Posted by Bill Vermillion on 08/28/05 22:55

In article <b0srf1d2h8iipds4jpk05pauj5k1l3bv40@4ax.com>,
Steve(JazzHunter) <jazzhunterNotHere@internet.com> wrote:
>On Fri, 12 Aug 2005 22:21:10 -0700, "Alpha" <logos1@trip.net> wrote:
>
>>
>>"Alpha" <logos1@trip.net> wrote in message
>>news:11fr0c7n2l8mlb3@corp.supernews.com...
>>>
>>> "Black Locust" <bl2112@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:bl2112-6707C9.22561812082005@news.uswest.net...
>>>> In article <11fqsfut8g63vb6@corp.supernews.com>,
>>>> "Alpha" <logos1@trip.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Don't be cute. They are around, but the technology curve has changed
>>>>> greatly for current technologies. I predict no discs in 30 years.
>>>>> None.
>>>>
>>>> What, are they all going to self-destruct in 30 years? I don't know if
>>>> there will be hardware to play DVDs with in 30 years(hopefully there
>>>> will be...), but the discs will still be around then, to varying
>>>> degrees. Wasn't DVDs longevity one of it's big selling points?
>>
>>Just to amplify,
>>
>>Tests at the Library of Congress indicated that all digital media, tape and
>>disc, were unsuitable for archiving.

>Yes, I've actually spoken to the fellow in charge of archives at Sony.
>You know what has been found to be the most stable archive format?
>78s. Not Aluminum discs nor acetate pressings, certainly not any tape
>or optical-based media, but the original "shellac" commercial 78rpm
>releases. Nothing else comes close for durability.

I got the same answer when I asked an archivists why they weren't
using tape - and I asked him that in about 1955 or so.

Aluminum will coroded, and acetates will separate. The great thing
about 78's - and well made vinyl LPs and 45s - is that they are
basically an amorphous structure. Anything that is laminated,
coated, plated, etc, will have a problem as will anything where
dis-similar material are found.

The only commercial 78s' that are really 'iffy' are the old
Columbia 78s that were designed to be break resistant that had
a cardboard center with the shellac laminated on the cardboard.

It could wick in moisture, and would definately be a problem if
submerged - while pressed material that is the same through out
won't have problems like that.

My 78's from about 100 years ago sound as good as they did the day
they were made when played on my 100 year old player. But both
leave a bit to be desired sonically. Most of my '78s date to the
1930s however.

>As for LPs "Not being around," if one is talking about vinyl records
>running at 33 or 45rpm, they are increasing in production for use by
>DJs. There are more vinyl pressings being released each year.

And in the late 1940s' and 1950's RCA pressed their 78 records
for radio staions on vinyl. Those really sounded nice in
comparison to the shellac.

Bill

--
Bill Vermillion - bv @ wjv . com

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