+ and -, as has been said, whatever works. More important to get good quality disks if you are looking at long-term storage. For critical data keep 2nd copies somewhere else (bank, neighbour, friend) in case of fire, earthquake and other disasters. Even more important to check for readability after burning. I use freeware Nero cd/dvd speed, Scan Disc test.

Starman*
 
If you have enough to fill a disk and know you won't add anything, I'd use a + or - R. If you don't have enough to fill a disk and have other things to add, maybe even remove, I'd look into a DVD-RAM disk/drive. Most drives don't support this format, but it's well worth it!
 
you can get pretty cheap removable drives as well. I use these at my office. (we have five for a weekday daily backup). It's good because they are removable so you dont need to worry about lightning/power surges (considering you remove them from the power supply after backing up) and you wont need to be perpetually throwing away disks and rewriting them. Plus the bus is way faster than DVD burning.

I wouldn't suggest this, however, if you are only need to transfer data to another computer one time. (it's good if you use it for an everchanging medium-- at home I use it to back up my music, videos, emails, etc... things that I am always amending.)

Edit:
Also, if you only have enough data to fit a DVD, the pocket HDDs can be nice, they have a 6GB one from WD that would be perfect.
 
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I actually rather like the mini-dvd-r or mini-dvd rw discs. They hold 1.4Gb, and although they're not great for putting video formats onto, they are great for storing a large quantity of data. Plus they're compact! I tend to store all my critical backup configuration files on them - Outlook account details, Work files, and various other save files. (Especially my need for speed most wanted config files!) As for + or -, I just use whatever is cheapest and if it's important data I have one hard copy on my external drive, and one on dvd.
 
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