New CDs, DVDs Could Last 300 Years

Kodak will soon offer CDs and DVDs that would be able to safely store data for up to three centuries. To be sold under the Preservation brand name and manufactured by KMP Media of Rochester, N.Y., the discs feature a 24-karat gold reflective layer. This layer would better protect against heat, humidity, bright light and the effects of rough handling, which the current silver reflective layer is easily tarnished by.

For this reason, today's burned CDs and DVDs last less than five years in most cases. The Kodak Preservation DVD-R would be able to store data for up to 80 to 100 years, while the CD-R could last as long as 300 years. Kodak and KMP say the discs would be especially useful in the archival market, such as storing business, military, government and financial data, as well as medical and dental x-rays.