You never want to digitize your tapes again, so choose your file storage options wisely.

There are various ways to store finished video, audio and still image files:

-Traditional External Hard Drives –
https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-an-external-hard-drive

Traditional external hard drives have magnetic, internal spinning discs that write and read files
with a needle. They are the least expensive way to store digital files. However, they also have a
relatively high failure rate over time. Expensive Data Recovery process is your only option to
retrieve your data.
*Note: Plug in your External Hard Drives once a year. It will help keep them alive.

–RAID External Hard Drives: These are hard drives with internal back up data discs. Safer than
the traditional external hard drive, but mechanical problems can still occur, resulting in the
same predicament as using single write hard drives.

–Solid State Drive: Flash Memory is a more expensive than traditional hard drives.
Advantages of Flash Memory: https://computer.howstuffworks.com/flash-memory.htm
*Data retrieval & manipulation is faster than traditional external hard drives.
* USB Drives and SSD Hard Drives utilize flash Memory. There are no moving parts so, they
don’t breakdown as easily. However, anything can happen regarding electronics, so this is not a
completely secure solution.

–LTO Data Tapes: It sounds odd to digitize your video & audio tapes and put the files onto
another tape. However, LTO Data Tapes are very accurate, secure and will last at least 25 years
if kept in a cool, dry place (like an office). LTO allows you to sidestep monthly cloud storage
fees. LTO Tapes are low cost, however it is not easy to extract the data. An LTO tape drive is
necessary to extract the data.
https://www.lto.org/what-is-lto/

 

Although the above choices are satisfactory for file storage, they do not allow for sharing data
with others. In order to preserve & share data you can employ the following options.

Internal File Server
-Your organization’s own file server.
https://www.gladinet.com/what-is-file-server/

Because of data volume limitations most systems only hold the highly compressed MP4 (H.264)
video files. One of the above solutions can be used as a hybrid to store large files while the
company server can be used to share the small MP4, Audio & Still Image files. Internal Servers
are still vulnerable to outside hacking. Therefore, security is an issue.

-The Cloud: https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/what-is-cloud-computing

The most expensive, secure and best way to share & store your digital files. You will pay a
monthly storage fee and there may be other access fees depending upon your plan. You
probably only want to store the small MP4 (H.264 files) video, MP3 audio & JPEG still images on
the cloud. Your larger files can be housed in more than one of the above methods.

Advantages of the Cloud:

*The Cloud (or an internal file server) allows others in your organization to access the files.
Other storage methods do not.
*The security on your computer or internal network is never going to be as good as the cloud.
*You can organize your files on the Cloud or Company Server. (This is almost impossible with
the other methods of storage)
*Cloud computing will always be more powerful than you will get on your own computer or
internal network.
Cloud Disadvantages:
-Task of Uploading all of that data
-Monthly fees
-Possible slow download and upload times depending upon your connection

Digital Revolution recommends that you choose more than one of the above methods of
storing your digital files to keep the content safe and accessible. We can help you figure out
what is best for you based upon your usage and goals.