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CD Lifetime?

Just saw this press release regarding 24K gold CDs for archival purposes with a lifetime of 300 years, with the implication that a "normal" CDR has a lifetime of only 6 years.

http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/kodak_releases_new_archival_cds_dvds/

Any idea what the lifespan of a commercial CD is? Since many of mine are closing in on 25 years old, starts having some relevance... Maybe another argument for burning them all to hard drive, although I've still be viewing my collection as a "backup-backup." Anyone notice any aging effects on their collections?
edesilva
5 responses Add your response
dred
21 posts
 
You must be kidding-I changed to CDR from cassette for compilations because I thought they would last longer.
This is a shock.
I read all the magazines and have never read this.
I am thankful for this forum.
puremusic
226 posts
 
Has anyone compared the sonic qualities of the Kodak Gold Preservation CD-R and the Mitsui Gold CD-R? Also, how does either of these gold CD-Rs compare to the better black CD-Rs?
edesilva OP
768 posts
 
I had thought I'd heard some stories of delamination and oxidization of the metallic layer--even for commercial CDs. Mine seem to have held up well, but the thought of a 6y lifetime on CDRs may be a surprise to those thinking they have a backup of something...
saki70
907 posts
 
While I too find it difficult to fathom the pits going away , it is a light (laser) based item . As such I have a commercial CD that not only has the printing fading away but the reflective silver surface is starting to acquire visible holes in it . I know that these holes affect the value when trying to sell the CD . At a used music store , they will not buy any CD's that contain these holes ! I cannot recall any anomolies in the playback though .
waltfarr
4 posts
 
Remember a cdr is different than a commercially made audio cd. On a cdr you are simply creating a pattern by burning a dye layer built into a cdr. Commercial cd's actually have pits in the surface. Yes cdr's have a short lifetime and personally I think 6 years is pushing it. Commercial cd's are something altogether different and I dont see how the pits in the disc are going away with time.
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