actually, more wondering if you use windows backup, a nother backup application, just a copy paste? On to an external HD, or some other method?

That kind of thing.

Dave

Just backup my "active" projects... and run backups of all the project files from one drive to another. Basically just a copy from one drive to another.

In view of the large size of most of my projects... I find any sort of backup system just adds an additional complexity to the whole thing that I don't need.

I have been looking for a way to easily synchronize a directory from one drive to another (in other words... just copy stuff that has changed).

I use multiple drives... everything important resides on at least 2 mechanically seperate ones.

Most of my "first cuts" end up 12 to 18 minutes. I make an avi of that, then back that up to two DVD's (or four if I have to split the file with a file-splitter utility). I then back up the final project to DVD's.

In the meantime I back up to two USB drives (while working on a movie).

I've seen the pros (like Spot) post that they often just buy a new drive for each project.

I use the backup script I wrote:

Backup Script

which in turn uses the Archive function that is available when you save a VEG file. The only downside is that you can't trim the original media when you do this via script, and the audio gets separated into WAV files.

I archive to an external Firewire drive.

I use Retrospect Backup (6.5) + I back up the whole disk partion with Acronis True Image; waaaaaay faster than Drive Image. Retrospect is very, very good, but you really need to read how to use it. Not as intuitive as some programs, but better than any I have ever used.

Backup your whole disk partion of your main OS and installed programs.

Use Retrospect to backup stuff that changes (e-mail, My Documents, photos, etc.) You need to be very careful and very selective as to what you backup. You can mess things up if you restore "part" of somethng. I have it down pretty well. I have an Excel spreadsheet of all that I need, filename, path, etc.

To restore, first restore the disk partition image, then restore the Retrospect backup set.

>>I use multiple drives... everything important resides on at least 2
>>mechanically seperate ones.

Same here. I used to ALSO do it to tape, but since my tape drive mfr. (OnStream) died (twice), I am switching to removeable drives. They made the only affordable, high capacity drive out there.

This scheme has worked perfectly for me for years. I never lose anything. With removeable drives, you can even back up important Vegas projects + the respective media.

...and that's what I do.

For media: copies on two harddrives, for really special stuff also on data DVDs.

For everything else: Connected Data Protector from Iron Mountain. $25/month for 10 GB. Changes (only) are automatically encrypted and copied to two geographically separated data centers. Up to the 10 last versions of each file are saved and can be recovered quickly online or via disks shipped to you if you prefer. This fixes the problem of "the single backup is bad too" (a file got damaged but you didn't discover it until two versions later).

I have been using this for many years now (as have many Fortune 500 companies), would be hard to live without it.

Connected Data Protector

Print to DV tape.

I use acronis' true image (acronis.com ) to ghost my primary drive once every month or so, I have 3 identical drives, in case one goes down, and rotate them, to even out the workload.

have 6 ISP hard drives + 2 additional internal drives

backup all important data on DVDs and backup large avi source files on new external 300-350 gig hard drives ...

I used to not backup. I learned how important it is.. never lost "the whole thing", but enough to make me focus on keeping data redundant and accessible so I stay in business successfully..

ken