Lifespan of Optical Media

Basics

• This page aims to go over the estimated lifespans of various Optical Data Storage Media
• It will also summarize Optical Media Preservation / Archival Best Practices will be discussed as well

Optical Discs

Primer

• For most optical discs there are two kinds:
• Read Only Memory or ROM which are essentially micro-Injection Molded then coated in a reflective layer via Sputtering
  • So for all intensive purposes not too far off from Phonograph Record Pressing , just optical being the only read option
  • These are limited only by the lifespan of the solid materials in them and their integrity (Shatter, Scratches, Oxidation, Burning, etc)
• All other forms (Such as Write Once Read Many or WORM, and all the other forms of write/rewritable) use the same process, but only to make the grove/rings, the data is stored in some sort of other material that is changed by the laser (and a magnet in the case of Magneto-Optical Storage such as Minidisc)
  • These are often made of dyes which can degrade far faster
  • Also in the case of destructive methods of storing the data, "burning" can only be done once, and any mistakes made in the process are "locked in" which can be an issue
• Out of these there is some variability between brands and varieties in terms of lifespan

Data

CD

Read Only

• Supposedly ~50 to 100 years assuming no physical damage (Source 1)

CD-R

• Multiple "burns" can be done in sections, but any "burned" data is permanent
• Lifespan is similar to Read Only outside of the variables being the dye and metal layer's composition
• CD-R (cyanine or azo dye, silver alloy metal layer) 20 to 50 years (Source 1)
• CD-R (phthalocyanine dye, silver alloy metal layer) 50 to 100 years (Source 1)
• CD-R (phthalocyanine dye, gold metal layer) >100 years (Source 1)

CD-RW

• CD-R yet it is re-writable (ie data can be scrubbed off and re-burned by the drive)
• ~20 to 50 years (Source 1)

DVD

Read Only

• 10 to 20 years (Source 1)

DVD-R

• DVD+R DL (dual layer) 5 to 10 years (Source 1)
• DVD-R (silver alloy metal layer) 10 to 20 years (Source 1)
• DVD+R (silver alloy metal layer) 20 to 50 years (Source 1)
• DVD-R (gold metal layer) 50 to 100 years (Source 1)

DVD-RW

• DVD-RW (erasable DVD) 5 to 10 years (Source 1)
• DVD+RW (erasable DVD) 20 to 50 years (Source 1)

Blu-Ray (aka BD)

BD-R

• BD-R (dye or non-dye, single layer or dual layer) 5 to 10 years (Source 1)
• BD-R (non-dye, gold metal layer) 10 to 20 years (Source 1)

BD-RW

• BD-RE (erasable Blu-ray) 20 to 50 years (Source 1)

M-Disc

• 100-1000 Years+
• Only guesses based on accelerated aging / the lifespan of Polycarbonate for now

Sony Archival Disc / Optical Disc Archive

• 50~100+ Years
• Seems to be finally discontinued though either way

Internal Links

• DVD+R vs DVD-R0

External Links

• Longevity of Recordable CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays — Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) Notes 19/1 (This is the "Source 1" Referenced Above, i need to make a proper References Section )