Introduction
The Codec Storage Calculator compares the storage space required to record the same shoot duration and resolution across multiple video codecs. You enter your resolution, frame rate, and total recording duration, then select the codecs you want to compare. The tool calculates the file size for each codec and displays them side by side, making it easy to see how codec choice affects your storage budget and media management workflow.
What This Tool Calculates
Codec choice has massive implications for production logistics. A 10-minute take at 4K recorded in ProRes 4444 XQ consumes approximately 35 GB. The same take in ProRes 422 LT consumes approximately 7 GB. In H.265, it might be under 2 GB. These differences compound across a full shoot day and a full production. Choosing the wrong codec can mean running out of media cards mid-day, needing additional backup drives for dailies, or overwhelmed editing systems struggling with unnecessarily large files. The right codec balances quality requirements against practical storage and processing constraints.
The Formula and How It Works
File size in gigabytes equals (bitrate in megabits per second x duration in seconds) / 8 / 1024. Each codec has a known bitrate at a given resolution and frame rate. ProRes 422 HQ at 4K 24fps runs approximately 500 Mbps. H.264 at high quality might run 50 Mbps. The tool uses manufacturer-specified data rates for each codec/resolution/frame rate combination and applies the formula to your total recording duration.
Real-World Examples
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your recording resolution, frame rate, and total estimated recording duration across the entire project. Select the codecs you want to compare. The tool displays the storage requirement for each codec in GB or TB, along with a visual bar chart showing relative sizes. This helps you plan media purchases, backup storage, and archive requirements before the shoot begins.
Tips from Working Professionals
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| DITs recommend planning for 2x to 3x your calculated storage need: one copy on camera media, one on a shuttle drive for the edit suite, and one on a backup archive. | |
| Triple the calculator's output to get your true storage budget. | |
| Also factor in that you will likely shoot more footage than planned. | |
| Multiply your estimated recording duration by 1.5 to account for additional takes, rehearsals on camera, and running the camera between setups.. |
Pro Tips and Common Mistakes
Pro Tips
- DITs and data wranglers planning media management workflows.
- Producers budgeting for media cards and hard drives.
- Post-production facilities estimating storage server capacity for incoming projects.
- Camera department heads choosing between codec options offered by their camera system..
Common Mistakes
- Should I always shoot in the highest quality codec? Not necessarily.
- If your deliverable is web-only at 1080p, shooting in ProRes 4444 XQ creates unnecessary storage and processing overhead.
- Match your acquisition codec to your distribution requirements with some headroom for grading flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much storage do I need for a feature film?
A 20-day feature shoot at 4K in ProRes 422 HQ, recording approximately 4 hours per day, requires roughly 10 to 12 TB of raw footage. Triple that for proper backup strategy.
Does this include audio storage?
No. Audio storage is negligible compared to video (a full day of 24-bit audio at 48kHz is under 5 GB per track). The calculator focuses on video, which dominates storage needs.
Start Calculating
Manufacturer storage calculators only cover their own camera systems. This tool compares across all major codecs regardless of camera brand, giving you a vendor-neutral storage comparison. It is free, fast, and designed for production-scale planning rather than single-clip calculations.
