DVD Backup is Easy

A Backup Article Contributed by Melissa Larose

DVD Backup is Easy

DVD's are not just for movie backup any more. They are ideal backup media for large amounts of data. Their durability, cost, convenience and large storage capacity make them an ideal backup media choice. Next time you are reconsidering your backup plan and are concerned about the rising size of storage, slow speed and security research the DVD as a backup media.

DVD Backup is Secure

Yeah, right you say. Well yes it is secure as long as you locate the right DVD backup software for your business. The right software will allow your IT team to encrypt the data as it is stored and password protects it too. That means it's secure from being slipped into a DVD reader and being seen and/or manipulated against company policy.

Now all you need to do is find a place to store those DVD's. This shouldn't be difficult as they are storing much more data than the CD's you've been copying to, and certainly less room to store than those zip disks or floppy disks.

Choose a DVD manufacturer that produces DVD's with archival longevity. Look for a DVD with a gold metal reflective back. This DVD should also have either clear or blue dye for maximum wear.

DVD Backup Disk Care

Make sure you handle the DVD's with the care they need. They should always be handled by the edges or through the center, just like a CD. The label should be written in a non-solvent, permanent felt-tip marker on the label side of the disk and not the write side. Keep dirt and foreign matter off of the DVD. IT can damage the DVD and the data on it. You can lose your data this way. Store the DVD's in their jewel cases and set them vertically on a shelf, not horizontally. Keep the DVD backup away from heat and cold and any chance of dramatic fluctuations of either.

Do not touch the surface of the DVD; this is true of CD's as well. Do not bend the disc and do not use adhesive labels or tape on the disks. Do not leave uncased DVD's out in the open. Do not store the DVD backup in a horizontal position for long length's of time. Do not clean the disk in a circular motion.

DVD Backup Issues

There are differences when using DVD media for backup. For instance its file structure is different than that of a hard drive. The structure should be the same when you backup so locate a good software package that adjusts the files prior to the download. Then use your DVD burn software to burn to DVD disk all the backup you need to accomplish.

Compression will help the speed of the backup so allow your DVD burn software to adjust the compression as you need to. Experiment until you get the backup just the way you need it then save those settings for later use. Optimum performance is dependent on your system and its settings.