In short
- Use the stated file size, or bitrate multiplied by running time, rather than guessing from the camera.
- The formula is megabits per second times seconds, divided by 8, which gives megabytes.
- Raw footage is often many times bigger than finished films. Decide early whether you need it.
- Plan for at least two copies, and leave spare room on every drive.
You can work out storage from two numbers: how fast the video’s data flows, and how long it runs. Ask for the file size or bitrate of each item in your event videography quote, and do not guess from the type of camera.
What do I need to know first?
For each item you plan to receive, ask for one of these:
- The file size in megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB). This is the simplest, and it is exact for a finished file.
- The bitrate in megabits per second (Mbps), plus the running time. This lets you calculate before the file exists.
Camera brand and model do not tell you this. The same camera can record at very different settings, and the final export is a separate choice from the original recording.
How do I calculate it?
Use this:
Size in megabytes = bitrate in Mbps x running time in seconds / 8
Divide by 1,000 to get gigabytes. The 8 is there because 8 megabits make 1 megabyte.
Some quick references, as an illustration only:
| Bitrate (assumed) | One minute | One hour |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Mbps | about 150 MB | about 9 GB |
| 50 Mbps | about 375 MB | about 22.5 GB |
| 100 Mbps | about 750 MB | about 45 GB |
Your own files may differ. Use the real bitrate stated for your files. The video storage and transfer calculator does this sum for you and shows its assumptions.
What does a worked example look like?
This is an example with assumed numbers, not a quote or a promise of what we deliver. Suppose a company annual dinner includes:
- One 5-minute highlight film at 20 Mbps: 20 x 300 / 8 = 750 MB.
- Two full speeches of 30 minutes each at 20 Mbps: 20 x 1,800 / 8 = 4,500 MB each, so 9 GB.
- Four hours of raw footage from one camera at 100 Mbps: 100 x 14,400 / 8 = 180,000 MB, so 180 GB.
The finished items come to about 10 GB. The raw footage is about 18 times that. If you want two copies, double it. The finished items need about 20 GB, and the raw footage another 360 GB.
The finished films are easy to keep. Raw footage is where the space goes, so decide if you really need it. A multi-camera job multiplies the raw total again.
How long might copying or downloading take?
An idealised sum is size divided by speed. A 22.5 GB file is 180,000 megabits. On a connection that really delivers 100 Mbps, that is 1,800 seconds, or about 30 minutes. This is the best case.
Real speeds are usually lower, and uploads are often slower than downloads.
So for large files, start early, use a wired connection or a fast drive, and do not rely on a phone. If a link will expire, see download-link expiry and access after delivery.
How much room should I plan for?
- Add up the size of every item you expect.
- Plan at least two copies in different places. See keeping independent copies of important event films.
- Leave spare room on each drive, for example a fifth, for later edits and new events.
- If you use online storage, check that the plan’s limit and fee suit this total.
- Note the total on your handover list.
What we confirm for your event
- The file size or bitrate of each film and recording.
- The formats we deliver.
- Whether raw files are included, and roughly how much in total.
- Whether delivery on a drive is possible if the download would be too large.
A deliverables sheet is a good place to record the answers.
If you are planning an event, tell us which films you expect and whether you want raw footage. We state the formats and approximate file sizes in your quote so you can plan storage.
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