Need storage advice

[xeen]

What is the recommended place for storing my DV-AVI files when I'm done with a project? I don't want to delete them because I may need to use them again in the future. My options are to burn the DV files to a DVD data disc, or to transfer them back to a miniDV tape.

If I burn them onto a dvd-r, I can instantly get any file back on any computer. However burning is a pain sometimes because it fails and I must throw out a dvd, or sometimes it doesn't read on some dvd drives depending on which dvdr media I use. Burning all my stuff would take up 2 DVDRs.

However if I put them back on DV tape then I don't run the risk of files getting corrupted when burned wit errors. But transfering back to DV means using the DVCam's heads for a long, which would only make them more dirty. So I would be risking dirtying the heads and having bad quality backed up. Plus I have to use the heads again when I want to retrieve something again via firewire.

[SomeJoe]

If the total quantity of files for your project is within 9.4GB (2 DVDs), I would recommend going that route.

You get the benefit of the DVD-ROM error correction, the optical writing does not produce wear on your camera tape heads, and your media is about the same price (~ $6.00 for 2 top of the line Verbatim DVD-R's, vs. about $6.00 for a miniDV tape). Plus, you can store more than just the edited footage on the DVD-ROM ... you can store the Adobe Premiere (or other NLE) project file, graphics, titles, etc.

If your projects become larger, however, you may need to look at a completely new backup method like one of the various backup tape formats (DDS, DLT, etc.)

[dvp]

I also want to backup my avi files after editing and exporting as a mpg files. By so doing, I can store and reload my avi files from the dvd-r instead of capturing from the dv tapes from time to time.

But when I backup about 4GB (in 8 avi files) by making a (1) data disc using Nero 6.0 and (2) a backup disc (ISO) using Nero Backitup, they both have errors.

For the data disc, only 3 out of 8 files can be copied back from the dvd-r to the HD, the other 5 just stoped while coping! The 3 successful ones can playback without problems.

For the backup disc, all files can be backuped on the HD, but not all the files can be opened and played back!

I have used the same media to burn more than a dozen of movies and I think the media should be alright!

Would the avi files be more complicated and sensitive, thus more easily going wrong than the movies? Or are there any better and reliable burning programmes than the Nero for making avi files backup? (Though I am pretty happy with the Nero when burning movies!) Thanks.