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Archiving MXF Directory Backups
This question relates to creating multiple backups of media for storage and safety of project files.
If it is fair to say an unwrapped MXF file, Log & Transferred into a QT file, is the same exact file without any degradation to the video structure and quality, then once in QT format, is there any reason to save the original MXF files and instead just create multiple backups of the QT files?
So, if I didn’t want to continually manage and ensure the integrity of the MXF file directory structures when backing up and archiving, and find it much easier to drag around QT file directories, would that not be an acceptable back up and storage work flow and toss the original MXF directories and files?
Thanks for any opinions and advise as I learn ways to store and archive my mammoth volumes of client media!
Wherever I am…I’m lost!
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2 Replies
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If you archive only the QT files, then you tie your hands to one editing system. Sure, you say now “Well, I only use FCP, and will only use FCP, until the day I die!” Now, but what about 5 years from now? Avid might be better for your needs, or Premiere, so you want to go there. Only you can’t take all that footage with you, because it is in some proprietary FCP codec. DVCPRO HD, HDV, XDCAM QT converted files can only be seen by computers with FCP installed…or with third party decoders.
But, if you keep the originals, then you can use them on ALL platforms, without the need for decoders. And natively in ones like Avid and Premiere.
Really, backing up the ORIGINALS is the smarter thing to do. The camera originals. DO you capture footage from tape and throw away the tapes? I hope not. Don’t do that with tapeless. ALWAYS archive the originals.
Shane
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Great advise, Shane. That’s the information I needed to tip the balance to the originals.
Thank you very much for taking your valuable time to guide me.
Fanjoy
Wherever I am…I’m lost!
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