An external hard drive is a type of data storage device that can be attached to a computer externally, using a USB cable or other connector types. Unlike the primary internal hard drive installed inside a computer, an external hard drive can be easily transported, connected to different computers, and used for a variety of data storage purposes.
With the proliferation of high-resolution digital videos, which come in large file sizes, external hard drives have become a popular storage solution for videographers and video editors. An external hard drive provides a convenient way to store large video files without taking up primary storage space on a computer’s internal drive. The external drive can be used to archive video projects, transfer files between editing systems, or simply as extra capacity for a growing video library.
Benefits of Using an External Hard Drive for Videos
One of the main benefits of using an external hard drive for storing videos is the large capacity available. External hard drives come in a wide range of storage sizes from 500GB up to 10TB or more. This allows you to store a large library of high quality, high resolution videos that take up significant file size. A 1TB external hard drive can hold over 200 hours of HD 1080p video
External hard drives are also portable so you can easily move your video files between different computers and devices. This gives you flexibility if you want to edit or view the videos on different systems. It also makes it easy to share videos with others by bringing the external drive to their location.
Additionally, external hard drives are great for backing up important videos. You can use backup software to automatically copy your video library to the external drive. This protects your files from being lost if your main computer crashes. Having an external backup allows you to restore your video collection.
Sources:
[1] https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/tech-takes/top-5-uses-for-external-hard-drives
[2] https://backupchain.com/i/pros-and-cons-of-external-hard-drives-usb-esata-firewire
Drawbacks of Using an External Hard Drive for Videos
While external hard drives can provide a lot of extra storage for videos, they do come with some potential downsides to consider.
One drawback is that external hard drives can fail and result in data loss, just like any other storage device. According to Accushred, external hard drives can be damaged by fire, water, overheating, or general malfunctioning that could make your data unrecoverable (Source). It’s important to have a backup of your data in case an external drive fails.
Another drawback is that external hard drives are generally not as fast as internal hard drives, especially for tasks like video editing that require frequent read and write operations. As BackupChain explains, the connection interfaces like USB and FireWire can create bottlenecks that slow down data transfer speeds (Source). This may make editing video directly from the external drive more frustrating.
Finally, external hard drives need to be plugged in to a computer or external power source in order to access the data. This means you can’t easily access the videos stored on them when you’re away from your desk. The portability of the drive itself doesn’t help if you can’t connect to it.
Ideal Video Formats for External Hard Drives
When choosing a video format for external hard drive storage, it’s important to balance quality with storage requirements. Uncompressed formats like RAW video take up a massive amount of space but offer pristine quality. For most users, compressed formats are the better choice for external drives.
Compressed formats like H.264 are designed to shrink down file sizes through efficient encoding while retaining high visual quality. According to Filmpac, H.264 is one of the most widely compatible and space-efficient current video codecs. It provides strong compression while still maintaining quality sufficient for high-definition footage.
Other top compressed choices are H.265 (HEVC) and various MPEG formats. Though not quite as compatible, H.265 offers even better compression rates. All of these formats will consume far less drive space compared to uncompressed options. This makes them ideal choices when storage capacity on an external drive is a key factor.
The bottom line is to avoid RAW and other uncompressed formats for external drives meant for video storage and editing. Stick to compressed options like H.264 to maximize your storage space without sacrificing too much visual quality.
Estimated Storage Space Needed
The storage space needed for videos depends on the video resolution, frame rate, and length of footage you wish to store. Higher resolution videos like 4K require substantially more storage space than lower resolution videos like 720p. Here are some storage space estimates:
– A 1 hour long 1080p video at 30 fps takes up around 3-5 GB.
– A 1 hour long 4K video at 30 fps takes up 8-12 GB or more. According to CCTV Camera Pros’ storage calculator, 4K video requires about 375 GB per day if recording 24/7.
– Lower resolution 640×480 CCTV surveillance video requires around 10-20 GB per day per camera if motion-based recording is used. With continuous recording it is 60-80 GB per day per Seagate.
So for a sample 10 camera CCTV system recording 640×480 video continuously, you may need 600-800 GB of storage space per day. The key is factoring in the video resolution, frame rate, number of cameras, and recording duration.
