Best Backup Media? at DVinfo.net

Matt Irwin · June 24th, 2005, 04:10 PM

I'm starting to media manage a bunch of FCP projects in preparation to move them to storage media and then delete them from my machine. I figure that I could split up the media to several DVD-R discs per project (I wouldn't be working off the discs, obviously). Does anybody see a problem with this? Would a hard drive be better? (I'm trying not to spend more $$$ on a HD, if I can get away with it)

Doug Boze · June 24th, 2005, 08:01 PM

If just one DVD-R is bad, what effect will that have? You'll have to balance the cost against the cost of the media. You don't need the latest and fastest harddrives for storage. You could also use removeable drives. Fill 'em up, pull 'em out, put 'em away. Otherwise, though slow, nothing beats DLT for long-term storage reliability. Cost of tapes are on a par with DVD-R.

Boyd Ostroff · June 24th, 2005, 08:07 PM

Backup is a real problem. I just keep buying more firewire drives, but they fill up fast too. Personally, I don't think DVD's are viable, unless you are burning MPEG2, and then there is a quality loss issue. I'm not interested in burning 60 DVD's to backup a 250GB drive...

Stefan Jones · June 26th, 2005, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boyd Ostroff

Backup is a real problem. I just keep buying more firewire drives, but they fill up fast too. Personally, I don't think DVD's are viable, unless you are burning MPEG2, and then there is a quality loss issue. I'm not interested in burning 60 DVD's to backup a 250GB drive...

i really don't know anything about this subject so i should keep my mouth shut, but what happened to high capacity tape drives? wouldn't those be cheaper?

Matt Irwin · June 26th, 2005, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Boze

Otherwise, though slow, nothing beats DLT for long-term storage reliability. Cost of tapes are on a par with DVD-R.

That's a good point- never would have thought of that. That might be fine because I just need them for archival purposes. If I were to work on them again, I'd copy them back to the computer.... although firewire drives would mean no copying...

Hmmmm... the gears are turning now. Thanks for the input guys.

Dan Euritt · June 26th, 2005, 10:52 PM

having been a pc network admin for years, i can tell you that tape formats come and go, as does the computer interface to hook the drive up to, and the software to control it with... all of a sudden you end up with nothing but a boat anchor.

you are also gambling that fcp will always and forever be capable of opening up old projects, that were created with a format that'll sooner or later be obsolete... that'll probably be the first thing to go.

so define your storage goals as best as possible... quality dvd blanks will last longer than any tape ever made, but what do you want to do with it?

June 24th, 2005, 04:10 PM	#1
Matt Irwin Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 327	Best Backup Media? I'm starting to media manage a bunch of FCP projects in preparation to move them to storage media and then delete them from my machine. I figure that I could split up the media to several DVD-R discs per project (I wouldn't be working off the discs, obviously). Does anybody see a problem with this? Would a hard drive be better? (I'm trying not to spend more $$$ on a HD, if I can get away with it) __________________ Matt Irwin DP / matt.irwincine.com

June 24th, 2005, 08:01 PM	#2
Doug Boze Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 218	If just one DVD-R is bad, what effect will that have? You'll have to balance the cost against the cost of the media. You don't need the latest and fastest harddrives for storage. You could also use removeable drives. Fill 'em up, pull 'em out, put 'em away. Otherwise, though slow, nothing beats DLT for long-term storage reliability. Cost of tapes are on a par with DVD-R.

June 24th, 2005, 08:07 PM	#3
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	Backup is a real problem. I just keep buying more firewire drives, but they fill up fast too. Personally, I don't think DVD's are viable, unless you are burning MPEG2, and then there is a quality loss issue. I'm not interested in burning 60 DVD's to backup a 250GB drive...

June 26th, 2005, 10:52 PM	#6
Dan Euritt Trustee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Carlsbad CA Posts: 1,132	having been a pc network admin for years, i can tell you that tape formats come and go, as does the computer interface to hook the drive up to, and the software to control it with... all of a sudden you end up with nothing but a boat anchor. you are also gambling that fcp will always and forever be capable of opening up old projects, that were created with a format that'll sooner or later be obsolete... that'll probably be the first thing to go. so define your storage goals as best as possible... quality dvd blanks will last longer than any tape ever made, but what do you want to do with it?