R3D Archival, Best Practices?

[Erich Ocean]

Okay, I don't have a RED One but I am in line for a Stage 2 Epic. I've been following the threads on problems some people are having transcoding R3Ds, and it occurred to me that there are many reasons why an R3D may not be readable in the future, and since the format is proprietary, it's not something we can really work around.

I'll of course keep an archive of the R3D itself, but I'm thinking it's unwise to rely solely on being able to transcode it later, and that I should keep another archival copy in an open format (aka not ProRes or similar). I hate the thought of losing access to valuable footage I've shot.

So here's my question: which OPEN format would work best for archival of RED footage? If you've got experience with RED's transcoding options, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[Martin Weiss]

Why not just keep the R3D in its native format, along with multiple copies of all RedLines, RedCine(x)'s, QT codecs, etc.?

That way you are safe at least for the next 10 years, by which time you'll get all the processing power to transcode your R3D files on an iPhone

 

[Erich Ocean]

Because "RedLines, RedCine(x)'s, QT codecs, etc." all rely on other libraries and services provided by the operating system (Mac OS X). And 10 years is probably safe, but what about 30 years? It'd be pretty sad if we could watch old films because the codec they were recorded with couldn't be used anymore.

I'm still going to archive what you mentioned; I just doubt the reliability. I've been bitten too many times by problems like this. In my own work with software, I don't use closed source libraries unless I absolutely cannot find an open source replacement.

 

[Tom.Wong]

mpeg is over 20 years old now, and we are still watching variations of it day in and day out. If anything r3d support, the way things are going for RED, it's just gonna be a common codec supported in everything. from windows media player to quicktime. With RED RAY, new camera line ups, future NLE updates, and more professional third party support, I really doubt it's going anywhere even if a new compression scheme is decided. If anything, TAPE is the thing that runs the biggest chance of getting lost in the sauce. Can you imagine stuff that was archived on d-2 over 20 years ago? You can barely find one of those decks anymore! I think r3d has a long way to go, and IF the time ever comes where it's fading away, i'm sure there will be a transcode method on that day for you to use to re archive ur footage. Just as people have put vhs to dvd, now to divx and quicktime, it's just the way it goes.

 

[Erich Ocean]

mpeg is over 20 years old now, and we are still watching variations of it day in and day out.

MPEG is also open, which is my point, and exactly *why* I want to also have an open standard for archival. I'm going to archive the R3D files too (and all the supporting code needed to use them).

Again, what's an OPEN archival format for the data in a R3D? Is anyone doing this?

 

[Johnny Friday]

R3D is the only option that allows you access to the RAW so that's what you got. My library is shot all 4k raw, transcoded to prores 4444, then copies of both are archived. I always use prores in daily work and if a client requests the R3d...i just send it to them. Can't imagine what other options may exist other than another baked in codec. But for your original RAW....you have no option. Nor am i worried about it....prores been around a LONG time and not going away anytime soon. And R3d--well if red goes under, then if nobody picks it up, you just have to bite the bullet and use your old RCX to transcode out to other codecs. Guess there's always risks....as in life. if there's another fail safe method, please be sure to post.