Millenniata

These questions are some of the most frequently asked questions about the M-WRITER™ drive and M-DISC™ products. This FAQ is in the process of being completed. More frequently asked questions will be added to this article as they come in.

How is the M-DISC™ different from regular DVDs?  
Most writable DVDs, including the most expensive “Gold” archival DVDs, burn data into an organic dye layer. Organic dyes start to degrade and fade as soon as they are written. This leads to a condition called “data rot”. This problem is so severe that the National Archives warns that the shelf life of a regular DVD is 2-5 years. The M-DISC™ contains no organic dyes.  Instead, the M-DISC's™data layer is composed of rock-like materials known to last for centuries. Millenniata’s M-WRITER™ drive etches the M-DISC's™ rock-like layer creating a permanent physical data record that is immune to data rot.

Can the M-DISC™ be read by regular DVD drives?
Yes. The M-WRITER™ drive etches the M-DISC™ using a compatible data format that can be read by most quality DVD drives.

Can the M-DISC™ be burned or written to by regular DVD drives?
No.  Only the M-WRITER™ drive can burn information to an M-DISC™.

How much data can the M-DISC™ hold?
The M-DISC™ has a capacity of 4.7 gigabytes.

How does the M-WRITER™ drive interface with my computer?
Just plug the M-WRITER™ drive into a USB port. The M-WRITER™ drive is a portable external drive with an industry-standard USB 2.0 Interface.

How quickly can the M-WRITER™ drive burn information to an M-DISC™?
Typical writing speeds for DVD’s range from 2.4x, 4x, 8x, to 12x depending on the system. The M-DISC™ can be written at speeds up to 4x.

What does “burning a disc” mean?
“Burning a disc” refers to writing data to optical media (CDs or DVDs). In this case it means copying files and other data from your computer to an M-DISC™using the M-WRITER™ drive.

How is the M-WRITER™ drive different from a regular DVD writer?
The M-WRITER™ drive is different from regular DVD writers because it is designed to make permanent physical changes (etching) to the rock-hard data layer of the M-DISC™.

Can I erase or remove files from the M-DISC™?
Is the M-DISC™ re-writable?
No. The M-DISC™ is designed to permanently archive information. Once the information is burned it cannot be changed.

Can I add additional files to an M-DISC™ after it has been burned?    
Some burning software applications allow for adding additional files to the disc if it has not been closed (sometimes referred to as finalizing or fixing the disc). Refer to your burning software documentation for more information about this. This multi-session capability may or may not be turned on by default in your software.

Should I finalize the M-DISC™ after writing the data? (Finalizing a disc can also be referred to as “close session” or “fixate the disc”)
Finalizing the disc assures maximum read back capability on other drives. Please Note: Do not finalize until you are completely finished burning data to the disc as you will not be able to add any additional data to the disc after it is finalized. Refer to your burning software documentation for the proper disc finalization procedures.

Can I use the M-WRITER™ drive to write data to an M-DISC™ without a computer?
No. The M-WRITER™ drive requires a connection to a computer to read or write data.

What types of computers can I use with the M-WRITER™ drive?
The M-WRITER™ drive will work with most computers and operating systems. Windows® XP, Windows® Vista, Windows® 7, Mac OS® X and Linux are all supported.

What burning software is compatible with the M-WRITER™ drive?
Almost any DVD burning software will work with the M-WRITER™ drive. In fact, current operating systems (Windows Vista, Mac OSX) come with compatible software pre-installed and will recognize the M-Writer™ drive automatically. Additionally, the M-WRITER™ drive works with most common third party software. Some older operating systems such as Windows XP may require third-party software.

How can you prove that the M-DISC™ will last for centuries?
No one can prove that anything will last for centuries, but there are international standards for estimating the archival lifetime of optical media. The ECMA-379 (2nd edition, December 2008) is a widely recognized standard that tests the effects of temperature and relative humidity.  Researchers at Millenniata have tested the M-ARC™ disc using the ECMA-379 temperature and humidity (85°C / 85% RH) and added further elements to develop the most rigorous testing possible. They have combined temperature and humidity (85°C / 85% RH) tests with exposure to the full-spectrum of natural light. The M-DISC™ is the only survivor after this rigorous testing. Considering the combination of the M-DISC's™ test results and its rock-like data layer, it is reasonable to conclude that the M-DISC™ has a greater longevity and durability than competitors’ discs that claim a 300-year shelf life.

What temperature can the M-DISC™ withstand?
The M-DISC™ can withstand temperatures of 176°F (80°C) for days with no effect to the data or the readability of the data in a standard DVD drive. In order to maximize archival lifetime, it is not recommended that an M-DISC™ be stored under these conditions.

Can the M-DISC™ withstand UV rays and prolonged exposure to the sun?
M-DISC™ products can withstand the full spectrum of the sun, including UV rays, for days with no effect to the data or the readability of the data in a standard DVD drive.   In order to maximize archival lifetime, it is not recommended that M-DISC™ products be stored under these conditions.

The M-DISC™ may be around for centuries, but why would that matter if DVD players are not around that long?
Every storage technology faces the same question. The M-DISC™ is unique because it provides options that didn’t exist before. The stability of the M-DISC™ allows people to migrate data at their own convenience. This is in contrast to today’s storage technologies that incessantly force a constant and expensive physical rotation of stored data—trying to rotate the data before the media’s expiration date. This frustrating and costly challenge disappears with the M-DISC™. No longer will people be forced to rotate data onto a new storage medium because of data rot. Whether it is 10 years or 20 years down the road, your information will be safely etched on the M-DISC™.

What is the preferred method for labeling M-DISC™ products?

We suggest labeling the container in which your M-DISC™ is stored. If you want to label the M-DISC™ itself, we suggest marking the inner hub of the disc where no data is recorded. There is no information available to indicate what will happen to an M-DISC™ over time if labeled or marked over the data area.

How do I store M-DISC™ products to extend their useful life?

The M-DISC™ is extremely durable and does not corrupt even in extreme environmental conditions (heat, humidity, light, etc.). However, we suggest storing M-DISC™ products upright (like a book) in disc "jewel" cases. Ideally, store the “jewel” cases in plastic or steel containers manufactured specifically for the type of medium in cool, dry storage that is free of large temperature fluctuations. Generally, useful life will be increased by storing discs at room temperature and low relative humidity.


What is the capacity of the M-DISC™ in terms of photos, songs, or videos?

Using estimates with average file sizes, each Millennial M-DISC™...

• Holds up to 2,000 photos
• Holds up to 1,200 songs
• Holds up to 3 hours of video