Re: [ARSCLIST] Requiem for the DAT (redux, was Storage of audio CDs)

["Richard L. Hess" <ArcLists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

At 07:26 AM 10/4/2005, Jerome Hartke wrote:
> Just a reminder that archivists are utilizing storage products that are
> designed and manufactured for the mass market. This has two advantages.
> First, cost is very low because of the very large consumer market. Second,
> compatibility is high because of the very large installed base.
>
> When professional users are given the cost of products tailored for their
> needs, the usual response is that the high cost cannot be justified because
> of the ready availability of cheap, consumer grade discs and drives.
> Gentlemen, we usually get what we pay for.
>
> Jerry
> Media Sciences, Inc.

Hello, Jerry,

While this is true now, we have a history that doesn't support this 
change of cost model.

When analog tape recording became widespread in the late 1940s, the 
tape that was commonly available, Scotch 111, was widely used and 
sold for both professional and amateur uses.

Consumer quality tape became available, but the cost savings were not 
substantial. That didn't stop purchasing agents and private 
individuals from purchasing this tape for archival use -- at least 
for oral histories. On the other hand, professional recording tape 
(primarily Ampex, but other brands also suffered) suffered from 
binder breakdown. Also, as we discussed previously here, Kodak tape 
(a trusted name) has not fared well.

I think multiple gold CD-R copies might be as safe a storage as we 
have available today if the owner is not willing to invest in a 
managed digital archive. It's certainly better to generate these now 
than to keep the only copy on Kodak or some store brand tape (which 
is what I'm copying right now).

Cheers,

Richard


Richard L. Hess                           email: richard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Vignettes 
Media                           web:   http://www.richardhess.com/tape/
Aurora, Ontario, Canada             (905) 713 6733     1-877-TAPE-FIX
Detailed contact information: http://www.richardhess.com/tape/contact.htm