Dvd Shelf Life?

[Dougcho]

Sorry about this, guys, BUT ...
my dreams of archiving our 1000 VHS videos onto DVDs
have been shattered ... because I've been told by high-end
stereo/video stores that DVD SHELF LIFE is in the range of
only 5 to 8 YEARS !!! And it doesn't matter if they're
pre-recorded (i.e. mass burned) or burned by little-ole-me !!!
WHAT HAVE YOU GUYS HEARD ABOUT THIS ???

[GMichael]

Sorry about this, guys, BUT ...
my dreams of archiving our 1000 VHS videos onto DVDs
have been shattered ... because I've been told by high-end
stereo/video stores that DVD SHELF LIFE is in the range of
only 5 to 8 YEARS !!! And it doesn't matter if they're
pre-recorded (i.e. mass burned) or burned by little-ole-me !!!
WHAT HAVE YOU GUYS HEARD ABOUT THIS ???

Someone is yanking your chain big time. A DVD sitting on a shelf should out last both of us. Your grand kids may be able to watch them.

[edtyct]

It's actually kind of complicated, depending on disk type and composition and environmental factors. Check out www.clir.org/PUBS/reports/pub121/sec4.html.

[StanleyMuso]

Sorry about this, guys, BUT ...
my dreams of archiving our 1000 VHS videos onto DVDs
have been shattered ... because I've been told by high-end
stereo/video stores that DVD SHELF LIFE is in the range of
only 5 to 8 YEARS !!! And it doesn't matter if they're
pre-recorded (i.e. mass burned) or burned by little-ole-me !!!
WHAT HAVE YOU GUYS HEARD ABOUT THIS ???

there are now available archival quality DVD-Rs which have a gold layer instead of the usual formulation. I would expect that these would be more expensive than the run of the mill variety. I'm sure a Google search will locate a supplier for you.