Can I Compress HD Backups, If So What's The Best Way?

[bburko01]

Hi folks,

I've just recently have been getting serious about backing up my drives. I just got a few more and am starting a hobby business in video production. I'm using up space fast as expected. I'm also making backups more frequently and they're getting bigger.

My question is... is it ok to compress the backup file to a zip or some other format? Or, should I compress everything and then create the backup?

Your thoughts?

Many thanks in advance

Burk

 

[kanewolf]

It depends on the format the video is in. Some are already compressed. You can't compress them further. Some raw formats might compress. You will have to experiment with your data. There is no easy rule-of-thumb with archives and compression.

 

[geofelt]

Backup apps will compress the backups if they can.

One thing to do is to make those backups EXTERNAL to insulate from ransomware and other perils.

You might find this article on the wd rainbow interesting.
https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Understanding-the-WD-Rainbow-674/

 

[USAFRet]

Hi folks,

I've just recently have been getting serious about backing up my drives. I just got a few more and am starting a hobby business in video production. I'm using up space fast as expected. I'm also making backups more frequently and they're getting bigger.

My question is... is it ok to compress the backup file to a zip or some other format? Or, should I compress everything and then create the backup?

Your thoughts?

Many thanks in advance

Burk

Compressing video just requires that you try it with your particular file types.

I just tried with 3 different file types, .AVI, MOV, .MP4. Direct out of the camera or post processed with HitFilm Express.
.ZIP compression, using WinRAR 5.4, on "Best Compression".
File sizes of 1.2GB 370MB, and 37MB.

4%, 2%, 0% file size reduction.

 

[geofelt]

Hi folks,

I've just recently have been getting serious about backing up my drives. I just got a few more and am starting a hobby business in video production. I'm using up space fast as expected. I'm also making backups more frequently and they're getting bigger.

My question is... is it ok to compress the backup file to a zip or some other format? Or, should I compress everything and then create the backup?

Your thoughts?

Many thanks in advance

Burk

Compressing video just requires that you try it with your particular file types.

I just tried with 3 different file types, .AVI, MOV, .MP4. Direct out of the camera or post processed with HitFilm Express.
.ZIP compression, using WinRAR 5.4, on "Best Compression".
File sizes of 1.2GB 370MB, and 37MB.

4%, 2%, 0% file size reduction.

Good to know; compression seems not worth it for those file types.