Abstract: In one embodiment, a data storage media comprises: a substrate comprising at least one plastic portion, an edge lift height of less than about 8&mgr;, and an axial displacement peak of less than about 500&mgr; under shock or vibration excitation; and at least one data layer on said substrate. The data layer can be at least partly read from, written to, or a combination thereof by at least one energy field, and, when the energy field contacts the storage media, the energy field is incident upon the data layer before it could be incident upon the substrate.

Abstract: The data storage media comprises, in a preferred embodiment, a homogenous or non-homogenous plastic substrate that can be formed in situ with the desired surface features disposed thereon on one or both sides, a data storage layer such as a magneto-optic material also on one or both sides, and an optional protective, dielectric, and/or reflective layers. The substrate can have a substantially homogenous, tapered, concave, or convex geometry, with various types and geometries of reinforcement employed to increase stiffness without adversely effecting surface integrity and smoothness.