Ol' Don Loc: Hohenwald,Tennessee

Question for those who save their photos to disc... What format did you choose and why. What other saving options have others used and why? Thanks much!

notnoBuddha

I use CDs mainly for the convience and ease of storage, pretty darn cheap, and easy to label & file. I also use a seperate hard drive and I have two web sites where I keep a good share of my pictures. I'll admit that I don't do the best job of storage and keeping things where I can find them - but where I am trying to do a better job is make sure I always have all photos at least two different locations. I do not have 100% faith in any one system. I keep saying I'm going to a better main system. Enjoy the day

jerryace1

how do you put pictures or video on cd or dvd that you can play on other dvd players.thanks

notnoBuddha

There may well be a more simple way - but for me I just save the files to my computer, once there by clicking my mouse I have an option "copy" my files, If you have a CD in your drive one of thoses options should be for that- that's about it.

Ol' Don Loc: Hohenwald,Tennessee

I have been "clicking and dragging" my photos into my burner program to store them on CDs or DVDs but I was wondering, hence my question, if there is an advantage of one over the other, ie. DVD plus as compared to DVD minus, CD plus or CD minus. Is the quality of the photo affected in one over the other. I know adjusting photos in .jpg format can cause a loss of quality (when I modify a photo I use .PNG) but I was wonderng about the storage aspect of saving photos. Thanks.

jdtx Loc: SA, Tx.

the only difference I know of is that a DVD holds a lot more pics..

Jwilliams0469 Loc: Topeka, Ks.

I normally save my photographs to a DVD-R+, as far as a difference in quaity, no. I also use the format .PNG when recording to DVD, problem is, you have to create a slideshow in that format in order to make it work. I normally use some sort of movie maker program that will also use photographs as an option. I have also used and love using because it's so easy ( Microsoft Power Point presentation. When I do a photo shoot for my clients power point is what I use to make the DVD's for them "if they want them." DVD-R+ is a great way to store your photographs as you can save in some cases 9+Gbs of photographs, I'm not sure the number on that but I believe it's something like 50,000 photographs. I'd make two or more copies though if going to disk and keep one for use and the other for a backup in case the first one gets messed up. I hope this helps. Good luck!

photocat Loc: Atlanta, Ga

When I first started with digital i use cd's and then when i had some files that wouldn't fit on a cd i went to dvd.

However, with external storage being so cheap these days, I have then switched to that mode.

I make 4 copies, with one copy being kept off site.

Extenal storage is faster and easier for me, and in the long run cheaper.

Best practice is 3-2-1
Three copies, two media , one off site.

Anthony Charles Loc: Santa Maria

i USE three methods 1 Offsite{carbonite]
2 external hard drive dedicated to Photo's only
3 dvd

Ol' Don Loc: Hohenwald,Tennessee

Thank y'all for the input! I've been using CDs and/or DVDs but may go with an external storage. My wife has everything in her computer (including well over 1000 photos) backed up on a Seagate unit and has been "leaning on me" to invest in one. Sounds like the way to go. Thanks again!

Jwilliams0469 Loc: Topeka, Ks.

I'd be extreamly careful with cheaper external Hard drives as they tend to just quit! Just a bit of advice...

Bells Loc: South Carolina

I save my files to CD-R also. Some I save as JPEG format and others I save as TIFF files. The JPEG'S take up less space on the disk but if I think I will use the images again, I save them as TIFF's. By saving them as TIFF files, I can edit, crop or combine them into other images and not reduce the quality of the file. TIFF files take alot more space but I can edit & change them over & over again. I also use external devices (MyBook) to save my files.

Phyllis Loc: NE PA

Hi Don,

Good question.

I save my photos on DVDs, + or -. I use both and I haven't noticed any difference. I think + might be a little faster. With DVD's 4.7 gig capacity, I can fit over 1000 photos, both JPED Fine and RAW, on one disc. If you only save JPEGs then each DVD would be able to hold about 2,000 pics. CDs, on the other hand, are only 750 mg, so they can hold considerably fewer photos. I also have my files stored on external hard drives. Unfortunately, I know of too many instances where external hard drives have failed and precious photos were lost. This is why I use DVDs, lots of them, as an additional backup. Finally, I also have my best, favorite, and most recent work on both my desktop and laptop computers where I have easy access to them. So, I have at least four copies of my important photos, each stored in a different place.

All in all, I have about 100,000 photos, dating all the way back to my father's childhood in the early 1920s, stored on DVDs, hard drives, and computers. Since everything is labeled and dated, I can easily find whatever I need.

Immediately after taking photos I load them into the computer and back them up. Only then will I reformat my camera card.

I hope this was helpful and that I answered your question.
:)

jant

i use portable storage devices and use dvd plus -- i find the plus dvds are generally more compatible with other computers and tvs--for clients slideshows i use pro show gold[ you can make them specific for tv, widescreen and various specific video options- check it out-- so user friendly too!

gwong1 Loc: Tampa, FL

I save a minimum of three copies, one on my hard drive, one on an external hard drive, and I also have a file server for my business and utilize that as well.

Remember CD & DVD's have a shelf life, more information can be found here, http://www.pctrainingspain.com/MH_Datasheets/MH_CD_DVD_Life.html. Other searches may be helpful as well, and there also may be a quality issues with the manufacturer that you utilize.

I also take a portable hard drive with me when I travel to download a second copy of my images, in case my laptop HD crashes.

I know a little paranoid, but you only get one chance to take your images, and a lifetime to enjoy them. I hope this helps.

Gary