It is very important to keep your CDs and DVDs in good condition so they can last longer. It can be annoying to discover that your year old audio CD skips in your player. CD and DVD discs can last over 10 years of handled and stored with care. You should follow these tips:
When you buy blank discs always ensure that they are high quality, Grade A media. You do get what you pay for. The best manfacturers are Taiyo Yuden, Sony and Verbatim.
Always write on your media with special CD and DVD pens. Do not use a regualr ballpoint pen because this may damage the recording layer of the disc. The pressure from the tip of the pen may cause damage or the ink from the pen may seep into the disc over time.
Don’t store your media in high temperatures. I have known clients who store their media in shelves above their heaters. Although optical media can theoretically withstand temperatures as high as 50 degrees Celsius, it is best to keep the ambient temperature around 25 degrees. Store the discs in paper wallets or plastic casing such as clam shells to prevent dust and scratches. Also, try to hold the outside edges of the disc when you transport it from case to drive and back again.
Avoid using paper labels on your media. This is very important for discs that might remain in your drive or discs that you use often. Since it can get very hot in a CD or DVD drive, the heat plus the spinning of the disc, can cause the labels to bubble and peel. This will disrupt the balance of the disc and you will likely receive read errors. Or worse, the disc could get stuck in your drive. Another reason to avoid labels is the adhesive underneath can eventually seep into the dye layers of your disc and make it useless.
Learn more about CD and DVD duplication. Stop by Tara Roitman’s site where you can find out all about DVD duplication and what it can do for you.
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