Blu-Ray media or external HDD: what's the best storage option for my needs?

[autumn_suns3t]

I am going to make my first build. I see Blu-Ray writers' prices have got reasonable, so I have now 2 options to store my about 2TB film data a year:

1) External HDDs (the model I trust gives a 33 €/TB value)
2) Blu-Rays (I see 50 discs selling for €34, which gives a 27 €/TB value).

What would you pick?

I also ask you whether a good HDD or a good Blu-Ray is the most likely to retain data for longer.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hello, autumn_suns3t!

I personally think that having it both ways is the best solution! Multiple backups is always the best practice. Having an offside and onsite backup is what I'd do. I'd use both, because both burned media and external HDDs can fail but having them together as a backup solution significantly lowers your chances of losing important data.

Hope this helps you.
SuperSoph_WD

 

[autumn_suns3t]

Hi,

I neglected to say that I already have all films on DVDs from my serious DVD recorder.
Therefore, my computer storage method will be my actual second copy.

So, what one would you choose, and why?

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Hi,

I neglected to say that I already have all films on DVDs from my serious DVD recorder.
Therefore, my computer storage method will be my actual second copy.

So, what one would you choose, and why?

In this case, I'd go with the external HDD.
Basically because DVDs and/or Blu-Rays are both burned media that is read-only, whereas the external is read/write. This means that the data can be overwritten and it's a good storage solution to have at your hands. Not to mention the fact that most portable HDDs come with backup utilities that let you automatically backup your data, once they are connected to your computer. Either way, when we talk about backup storage, I'd never rely on one backup alone - in other words - the more, the better.
I personally use externals as a backup storage. I have a very large music collection, that I've been backing up for quite some time now. Once upon a time, when I couldn't get my hands on external HDDs, I used to do DVD backups and I still have data on those, the bad news is - I cannot access them anymore, not all of them at least. I'm not very dependent on externals either, because they can fail as well. That's why I have my collection on 2 externals + my computer just in case.

As for the data recovery, I'm not sure how things are with the DVD/Blu-Ray disks, but I think with HDDs it's a bit easier due to the advanced technologies of data recovery companies.

Hope I helped.
SuperSoph_WD

P.S. Sorry for the long reply.

 

[autumn_suns3t]

I can see from your reasoning you are keen on music, as I am on cinematography .

I record them with a serious Pioneer DVD recorder.. which cost me a lot as it has a 10-bit analog-digital conversion.

To this, I want to add an extra grade of safety: I'll use external HDDs then, it's indeed more comfortable. I'll still have a DVD unity on my PC however.

Have a nice day, thanks for your suggestion
Michele

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

I can see from your reasoning you are keen on music, as I am on cinematography .

I record them with a serious Pioneer DVD recorder.. which cost me a lot as it has a 10-bit analog-digital conversion.

To this, I want to add an extra grade of safety: I'll use external HDDs then, it's indeed more comfortable. I'll still have a DVD unity on my PC however.

Have a nice day, thanks for your suggestion
Michele

Wow, Michele, it looks like you definitely know how to take care of your stuff. I admire that.
I do think you will find the external HDD a great storage solution for the extra safety of your cinematographic passion!
I'm glad I was able to help you out!

Have a blast,
SuperSoph_WD