RayLeech

I use backup4all for all my data backups to local removable hard drives. The biggest selling point for me was the backups are standard archives. If the software craps the bed, I could still open them with 7Zip. I do both incremental and differential backups, which I don't think are available in the lite version. The one negative, it will not do a full system or system state backup. For that I use Macrium or Backupper.

Because they are not marked 'removable'. If they are hot-swapable, you'd have the same 'Eject' choice.

I did purchase and use the pro version of Speechelo (blaster). There are some very acceptable sounding voices. Most of the default intonation is acceptable, but does not have a significant range you may want in a story. You can control the volume and speed, along with the 'tone'. You are limited to 20,000 characters for each voice over. Overall, it worked very well for my problem, narrating a slide deck for a demo. The down sides: 1. There is no way to update a voice over once it is generated. You can delete it and regenerate it, but then the modified clip is out of order in the translation list. Might seem insignificant, but doing a couple dozen slides, fixing one, then trying to place them in order required more effort than needed if you could simply replace one. YMMV 2. The merge voice overs feature was pretty rough in the original version. This was fixed in (I think) 2020, and worked ok for my limited use. 3. There have been no updates since 2020 according to the release notes. If it works fine for your use-case, no problem. Not sure I'd hold my breath for enhancements. I've attached a voice over of your original question. I used all the defaults, just pasted your post into the app. cquest_23240177_1677079622.mp3

For $10 more, you could get new 'old stock'. Barracuda I agree with the comment 'get two', either today or when you can afford it.

If you are using backup software to copy to HD, use that software's verify. If you are copying manually, use Xcopy/RoboCopy (both have a 'verify' option on the command line). There has been a lot written about that in this forum (maybe a year ago), and on the net. Spin up your drives every year or two seems to be the consensus. Store all your media in a climate controlled area. For me, it depends on what's on the media. My most important HD, I spin up every 6mo and give a cursory review, every 1yr do a verify and/or refresh. Less important HD, spin up every 1yr, refresh every 3 year. For the mdisc, I spin them every 2 yr or so and just do a quick verify. Whatever timespan you pick, just don't go into "neglect mode". I still have files that were originally stored on 8" floppy disk from 40+ years ago (and a dozen other media formats) that are still readable in my archive today. It just requires a bit of attention. I try to organize things the best I can. Pictures/Video/Audio/RawData I burn by date. Other 'things' like your book example are a different challenge. Since you already keep a manifest, you already have the start for your catalog system. Just track archive media where you can find it. You could also use a catalog program like WinCatalog (there are several). 'search for perfection', famous last words I've been doing this for decades, and still don't have a "perfect plan" for most things in life. All that matters is your plan is good enough to achieve your goals. You're very welcome.

Hi Bleda412 My suggestion is use the right size media for the burn job. I use a lot of 25g and 50g BR mdisc, along with some DVD mdisc. I have a spindle of 100g mdisc, but haven't used them yet. The key is to make sure you have a good burner and verify your disc after burn. Any burn software worth its salt has a verify option. Xcopy/Robocopy have it. Just verify you didn't burn a coaster! It is probably ok. You didn't say if they already contained data. Use one to read (write) to put your mind at ease. If they already contained data, I would suggest you treat your backups more like a fragile newborn child. Here, discs are all transported in a cd carrier, even from room to room. HDs are put in a latched, padded case. Media is organized and stored on sturdy shelves/cabinets. Everything climate controlled, away from potential water hazards, sunlight, etc. You reap what you sow (so to speak), so how 'nuts' you get is up to you. This is where a lot of people get screwed, including myself! I used a backup program a very long time ago that had ceased being produced. Years later when I needed a couple files, realized I never backed up the software, and had a hell of a time trying to restore! If you encrypt anything, make sure you have a secure and redundant way to store the encryption passwords. I can't tell you how many people (several of them professionals who should have known better) wanted help retrieving data they encrypted and forgot the password (basically game over). If you're going to do anything beside straight file systems, make sure the exact software version you used (along with any registration key) is backed up somewhere, preferably on the media. After my little fiasco, I usually do straight filesystem or ISO in the burn software for insensitive data. For sensitive data, encrypt with something like 7Zip/WinZip. Unless you're archiving military secrets, it's probably good enough for your bank records. Often I'll use 7Z, so I burn the install pack and the compressed file on disk. Again, unless you're talking 'years unplugged', they all work fine. My long-term off-line media are all enterprise, mainly because I 'feel' better. I have no data to support it. As I mentioned in last reply, rotate your media, periodically verify. You might consider copying your data to a NAS for quick access, and off-line for backup. Keeping the data live somewhere makes verification easy. It might be overkill for your current project, so just a suggestion. The thing you never mentioned is organization". Make your self a spreadsheet, or at worst a paper copy of what you archived and when. Nothing is more frustrating than needing to get a backup from a box of unlabeled (or poorly labeled) media! Speaking from experience here. I was called to a client site to restore a crashed system. They literally handed me a cardboard box with 6 hard drives and many dozens of dvds. The drives were numbered 1 to 6, but he didn't remember which one he used last, and all the DVDs were labeled 'Backup'. Bottom line, anything you do is better than nothing. At minimum identify the disc, contents, and date. Best of luck with your project!

