Is Hi-MD a good medium for data backup?

[fuzzy_aladdin]

The Hi-MD system is great. I've been using it ever since I got it as a quick and dirty way to copy cassettes and LP's into a digital format without having to dedicate a computer to the task. And since Sony ditched at least SOME of the DRM in regards to uploading a track to the PC (I noticed, no more one-transfer limit), it's become even more reliable.

But I have a ton of standard MD discs laying around and had an inspiration. The media could be used to back up data on my computer. Seeing as how it inherently provides filesystem access, one could use a synchronization program, or a back up suite, and back up files to the MD for safekeeping.

How reliable is this? I have some pretty important data to back up, and presently I use CD-R's. They're reliable, but still somewhat fragile (that silver recording base is much closer than you think to the top and it HAS and WILL scratch and flake away! I use Verbatim Digital Vinyl's for backing up now since the recording surface is much more well protected.). Hi'MD discs seem inherently stable and if they can hold onto audio data for years I'd assume they could also hold on to backup data. It's easy to store MD's, and damn it's coooool to think of MD's holding your life's most important and precious data (The Matrix anyone!!).

Thanks for any responses

Edited January 9, 2006 by fuzzy_aladdin

[Jacques]

Yes, it's excellent. I use Hi-MD for data everyday

Re: thread

http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=13505

[Skradgee]

For computer data, you really may just be better off backing your data up to CD-R or writable DVDs. I've had a couple Hi-MD discs go bad on me (come to think of it, I've had some standard discs go bad too), and if you really want to talk about reliable data backup, I just don't see how Hi-MD can cut it. Even if you use standard MDs for this, figuring that they're 300MB each and they cost about the same as a CD-R (roughly 99 cents), CD-Rs will give you more than twice as much storage space for the same price. Of course, this may not matter very much to you since you already own a lot of standard MDs.

Hi-MD is handy for moving data from computer to computer, and it has a high coolness factor, but if you really want to backup data, I'd say stick to using writable CDs and DVDs. After burning, verify the data on the discs, keep them free of scratches and dirt, and your data will live happily ever after.

[hobgoblin]

strange realy, as hi-md is a MO based media, same stuff that they use for some backup systems these days. still, there is allways a chance that a media will fail (but several, both hi and normal. sounds a bit strange).

thats why, unless you keep a copy on the computer, a backup isnt a backup unless you have it on two seperate storage devices...

[Mr_Bass_Man]

strange realy, as hi-md is a MO based media, same stuff that they use for some backup systems these days. still, there is allways a chance that a media will fail (but several, both hi and normal. sounds a bit strange).

thats why, unless you keep a copy on the computer, a backup isnt a backup unless you have it on two seperate storage devices...

It strikes me as a bit of a waste, using HiMD to save data.

Data can be saved in so many ways (CD-R, DVD, Memory Stick, etc etc,) but ATRAC3+ (etc) is only really useful on HiMD media or the "original" PC, so why waste HiMD media on data?

Yes, it can be done, and the "coolness factor" is beyond measure ... ... but I would advise sticking to using MD/HiMD media for the use for which it was originally concieved - a less bulky alternative to playing music at (near) CD quality recordings ...

[tekdroid]

But I have a ton of standard MD discs laying around and had an inspiration. The media could be used to back up data on my computer. Seeing as how it inherently provides filesystem access, one could use a synchronization program, or a back up suite, and back up files to the MD for safekeeping.

How reliable is this?

For 'in-progress' or 'incremental' back-ups?

It's great (but with some limitations).

Discs sitting around doing nothing?

Put them to good use. Each standard MD will hold around 300MB in Hi-MD mode.

For small amounts of data that change daily or weekly or whatever, it's a convenient form of back-up without having to erase/burn a new rewritable CD/DVD each time small changes are made (waiting for lead-in, lead-out, etc). It's also more reliable than packet-writing since it's native drag-n-drop and the media seems robust. It's convenient.

For files that don't change (and you want to archive forever and don't need to ever make changes to), DVD and CD-based formats would probably be cheaper and better and more well-accepted for archival. If you just need a backup of important files on HD and you're not using your discs, go for it.

As far as longevity of media goes, I doubt there'd be issues storing data long-term on MD. Unless your drive dies and you have no other to access your data. Keep in mind MD is slow. So if you make changes to 100MB+ sized files, perhaps it's not ideal (if the speed matters to you, that is).

I use MDs to put software and settings and files on computers that need it without bothering with burning a CD or DVD every time changes are made. And to back-up important (but smallish, usually in-progress) files in a hurry, so I can put my mind at rest knowing there's 2 of something. In other words, a floppy replacement for files on the go.

[Mr Sim]

Good for transfering data

hey if you have a HiMD don't waste a tone of money on a 1 gigabyte jumpdrive when you can get a hiMD disk for cheap plus because the data is physically encoaded there is no worry about losing or currupting data if you remove the device without Stopping it(as Long as it's not buring or formating the disk in which case you may have to reformat the disc and loss your data.

Two things to note

1. be gentle with your usb port or you'll have to fidget withit for your comuter to access the device

2. At least for macs: when you delete data from disc it will still physically remain burnt until it is over written and you computer may say there is less free space on the disc than there actually is. Reformatting the disc Should solve this problem and you should periodically reformat if you use any one disc for data transfer.

carry data and music on separate dics if possible it better prevents data fragmenting.

[DerTapir]

skradgee wrote:

For computer data, you really may just be better off backing your data up to CD-R or writable DVDs

[greenmachine]

I know it is still relatively expensive for huge backups, but - in theory - how durable/reliable is flash memory compared to MO technology? Do these technologies loose their 'stability' over time? Would a complete wipe/rewrite cycle every once in a while increase reliability or do they permanently loose their ability to store data over time?

[hobgoblin]

It's with MO-technology and extrem data-resistant.

im guessing the correct word is resiliant (alltho im not 100% sure about the spelling ). if it was data-resistant it would refuse to have data written to it

hmm, i think i have to look more into that dvd-ram format. problem is that i like the MD system for its size, and the portability/usb-storage-media of the drive/player. or can the dvd-ram act as a "floppy"? insert, drag and drop write, eject? and can i get a writer thats usb attachable?

as for MO vs flash. flash have a limited number of write cycles pr memory cell, often as low as 1000 or there about. alltho its increasing all the time, mostly by putting reduntant areas of memory cells on them, and a controller that rotate the use of them.

still, i dont know about its reliability for long time storage, as its still about maintaining a electrical charge (from what i understand).

flash are iirc a poor cusion of something know as NV ram, non-volatile ram. its expensive to make and therefor only available in low quantitys. about the only time i have encounterd them is in cisco rotuers, where its used to store the routers os.

when it comes to MO And reliability i think its very high (hell, some high-end backup systems use MO media). rember that its only magnetic when heated within a specific temprature range. and the magnet is only used to alter the reflectiveness of the surface (kinda like on a cd/dvd). therefor there is no need to maintain a magnetic field or electrical change like a hardrive or flash do.

so for long time storage, MO is close to king.

its said however that there is a limited number of write cycles. but sony claims that its in the million or higher...

still, if you want to be sure. make multiple copys, on top of the copy you maintain on the computer...