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Re: Writable CD - archival quality brands?



Writable CD's come in two varieties: CD-R and CD-RW. A CD-R can be written so
that any CD reader (except much older ones) can read it. Generally, only
another CD Writer can read a CD-RW. This is not because the manufacturers are
trying to create a proprietary format. Making a CD Rewritable involves a
slightly different technology and a different power of laser. A read-only CD
player does not have the proper power of laser to read the CD-RW.

Both types of CDs are based on dye technology. If you are expecting archival
quality, be sure you use the recommended brand. Dye stability and quality of
the protective cover on the disks do vary from brand to brand.  Protect the
disk, keep it out of the light, and provide protection against high temperature
and humidity.

I would not trust a CD-R to last beyond 25 years (it that). Even should the
data last unscathed, it could be very hard to bring together the correct
combination of hardware and software to access, read, view, and print the data
on it. I would also treat an "archival" disk like I would an archival copy of
microfilm. Put the master in the vault and use a copy. Like most media, humans
are the greatest source of danger. Writable CDs are all vulnerable to scratches
which can eventually render them unreadable.

Ann Balough
annb01@bellatlantic.net <mailto:annb01@bellatlantic.net>


-----Original Message-----
From: Archives & Archivists [mailto:ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU]On
Behalf Of Amy McCrory
Sent: Friday, October 20, 2000 8:26 AM
To: ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU
Subject: Re: Writable CD - archival quality brands?


>>A side note.  We also discovered that you cannot transfer data to a CD-RW
>>and expect it to transfer and upload to another player if it the player is
>>not of the same manufacturer.  This is due to how the the data is written to
>>a disc at certain angles.  These players are proprietary.  In essence, if
>>you are using an HP writer and player to record data on CD-RW, you would
>>also need an HP writer/player to read the data from that same disc.  Go
>>figure.


I was really surprised to read this.  This isn't the case with CD-Rs: I
know that a CD-R (one that can be written only once) from an HP writer can
be played on at least three other brands of player, as well as DVD
players.  I'm not sure it's actually the case with CD-RWs either.  The
problem may be that there are many CD players that simply can't play
CD-RWs, but it doesn't have anything to do with proprietary
equipment.  It's just that the older CD players (and even some recent ones)
can play CD-Rs, but not CD-RWs.

Does anyone have more information about this?  I'd consider it a very
serious issue if in fact CD writers are being designed to prevent use of
their CDs on other players.

Amy McCrory
Project Archivist
Cartoon Research Library
Ohio State University



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