Back Up Drives / NAS /

M

markfpv

Veteran
Looking ahead to 2023 and wondering what folks are using to back up files (project as well as footage) these days. I'm editing video on Mac - using external drives and I've been using a Drobo NAS - for many years now to back up most everything as well as letting Time Machine also back up main system files there too. And then for my FCPX libraries with footage, I simply use WD external drives using TB or USB 3. I've grown fond of Carbon Copy software - it backs up everything daily - so I can set it and forget it.

But I think it's time for a change - as Drobo sounds like they will no longer support Ventura or future upgrades. So - interested to hear what other small businesses are using?
 
FWIW, there's been a good sale on SSDs (B&H) that some of us got excited about.

It sounds like you might need a more complex solution, but personally & working alone I only use standalone SSDs and also export the raw footage as H.264 files to Vimeo (so at least there's something - hopefully - if all the other 2-3 drives with the raw footage crashed).

Then I also back-up and make copies of the FCP libraries without the files and only the edits/timelies (will need to be relinked).
 
I have a few small SSD's - and while speed is nice it's usually a bit overkill for what most of my work entails. I've never had issues using 7200rpm sata drives via T-bolt 2 or USB 3.1, since I'm hardly ever doing multiple layers with effects on a given timeline - and still am not editing much in UHD / 4K (even though everything is shot that way). That's not to say it isn't coming... I'm just in small market where HD delivery is still defacto standard.

I kept my original post vague on purpose - as I know this is an area that will greatly vary depending upon the type of work - and if you're a stand-alone, solo shop (as I am currently), or if you need more cloud storage solution for multiple editors, etc. And certainly the type / kind of clients you work with...that along with many many other factors I'm sure I'm not even considering right now.

The Drobo was nice in that it gave me a networked storage drive - to access remotely if need be - as well as a place to put back up's of all my external drives - and I had essentially nearly 30TB of footage at my disposal. But it's becoming more rare to work with clients that need immediate access to something I shot 3 years ago. Seems nearly everything is more temporary now - and has lots less shelf life.

Anyway, I'm thinking of going a more simplistic approach - with just using external enclosure - with multiple drives - or even docking station for some drives... but wanted to see what other solutions are out there...
 
Thanks Doug. Already have a 3.5" / 2.5" docking station for internal drives - but not a dual one like the one you linked. And that's a great price on the Seagate. I've always gone with WD in the past - but if they are good enough for you... then certainly I'll pull the trigger on a couple.
 
I use a mix of Seagate and WD in various capacities from 4TB to 8TB, whichever happens to be on sale when I need them. I bought a pair of the 18TB drives but they are still on the shelf until I need them.
 
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