Apart from backing up my original video tape footage (using a 2nd camera) I currently have no way to back up all project files involved in creating a DVD without simply burning them to backup DVDs, (.avi, .wav, mp2, titles, stills, DVD authoring project files etc.). The fact that this would totally preoccupy me and the editing system depresses me! A 2nd computer or a Firestore sounds like a good option, but then you cannot archive on it(them) if you want to use it(them) for recording another project. Any adivse?

Dan

Well there are (expensive) tape drives (mostly DLT) that can
store in the realm of 80 GB for example. Dual layer DVD burners
are coming (hopefully) next year which will up the limit to around
8.5 GB.

As you pointed out, there really isn't a very good backup system
otherwise then to have a DV deck and create a new master DV
tape which you'll use from then on (leaving the original untouched).

Another way might be buying antoher harddisk. But that might
fill up pretty fast. Tape is the cheapest way for sure (when working
with project over 4 GB at least). All of them take time however.

There are automated ways available for harddisk (arrays) and
tape units/arrays, but mostly expensive.

1. harddisk(s) -> no time involved / easy / not too expensive
2. DLT tape -> time involved / expensive (for drives and medium)
3. DV tape -> time invoved / not too expensive (need to buy deck)
4. DVD -> much time / might need to split project / not too expensive

I'm archiving my finished edited AVI file to DVD's. It usually takes around 4 or 5 DVDs to complete, but it's cheap. Only $1.30 per disk. Plus it's the AVI version and not the DVD version, so I can restore it for later use. I use Vegas by the way. Also, the software to backup to DVD's spans my files over the DVD's. Cheap, easy, but not so fast.

Ron

Ron - What software are you using that spans .avi files across DVDs?

Dan