Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for retrieving data from a storage media. The method comprises: rotating a storage media having a substrate comprising at least one plastic resin portion and at least one data layer disposed on at least one surface of said substrate, wherein said substrate has a surface roughness of less than about 10 Å, and an axial displacement peak of less than about 500&mgr; under shock or vibration excitation; directing an energy field at said storage media such that said energy field is incident upon the data layer before it can be incident upon the substrate; and retrieving information from the data layer via said energy field.

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.