DVD, Blu-Ray and 4k UHD Disc Longevity

[Member-735200]

So I just read that commercial DVD longevity is 50-100 years and Blu-Ray (BD-R) is 5-20 years. This can't be right. I just upgraded my collection to Blu Ray and so in a few short years the discs will be unplayable? If I had known this I would have invested in DVD's instead of Blu-Ray. Also, does anyone know how long do 4k's last?

[stonesfan129]

I have yet to have any DVDs or Blu-rays become unplayable and I have been collecting since 2008 when I got a PS3. 4K Blu-rays I have had two that were unplayable out of the box (both Paramount titles) and after exchanging them through Amazon, the replacements worked fine. Pressed discs last longer than 20 years. Maybe what you read was talking about burned discs?

[PenguinInfinity]

Originally Posted by Member-735200

So I just read that commercial DVD longevity is 50-100 years and Blu-Ray (BD-R) is 5-20 years. This can't be right. I just upgraded my collection to Blu Ray and so in a few short years the discs will be unplayable? If I had known this I would have invested in DVD's instead of Blu-Ray. Also, does anyone know how long do 4k's last?

BD-R stands for Blu-ray Disc Recordable: it is a burned disc. Movie studios rarely use burned discs.

A pressed Blu-ray Disc will last a very long time.

[Canadian_Thunder]

All theory. DVD and BD discs have gone bad over a short time. It depends on how well they were manufactured. Issued from a big label is no guarantee it will not go bad.

[PenguinInfinity]

Originally Posted by Canadian_Thunder

All theory. DVD and BD discs have gone bad over a short time. It depends on how well they were manufactured. Issued from a big label is no guarantee it will not go bad.

Every product has bad batches with manufacturing defects. The vast majority of pressed discs will last a very long time.

[Donl1282]

The most important thing is that our discs will outlive us

[Canadian_Thunder]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

The vast majority of pressed discs will last a very long time.

Unless you used a time machine to confirm that its pure theory.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Canadian_Thunder

Unless you used a time machine to confirm that its pure theory.

In my possession I have
BDs bought in 2006 so 17years now
DVDs bought in 1998 so 25 years now
CDs bought 1988 so 35 years

that still work, no time machine required, just natural passage of time.