Question 1

How much space does video take up?

Accepted Answer

Video file sizes depend on resolution, codec, bitrate, and duration. For example, 1 hour of 4K ProRes 422 HQ is approximately 440 GB, while 1 hour of H.264 at 50 Mbps is about 22 GB. Use our free video space calculator at data-calc.com to estimate exact file sizes for any format.

Question 2

How do I calculate video file size?

Accepted Answer

Video file size is calculated by multiplying the bitrate by the duration. The formula is: File Size = Bitrate × Duration. For professional codecs like ProRes or RAW, you can use our camera storage calculator which includes data rates for ARRI, RED, Blackmagic, Sony, Canon, and more.

Question 3

How much storage do I need for video production?

Accepted Answer

Storage needs vary widely based on camera, codec, resolution, and shoot duration. A typical day of shooting on an ARRI ALEXA Mini in ARRIRAW 4.5K generates approximately 3-5 TB. Use our dailies calculator and camera storage calculator to plan exact storage requirements for your production.

Question 4

What is a video space calculator?

Accepted Answer

A video space calculator is a tool that estimates how much storage space video files will require based on parameters like resolution, codec, bitrate, frame rate, and duration. DataCalc offers free professional-grade video space calculators for cameras including ARRI, RED, Blackmagic, Sony, and Canon.

Question 5

How long can I record on my camera card?

Accepted Answer

Recording time depends on your camera model, codec, resolution, and card capacity. For example, a 512 GB CFexpress card on an ARRI ALEXA 35 shooting ARRIRAW at 4.6K gives approximately 45 minutes. Use our camera to file size calculator to find exact recording times for your specific setup.