(Photo Credit: Laptop by Byjeng on Shutterstock)
With the advent of 4K and 8K production workflows, video editing means working with incredibly large file sizes. This can present all kinds of issues, from running out of space to frustratingly slow performance. So, what is the best way to store all that data while editing your videos?
I would much rather spend $75 on a 2nd 2TB drive for the worry-free uptime that it brings to the table than $150 on a GPU that is going to have minimal impact on the editing process, and merely. Based on thousands of projects we worked on at Veedyou.com, the average cost to edit a video is 259 USD. There you have it. We actually have a cost estimator here, which lets you put in the details of your project and automatically calculates the estimated cost of your video project. Mar 03, 2016 Generally decent editors run around $30/h DOUBLEPOST=, /DOUBLEPOSTAlso the video creators has a good video on where to find team members, it also has some advice for normal people not used to hiring people. Reactions: Highfalutin' Low Carb. 2 days ago ABOUT ME I am a Video Editor, Sound Engineer and Motion Graphics Artist. I am skilled in video editing and video production from conception to final product. Using my skills in sound design, final mix, creative video editing and my knowledge of video formats, I am an all-round solution for your production.
Before you run out to buy yet another external drive, make sure that's really your best bet. We interviewed two video experts to break down your options for working with large files while editing video, and go over the pros and cons of each solution.
Storage Problems
Compared to documents or images, video is somewhat unique as a file type when it comes to storage. That's because each frame of video contains so much information: audio, visuals, timestamps, metadata, and more.
Video editing demands a lot from a storage product. You need to be able to quickly access and edit the files, which requires fast transfer speeds, as well as large capacity. It also has to be very reliable over time.
As you'll see from our expert interviews, you typically only get speed OR capacity, unless you have a very large budget. As a result, content creators tend to separate their storage into two tiers: working drives that are smaller and faster, and archival drives that are much larger and slower.
Storage Solutions
There are several different video storage solutions that accommodate different needs in terms of volume and workflow. Here's a quick summary of typical options:
- Portable hard drive – either solid state (SSD) or with a spinning disk, portable hard drives are a go-to for a variety of reasons. Cheap, easy to transport, and increasingly capacious, their main downside is long-term reliability. As a result, redundancy (e.g. backing up) is important, necessitating the use of syncing software like Chronosync.
- RAID – stands for Redundant Array of Independent Disks. Basically, several hard drives are connected into one logical unit, which allows for data redundancy and larger capacity. As a result, you can gain in both performance and reliability.
- Server – essentially the same concept as a RAID, on a much larger scale. Although technically involved to set up, servers can be worthwhile for advanced storage needs, especially if remote accessibility is a priority.
- LTO Tapes – if you cringe when you hear the word 'tapes' and immediately picture VCRs… this is not the same technology. LTO stands for Linear Tape Open, and is a high-capacity, single-reel tape storage solution. Designed to be scalable and backwards-compatible, you can increase your storage as your needs grow.
In practice, we find even seasoned professionals tend to make do with whatever solution is at the ready. The fast pace of video work necessitates that you make quick decisions and are constantly available, so an immediate solution is often the go-to.
Instead of just buying yet another hard drive, see what our experts had to say about the storage setup they use for their video work. How to set adobe as default.
Expert Advice
We asked two video professionals to weigh in on their preferred storage products, and the pros and cons of each. Combined, they work with well over a petabyte (1,024 TB) of video!
Lewis Smithington, 30 Ninjas
First up is Lewis Smithingham, president and partner of 30 Ninjas. With his team, Lewis produces virtual reality and interactive digital media, as well as various YouTube shows, livestreams, and other content.
Storage Products In UseTo handle all of the resulting data, they use a variety of storage products, showing that the best solution might actually be a mix. Currently, they have:
- 200 TB spread across multiple Glyph and OWC RAIDs
- 1 PB of LTO tapes
- 10 GB on a 60 TB QNAP
- A speedy custom render server (20 TB)
We tend to edit on the QNAP and then render to our custom solution, or to a RAID. This enables us to access projects quickly and easily.
We back up to the LTO tapes because they are inexpensive for the volume we are dealing with, and highly durable.
What are the pros and cons?LTO tapes are inexpensive and hardy, so they are a good option for projects you need to store over a long period of time. However, LTO also requires more troubleshooting than I would like it to.
