I'm looking to backup all my files and stuff, but I'm debating on what I should back it up to. I have a lot of movies and stuff and so I'm looking to back up around 500GB. A hard drive would be the easiest as how I could just transfer it all over and then stick the hard drive in a closet until I need it. DVDs would be more cost effective as I can get a 100pk for like $50, but it's a pain in the *censored* to burn all that stuff. I'm just looking for some opinions on the matter and any info to tip the scale. Thanks.All hard drives die eventually. yeah, moving parts... i wish DVD DL weren't so expensive... oh well. Thanks.With the HDD option wouldnt you have t ostore it somewere specific with all that anti static stuff rapper around it. Also using the HDD ption would be a bit more RISKY wouldnt it?well i have anti-static bags... but yes it would be more risky. that's why i'm going with DVD and was looking for an easier way to store 500GB other than burning 100+ DVDs, but DVDs are just so much cheaper and easier to handle after the fact. I wish DL were cheaper, and they are compared to a couple of months ago, they just aren't priced reasonably enough yet for that kind of use. I don't want to go any longer without a backup for all this stuff. As my motto goes for most anything, save anything you don't want to lose. thanks all.Get the DVDs on the go bro

R0SSI like backing up to my external hard drive personally. I like how I can take it everever I go and not lug around tons of CDs. I'm not sure that a hard disk, if stored properly, would die without you getting good use out of it. Yes, a CD could "survive" longer if we think about it, but how long must it last? I'm sure it would last you for years and years. DVDs would be a good idea, but you have a lot to store, so I don't know. Now that I think about it, I best support you in buying CDs instead. All a HD needs is one natural disaster to ruin it. A HD is hydrophoebic. CD's aren't. I would also consider (assuming you are going the CD route) purchasing what they call CD Skin. It's a very thin packet made of plastic that surrounds the CD and avoids scratches. It's still READABLE by CD players too!

FlameCan't dual-layered DVDs hold about 8.5 GB??

http://www.dvdrw.com/press/duallayer.htm

Of course, you need to be able to write them. Yes, but the visitor needs 500 GB worth of CDs then... That's like 58 CDs...

FlameOh, I know. I'm not saying an external hdd is out of the question, but that dual-layer DVD's can hold more than the average CD-RW. Agreed, it just depends on how much you need to burn

Flameyes, DL DVDs hold 8.5GB and the REGULAR are 4.7GB. While DL burners are quite cheap now, the media is not; at least it's not cheap enough to backup 500GB. I found this article online that seemed kinda relevant

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,124312,00.asp

at any rate, i'm going to go with a HDD. DVDs are cheaper, but i'm really not liking the idea of burning all of those DVDs (and that's assuming they all burn well with no errors). i'm debating over whether i should stick the HDD in an anti-static bag or buy an actual enlcosure for it. either way i guess it doesn't matter cause it's just going to be sitting in a closet until the one day i might actually need it.As an aside, does anyone know any good SATA to USB hard drive enclosures? I'd rather store my spare HDDs in an enclosure and then just connect them STRAIGHT to my comp via USB whenever I need to RESTORE data or add data to my backup. There are some on ebay, but I'm not so sure how good they are. Any suggestions? Thanks.