Archiving raw images to DVD

Question

Hi,
I'm new to Lightroom, unable to find answers to my question, perhaps I still not very similar to the concept of Lightroom.
I have been using Nikon CaptureNX to do processing of the raw files, photoshop to do detail touch up for each assignment, I create a folder which contain NEF, tiff and jpg in their respective folders, I burn DVDs to archive them and delete them from my HD after the assignment completed.
Like to know how do I archive each assignment like the way I used to do? Should I export a catalog of the NEF to folder and burn the folder into DVD? or using export to CD/DVD function with file format as original? or save a set XMP files with the NEF files and burn the entire folder.
Please enlighten me.
Thank you.

Answer 1

Let’s forget about the longevity issue of DVD disk storage and look at the cost and practicality of using DVDs for backup of photo libraries and other precious files on your computer or laptop:
Cost for 'Archival Quality' DVD = $1 (may be less, may be more!)
To backup 1,000 GB (1 TB) of files you will need 213 DVDs at a cost of $213 – EACH TIME YOU DO A BACKUP, since no practical incremental backup methodology will work using multiple DVD disks.
Now look at my proposal using a portable USB hard drive and Dmailer WD Sync (or similar File synchronization software):
Hard Drive Capacity 1,000 GB (1 TB) readily available in small almost pocketable size!
Cost for 1 TB hard drive less than $125
Using Dmailer WD Synch you can very quickly perform an incremental backup that will 'update' the contents on your portable USB hard drive, with modified file update, new files added, and deleted files removed. NO OTHER FILES NEED TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE DEVICE, saving money, storage capacity and time!
Of course if you can backup your entire document, email music, photo and video collections using one or two DVD disks, then by all means burn away:
4.7GB / 25MB RAW file = 188 image files per DVD disk!
As for saving to the cloud, do you really know how reliable the storage system is, do you trust them not to use your files for other purposes (yes you can use encryption), and what happens if THEY have an earthquake fire, flood etc. – WHAT IS THEIR BACKUP PROCEDURE? However, I do think it is a good idea for everyone to backup their files to at least two (2) different storage media devices, allowing location of one away from the computer (i.e. fire, flood, theft, and earthquake). That is what makes the WD My Passport drive and any other similar "small drive" so useful!
Speaking as a system design engineer and semi-professional photographer with over 40 years experience, I will not be using either of these backup methods for any of my files! As far as file sharing is concerned, very small USB thumb drives are available in 16 GB capacity for less than $25, and soon up to 64GB.....and they are 'rewriteable!' Just be sure not to lose it if you have information that needs to be kept secure. Again another advantage of Dmailer WD Sync software – It encrypts all your files on the USB hard drive (or thumb drive!) and requires a password to read, transfer, or add files!