The RAIDs are also an imperfect solution because they are slower than I would like them to be and also can only connect to one computer at a time.
Do you think there's a better solution out there?Basically, size and speed are my only needs, which kinda work in tandem. I think things are getting a lot better. But my average project size is around 50 TB when it's finished, so it's pretty painful. We wrapped a project last year that was 125 TB, before we backed it up.
Any additional comments you'd like to make about storage?What I'd love is a better way to catalog stuff. Dealing with all this data in different places can be challenging. We are very organized in how we handle our work because we have to be, but I'm sure there could be a less involved and less time-consuming solution.
Michael Rubenstein, Freelance Photographer and Director
Next, we asked Michael Rubenstein how he solves for his storage needs as a busy freelancer. Michael works on a variety of commercial and advertising still and motion projects.
Storage Products In UseLike many freelancers, Michael needs a light, portable setup for capturing footage on the go. Then, he needs a speedy drive for video editing, and dependable long-term storage for finished projects.
He currently uses:
- Synology 80 TB RAID for archives
- LaCie 6Big 30 TB working drive
- Several 2 TB LaCie Rugged Drives, both spinners and SSD, for on location
I use the LaCie 6Big drive for video editing, and the Synology RAID for archiving my work.
What are the pros and cons?The Synology could be easier to use. It's not plug-and-play. I also could use a secondary backup for the Synology, ideally a cloud-based option, or another box in a separate location. Unfortunately, it's very expensive to have another box.
Do you think there's a better solution out there?I'm looking forward to the day that cheap and fast cloud storage becomes a viable option for video editing.
What Should You Use?
After discussing storage options with our experts, we found there are three key factors in choosing the right storage solution for your video editing work:
- Budget – what can you afford to pay?
- Work Requirements – how will you be using the files?
- Capacity – how much storage do you need?
Your budget will determine the range of products you can consider, while your work requirements will determine the features you need. Then, the volume of data you will be working with will help you narrow down your product choice even further.
If your budget is under $500…
Portable external hard drives are likely the way to go. The cost per GB has come down, and reliability has improved over time.
Storage Problems
Compared to documents or images, video is somewhat unique as a file type when it comes to storage. That's because each frame of video contains so much information: audio, visuals, timestamps, metadata, and more.
Video editing demands a lot from a storage product. You need to be able to quickly access and edit the files, which requires fast transfer speeds, as well as large capacity. It also has to be very reliable over time.
As you'll see from our expert interviews, you typically only get speed OR capacity, unless you have a very large budget. As a result, content creators tend to separate their storage into two tiers: working drives that are smaller and faster, and archival drives that are much larger and slower.
Storage Solutions
There are several different video storage solutions that accommodate different needs in terms of volume and workflow. Here's a quick summary of typical options:
- Portable hard drive – either solid state (SSD) or with a spinning disk, portable hard drives are a go-to for a variety of reasons. Cheap, easy to transport, and increasingly capacious, their main downside is long-term reliability. As a result, redundancy (e.g. backing up) is important, necessitating the use of syncing software like Chronosync.
- RAID – stands for Redundant Array of Independent Disks. Basically, several hard drives are connected into one logical unit, which allows for data redundancy and larger capacity. As a result, you can gain in both performance and reliability.
- Server – essentially the same concept as a RAID, on a much larger scale. Although technically involved to set up, servers can be worthwhile for advanced storage needs, especially if remote accessibility is a priority.
- LTO Tapes – if you cringe when you hear the word 'tapes' and immediately picture VCRs… this is not the same technology. LTO stands for Linear Tape Open, and is a high-capacity, single-reel tape storage solution. Designed to be scalable and backwards-compatible, you can increase your storage as your needs grow.
In practice, we find even seasoned professionals tend to make do with whatever solution is at the ready. The fast pace of video work necessitates that you make quick decisions and are constantly available, so an immediate solution is often the go-to.
Instead of just buying yet another hard drive, see what our experts had to say about the storage setup they use for their video work. How to set adobe as default.
Expert Advice
We asked two video professionals to weigh in on their preferred storage products, and the pros and cons of each. Combined, they work with well over a petabyte (1,024 TB) of video!
