For example, the LaCie 4TB d2 Professional USB 3.1 Type-C External Hard Drive is rated at up to 240 MB/s. However, check the rated speed of the external drive (it likely can't move data that fast). With any external hard drive interface, keep in mind that you will only achieve its maximum data transfer rate if your computer-and the external hard drive-support it. When searching for a drive, you will want to make sure you comfortably exceed these data rates to ensure uninterrupted performance. Compressed files straight from the camera or proxy workflows can alleviate a lot of this strain and are arguably becoming more important in editing, but you should still be able to play back your files smoothly. Working with DCI 4Kp24 ProRes HQ files requires at least 94 MB/s. You need to prepare for 4K and greater resolutions. Are you using FireWire, USB 3.0 or USB 3.1 Type-A or Type-C, Thunderbolt™, Thunderbolt™ 2, or possibly Thunderbolt™ 3? Do you intend to use eSATA or set up a RAID array because a single drive can't handle your output, so you need multiple drives? Interface Speeds: USB, Thunderbolt™, and Beyond Next, you need to consider your interface.

These days, the bare minimum spin rate is 7200 rpm, though even faster drives, such as solid-state, are available for a premium. To prevent getting bogged down by a sluggish external hard drive, you need fast drives. No one creates a greater need for media storage than a videographer, especially those working in 4K. To break it down, we'll discuss the writing of data to an external hard drive while editing video, for use in photo editing and running audio projects. Each medium is different, as is every user. The first thing to determine must be how much overall storage space you need and, then, what data-transfer speed your projects will require.

With the ever-increasing data-transfer demands brought on by more megapixels, higher audio bit rates, and higher-resolution video-keeping up with all of that data can be a burden. Reading and writing files directly to or from an external drive can incur some hefty performance demands, so it's best to determine your needs before you buy a drive. If you work with libraries of large image files, or in audio or video production, you need to be selective about your external hard drive.

Best external backup drive 2018 for xp