Best method of folder compression that does not loose sound quality

[cmr_for3]

I thought I would use the long and weekend backup some of my music to dvd (various radio shows that I archive by year). I've not done this for some time and I remember when I used to do it I would often need to split a year into two in as that total for the year would be too big for one DVD. The files I want to burn now do not have the easiest filenames for division like that. This got me thinking is there anyway I can compress the whole folder to a zip archive or similar and burn to disc and then if I need to recover the data just unzip the folder once off the disc?



Would 7zip do the job? Google is not giving me much.

Any advice appreciated.

[Bryn]

I thought I would use the long and weekend backup some of my music to dvd (various radio shows that I archive by year). I've not done this for some time and I remember when I used to do it I would often need to split a year into two in as that total for the year would be too big for one DVD. The files I want to burn now do not have the easiest filenames for division like that. This got me thinking is there anyway I can compress the whole folder to a zip archive or similar and burn to disc and then if I need to recover the data just unzip the folder once off the disc?



Would 7zip do the job? Google is not giving me much.

Any advice appreciated.

7zip should be lossless in operation. Being a Windows 10 user, I simply use the built-in zip facility. Never had a problem restoring audio files, without loss, from such zips.

[cmr_for3]

7zip should be lossless in operation. Being a Windows 10 user, I simply use the built-in zip facility. Never had a problem restoring audio files, without loss, from such zips.

Thanks Bryn I'll try the built in utility.

[Stunsworth]

Back up to a large thumb drive? That would have a much larger capacity than a DVD.

Perhaps make a couple of copies ‘just in case’.

[cmr_for3]

I like this idea,. Only really use DVD's CD's because they can be stored in a wallet that won't get lost. If I could find a usb stick storage case I would go with that. Thanks for the idea

[richardfinegold]

7zip should be lossless in operation. Being a Windows 10 user, I simply use the built-in zip facility. Never had a problem restoring audio files, without loss, from such zips.

Blue ray can be used for archiving as well and should have more capacity than a DVD. You already enjoy using the DVD format so converting to BluRay should be a natural for you.

[Bryn]

For my own part, I rarely burn to optical discs, these days, except to send to somewhat technophobe friends who can't/won't get the hang of downloads or do not have USB facilities on their playback equipment. For short-term convenience, I copy to USB sticks. For storage, I use external hard or SSD drives.

Re USB sticks, beware the fake advertisements for bargain 2TB sticks ('waterproof' or otherwise). You'd be lucky if they had a capacity of 2GB, let alone 2TB. There are exposés out there but I guess too few read them.

[Dave2002]

Otherwise use the 250 Gbyte SSDs from MyMemory - which are reasonably priced now and can easily be put into cheappie cases (see Amazon) - or if you must you can use a hard drive. Depends how big all the files are.

[Bryn]

Otherwise use the 250 Gbyte SSDs from MyMemory - which are reasonably priced now and can easily be put into cheappie cases (see Amazon) - or if you must you can use a hard drive. Depends how big all the files are.

The cases are not strictly needed. SATA to USB connectors do the job and save space, though cases do offer some extra protection.

[Dave2002]

The cases are not strictly needed. SATA to USB connectors do the job and save space, though cases do offer some extra protection.

They also arguably look a bit nicer, and they're not too expensive. Probably more friendly for SWMBOs.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Orico-External-Enclosure-Support-Windows-Red/dp/B07VV9QW99/ref=sr_1_14?dchild=1&keywords=orico&qid=1586595882&sr=8-14

[cmr_for3]

They also arguably look a bit nicer, and they're not too expensive. Probably more friendly for SWMBOs.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Orico-Exter...595882&sr=8-14

Thanks Dave - that case might be useful for buying HD's to back up my other backups!

[Dave2002]

Thanks Dave - that case might be useful for buying HD's to back up my other backups!

They do come in several colours if you keep looking on the Amazon site - usually between £6-£8. Unless you are really wedded to HDDs, or need a huge storage capacity, I would recommend SSDs. I have previously lost a small HDD by letting it swing (accidentally) from my laptop - and it smashed into the side of a sofa. Oh well - what's £50 between friends!

SSDs don't go down in that way. For HDDs I tend to use the much chunkier ones which sit on tables or under computer desks. They are less likely to move about, though they may still fail - but I haven't had major problems with them to date. SSDs also do tend to be faster - which is another reason to use them, and some aren't too expensive these days.

[cmr_for3]

They do come in several colours if you keep looking on the Amazon site - usually between £6-£8. Unless you are really wedded to HDDs, or need a huge storage capacity, I would recommend SSDs. I have previously lost a small HDD by letting it swing (accidentally) from my laptop - and it smashed into the side of a sofa. Oh well - what's £50 between friends!

SSDs don't go down in that way. For HDDs I tend to use the much chunkier ones which sit on tables or under computer desks. They are less likely to move about, though they may still fail - but I haven't had major problems with them to date. SSDs also do tend to be faster - which is another reason to use them, and some aren't too expensive these days.

I must admit I am wary of SSD's as I had heard they were my prone to failure (This was in there early days) but I shall take another look. I already have my data backed up. I would like further back ups! better to be safe than sorry!

[Bryn]

I must admit I am wary of SSD's as I had heard they were my prone to failure (This was in there early days) but I shall take another look. I already have my data backed up. I would like further back ups! better to be safe than sorry!

It's difficult to find up to date information on SSD reliability. However, the more recent surveys all seen to find SSD's mort3 reliable than their hard drive alternatives. Probably best to clone them to another drive every now and then, though.

[MrGongGong]

I must admit I am wary of SSD's as I had heard they were my prone to failure (This was in there early days) but I shall take another look. I already have my data backed up. I would like further back ups! better to be safe than sorry!

For the last 8 years i've been mostly using a laptop with a 1TB SSD
In that time i've had several HDDs fail (sometimes loosing everything).. i've travelled all over the world with the same machine, plugged it in and out of countless systems, imported and exported massive amounts of data and it's still working fine.