Group of CDs were made using same machines, same brands of discs, so in a sense a control group
CDs function as material for the reference library for a long time - Librarians noticed that pulling CDs some were not playing, ripping properly, determined a need to get data off of the CDs ASAP, purchased equipment and made a RIP station.
Ripped about 8k CDs, dumping wav files at digital asset management station, cataloging.
First wanted to test some to learn about increase in errors and condition of collection.
Plextor drives used.
Large spectrum of discs regardless of year they were from and different levels of accessibility.
2400 Mitsui silver CD-Rs
20% of silver cds measuring previously detectable errors
None passed IASA’s specs for errors - technicians instead looking for what CD is getting kicked out and why.
Not gradual increase based on date - totally random variables
Conclusion: CD-DAs don’t last long and are unpredictable, accelerating aging only part of issues with optical media - hardware to make data, care and handling etc.
More open source solutions would be great to use with hardware that exists
Contact John Passmore at WNYC: jpassmore@nypublicradio.org