Finding them is easy. Paying for them is a bit harder ($3k-$8k)

First: For the hard drive, It depends on how long you're storing data until you create mdisc. If you're wait for a month or couple months, almost any reasonable drive is fine, including ssd's. That assumes you have the original and one copy until you burn the mdisc(s). Second: DVD/Blu-ray. The guy has a lot of good information, just a terrible presentation! I found the article more to my liking. I create mdiscs for my long-term archives. Mostly irreplaceable photos/videos, my business documents and data. I have a combination of mdisc DVD and BluRay, depending on the volume of data. I found both are equally reliable, after 10 years (DVD) and 6+ years (BR). Like anything other media, its possible to burn coasters, but if the mdisc passed the verify stage, I've not had any trouble with them after. About the burner: I have an external ASUS USB3 burner and a stack of internal burners (mainly LG). Look for the logo on the burner and the compatibility list if you are concerned with a particular drive. About disk size: use the one that is appropriate for a single burn. For example, I burn photos/videos only once a year (the week between Christmas and NewYear). Most years, that means a pair of 25gig BR mdisc. During the plandemic, I had significantly less, so a pair of DVD mdisc were just fine. Lastly, hard drives are a fine medium for backup and archival, if you're smart about it. I use three enterprise quality drives per rotation. One backup off-site in a vault, two backups on-site but off-line (beyond the on-line PC/NAS copies). When it comes time to rotate media, Duplicate live data to HD1, duplicate HD1 to HD2, send HD2 to the vault and retrieve HD3 from the vault. Duplicate HD1 to HD3 when it arrives. Two on-site (off-line) backups and one off-site. If you're data is really important, its not that much of an inconvenience. About your youtube guy: if you throw your stuff on a drive (any drive) and just abandon it for 8+ years, it must not be that important. Even good data tapes should be verified over a period of time.

A little "light reading"

If you care about IPC, there is a great reference here, includes up to Zen3 and Intel 10th gen. You can compare particular instructions across models. https://www.agner.org/optimize/instruction_tables.pdf

Doing raid5 with 12tb drives barely covers your current volume, let alone leaving room for growth. I might rethink the storage plan. Would it make more sense to first figure out what you need to have online/realtime? You have a lot of video there, but I cannot tell what's on your other drives (from the picture of drive volumes). If you could get by with two 6tb (or 8tb) in a raid1, it would sure rebuild a lot faster than a five drive raid5 of 16tb drives over USB. If you can separate your online from your archive, you might use the first two slots for your online catalog (raid1), and buy a couple pairs of 10/12/16/18TB drives for your archive. If you make two copies (and pull them out when done), then you'd actually have a redundant backup if something goes wrong. You'd need to maintain it every few years, but its something you can kick off and forget. Might not be an option for your needs, just thought I would suggest it.

I ordered from them twice so far. I had only one pre-purchase question and it was answered quickly (about 1hr). So far everything worked first time (no failures), but it wasn't that large of an order. Overall very happy with them.

I agree with Emily123. We're using Defender with a lot of rules and it does a bang-up job. That said, I use (and like) Vipre for our server farm. Lightweight, scores well, easy to config and can be centrally managed if purchased that way. Just my $0.02.

Mdisc doesn't require any special burning software, should work the same burning software you've used for non-mdisc media.

Yes, to write them you need a drive that has MDisc compatibility. The are supposed to be readable in regular drives, and I have been able to read the DVDs in a non-mdisc drive. Have not been able to try the BluRay discs, because all my drives are Mdisc rated.