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Topic: Back-up FLAC collection to DVD (Read 4629 times) previous topic - next topic
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Back-up FLAC collection to DVD

I'm about to embark on a plan to back-up my three hard drives of music to DVD and was looking for suggestions from the audio experts here.  I'm backing up to DVD because it's cheap.

My music is stored in a typical music\artist\album directory format.  My first thought is to simply drag and drop these existing folders directly into my DVD burning software (Nero) and just keep track of what files are where manually (in alphabetical order by artist).

I've also played around with using commercial back-up software (like the package included with Nero, for example).  However, the software options I've found are not specifically created to back-up music and, as a result, appear to manage the data in a manner not much better than my manual-alphabetical option above.

Ideally, I'd like a tool which can analyze my collection, suggest the best file order to maximize each DVD, and catalog exactly which files are on which disc.  I don't know if such a tool exists but I figured Hydrogen Audio would be the best place to ask.

Any thoughts/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Back-up FLAC collection to DVD

Reply #1 –
If you're looking to cram as much as possible into the DVD, you could try using Burn To The Brim.  You might have to configure it a little bit to get it to work, but it can be pretty handy.

Back-up FLAC collection to DVD

Reply #2 –
A software called Ignition can help you to optimize files to minimize the number of required DVDs.
I use CD-Bank to store the content of my DVDs

Back-up FLAC collection to DVD

Reply #3 –
Quote
I'm about to embark on a plan to back-up my three hard drives of music to DVD and was looking for suggestions from the audio experts here.  I'm backing up to DVD because it's cheap.[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=295265"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

You may know this already, but I thought I'd mention that quality media is of paramount importance if your backups are to be read reliably a few years down the road. Name your burner if you need media recommendations.

Back-up FLAC collection to DVD

Reply #4 –
Icamp,

I am about to do the same thing. What did you find to accomplish this?

I am debating as to whether to just burn them or to use a backup application.

Back-up FLAC collection to DVD

Reply #5 –
Is there any software which offers automatic PAR2 file creation as well?
The object of mankind lies in its highest individuals.
One must have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star.

Back-up FLAC collection to DVD

Reply #6 –
Hmm, my low-tech approach is like this:
  • burn the files and folders in alphabetical order (I don't care about maxing out DVD space usage) with the burning app of your choice (in fact the outer parts of a DVD tend to go bad earlier, so filling up the DVD to the limit might not be the best choice if you care for data integrity)
  • write a simple text file (I will use a text editor to search for a file...), keep it on your HD, on the backup DVDs or wherever you want
  • burn one CD-R filled with PAR2 files for each DVD (I use quickpar)
  • label the DVDs with a consecutive number and the first and last album title
  • put each DVD/backup-CD set into a double-CD jewel case

The PROs
  • I don't have to install or even buy more backup software
  • it's quite backward compatible (using PAR2 file for integrity checking and simple text files)

The CONs
  • using commercial backup app may be faster (if you don't count in the time you need to find and test the hundreds of apps out there)

Back-up FLAC collection to DVD

Reply #7 –
I use MediaMonkey to keep track of discs and their contents. I name my DVD's and CD's with a number in ascendant order as I burn them and store them in this order in a box.

Back-up FLAC collection to DVD

Reply #8 –
Quote
Icamp,

I am about to do the same thing. What did you find to accomplish this?

I am debating as to whether to just burn them or to use a backup application.


I'm doing it manually.  -with a twist.

I'm burning the files alphabetically and creating a tag field called "backup".  Once a file is backed up I put the date of back-up  in that tag field.  That way I can keep track of additions to my library in need of backing up without worrying about creating redundant back-ups.

Once a DVD is complete I'm using Where Is It to catalog the contents of each disc.  Just drop the disc in the DVD drive and Where Is It  adds the files to its database.

This is a great example of a market for someone to tap.  Back-up software which automates this process would easily be worth $50 to me.
 

Back-up FLAC collection to DVD

Reply #9 –
Just a suggestion, and I know this may not help, but I think I would rather trust my collection in the hands of a HDD than disks which may or may not work in X number of years.  Also, HDDs are easier to add files.  Hard drives are cheap now.  Buy a cheap one and an enclosure from CompUSA.  Bingo, cheap external hard drives and no worry about timing.  When you are done, set it aside and never look at it.

Back-up FLAC collection to DVD

Reply #10 –
Istn rar with a recovery record an option?
Its easy, foolproof, and when the media gets scratched there is a good chance you still can get your original files.  I dont really trust optical media for backup purposes, so i would only use it if a recovery record could be used.

My prefered solution would be to leave the harddisk in the computer and remove the power/ide/sata cable.

Back-up FLAC collection to DVD

Reply #11 –
Redundant hard drives would be my 1st choice if money wasn't an issue.  As cheap as HDD's are they still can't come close to beating a stack of 100 DVD+R's. 

A 300 GB USB 2 HDD would run ~ $250-300.  A stack of 100 DVD+R's (~470 GB of storage) cost me $40. 

I should also note that I don't consider the DVDs to be permanent storage.  As long as I can get a year or two out of them I'll be happy.