Blu-ray backups
This tutorial shows how to backup your data from a local computer to Blu-ray disc by using a backup software such as Backup2 DVD. Once installed, Backup2 DVD lets you define a backup job and either run the backup to Blu-ray manually or set it on automatic execution (to run automaticallly the Blu-ray disc should be loaded in the tray). The first step in backing your data to Blu-ray is to download and install Backup2 DVD.
Once Backup2 DVD is installed you can define your backup job using the backup wizard (simply click on the main Backup button and follow the steps). You choose what to backup, choose the Blu-ray disc from the destinations list, select the backup type and set it to run automatically (scheduled) or manually.
Backup to Blu-ray using Backup2 DVD (hdd to blu-ray)
Blu-ray Disc (also known as Blu-ray or BD-R/RE) is the most advanced optical disc storage medium used today. The Blu-ray Disc has the same physical dimensions as standard DVDs and CDs, but it has considerably much more storage space, as a single layer Blu-ray Disc can store up to 25 GB of data (50 GB of data for dual layer Blu-ray Discs). Since Blu-ray burning devices and storage discs will gradually get cheaper, backing-up to Bly-ray discs will increase in popularity to the point where it will surpass other backup methods, such as online back-up, because it is a convenient method and in the same time it can offer offsite protection (after you backup to Blu-ray discs, you can store those on a remote location).
A Blu-ray disc can have up to 16 layers, each of them being able to store 25 GB of data. If right now the most common Blu-ray discs only have one or two layers (meaning 25 or 50 GB), important players have announced that Blu-ray discs with capacities of 400 GB might be available to the public as soon as 2010. As capacity rises and prices will go down, the backup to Blu-ray method will become one of the most popular backup solutions.
How to backup to Blu-ray with Backup2 DVD
Backup2 DVD makes the backup to DVD process be easy to perform, through its new backup wizard:- In the first step of the wizard, add a name for your backup job and select where the backup will be saved (if you have multiple Blu-ray drives, select the one you want from the combo-box).
- Choose the files and folders you want to backup using Add files/folders buttons (or drag and drop the files from Windows Explorer into this window). Click Next.
- Select the type of backup. If you want to use zip compression select Full/Differential or Incremental. If you want the files to be backed up to Blu-ray without compression select the Mirror backup type (make sure the Zip the files checkbox is not selected, as that allows you to zip files individually).
- In the last step you would select if you want to schedule this backup to Blu-ray to be executed automatically at specific time intervals. If you schedule this backup, just remember that you will need to have the Blu-ray you want to backup to in the Blu-ray drive, otherwise the backup will not run.
- Click the Save button and select either Save and run to execute the backup now, or only Save to have it in the backup job lists from where you will run it manually (or if scheduled it will run automatically)
Backup2 DVD's specific Blu-ray backup features
Backup2 DVD has features that are specifically suitable for backing up to Blu-ray discs:- Internal Blu-ray burning engine. By default Backup2 DVD uses one of its own built-in burning engines to backup to Blu-ray (you do not need third party drivers or burning software installed). However, if you prefer using third party packet writing software, you can select it in the Backup Properties -> CD, DVD or Blu-ray-> Write Method -> Use third party packet writing software.
- Spanning the backup onto multiple Blu-ray discs. If the backup does not fit on one Blu-ray, this backup software will automatically span the backup over multiple Blu-ray discs. Each disc is assigned a different label for future identification. We recommend marking the Blu-ray with this label.
- Backup to Blu-ray automatic testing. At the end of the backup, Backup2 DVD will check the written data to be sure of its integrity. This way you can be sure that the backed up data is safe and you can always restore it.
- Erase tool. If the Blu-ray is erasable (BD-RE), you can use Backup2 DVD's own Erase CD/DVD/Blu-ray tool to erase it. Simply put the Blu-ray disc in the Blu-ray burner, and from Backup2 DVD's interface go to Tools and select Erase CD/DVD/Blu-ray. This will launch the erase tool and you can clean the data from the Blu-ray disc. Backup2 DVD can automatically erase the Blu-ray disc before writing to it - to do so in Backup Properties go to CD, DVD or Blu-ray and in the Destination section check the Erase before writing option. This will delete all the data from the Blu-ray disc before writing the backup to it.