I've been rethinking how I archive my data and would like some input. I've got a lot of music, movies, tv shows, etc that I've downloaded, and, rather than delete them after watching, I prefer to archive the files so that I can return to them later, perhaps with a friend, or if I just feel like watching it again. I've been burning these files onto DVD for many years and now have a few hundred discs worth of data. I don't mind having the data on DVDs since I can just put them in large binders for storage, but it's not the most convenient. So, I'm debating whether or not to ditch the DVDs and start using external hard drives for archived data instead. Here's what I've come up with so far:
DVD Media:- About 6.4 cents per gigabyte
- Takes up more space
- Less convenient: Harder to search for the disc I want; takes time to burn each disc
- Subject to potential disc rot
- Permanent: if I decide I no longer want something, I can't reuse the disc for something else
External HD:- More expensive: about 10 cents per gigabyte
- A bad external HD means losing a TB of data, but a bad DVD means losing just 4.7GB
- Takes up less space: one 1TB drive fits over 200 discs
- More convenient: Multiple series can fit in one place; easier to store
- Not permanent: If I want, I can just delete things I don't want, and I can reorganize at will
So, anything I'm missing? What are your thoughts? The external hard drive option is more expensive, but competitively priced, and I'm thinking it may be worth it for the convenience. I'm a little concerned about longevity though. Disc rot is fairly uncommon - I have yet to encounter it - and there are no moving parts to be concerned about with DVD media. The idea of an external hard drive going bad and causing me to lose a TB worth of data is pretty horrible. I'd rather go with the less convenient option if data integrity will be better.
So, fellow downloaders, what do you use to store your TB's worth of data? Do you think I should continue burning DVDs, or should I switch to buying a new external HD every so often?
Bonus question: If I go the external hard drive route, what's the difference between the
Western Digital Element and
Western Digital My Book Essential? Do you think one is significantly better than the other? Why? If nothing else, it seems the Element would be easier to stack and store. Maybe you have an entirely different external hard drive recommendation?