Lewis Smithington, 30 Ninjas
First up is Lewis Smithingham, president and partner of 30 Ninjas. With his team, Lewis produces virtual reality and interactive digital media, as well as various YouTube shows, livestreams, and other content.
Storage Products In UseTo handle all of the resulting data, they use a variety of storage products, showing that the best solution might actually be a mix. Currently, they have:
- 200 TB spread across multiple Glyph and OWC RAIDs
- 1 PB of LTO tapes
- 10 GB on a 60 TB QNAP
- A speedy custom render server (20 TB)
We tend to edit on the QNAP and then render to our custom solution, or to a RAID. This enables us to access projects quickly and easily.
We back up to the LTO tapes because they are inexpensive for the volume we are dealing with, and highly durable.
What are the pros and cons?LTO tapes are inexpensive and hardy, so they are a good option for projects you need to store over a long period of time. However, LTO also requires more troubleshooting than I would like it to.
The RAIDs are also an imperfect solution because they are slower than I would like them to be and also can only connect to one computer at a time.
Do you think there's a better solution out there?Basically, size and speed are my only needs, which kinda work in tandem. I think things are getting a lot better. But my average project size is around 50 TB when it's finished, so it's pretty painful. We wrapped a project last year that was 125 TB, before we backed it up.
Any additional comments you'd like to make about storage?What I'd love is a better way to catalog stuff. Dealing with all this data in different places can be challenging. We are very organized in how we handle our work because we have to be, but I'm sure there could be a less involved and less time-consuming solution.
Michael Rubenstein, Freelance Photographer and Director
Next, we asked Michael Rubenstein how he solves for his storage needs as a busy freelancer. Michael works on a variety of commercial and advertising still and motion projects.
Storage Products In UseLike many freelancers, Michael needs a light, portable setup for capturing footage on the go. Then, he needs a speedy drive for video editing, and dependable long-term storage for finished projects.
He currently uses:
- Synology 80 TB RAID for archives
- LaCie 6Big 30 TB working drive
- Several 2 TB LaCie Rugged Drives, both spinners and SSD, for on location
I use the LaCie 6Big drive for video editing, and the Synology RAID for archiving my work.
What are the pros and cons?The Synology could be easier to use. It's not plug-and-play. I also could use a secondary backup for the Synology, ideally a cloud-based option, or another box in a separate location. Unfortunately, it's very expensive to have another box.
Do you think there's a better solution out there?I'm looking forward to the day that cheap and fast cloud storage becomes a viable option for video editing.
What Should You Use?
After discussing storage options with our experts, we found there are three key factors in choosing the right storage solution for your video editing work:
- Budget – what can you afford to pay?
- Work Requirements – how will you be using the files?
- Capacity – how much storage do you need?
Your budget will determine the range of products you can consider, while your work requirements will determine the features you need. Then, the volume of data you will be working with will help you narrow down your product choice even further.
If your budget is under $500…
Portable external hard drives are likely the way to go. The cost per GB has come down, and reliability has improved over time.
Be sure to label your drives clearly so you know exactly what they contain. Spring for solid state drives if you are primarily using them for editing, as the enhanced speed will be worthwhile.
Backing up your drives manually can be time-consuming and subject to human error. Using syncing software to automate this process is well-worth the expense.
If your budget is $500 – $2,000
Entry-level RAID solutions are a possibility at this price point, and come with added durability. They are worth exploring for larger capacity, and longer term storage needs instead of buying multiple external hard drives.
Like our experts, you may find it's worth getting a drive specifically for editing, and another solution for storage.
If your budget is $2,000+
A bigger budget means many more options. The good news is that you can afford more specialized storage products to fit your exact needs. The bad news is that you're spoiled for choice.
Avoid analysis paralysis by focusing on your specific needs, and narrowing down choices accordingly.
If portability is a priority, you're still looking at external hard drives. If capacity is a bigger factor, a RAID setup would be a worthwhile investment. If durability over time is paramount, LTO tapes, the cloud, or a custom server would be best.
One Storage Size Does Not Fit All
Edit A Video Online
Ultimately, there is no single solution that will work for every video editor out there. Different workflows have different requirements, so specific needs vary quite a bit.
Our breakdown of the options available, and the wisdom from our experts, should help you determine which solution might work best for you.
If you have a storage solution for video editing we didn't cover, and find it works really well, we'd love to hear about it! Share it with us in the comments below.
