Backing up to DVD-R

[foxygrandma]

Windows Vista Home Premium (x64) Service Pack 1 (build 6001)
Install Language: English (United States)
System Locale: English (United States)   Hewlett-Packard HP Pavilion dv7 Notebook PC 1
System Serial Number: CND9311HFJ
Enclosure Type: Notebook
Processor a   Main Circuit Board b
2.20 gigahertz AMD Turion X2 Ultra Dual-Core
256 kilobyte primary memory cache
2048 kilobyte secondary memory cache
64-bit ready
Multi-core (2 total)
Not hyper-threaded   Board: Compal 30FC 01.99
Serial Number: CND9311HFJ
Bus Clock: 200 megahertz
BIOS: Hewlett-Packard F.49 08/17/2009
Drives   Memory Modules c,d
500.11 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
363.58 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

When backing up my folders (music, favorites, pictures, personal, etc.) on a DVD-R, it takes about 18 hours to copy 8,000 items.  I do not understand why it takes that long as when I use a flash drive, it only takes about an hour and a half.  Could someone let me know why?  I must be doing something wrong but do not know what it is.  Thanks.  I just took out a DVD-R as it had been running since 4 PM and it is now 1:50 AM.

[bigtoe]

Although this is applicable to Win7 (the improved Vista) it may provide some info for you....
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/windowsbackup/thread/3e08fc65-52f5-48ca-ae13-321cdfc44fbd

DVd is an alternative to use for backup device, but they are really falling out of favor because they damage or scratch so easily making them non-useable. Using the external USB connected hard drive is more the preferred manner of storing a backup of your data.....

This free backup program called Karen's Replicator is a free and very highly touted means of doing automatic backups to a usb drive connected to your computer and run at a convenient time:
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/the-geek-blog/backup-data-easily-with-karens-replicator/

Doing incremental back ups of course is an excellent way of keeping your backup time short.....