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Problem
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So, this past weekend one of my relatives asked me for help with their hard drive back up files.

The file is 4.6gb in size, and he could not fit it onto a standard DVD-R. I instantly recommended DVD-R Dual Layer discs, which contain a 8.5gb disc capacity. This would have worked out well, except that he's looking for a backup source that he can write to over and over again. Obviously, all DVD-R discs (including dual layers) are designed to be write once (multi-session would not be efficient in this scenario). I did some research and was surprised that DVD-/+R DL are not made in re-writable format. So, dual layers were now not an option (again multi-session would not be efficient in this scenario).

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Analysis
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In an effort to learn more about his laptop's dvd drive, I copied Nero's Info Tool application from my hard drive to my USB flash drive and brought it over to his house. This is a great tool! It analyzes all of your computer's cd/dvd-rom drives and provides manufacturer information and read/write capabilities. It then allows you to save the results to a text file.

www.pcsitter.info/downloads/infotool.zip

I quickly learned that not only did the drive support read/write to DVD-DL discs, but it can also read/write DVD-RAM discs. First thought was "this is it". At that moment, I didn't know much about DVD-RAM, but I knew they were re-writable and built to support large files.

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Research
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What did I learn for future reference?

I learned the reason why DVD-RAM discs are becoming obsolete:

1) You have to format the disc first before you can write to it. Thiscan take up to 45 minutes; however, you only have to do this one time. 

2) DVD-RAM discs are slow (5x or 6.60Mbps). So, it'sgoing to take a very long time to copy a 4.5gb file to it(estimating 30-60 minutes).

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Recommendation
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After discovering DVD-RAM discs only top 5x speeds, I recommended the following as an alternative.

1) 16gb usb flash drive - presently they start at $20.

2) USB 2.0 (480Mbps) Super Slim 120gb external hard drive on ebay starting at $44.

He wasn't interested. I"m guessing that since he has to payfor this himself, that he's taking the cheap route, which makes senseto me.

It is my opinion that the USB flash or hard drive isdefinitely worth the extra expense. They are by far the quickest and most hassle-free solution to backup your files - particularly very large files.

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Sources:
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http://www.osta.org/technology/dvdqa/dvdqa4.htm

http://www.mytechguide.com/26/using-dvd-ram-disc-under-windows-xp/

http://cgi.ebay.com/120GB-USB-External-Portable-2-5-Hard-Drive-Disk-HDD-HD_W0QQitemZ250467433741QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCC_Drives_Storage_Internal?hash=item3a5105bd0d&_trksid=p4999.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-16gb-USB-2-0-Flash-Drive-Memory-Pen-Stick-16-gb-16g_W0QQitemZ170374184283QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCC_Drives_Storage_Internal?hash=item27ab17bd5b&_trksid=p4999.c0.m14