[SOLVED] Backup with compression or without

[clagbag]

I need to backup by PC which has around 600GB of data (mostly photos and videos) , I have a 2TB external HDD I will use for this

Is it best to use software that will compress the data (which I am currently using) or use filesync software which won't? I'm concerned that I could run into issues restoring the data because it is compressed.

Do most people use backup software that compresses data?

I do intend to start making a lot more videos in future, so I will need more space, but I am happy to buy more storage.

Appreciate any thoughts/advice

 

[fzabkar]

I don't like compression for backups. In any case, since the data are videos, then they will be essentially incompressible.

See ...

Macrium Reflect compressed images with a bad sector:
https://www.reddit.com/r/datarecovery/comments/lt8dm3 View: https://www.reddit.com/r/datarecovery/comments/lt8dm3/macrium_reflect_compressed_images_with_a_bad/

 

[Mandark]

Use compression. I use Macrium Reflect

 

[fzabkar]

I don't like compression for backups. In any case, since the data are videos, then they will be essentially incompressible.

See ...

Macrium Reflect compressed images with a bad sector:
https://www.reddit.com/r/datarecovery/comments/lt8dm3 View: https://www.reddit.com/r/datarecovery/comments/lt8dm3/macrium_reflect_compressed_images_with_a_bad/

 

[clagbag]

Thank you both for the advice, I think I'll backup without compression.

 

[USAFRet]

I don't like compression for backups. In any case, since the data are videos, then they will be essentially incompressible.

See ...

Macrium Reflect compressed images with a bad sector:

"and if the destination drive subsequently develops a bad sector at offset X within that image, "

Bad sectors are not good, with or without compression.

 

[fzabkar]

"and if the destination drive subsequently develops a bad sector at offset X within that image, "

Bad sectors are not good, with or without compression.

Yes, but a single bad sector can make an entire compressed backup inaccessible. Not so with an uncompressed backup.

 

[USAFRet]

Yes, but a single bad sector can make an entire compressed backup inaccessible. Not so with an uncompressed backup.

A Macrium backup is a single file. somethingsomething.mrimage.
So a bad sector would probably screw it, compression or no.

If doing individual files with some other tool (ReeFileSync or similar)...then yes, it would make a big difference.