A DVD will last for 100 years…or so the experts say. While a short-run DVD is realistically expected to remain playable for 25 to 50 years, it’s a foregone conclusion that the better care a disc receives, the longer it will endure.

STORING DVDS

The main factor in the lifespan of a short-run or burned DVD is the dye present in the disc. DVD dyes are sensitive to light, especially the components present in sunlight, such as UV rays. Excessive exposure to light can cause the dye to age more rapidly than it would otherwise. For that reason, DVDs should be stored in a dark environment.

Temperatures and humidity are similar factors to consider. While DVDs can be played in warm, humid climates as well as sub-zero locales, a cool and dry location is the best solution for long-term video archiving. If a DVD does become exposed to a very hot or cold environment, let it acclimate to room temperature for at least 2 hours before playing it.

Endeavor to keep your DVDs clean; avoid dirt, dust, and hair as much as possible. Clean discs ensure that your DVD player’s lens remains clean too. If tiny particles like dust and dirt get stuck to a disc, your DVD player’s laser can skip, stutter, or refuse to read the DVD at all.

Along the same lines, always store DVDs in cases or DVD packaging, which helps to minimize dust and debris as well as light exposure. Store cases in an upright position, like a book on a shelf.

HANDLING DVDS

Human mishandling is the most overtly destructive force that can affect the longevity of a DVD. Optical discs are very durable when handled correctly, but they can be easily bent and damaged. If a DVD is severely scratched, the data on the disc often becomes inaccessible, usually for good.

Only handle a disc by its outer edges or plastic inner core, and never touch the shiny surface on the bottom of a DVD. This is the side of the disc that is read by a DVD player’s laser, and even a small scratch or thumbprint can cause the laser to refract improperly and fail to read the data. If a scratch or smudge happens, you may notice video glitches during playback, or the DVD may stop working entirely.

Be careful when extracting a DVD from its case, and avoid bending the disc. A warped disc can become unplayable quickly, since DVD players are very sensitive to balance issues. And while it may go without saying, never play a disc that is visibly cracked! The DVD could break and seriously damage the DVD player.

Finally, if you need to make multiple DVD copies, send the disc to a professional DVD duplication company. Using your own computer to burn and print a large number of discs is time consuming, and at-home DVD copying can ruin consumer drives and printers.

CLEANING DVDS

If a disc does attract a small scratch and you notice playback errors, clean it properly. First, wipe the shiny side of the disc with a soft, lint-free cloth. Wipe in straight lines from the inside ring to the outside edge, never in a circular fashion. (The laser in a DVD player can compensate for any light scratches caused by wiping that cross the disc at a straight angle, while circular scratches cover a wider area of data and are harder to correct.)

If dry wiping doesn’t do the trick, spritz the bottom of the disc with water, water with light soap, diluted dish detergent, isopropyl alcohol, or a dedicated CD/DVD cleaning liquid. Allow the liquid to sit on the disc for a minute, and then wipe it off completely with a soft cloth, again using straight lines.

If the video still shows errors, your disc may have serious scratches and need more intense repair work, which generally means filling in or polishing out the scratch. To avoid further damaging the DVD, it’s best to find a company that has equipment for polishing discs. Commercial polishing machines, which are often found at movie rental and video game stores, can restore a DVD disc to immaculate condition and buff out even the deepest scratches. Online services, such as Azuradisc, can also repair damaged DVDs for a reasonable fee.

Finally, remember that it’s common for the lasers in DVD players to wear out. So if you encounter a disc that skips or stutters, try it on another DVD player before cleaning it. You may find that the disc is actually fine, and it’s your player that needs replacing!

A DVD will last for many years if it is stored and handled properly. With correct care, your DVD home videos will be playable for many years to come.

Author Bio: Jennica Musselman is the owner of Timeless DVD, specializing in professional DVD transfer, DVD duplication, and video conversion service. We transfer video from VHS, VHS-C, Betamax, Mini DV, Hi8, and 8mm video tapes. We can also convert tapes to computer video files and convert Flash and hard drive camcorder video to DVD. Visit the Timeless DVD Blog!

Category: Entertainment
Keywords: DVD duplication,DVD copying,DVD home videos,DVD copies,video archiving,DVD packaging,DVD disc