The conservation of the digital patrimony that has formed these past years with the production of digital editions on optical supports, and by digitalising the collections of archives, museums and libraries, poses major problems to all conservation institutions, as well as to the research world.

While the study of supports is only one aspect of the more complex problem of digital preservation that involves all storage systems, formats, metadata, description and access systems, migration and emulation strategies, we feel that the verification of the reliability of CDs and DVDs has a strategic function, for two main reasons:

• conservation institutions by now possess a considerable, constantly growing quantity of digital editions of books and multimedia products on CD and DVD:  furthermore, the regulations on legal deposit presently taking shape are expected to increase and consolidate this trend.
• while large organisations – radio and television in particular – are steering towards safer and more sophisticated storage solutions, the smaller institutions, professionals and lay society in general obviously need reliable, low-cost solutions for the conservation of digital information produced, part of which is destined to become an integral part of the future cultural heritage.

Project Duration: 2006/2007