Saving HDD memory

UKharrie wrote on 8/30/2014, 3:23 PM

This is a general Q, so should apply to several products. However, I'm concerned with Video files which are quite large.
I copy the SDHC card to a folder "Masters v. ( card ID )...so all clips are present. Then I create a Project folder "My recent Holiday, etc." and Copy the clips there as well ( this is on the same secondary Drive ). This makes it easier to see what I've got and if it's a big Edit I will use a WP to create a "Shot List" prior to Editing. This can weed out (delete) clips that are too short, etc. although the original number system is preserved in the Masters folder.

What I wonder is if folks know how I can save space - since it seems wasteful to have duplicate copies on the same HDD. I know that (dot) vf files are only "instructions" and take up v.little space, so I wonder if a similar scheme can't be used to fetch large files and put them in the Project folder?
Ideally they would appear as straight copies but perhaps some colour-border could be used to identify them as a "Proxy file" - if that's the right word.
It would be nice if the "Master Copy" could be tagged so I can see where else ( Projects), it's being used - partly for information - but also to avoid repeating too often.

Yes, I know HDD are cheap enough these days . . . I just don't like the idea of wasting space by duplication. Also, my dealer charges a lot just to change HDDs. and takes rather too long doing it.....Ooops!

Comments

videoITguy wrote on 8/30/2014, 3:59 PM

I don't see your problem exactly - because harddrive space requirements are relative. I believe you are working with compressed file structures - some of us use only uncompressed file types which takes much more room to store. So the use of space is really based on what you are willing to deal with.
My workflow will typically have original file structures on media (tape or card)- copy 1 to a working harddrive location, copy 2 to a project directory location, copy 3 to a backup media (USB3.0 drive or Blu-ray disc) - and why? backup for backup in case of catastrophic events....

Former user wrote on 8/30/2014, 8:53 PM

Consider using external drives for storage. Then the dealer doesn't have to do anything.

UKharrie wrote on 9/5/2014, 11:42 AM

Thanks Guys, I guess that tells me there is no easy fix and I shall have to duplicate copies as at present.
I do use External drives but these are nothing like as convenient - also they don't address the real issue that the (dot) vf file is very efficient, but the use of stuff in the Project Folder, isn't.

It should be easy enough to create a project software that replicates the (dot)vf methods - so my Project Folder is just a recepticle for all the refrenced material I need. Taking us maybe 20k instead of 600Mb

So if not then I'll just have to use larger HDDs. and maybe delete old projecy folders - but that will almost certainly mean I'll need them very soon.
Thanks.

Chienworks wrote on 9/5/2014, 12:45 PM

I'm not sure why you think you have to have duplicates. I dump all my source video into the project folder and have one copy of it on the drive. I've never felt the need for two copies. True, having two copies means you have a backup. But if it's backup copies you're after then you WANT backup copies. You seem to be saying you don't want backup copies, so ... don't make them. Simple, done.

Now, if you want to have the files appear in multiple places but physically occupy space only once no matter how many times you see them referenced, then you can create shortcuts. Right-mouse-button click on one of the files and choose 'create shortcut' from the popup menu. A new filename is created with the same name as the original, but with " - Shortcut" appended. Drag this to any other folder where you want it to appear. Once it's moved to another folder you can rename it to remove the " - Shortcut" so the original name is recovered. Any programs that reference that new shortcut file will actually use the original file, wherever it's stored.

HOWEVER, if you move the original file, the shortcut file becomes invalid. If you delete the original file then the data is gone. The shortcut file won't have anything to point to anymore and itself doesn't contain the video. So when you're housecleaning make sure you keep track of which is the original and which are the shortcuts.

rkl122 wrote on 9/10/2014, 10:54 PM

The following article goes deeper and may be of interest.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/278262-mklink-create-use-links-windows.html

UKharrie wrote on 9/30/2014, 11:57 AM

Thanks guys - I never knew that - must try harder, etc.!
I appreciate that having multiple copies seems a bit excessive, but it avoids losing a clip done "because I can" e.g. an opportunity befalls - and has nothing to do with whatever I'm supposed to be filming.
It's easy to copy all the files to a "master Copy" and then when a project starts to take shape, I create the necessary folders and import only those files.
The duplication is on the same HDD, and that appears wasteful, hence the original question. If they were on second-HDD's inside the PC -(-or externals are "better" )., that would make sense from an Archive POV.
However, referencing it appears to be quite a rigmarole, + I shall have to be patient and give it a try..... SO thankyou for a blow-by-blow account . . . Plus article, thanks.

Camcorder Makers are keen to sell us expensive Kit ( and Mortgeable* Memory ) yet don't seem to be very helpful in suggesting methods to adopt, re filing.
This is a shame as I'm sure a common system would be very handy. "Wisdom of Crowds" etc.

* this cost-barrier being a good reason for avoiding Sony's 4K consumer camcorder, I note that Pana's FZ1000 manages to record 4K using Class 3 SDXC memory - there's a saving, if buying a dozen.