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footage archive options?
If you’re an EX1 user, what is your general strategy and medium for “archiving” your camera original footage?
I am evaluating the options for switching to either an optical disc-based camcorder (XDCAM-HD) or a solid-state camcorder (like the EX3). In my 25 years’ experience shooting, I’ve always had a videotape or film negative to put on the shelf. That is a nice security blanket, pretty inexpensive, and occasionally it has been extremely important to have. But doing this with anything other than tape seems like a real problem.
In various Cow forums I’m seeing very little dialogue on this topic. I’m particularly interested in how EX1 users are currently dealing with archiving once they’ve jumped in with both feet. Procrastinating? Pretending the problem doesn’t exist? 😉
Thanks in advance for your comments.
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17 Replies
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[Dave Matthis] “If you’re an EX1 user, what is your general strategy and medium for “archiving” your camera original footage?
I am evaluating the options for switching to either an optical disc-based camcorder (XDCAM-HD) or a solid-state camcorder (like the EX3). In my 25 years’ experience shooting, I’ve always had a videotape or film negative to put on the shelf. That is a nice security blanket, pretty inexpensive, and occasionally it has been extremely important to have. But doing this with anything other than tape seems like a real problem.
In various Cow forums I’m seeing very little dialogue on this topic. I’m particularly interested in how EX1 users are currently dealing with archiving once they’ve jumped in with both feet. Procrastinating? Pretending the problem doesn’t exist? 😉
Thanks in advance for your comments”
Really depends on your workflow, budget and how long you need to keep footage. In news and the commercial world, long term storage isn’t as important and in that case a hard drive backup will do until reused.
If you need something a bit more robust you can go to a Blu-Ray data drive- which holds a decent amount but not the hardiest solution for long-term. Then you get into tape drives- DLT, LTO-3 etc. If money is not tight I’d go for an LTO-3 drive. They are fast, vast and highly durable for long term storage.
Noah
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Certainly some sort of tape drive (LTO3) is your best option – some manufacturers of tapes guarantee data up to 30 years. Cheap tapes for 400GB storage per tape, though often expensive units at $5K plus. Good benefits that you can back up whole project files, not just footage.
For other options, consider moving parts and longevity. Despite in cases, Blu-ray DVDs still susceptible to scratching – and the format hasn’t been proven for longevity yet, where as tape has been around for decades. That leaves hard drives as storage medium, though you’ll need to spin them up every few months so the oils etc in components don’t settle.
We hire a LTO tape drive in once a month or two to clear out our drives onto LTO tape – avoids outlay of deck. Though cheap second hand units are now starting to appear on market as newer models appear.
Cheers,
TomCamera Operator – Editor – Motion Graphics
(https://www.tomdavid.com.au) -
I burn native SxS clips to Blu_Ray. So far all working OK, I’ve transferred clips back & forth without problems.
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I’m using DL-DVD at the moment for archive. You ABSOLUTELY MUST make sure you’re using TOP RATED media if you’re archiving to optical.
Verbatim 95123 R+ DL-DVD. Inkjet printable. I surface print shoot and client info.
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The new firmware upgrade for the PDW-U1 XDCAM drive makes it a read AND write device. XDCAM disks are the same price as a Beta tape ($23) so that is the option I’m moving towards. Sony says they are stable for 50 years (just like tape), much thinner than a Beta tape sitting on a shelf, and the drive is USB2.
John McClary
“The future you can afford”
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The new firmware upgrade for the PDW-U1 XDCAM drive makes it a read AND write device. XDCAM disks are the same price as a Beta tape ($23) so that is the option I’m moving towards. Sony says they are stable for 50 years (just like tape), much thinner than a Beta tape sitting on a shelf, and the drive is USB2.
John McClary
“The future you can afford”
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Very interesting ideas, and they present interesting tradeoffs.
Cost of the data tape drives is about $3200 on up to about $7000. It looks like most require SCSI or serial attached SCSI (SAS), so we add the cost of the SCSI interface. They can store up to 1.6TB (compressed) or 800GB (uncompressed). The most practical workflow I’m imagining would be to store entire folders of media or perhaps an entire project. Based on my previous experiences with DLT tape I presume that retrieving a single media clip from a data tape archive would require re-loading the entire archive. Which probably means wiping out whatever is currently on your drive array (so you’d probably need to archive the CURRENT contents in order to load the old). Hmmm… sounds like a lot of work.
Cost of Sony PDW-U1 XDCAM drive is $3000. Simple USB interface. It apparently handles XDCAM media files only. Great for footage, but not for other files generated in post.
Cost of Blu-Ray drives is around $350; 25GB media is about $15 and 50GB dual-layer media is around $35. This should be easy to burn and use.
Tape is almost unquestionably going to be safer. Blu-Ray or XDCAM disc are probably going to be easier to deal with. Blu-Ray is overall the most affordable.
Any other factors to consider here?
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We were told at the seminar that they would be data drives (recording whatever data was presented) by the end of the month. Haven’t seen independent confirmation on that, however.
John McClary
“The future you can afford”
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[Dave Matthis] “Cost of Sony PDW-U1 XDCAM drive is $3000”
Under $2500 AFIAK.
[Dave Matthis] “It apparently handles XDCAM media files only. Great for footage, but not for other files generated in post. “
Note true at all. With the firmware upgrade it can store ANYTHING (including P2 for example). The complete disk can be used as data storage of any kind.
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Based on my previous experiences with DLT tape I presume that retrieving a single media clip from a data tape archive would require re-loading the entire archive. Which probably means wiping out whatever is currently on your drive array (so you’d probably need to archive the CURRENT contents in order to load the old). Hmmm… sounds like a lot of work.
Not all models anyway – Quantam LTO drives (for example) work similar to an FTP interface which operates through your web-browser. Plug the drive into your ethernet, type in its IP address, then your browser software reads the Quantum software, and off you go. Retrieve whole folders, or single files. Up to you – and no need for SCSI interface etc – just plugs straight into your ethernet.
Cheers,
TomCamera Operator – Editor – Motion Graphics
(https://www.tomdavid.com.au)
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