There’s no doubt that storage is a must-have for any content creator. But there are different types of storage for videographers and content creators. Plus, content creators should know how to manage their video storage. And for content creators, learning how to manage video storage goes beyond choosing the right kind of storage.
Organization skills can help content creators from scrambling to find the files they need quickly. And when you know how much storage is available, you can eliminate dealing with the nightmare scenario of running out of storage space when knee-deep into a big project.
Since many content creators use Mac computers, we’ll focus on the best storage tips for Mac users.
Different Types of Storage
Video files can add up and take up storage space quickly. Yes, even that 1TB hard drive won’t last very long, especially if you’re shooting in 4K. If you’re a content creator, you already know this and likely have more than a few external drives within reach. They’re probably an SSD or other external hard drives, as these are the most common video storage solutions and one of the best ways to store content.
Of course, you don’t have to go with an external drive. You can find the best storage SSD for MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models and upgrade the internal storage of your trusty Mac.
For now, let’s dive into the different types of video storage solutions for content creators.
Internal drive (local storage): Every computer comes with a physical HDD or SSD drive connected to the motherboard/system. Internal drives provide the most direct connection, resulting in faster access and read/write speeds.
External drives: These types of drives are ideal storage solutions for videographers and are often hard disk drives or solid state drives, also known as HDDs and SSDs. External desktop drives are more reliable and offer more security than their portable counterparts. But a portable external drive always comes in handy if you’re on the go, showing your work to clients. They can also easily move between computers. Portable drives can come in many sizes, and most can easily fit in a laptop bag, backpack, or other cases.
HDDs: People have stored data and content in hard disk drives for over 50 years. They’re cheaper and widely available in an array of storage capacities. But they have lots of moving parts, so if you drop them, they can easily break.
Best for:
- Storing extra data, such as photos, movies, and documents
- Ideal as a second backup drive
- Long-term video storage solutions
- Budget-minded users
SSDs: Solid-state drives are faster and much more power efficient than HDDs. They use flash memory, so there are no moving parts, making them shock-resistant and much quieter than a hard disk drive. They are more expensive and tend to have a shorter lifespan than HDDs, but they are a wise investment for any content creator. If you need to edit footage quickly, go with an SSD.
Best for:
- Accessing frequently used files (faster load times mean you can get to your videos much faster)
- Storing operating systems and gaming apps
- Ideal for laptops (if you drop your laptop while the drive is in motion, you won’t lose your data)
Other Storage Solutions for Content Creators
Hard disk drives and SSDs tend to work best when working with larger files. However, there are other ways to store data and backup files.
Cloud storage: you can use online cloud storage services to back up your files. The downside with the cloud is that there can be lag when you upload and download files. In addition, these services are not always safe and secure. If your cloud storage provider ever goes down, so does your file access.
Pros:
- No hardware management is required
- Accessible anywhere with an Internet
Cons:
- Limited to Internet speed availability
- More expensive
RAID systems: RAID drive systems allow you to store information on multiple connected drives. Since multiple drives are linked, they offer more security; if one drive fails, backups are linked! RAID drive systems can come to the rescue in many large-scale applications.
Pros:
- RAID 1,5,6, 10, etc. redundancy
- Much faster than having just one external drive
- May be used with HDDs or SSDs
Cons:
- More expensive since it requires multiple drives
Storage organization tips every content creator should know
Staying organized can help you stay sane, especially when juggling multiple projects. Of course, the best way for you to stay organized is to do what works best for you, so we’ll break it down into a few simple tips:
- Organize your video library: use folders, tags, and keywords to help you find what you need quickly.
- Update and archive your content regularly.
- Schedule routine backups of your videos and content: you can use online clouds, external hard drives, flash drives, or video management systems.
How to make sure you don’t run out of storage space
Professional content creators working on a laptop should have an internal or external drive for MacBook Air or MacBook Pros with at least 2TB of storage capacity. The big reason is this: When you have more storage space, you can work simultaneously with larger documents, such as 4K videos, uncompressed high-resolution audio, and high-resolution photos.
Be sure that you have enough storage space on your computer! The last thing you want to happen when you’re in a good rhythm is to run out of storage space. So when you’re working with large files, be sure to check how much storage capacity is available on your drive. There are several ways to check the storage on your Mac, but the easiest way is to:
- Select your hard drive. Right-click. Choose “Get Information.”
or
- Choose the Apple menu icon. Select “About this Mac.” Then, click “Manage.”
The Wrap-up
Did we miss anything? If so, what are some of your best ways to store content? Feel free to leave a reply! We hope these storage tips can help you stay creative and productive, no matter how large the project may be.
Jon Hoeg is a screenwriter, film director, and photographer with over thirteen years of professional experience within the entertainment industry. He has directed music videos for artists such as Lolawolf, Kaneholler, and Phoebe Ryan, and he has worked with brands such as Rebook, Sony, Nike, H&M, and many more. He currently lives in Venice, CA.