Choosing the Right External Hard Drive
When selecting an external hard drive for storing videos, there are a few key factors to consider:
Storage Capacity – Videos can take up a lot of storage space, especially at high resolutions like 4K. It’s important to choose a drive with enough capacity to hold all your current and future videos. For most home video uses, a 2TB to 4TB drive should suffice, but 8TB+ drives are available if you plan on amassing a large video library.(1)
Drive Speed – Faster drives allow for quicker transfer of videos on and off the drive. Look for drives with USB 3.0/3.1, Thunderbolt 3, or USB-C connections and 7200 RPM spin speeds for the best performance. Transfer speeds of at least 100 MB/s are recommended for smooth video playback and editing.(2)
Portability – If you plan to travel with the drive, choose a compact and sturdy portable model. If the drive will mainly stay in one place, a desktop external drive can offer larger capacities for less money.
Setting Up and Using the External Hard Drive
Connecting the external hard drive to your computer is the first step in setting it up. Use the included USB cable to plug the drive into an available USB port on your computer. Once connected, the drive should appear in your computer’s file explorer so you can access and manage the contents.
Before storing videos, it’s highly recommended to format the external drive. Formatting prepares the drive to store files by creating a file system. It also erases any data already on the drive. Popular file systems for external hard drives include exFAT, FAT32, and NTFS for Windows users, and Mac OS Extended for Mac users. According to this Sweetwater guide, exFAT works across both Windows and Mac, making it a versatile option.
After formatting, organize your video files in folders on the external drive for easy access and management. For example, create folders for different projects, clients, or video types. Clearly naming folders and files will help you locate assets quickly. It’s also a good idea to develop a file naming convention.
You’ll also want to eject and safely disconnect the drive when not in use to prevent potential data corruption.
Maintaining and Managing Videos on the Drive
Properly maintaining your external hard drive for video storage is crucial to ensure the drive’s longevity and your data’s integrity. Here are some best practices:
Safely eject the drive – Always use the “Safely Remove Hardware” option before disconnecting your drive. This ensures any data writes are completed before disconnecting, preventing potential corruption (source).
Avoid fragmentation – Fragmentation happens when pieces of files get scattered across the drive. This slows down read/write speeds. Periodically defragment your drive to optimize performance.
Back up your data – Hard drives can fail unexpectedly. Always maintain a second backup copy of your videos on another drive or the cloud. This protects against data loss if your drive fails.
Store properly when not in use – Keep the drive in a dry, cool place away from magnets or static electricity. Some use anti-static bags (source).
Check for errors – Occasionally scan your drive for errors using built-in tools. This can identify potential issues before they become catastrophic failures.
With proper care and maintenance, your external hard drive can reliably store videos for years to come.
Security Considerations
When storing sensitive videos or footage on an external hard drive, security is a key concern. Here are some ways to keep your data secure:
Encryption – Encrypting the hard drive is important to prevent unauthorized access if it is lost or stolen. Software like BitLocker for Windows or FileVault for Mac can encrypt the entire drive. There are also encrypted external hard drives available that come with hardware-based encryption built-in.
Physical theft prevention – Since external hard drives are portable, make sure to store them in a secure location when not in use. Keep it locked up or hidden if sensitive footage is stored on it. Avoid keeping it connected to your computer at all times. Some storage devices like iStorage diskAshur external drives have physical security like PIN code access.
As suggested in the Amazon search results on hard drives for security cameras, choosing a purpose-built surveillance storage hard drive with built-in reliability and specialized firmware is recommended for storing security footage.
Conclusion
In summary, using an external hard drive for storing videos can be a good option for many users. The large storage capacity available on external drives today makes them well-suited for HD and 4K videos. They also provide flexibility to move and access your video library from different devices. However, portability can lead to risks of physical damage or loss and the drives may be prone to failure over time.
When choosing an external drive for videos, look for models with fast transfer speeds, plenty of storage space for your needs, strong build quality and portability if required. Setting up is straightforward, but take time to organize videos in a logical folder structure. Maintain the drive by ejecting properly, storing safely and formatting periodically. While external drives are reasonably secure, also consider backing up your most important videos to a second location.
For most home video collections, using an external drive can provide a simple, affordable way to expand storage space. But weigh the benefits against things like your usage patterns and backup discipline. With some forethought on setup, care and maintenance, an external drive can be a very capable place to keep your video library safely stored and ready for viewing.