Did you know SproutVideo offers lots of storage at affordable rates on all of our subscription plans? And folders, to help you keep all your videos organized?
You'll still need a storage solution for video editing, but when you're ready to share them online, we can help. Get started with a free trial today. How to set up fortnite on pc.
How much do RAM do you need for video editing? 16GB, 32GB or 64GB? Does your computer freeze up when previewing video? You face the problem of video editor crash while working? If yes, I'll try to help you and recommend the best RAM for video editing and tell you what to pay attention to when increasing the RAM.
How Much RAM Is Needed for Video Editing?
RAM is the main temporary storage area of the entire computing system. RAM is faster than a hard disk, so the goal of video editing is to save as much information as possible in RAM. Although 8 GB of RAM sounds like enough, one-quarter of this is used by the operating system, leaving only 6 GB for you video editor.
It is possible to rank the RAM by capacity if considering several variants of video editing. The list starts with the smallest, taking into account the capabilities and formats of the video, clearly showing how much RAM is needed for video editing.
- Read more about the best video editing softwares.
8GB – will suit you if you are editing 720p files. 4K editing is impossible or it will be unbearable. You may have to close other apps.
16 GB – will be enough if you are editing 1080p commercials with almost no effects or want to edit 4K files. You will have problems with background tasks. Is 16GB RAM enough for 4K editing? It depends on the complexity of video montage you do.
32 GB – will allow editing all kinds of files, including 4K, working with long videos (full-length movies) or creating many visual effects. This is the optimal capacity of RAM needed for video editing.
64 GB – an impressive amount of RAM. It is a must for those who plan to edit 8K files or work with advanced moving graphics in Adobe After Effects in combination with 3D modeling and animation in Cinema 4D. These files will not work on computers with 8-16 GB, and they will be slowed down in the case of 32 GB.
Considering the capabilities of 16GB vs 32GB RAM video editing, I can state that 16GB RAM is the minimum for video, and 32GB RAM is ideal.
- Read more about the best computer for video editing.
What to Know Before Buying RAM?
Do you know that after installing RAM, it simply may not give you the necessary speed? Moreover, you may not have the place to install it. That's why you must take a few points into consideration.
Available Free Slots
Make sure that your computer has free memory slots and determine their number before thinking about the best RAM for video editing. A perfect way to check the max allowable amount of RAM and its type is documentation of the computer or motherboard.
You can also find information on the manufacturers' website. If you have Windows 10, you can do this by running Task Manager. Another option is to use a software utility or an online service, for example, CPU-Z. It is a free utility that can scan your computer and inform you about the installed memory and available slots.
For example, there are 2 RAM slots on your laptop, the chipset supports a maximum amount of 16 GB. Thus, the best option for this model is purchasing two identical modules of 8 GB.
Overall, you will benefit from the principle of dual-channel memory architecture (which is preferable, because the memory works with doubled bandwidth), that requires two modules of the same size and speed in two slots.
- Read more about the best monitor for video editing.
Decide on RAM Speed
The 'speed' of the memory or its clock speed indicates how many times per second the memory can read or change its data. This speed is measured in MHz and greatly affects the overall performance of your processor.
The minimum clock speed for DDR4 starts at 2133 MHz and without a certain maximum value, as these modules can also be overclocked. This increase also leads to an overall boost in their bandwidth – a complex indicator of RAM capacity. It takes into account the data transfer frequency, bus width and a number of memory channels.
The computer will work quickly if the RAM and the processor bus bandwidth are equal. Otherwise, the system will use a lower indicator. Also, if you install modules from different manufacturers on your computer, there may be a slight error in speed. Therefore, a lower indicator will be used, and you will not get a potential advantage. It will be great if you purchase and install RAM from one kit.
What Is the Best RAM for Video Editing?
To save your time, I prepared a short list of RAM for video editing modules. They are used by video editors for building video workstations.
1. Corsair Vengeance LPX (8GB x 2) 16GB
This 16 GB kit is positioned as one of the best RAM for gaming. You can increase your RAM load with an aluminum radiator. This RAM fully supports XMP 2.0 to facilitate overclocking. The small form factor makes this RAM ideal for mini and micro ATX motherboards and not large bodies. Address Fixthephoto company for specialized and inexpensive video editing services.
