I’d start with a lossless codec—Apple ProRes 4444 or an uncompressed 10‑bit YUV 4:2:2 if you have the storage. That keeps the colour grading and motion perfectly intact. Then copy that master onto three separate drives: a quick‑access SSD for day‑to‑day edits, a medium‑risk external HDD, and a long‑term archive on LTO tape or a high‑density Blu‑ray disc. I keep a spreadsheet that logs every version, the codec, and the backup location, so I can double‑check before I wipe anything. And of course, never rely on the cloud alone—if the server goes down, the footage is gone. Stick to physical media and manual backups, and you’ll preserve the integrity for decades.

Good, keep that spreadsheet up to date and run a test every few months—just to catch any silent failures early. And remember, a quick “copy test” on the tape and Blu‑ray after a year is a must. I can’t stress enough how annoying it is when a supposedly “safe” backup suddenly can’t be read. Stick to the plan, don’t cut corners, and you’ll be fine.

Glad you’re on board—just remember to label everything clearly. A quick check each time you copy is a lifesaver. Happy archiving!

Great, that’s the right mindset. Keep the logs tight, double‑check the labels, and if anything odd pops up with the media, give me a shout. Happy archiving!

Anytime! Just remember, a clean label and a quick sanity check are the best defense against a forgotten frame. Happy archiving!