What are the best video storage solutions for editors with lots of footage?

[PaisleyTJ]

My hard drives are constantly filling up with raw footage and project files. I need better video storage solutions but I'm not sure what approach to take. Should I invest in a NAS system, use external drives, or go with cloud storage? What's the most cost-effective way to manage terabytes of video files while keeping everything organized and accessible? I also worry about drive failure and losing important projects.

[Emma28]

I'm drowning in footage! I have like 5 external drives all with random files on them. Some are duplicates, some are projects I haven't touched in years. How do I even begin to organize this mess and what video storage solutions should I invest in to prevent it from happening again?

[PaisleyTJ]

Start by creating a consistent folder structure. I use: Year > Project Name > 01_Raw Footage, 02_Project Files, 03_Exports, 04_Assets. Within Raw Footage, I organize by shoot date. For your existing mess, dedicate a weekend to going through everything. Delete what you don't need, consolidate duplicates. Then invest in a NAS (Network Attached Storage) if you can afford it, or at least a multi-bay external enclosure with RAID.

[JackLD]

Consider using asset management software like Adobe Bridge, DaVinci Resolve's media pool, or dedicated DAM (Digital Asset Management) solutions. They let you tag, rate, and search your footage without having to remember exactly where you put it. Also, get in the habit of renaming files as you import them. Camera-generated filenames are useless for finding things later.

[Nathan.M]

For video storage solutions, think about access speed versus capacity. Use SSDs for active projects you're currently editing. Use larger HDDs or NAS for archived projects and raw footage storage. Cloud storage is great for backup and collaboration, but usually too slow (and expensive) for editing directly from. Also, consider setting up a media server like Plex or Jellyfin if you want to easily browse your footage from any device.

[NoahUL]

Don't forget about offsite backup for really important projects. A hard drive at a friend's house or in a safety deposit box counts. For ongoing storage needs, calculate how much footage you shoot per month and multiply by how long you want to keep it accessible. Then add 50% for growth. Video files only get bigger with higher resolutions, so plan for the future.

[Andrew37]

Use proxy files when editing high resolution footage. This creates lower resolution versions that are easier on your system and storage. Most editing software can generate proxies automatically. You edit with the proxies, then relink to the original high res files for final export. Saves storage space and improves performance during editing.