Video Storage Question --- DVD-R vs VHS

[Bo8a_Fett]

2 things I hate about modern dvds etc.....the lack of controls on the actual things...I mean half of them if you lose the remote you can just about play dvds and nothing else, no search or menu keys etc....the other thing is with the cheaper models the motor that runs the laser always is the first thing to go.
Same with tellies ...if you lose the remote you are buggered....you may be able to change channels or change the volume...but tuning in, brightness-contrast etc...forget it..
....rant over....I have typed....

[Mikey]

At this point, I have 3 DVD players

One is a old GE and will play anything including PAL's ... prob is, many times half way through the movie it gets confused and freezes up ... It also hates when you mess with the menu...

Another is a cheap Walmart $20.00 player ...... Plays fine, but wont read some DVD-R's..

The last is an old DVD-recorder/player
This thing wont hardly read anything ... even some BOUGHT silver DVD's ...
Weird thing --- if it does boot up your dvd-r, you can be sure it will play it perfect (but that's not often)

I wish someone would invent a player that plays everthing.

[Bo8a_Fett]

I read somewhere that dvds only had a play life of 20 years or so before degrading....maybe that was an overestimation...i've noticed that some of mine also have problems on some players but are fine on others.

[Dave Mc]

There is some thought that burned DVD's will degrade due to the dye or some such stuff. DVD's are still best, but make fresh copies every couple years. That way you renew the DVD and don't loose quaulity in duplication like you would with VHS. VHS is the worst possible way to save anything.

[Mikey]

What do you think is the better storage system when taping movies that you want to last ...

I noticed, a lot of my older DVD-R's have problems playing today .....
Older meaning, about 3-ish years old and older ....
They freeze up, pixelate etc ..........
I take care of them and my players --- so it's not a dust issue, etc.

On the other hand, I have VHS tapes that are well over 20 years old --- and they still play fine........ Like they're brand new.

Question:
Is the DVD-R format all that it's cracked up to be ?
Or is it just a temporary space-saver that sucks for archiving ?