-
completing/archiving a project
So far, when I complete a project I copy the entire folder (images, raw files, mp3/music, etc) to an external backup.
I realize that many of the clips may not be used and am backing up more than I need.
I’m curious as to what the typical workflow is for archiving. Do most of you use the save-as and select “copy media with project”? the problem here is that clips are converted to avi.
Any advice?
Cheers,Gilles
-
10 Replies
-
The “Copy media with project” should copy the original files used in the project without converting them.
-
From the online help menu about doing “copy media with project.
Audio/video events are saved in a new AVI file.
You can trim DV AVI, uncompressed AVI, Sony YUV AVI, and CineForm AVI files.
Because of the lossy nature of other video formats, those video files will not be trimmed, but will simply be copied to the project folder.Audio-only events will be rendered to the Wave format if under 2 GB (or Wave64 if over 2 GB), and DV files will be rendered as DV AVI files.
-
Wow, I did not know that. I will not use that method to archive projects. I edit .m2t and .mts files and want to keep those files.
-
Hard disks are so cheap, I just have two SATA drives (in an external USB dock) for each project in progress. One is the primary and the other is the daily mirror backup. (NewEgg recently had 500Gb drives for $20.) When the project is finished and delivered, I just put the project disk into storage and reuse the backup disk. This is pretty much what I’ve done for ten years, and as new, higher density drives come on the market, I migrate my old storage to them, refreshing the backups. Anyone want a box of old 20- and 30Gb IDE drives? (Actually, I’ll dismember them to get to the really strong magnets inside) Just a few weeks ago I migrated about a dozen projects on 20Gb drives to a single 2Tb drive.
Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com -
Thanks for sharing Stephen.
So if I get this right, you don’t use the save-as function to select only footage (clipped or not-clipped) but backup the entire thing.
Since you re-cycle your backup drive when you’re done, you’re left with a single copy of the project on one external HD correct?
Gilles
-
Never. Disk space is so cheap that it doesn’t make much sense to take the time to “save with media”. If I need to revisit a project, I drop the drive into the SATA desktop port, and it open as if I had been working on it yesterday. Hint: I keep a “notes.txt” file at the root of every project where I jot my random and significant thoughts on the project.
Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com -
If I understand, you only maintain a single copy of the project (on a single, external disk). you’re not concerned about that drive dying on you?
the external USB drive provides good response while you work directly from it?
thanks for the tip on notes.txt. I will make use of this good idea.
Gilles
Gilles
-
[Gilles Gagnon] ” you’re not concerned about that drive dying on you?
the external USB drive provides good response while you work directly from it?”
I’ve never had a disk that didn’t work upon plugging it into the dock, and I’ve been doing backups to HDD for almost ten years. If that fails, there’s always the DVD. The fact is, most reasons to revisit a project is if the client wants more DVD’s. Rarely to change anything.
The SATA port is a USB2 device. It is fast enough for simple two-camera, simple editing projects. It grinds when I add any FX. Lately I have been using a 100Gb SSD as my work disk, but it appears that the USB port is my limiting factor. The editing PC is an HP Pavilion, and HP has the BIOS locked up tight. I can’t add an eSATA or USB3 card – the BOS just won’t see it. I do have an internal SSD for the projects that are heavy with FX.
Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com -
Thanks again Stephen,
The SATA port is a USB2 device
you’re using an external dock (USB) in which you put the SATA drive correct?Thanks for explaining your workflow and reasoning. it’s helping me adopt one.
I’ve been reluctant to have my completed/archived project ONLY on a single external drive. But since it has worked for you for 10 years, I think I’ll follow this “proven” method 🙂
Cheers,
Gilles
-
I have a drive dock as well, but do back up to 2 drives at a time, ###A&B, Having only a single drive with your data is risky. Since drive prices have gone down… why not get 2?
For client projects, they pay for the drives anyway, part of the bid is archiving, and one drive for them if they request it, though not a “bare” drive, but a usb stand alone.
Malcolm
http://www.malcolmproductions.com
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up