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Cloud · Aug 16, 2006, 11:02 PM

First off I didn't know exactly where to post this however Mods please feel free to move this to the designated forum.

I plan on archiving all the music, photos, movies and documents on my computer. My problem is choosing which way to go. I have been using the 700MB CDs for the longest time however the CDs end up being scratched up and therefore unreadable by my CD drive. The same goes with DVDs and DVDRWs. I can back up all my information on a couple of DVDs and I'm all good. However if there is a single scratched and the DVD does not read im F'D. Although there is no real way to prevent that I will burn 2 copies. But is there any other alternative?

I was thinking of buying an external Harddrive, like a 250GB one. I don't have an incredible amount of data to archive like some people but I have enough of stuff I want to keep around for a long time (especially digicam pics).

What are the pros and cons of this? Won't the harddrive potnetially burn out several years down the road? If so thats a lot of eggs I'm putting in one basket isn't it? Transfer rates would be fast with firewire and it will be as easy as cut + paste. But it is better than using DVDs (or even Blu-Rays down the road?)

Are there any other suggestions I can use? Thanks.

Cloud

air · Aug 17, 2006, 08:12 AM

tapes?

zubro · Aug 17, 2006, 11:22 AM

http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?pid=10384

Buy 2 of them:
1 for your regular BU
1 to make a BU of your BU

I have 4 of them myself ;o)

Googer-Giger · Aug 17, 2006, 11:58 AM

I don't like those F.A. Porsche ones. Try the d2, I use them. They pretty much have legendary support and reliability. http://www.lacie.com/products/range.htm?id=10033, lacie's full line of desktop HDs. The only modern way to go is firewire, stay away from the usb- only ones.

zubro · Aug 18, 2006, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by Googer-Giger

I don't like those F.A. Porsche ones.

That is your own opinion Giger.
Some also say that the buses used by LaCie are no good.
The Porsche serie is "super light" and the FW is good enough.
I do FCP DV editing and it works just fine.
Friends of mine edit on other models like the Big disks etc. all very reliable.

Anyway, any FW HDD brand will do, just double backup all your data! ;o)

Peace.