How Long Do DVD Discs Last? Do They Deteriorate Over Time?

Search

Everywhere Threads This forum This thread Search titles only Note By: Search Advanced search… Everywhere Threads This forum This thread Search titles only By: Search Advanced… Log in Register What's new

Search

Everywhere Threads This forum This thread Search titles only Note By: Search Advanced search… Everywhere Threads This forum This thread Search titles only By: Search Advanced… Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar Menu Install the app Install How to install the app on iOS

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

• Home
• Featured
• Forums New posts Search forums
• What's new Featured content New posts Latest activity

• GPU price tracking 2026: Lowest price on every graphics card from Nvidia, AMD, and Intel today — here are the best deals during the AI-driven pricing crisis!

How long do DVD discs last? Do they deteriorate over time?

• Thread starter Thread starter bingaloman
• Start date Start date Jan 23, 2016

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar

• Home
• Forums
• Hardware
• Storage

You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. B

bingaloman

Distinguished

Aug 14, 2012 493 0 18,790 Hello, I am looking to backup an important video from a VHS and transfer it to a DVD. I was wondering, if I were to burn the file to a DVD, and keep it in a protected case and store it away, how long would the disc last and still be working? Meaning that once I burn it, I won't be watching it often and just have it stored away. So pretty much my main question is, if I leave a DVD in a case without watching it for a long time, will it deteriorate? I know VHS can deteriorate over time even if we don't watch them, and so I was wondering is this the same for DVD? Thank you! Solution In theory, the discs were designed to hold data for around 100 years. But that would only hold true if the disc was sealed away from all elements. (air, light, moisture, etc) If the disc is subjected to these elements continuously, a mere 2 years can be expected. They also make sure to throw out the disclaimer that "your mileage may vary" which basically means there's no concrete answer. The best you can do is create the disc, then make a copy or two for backups, then store them away from as much exposure as possible. Finally, I would check them every few years and recreate new copies to ensure there is no degredation over time. http://www.audioholics.com/audio-technologies/cd-and-dvd-longevity-how-long-will-they-last Sort by date Sort by votes

rwoody

Honorable

Nov 13, 2015 475 0 10,960 In theory, the discs were designed to hold data for around 100 years. But that would only hold true if the disc was sealed away from all elements. (air, light, moisture, etc) If the disc is subjected to these elements continuously, a mere 2 years can be expected. They also make sure to throw out the disclaimer that "your mileage may vary" which basically means there's no concrete answer. The best you can do is create the disc, then make a copy or two for backups, then store them away from as much exposure as possible. Finally, I would check them every few years and recreate new copies to ensure there is no degredation over time. http://www.audioholics.com/audio-technologies/cd-and-dvd-longevity-how-long-will-they-last Upvote 0 Downvote Solution

JQB45

Splendid

Jun 23, 2006 3,599 51 24,040 I have a copy of the game Odium on a CD from the late 90's that still works and DVD's from 2003 that still work. Upvote 0 Downvote

rwoody

Honorable

Nov 13, 2015 475 0 10,960 JQB45 : I have a copy of the game Odium on a CD from the late 90's that still works and DVD's from 2003 that still work. Yeah, most people keep their discs in some form of case and they last for years. Whether it's a jewel case, or some form of CD/DVD binder. Doing so keeps them out of direct sunlight and away from most forms of air and moisture. About the only time I would be worried about a disc that's stored away is if it's in a humid climate with no air circulation. Upvote 0 Downvote D

djdubbler

Reputable

Jan 23, 2016 1 0 4,510 That would depend, given the storage method and factors like temp of storage area, humidity, etc. Brand and quality of the disc used matters too. Ideally, if they are stored in a dark climate controlled environment (not in a storage unit/shed out in the elements you can probably get anywhere from 5-10 or even up to 20 years of shelf life with a good quality recordable disc. I just did a large transfer of old home videos from VHS and Video 8 tapes to DVD as the tapes were aging over the 20 year mark and I needed to get them onto a new format fast. I used Verbatim Archival Grade DVD-R discs for recording which should have a pretty good lifespan as they have a gold plated reflective layer as opposed to conventional discs which helps resist oxidation, AZO dye, and a scratch resistant coating. After I recorded my DVDs, I ripped them onto my hard drive, transferred the files to my external hard drive and also backed up to my cloud storage. Storing the discs away in a safe place. If i want to play them back my PC will play the VOB files directly in Power DVD so I don't have to touch the discs, and even if at some point something DID happen to the discs, I have a back up on my PC, external HDD, and on the cloud to pull from. Upvote 0 Downvote B

bingaloman

Distinguished

Aug 14, 2012 493 0 18,790 Thanks everyone! Upvote 0 Downvote

jsmithepa

Polypheme

Jun 14, 2014 13,091 264 60,840 For archival optical quality, if your data is THAT important, M-DISC. Upvote 0 Downvote

