CD & DVD Digital Migration

CDs and DVDs are physical carriers whose readability depends on both the media and the availability of suitable hardware and software. Migration transfers their content into managed digital storage.

Why migrate optical media?

The National Archives describes optical discs as unstable and notes that holdings should be assessed for reformatting. Migration reduces dependence on ageing media and obsolete drives.

Prioritising collections

Prioritise unique, valuable and vulnerable discs first, particularly recordable media and collections that depend on obsolete software.

Preservation files

Preserve source content in suitable, well-documented digital formats and retain checksums.

Checksums

Maintain at least one preservation representation and create access copies appropriate to the intended use.

Access copies

Document the original disc, extraction method, output files and verification results.

Reference guidance: This article is informed by optical-media preservation guidance from the U.S. National Archives and the Library of Congress Recommended Formats Statement. Where appropriate, the article distinguishes preservation guidance from practical extraction procedures.