How many TB do you actually need to back up?
Pick the codec, the shoot spec, and the redundancy level. We'll calculate the raw volume and compare storage costs across the major cloud and on-prem options.
Shoot spec
How much footage are you actually generating?
Drives the bitrate math.
Redundancy & backup
3-2-1 rule: 3 copies, 2 different media, 1 off-site.
Multiply raw shoot for slate, B-roll, audio masters, etc. (typical 2–3×)
How many copies of everything (3 = 3-2-1 compliant)
What does it cost to keep this safe?
How big is the pile?
The 3-2-1 rule
Keep 3 copies of every master, on 2 different kinds of media, with 1 off-site. Cloud is the off-site copy. Local SSD and NAS are the on-site working copies.
Wasabi and Backblaze B2 are the two cloud providers most agencies pick for archive — both have effectively free egress and per-TB pricing roughly a quarter of AWS S3.
The HubDesk Storage Cost Calculator is a professional, browser-based utility designed specifically for DITs, media managers, and post-production facilities who need to streamline their pre-production, post-production, and client delivery pipelines. Whether you are managing high-volume social media cuts, commercial campaigns, or independent feature films, this free tool helps eliminate the administrative friction of manual work and unstructured planning. By providing a clean, intuitive, and no-signup interface, it allows creators to generate production-ready results in seconds, ensuring that your technical specifications or organizational templates are aligned perfectly with modern industry standards.
In professional video production, technical errors or administrative gaps can lead to major bottlenecks. Underestimating archive and backup storage costs often results in insufficient cloud backup budgets and storage space crises mid-project, costing studios and editors valuable time and budget. By utilizing this dedicated tool, you can establish clear technical boundaries, calculate precise specifications, and calculate raw and proxy storage requirements and estimate hot, cool, and cold cloud hosting costs. Having a standardized, professional way to handle this workflow means you can walk into client reviews or set days with complete confidence, knowing that your paperwork is technically sound and beautifully organized.
Once you have finalized your Storage Cost Calculator specifications and generated your assets, the next step is sharing them with clients for feedback and approval. This is where HubDesk steps in. As a premier, frame-accurate video review platform, HubDesk allows you to upload cuts, share secure tokenized links, and collect timestamped notes directly on the video timeline—without forcing your clients to register or pay for seat licenses. By pairing this free workflow tool with HubDesk's flat-rate client proofing portal, boutique agencies and editors can deliver a premium, fully white-labeled experience that speeds up sign-offs and saves thousands of dollars in software overhead.
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Try HubDesk FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this tool and how to use it.