DVDs

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DVD’s are made of layers of plastic to make them easy to handle and durable, and a metal film layer (the ‘recordable’ layer) that holds the data, audio, or video.

The metal used in the recordable layer determines how long the DVD will last.

Standard DVDs

‘Average’ consumer use

Aluminium recording layer

Susceptible to rust

Susceptible to corrosion

Linear thermal expansion coefficient
23.1 µm/(m·K)

Varying manufacturing standards

Lasts around 30 years

Archival Gold DVDs

Used by libraries and institutional collections

Gold recording layer

Does not rust

Does not corrode

Linear thermal expansion coefficient
14.2 µm/(m·K)

Exacting standards developed by archivists

Lasts around 100 years*

Standard DVDs

Most consumer ‘Standard’ DVDs, the type you might buy a movie on or get to store videos or data from your computer are normally made with aluminium. Aluminium is perfectly fine for everyday use; it’ll last a few decades or at least until you switch to the newest storage technology.

If you want to preserve your data and videos for longer than a few decades though, aluminium is not the best option. Aluminium is susceptible to rust (oxidization) and corrosion. Depending on the manufacturing quality and storage conditions, you can expect a standard DVD to last anywhere from 3 to 30ish years

Archival Gold DVDs.

Gold however is ideal. It does not rust or corrode. It has been selected as the archival standard for institutions including the Australian National Archives and the USA’s Library of Congress. As such, appropriate measures are being taken by these and many more institutions to ensure access to CD and DVD media for the foreseeable future.

When used as the recording layer in a DVD it greatly increases its lifespan. An Archival Gold DVD is rated to last over 100 years*. This was determined using an accelerated aging process developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (USA).

CDs have been commonly available for 40 years, and DVDs for 20 years. While newer technologies have become far more popular (Blu-Rays, and streaming videos like Netflix), DVD is expected to be mainstream supported for at least another 20 years and legacy supported for at least 40 years. While that might not cover the entire 100-year lifespan of an Archival Gold DVD, it does mean that your DVD will survive long enough to be transferred to any new storage formats in its peak performance window.

* The rating of “100 years” was determined by the US’s National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) as when the DVD was written and stored in ideal conditions. Exposure to natural bodily oils, environmental moisture, dust, dirt, markers, and labels reduces the lifetime of the DVD. Temperature fluctuations, as well as very high and very low temperatures which include normal summer and alpine temperatures experienced in Australia, will also reduce the lifetime of DVDs.

Our Guarantee

We source our Verbatim Archival Gold DVDs from an Australian stockist that verifies its products’ authenticity and quality.

We handle your DVDs as per the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent damage by minimising exposure to moisture, oils, and scratching.

We cannot guarantee that your DVD will last 100 years or more. We can guarantee that we will do our absolute best to give your DVD the best opportunity of lasting 100 years or more. This includes educating you on your various options for storing Archival Gold DVDs.

Handling Archival Gold DVDs

Ideally, Archival Gold DVDs should be handled as little as possible.

If you want to have a DVD that can be used frequently or to send to friends and family, we can supply you with additional copies of your data on Standard DVDs.

Storing Archival Gold DVDs

How you store your DVD will greatly affect its longevity. Here’s what we recommend;

WhatWhy\How
Do store your DVD in a proper plastic case.DVD cases are designed to provide support to the DVD, avoid friction against the surface, and resist ingress of dust and moisture.

Do not store the DVD in a paper case. They do not provide support to the DVD and can also be the source of abrasive dust as it decomposes.
Do keep the temperature between 15°C and 20°C.Low and especially freezing temperatures cause the plastic layer to become brittle. Aluminium layers can shrink at low temperatures.
Do keep the temperature stable.Temperature fluctuations cause wear against the layers of metal and plastic.

The storage environment should not fluctuate more than 2°C per day.

Do store inside your home (not in a shed, garage, or roof space).

Do have insulating material around the DVD. A small esky is a great idea for both DVDs and important documents, otherwise, place the DVD at the bottom of a drawer used for storing extra blankets.
Do control the relative humidity. The ideal is 40-50%.Water vapour in the air (humidity) can enter between the layers of metal and plastic, either at the edges or in scratches causing erosion.

Do place the DVD in a plastic, sealed bag. Don’t store near heaters, air-conditioning, or plants. Don’t store in or near laundries or bathrooms.
Do not expose the DVD to water or moisture.Do not place your DVD on kitchen benches or dining room tables where accidental spills may occur.

Do store your DVD up and away from floors which may be subject to flooding.
Do not expose the DVD or storage container to light.Light exposure is the single greatest threat to both the plastic and metal layers of a DVD. Light causes photodegradation of the polymers that make up the plastic layers of the DVD.

Do use a black plastic DVD case.
Do not expose the DVD to dust.Dust can cause scratches in the DVD. This risk becomes greater with movement.

Do keep the DVD enclosed within its case when not in use.
Do not expose the DVD to chemical vapours or spills.Some chemicals, such as ammonia and super-glue will cause chemical abrasions, discolouration, or denaturing of the plastic layers of the DVD.
Do not touch the surface of the DVD.No matter how clean your hands look, humans leave thin layers of oil on surfaces they touch. It’s the reason fingerprinting at crime scenes is so productive.

Do handle your DVD only along the edges and within the spindle hole.
Do not clean the DVD.Cleaning introduces chemicals and abrasives to the DVD surface.

Do avoid needing to clean your DVD by handling at little as possible.

If you must clean your DVD, use only a soft non-woven cloth (eye-glass cleaning cloths are a great option) and as little filtered water as you can manage.

Do not clean your DVD surface in a circular motion. Clean in the direction from the spindle hole to the outer edge.

Do not clean the ‘top’ (label) surface of the DVD. That is the layer closest to the data layer, and the most vulnerable to damage.
Do not write on the DVD.Most inks used in pens and permanent markers are not suitable for writing on the surface of DVDs as they contain chemicals (alcohols, oils, and corrosive) that will damage the data layer; maybe not immediately, but eventually.
Do not affix labels to the DVD.Paper often contains a substance called ‘lignin’ that breaks down into acids that can cause corrosion to the DVD surfaces. Many adhesives also contain either lignin or other substances that also cause corrosion.
Do choose a good storage container.At home; the best option is a fire-resistant document envelope inside a fire-resistant safe.

Alternatively, store the DVD first in a waterproof bag (e.g. a vacuum seal bag or double-lock plastic storage bag).
Do choose a good storage location.At home; there are two good options; an esky, or at the bottom of a drawer or chest that also keeps rarely used blankets or linens.

If you prefer to keep the DVD off-site, you can rent a ‘Safe Custody’ envelope or box from some banks. You might also like to ask your family solicitor if they offer a similar facility.