Why does my data torture me so?

Rotting Meat

So I have DVD-R backups of old files from my computer. Old being about 3 years or so. These files include mostly videos. I can watch these videos fine from the DVD-R. However, when I try to copy them onto my harddrive (or to any destination) I get an error:

Data error - cyclic redunancy check

which happens part way through copying each file. I believe these DVD-Rs used to not have this problem, but either way if I can watch the movie, shouldn't I be able to copy it off? How can I do this? I've tried using both my DVD drive and my DVD-R drive to read it (the same drive used to burn it).

Thanks

Grimm

Have you tried making a copy of the dvd? I once had a burned copy of windows (i had a legal cd key) and it would get an error half way through the install. Even though the drive couldn't read that part of the cd because of a scratch, it was somehow able to make a copy of it without a problem so i could install with the new cd.

Daenris

Hmmm... you could try to make an iso image of the DVD, mount it from your hard drive (with Daemon tools, Alcohol 120% or something else) and copy them from the image. Worth a shot.

The Savior

From what I understand, CRCs generally mean you're up shit creek (unless you want to spend lots of money to have professionals fix it), but maybe there's something I'm not aware of that can fix it. Good luck.

[edit] I guess I forgot to mention that this has happened because the DVD has degraded over time. All of them degrade, but some are better than others. I used to have a link to a site that explained how to pick the best media (it was based on the color of the disc, IIRC) but am now missing it.

slugabed

If you can, I'd suggest finding another computer to attempt the copy. It might be something related to the DVD drive, maybe it is dirty or just plain faulty. It wouldn't be the first bad DVD drive I've seen.