Best Media Storage Practices (page 2)
Recovery Time
Should you face the worst-case scenario (i.e., hard drive failure, corrupt project file, etc.), it's time to recover the backup data. It's important that you identify the reason for the data failure before connecting the backup device. If it's a virus that's still lurking on your computer, it can affect the backup device when you connect it. Rid the computer of the virus before restoring data. When your computer is clean of viruses and hard drive failures are fixed, connect your backup drive and copy the latest backup folder to the drive that is associated with the original content. You've done it! You're a miracle worker. You may not have saved the day's work, but you haven't lost everything.
Backups are commonplace in video editing these days. Whether your project is big or small, backups can keep you up and running when disaster strikes. Put this advice into practice with your next project. You will be glad you did.
Contributing Editor Mark Montgomery is an independent video producer and editor.
Side Bar: Project File Save As
A common practice among video editors is to execute a Save As command to create a copy of the current video-editing project file. This creates a new iteration of the project file, much like creating a backup. However, the reason for this practice is to allow the editor the option of returning to an earlier version of the project, in case edits made in the current project need to be undone. This is more about keeping the edit the way the editor intends than about keeping the data safe. Fortunately, it can also save your hide should your project file become corrupt or lost.