JQB45

Splendid

Jun 23, 2006 3,599 51 24,040 jsmithepa : For archival optical quality, if your data is THAT important, M-DISC. What makes M-DISC special? Upvote 0 Downvote

rwoody

Honorable

Nov 13, 2015 475 0 10,960 JQB45 : jsmithepa : For archival optical quality, if your data is THAT important, M-DISC. What makes M-DISC special? Here is the explanation from Wiki: M-DISC's design is intended to provide greater archival media longevity.[1] Millenniata claims that properly stored M-DISC recordings will last 1000 years.[2] While the exact properties of M-DISC are a trade secret,[3] the patents protecting the M-DISC technology assert that the data layer is a "glassy carbon" and that the material is substantially inert to oxidation and has a melting point between 200° and 1000 °C.[4][5] A stress test of the media was performed by the United States Department of Defense, proving at the very least that M-Disc DVDs and Blu-rays are more durable than conventional DVDs and Blu-rays. "The discs were subject to the following test conditions in the environmental chamber: 85°C, 85% relative humidity (conditions specified in ECMA-379) and full spectrum light".[6][7] Conventional DVD-R and BD-R LTH (Low To High) use recording layers of organic dye and separate reflective layers.[8] Standard (HTL) BD-R and BD-R/DL typically use inorganic data layers, but continue using a reflective layer. M-DISC uses a single inorganic recording layer, which is substantially inert to oxygen, but requires a higher-powered laser. M-DISC does not require the reflective layer. Thus, both the M-DISC and inorganic BD-R physically alter the recording layer, burning a permanent hole in the material. Besides physical damage, failure of the reflective layer, followed closely by degradation of the data layer, are the primary failure modes of all optically recordable disks. Recorded discs are readable in conventional drives. Available recording capacities are similar to other optical media from 4.7GB DVD-R to 25GB, 50GB BD-R and 100GB BD-XL. LG Electronics, ASUS and Lite-On [9] produce drives which can record M-DISC media. Ritek produces M-DISC Blu-ray disc media, sold under the Imation, Ritek and M-DISC brands. Verbatim produces co-branded discs, marketed as the "Verbatim M-Disc" Upvote 0 Downvote

The Original Ralph

Distinguished

Sep 14, 2011 2,222 1 20,510 there are more than a few university lab analysis results on disc longevity - as others above have pointed out temperature, light exposure, humidity etc are all contributing factors but quality of the disc is also critical - iirc, verbatim with their "AZO" coating had the highest storage life, and i believe in normal useage, ie not "vault" storage, 10 years is a realistic expectation fwiw Upvote 0 Downvote You must log in or register to reply here. Share: Facebook X Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Tumblr WhatsApp Email Share Link

TRENDING THREADS

• Tom's Hardware Member System Gallery
  • Started by tecmo34
  • Apr 30, 2011
  • Replies: 5K
  Systems
• DiscussionWhat's your favourite video game you've been playing?
  • Started by amdfangirl
  • Aug 3, 2014
  • Replies: 4K
  PC Gaming
• NewsCalifornia bill would restrict 3D printer sales to state-approved models to prevent printing gun parts — joins Washington and NY on legal offensive
  • Started by Admin
  • Friday at 6:20 AM
  • Replies: 40
  News Comments
• NewsIn a blind test, audiophiles couldn't tell the difference between audio signals sent through copper wire, a banana, or wet mud — 'The mud should so...
  • Started by Admin
  • Feb 14, 2026
  • Replies: 62
  News Comments
• NewsUser accidentally gains control of over 6,700 robot vacuums while tinkering with their own device to enable control with a PlayStation controller —...
  • Started by Admin
  • Yesterday at 6:00 AM
  • Replies: 10
  News Comments
• NewsMicrosoft’s AI boss says AI can replace every white-collar job in 18 months — ‘We’re going to have a human-level performance on most, if not all, p...
  • Started by Admin
  • Feb 15, 2026
  • Replies: 44
  News Comments
• NewsColorado could ban 3D printers not under its surveillance to prevent creating gun parts — fourth state to propose new bans is expanding firearms la...
  • Started by Admin
  • Sunday at 6:00 AM
  • Replies: 19
  News Comments

Latest posts

• QuestionHigh pitch pc case fan noise
  • Latest: Aeacus
  • 13 minutes ago
  Components
• QuestionDDR5 RAM not running at QVL speed ?
  • Latest: Darkbreeze
  • 24 minutes ago
  Memory
• QuestionNew card RTX 5060 ti 16GB, and now monitor doesn't wake from sleep.
  • Latest: Tommy Sawyer
  • Yesterday at 11:44 PM
  Graphics Cards
• W QuestionNew PC build KEEPS FREEZING!
  • Latest: WhycomputerWhy
  • Yesterday at 10:47 PM
  Systems
• L Build AdviceThese deals are great, is there any way I could get cheaper or get better parts ?
  • Latest: Lafong
  • Yesterday at 10:40 PM
  Systems
• QuestionUSB Ports suddenly not giving enough power?
  • Latest: jayrawk
  • Yesterday at 10:07 PM
  Computer Peripherals
• DiscussionDid anybody have an SSD fail on them -- how long do they last ?
  • Latest: Darkbreeze
  • Yesterday at 9:10 PM
  Storage

Share this page

Facebook X Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Tumblr WhatsApp Email Share Link COMPANY Space.com is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. RESOURCES

• Advertising
• Cookies Policies
• Privacy
• Term & Conditions
• Topics

FOLLOW Facebook Twitter Instagram Top Bottom