Are Taiyo-Yuden DVDs still the best?

[AndrewCassino]

Originally Posted by AndrewRodney

In addition to getting the best possible media, you might want to consider this:

TrueDisc

That product makes so much sense! Too bad it's Mac-only.

[Richard_Coyle]

For the current state of the art in archiving, the standards are set by Plasmon (and HP) with UDO drives and media, and Sony with PDD drives and media. Both use the same basic blue laser technology, in Sony's case Blu-Ray, but with much greater read/write capabilities including much faster speed and reliability. The media comes in 23GB for PDD and 30GB and with UDO2 60GB for Plasmon. Unfortunately, the costs are substantial, with drives starting over $2000 and media just under $50. Interestingly, Verbatim manufactures a UDO media which is Plasmon compatible and lower cost. Here are some links to the technology and reviews of both formats:

Plasmon UDO (Ultra Density Optical) Overview - Archive Without Compromise

PC Pro: Product Reviews: Plasmon UDO

PC Pro: Product Reviews: Sony BW-RS101

My suggestion as to the best approach would be to utilize the current affordable technology of CD/DVD and hard disk archiving in a redundant process that allows for verification of data integrity and then transferral to new technology in a reasonably short time frame, such as 5 years. I'll bet by then Blu-Ray and HD-DVD will provide cost effective writable drives that provide a viable alternative to the current technology provided by UDO and PDD drives and media.

[DierkHaasis]

Have been to a computer shop yesterday in search of an external HD and looking for current prices of Blu-Ray burners in Germany. Though neither HD format has its break yet in Germany, it seems the prices for BR burners are dropping substantially. About half a year ago they cost € 750 upwards, now they are starting at € 450 [from a popular GErman language price comparison site]; the shop I had been to offered them for around € 200 - € 400. They may already have incorporated holiday re-stock, ruch and prices.

The news about the high definition race in the US for the last 10 months are in favour of Blu-Ray; seems high def also has a firm foothold now, thus coming to Europe in spades over the next 3-6 months [pre- and after-Christmas sales]. My prediction is in Europe Blu-Ray prices will go down over the next year with affordable burners and media ready from spring onwards.