2. Crucial Ballistix Sport LT (16GB x 2) 32GB
Use intense After Effects or Fusion effects with the Ballistix 32 GB kit. This fast RAM is designed to improve performance and is already optimized for the popular X99 platform. It is ideal for simultaneous work of more than one video editing program. This RAM for video editing is faster than standard DDR4 memory. The kit is made for a very easy installation. Therefore, you do not need to worry about the BIOS configuration settings after installation.
3. Kingston HyperX Impact for Mac 16GB (2 x 8G)
Do you know that Apple charges lots of money for RAM upgrades? However, you can save some cash if you use a third-party kit.
This RAM is available in several frequencies, which give you an opportunity to use it for a variety of Macs. All in all, it is the best RAM for video editing that will help speed up your laptop. Take it into consideration if you are eager to make use of some advanced features.
- Read more about the best budget monitors.
Why Do You Need to Increase RAM?
Increasing RAM is one of the most popular ways to upgrade a computer quickly. However, are you sure that buying additional RAM will change what you need? Maybe it isn't the problem at all? I suggest to find out what affects RAM.
Rendering Speed
RAM does not greatly affect the rendering speed or visualization with drawing. CPU and GPU are responsible for this task. However, if your computer has 8 GB and you increase it to 16 GB, you may notice a difference in rendering speed. How to buy os x 10 6.
PC will be able to allocate more resources in RAM, allowing your CPU and GPU to have more resources as well. Remember that having a good video card, processor and SSD is even more important than buying additional RAM. However, its increase can really upgrade the existing configuration.
If you are dealing with a lot of moving graphics, more RAM will help you work faster and more efficiently. Programs like Adobe After Effects require a significant amount of RAM, especially when using effects that are heavy for drawing, such as particles. Unlike video, in dynamic animation, graphics can become very complex. As a result, your computer will work slower.
- Read more about how to get Adobe After Effects for free.
Work with Large Files
If you are editing 4K video or RAW 42-megapixel photos, storage space and RAM are paramount. One RAW image file can take up 100 MB, and 4K video files can be multi-gigabyte. Your computer will process such files slowly without enough RAM. If you need to do it fast but your computer lags, you may refer to wedding video editing services.
Preview
The main use of RAM in video editing software, in addition to running the program, is caching preview files. Caching means pre-processing or calculating effects and layers for a preview visualization. This usually happens automatically as soon as you play or view the timeline.
How To Edit Videos For Youtube
Now a 720p preview takes up significantly less RAM than 4K video. There are quite complex compression algorithms that allow video editing programs to use compressed data, but the difference is still huge. High-resolution footage requires more RAM.
Best Motherboard for Video Editing?
Now some of the 9th-gen Intel motherboards can use up to 128 GB of RAM (i.e. 4x32 GB DDR4 DIMM). So, buying memory with these capabilities will be a good decision.
Gigabyte Z390 UD
Consider the Gigabyte Z390 UD (Ultra Durable) if your budget is too tight. This ATX motherboard has 4 slots for RAM DDR4, software-controlled case fans, a 1 x PCIe M.2 (Key M) slot and 8 and 4-pin 12V ATX power inputs.
Moreover, it features six USB 3.0 Type-A ports, an HDMI video output and two PS/2 ports for a mouse and a keyboard.
ASRock X399 Professional Gaming sTR4
Нou have a wider range to select from if your budget isn't limited. The ASRock X399 will be a great choice in this case. You won't find too many motherboards created especially for the Ryzen Threadripper processors.
This processor is one of the best. However, you will enjoy the video editing even more with ASRock X399. This tandem works perfectly if you need to do several tasks at the same time. The motherboard can support up to 128GB of DDR4 memory and includes 4-way SLI or Crossfire configurations.
Z390 Aorus Pro WIFI
Z390 Aorus Pro WIFI is considered to be one of the best models on the market with ATX form factor. Its price is quite reasonable for such a set of great features which are able to improve your video editing. Intel product has reinforced PCIe slots and RGB lighting. It manages only 8th and 9th-gen LGA 1151 socket with 4 DIMM sockets of up to 64GB capacity.
How Much To Edit A Video
Ann Young
How Much To Edit A Video Downloader
Hi there, I'm Ann Young - a professional blogger, read more
