Here are some questions that you may ask. If you can't find the question you have,
please contact us directly.
Q1: Why should I have my data backed up?
A: Once you finished your project or even just finished shooting, file-based footages and project file are located on your computer drive, they're fragile to hardware failure or virus or other disasters, back them up and store offsite will be the smart idea to ensure the safety of you valuable data.
Q2: Why should I choose Motion Data Technologies rather do it myself?
A: There are many different backup solutions out there, and there are so many hardware and software to choose from, finding out the right solution and understanding those terms might be a nightmare for you as a film/television production company. Backing up data is technology & time intensive, you can spend more time & focus with other creative ideas & productions, let us take care of the headaches & the logistic job professionally for you.
Q3: Why should I choose Motion Data Technologies to back my data up?
A: With 20 years in computer industry (10 years in bank), we're the experts of data backup & archive and know how to meet the most demanding standards to ensure data safety and accessibility. We know hardware & software in & out and know which is the best for Film & Television industry. We're also a filmmaker and know the workflow and the special requirements well in this industry, we know how to utilize our expertise in IT(Information Technology) to help filmmakers to protect their most valuable assets. We are insuranced & bounded for extra peace of mind for you.
Q4: What kind of data can I backup?
A: Almost any data can be backed up as long as they're in file format in computer, such as footages & project files. Not only digital film/video can be backed up, those analog film/video can also be backed up as long as they're converted to computer file. Those footage from P2 card, SxS card, RED ONE camera CF card and hard drive, XDCAM, DVD/Blu-Ray disks and other file based footages can be backed up. Other tape based footage needs to be converted (digitized) to computer file before they can be backed up, please see our tape digitizing service for more info at SERVICES page.
Q5: I'm a freelancer or photographer, can I back my data as well?
A: Sure, even a freelancer or photographer may have a few Gigs of data for just one day's shoot, we can backup all your digital video files and digital photos.
Q6: How do I know how much it will cost?
A: The cost depends on the media format you choose and how much time the backup process will take. At Motion Data Technologies we choose the best quality media as possible to ensure the longest life span and quality of your backup. Please see the SERVICES page for price info or contact us if it’s not listed there.
Q7: Can I get an extra copy of backup & store them off-site?
A: We highly recommend you make an extra copy set of backup and store them off-site (rather than at your company). Most bank data are required to store offsite and many important data will have an extra set of copy to prevent unexpected disaster. Making extra copy set will ensure the safety & accessibility of your data. For off-site storage, we would recommend Iron Mountain, which is used by banks & government, you can do it yourself or via us.
Q8: What services do you have regarding data backup?
A: Besides backing up your data to reliable tape or blu-ray disk or store them online for easy access, we also provide tape digitizing service for you before we can back them up (capturing your video from tapes to computer). With the capture, we can also do SD/HD up & down converting in many formats.
Q9: What media format are used to backup my data?
A: We have 3 formats for you to choose from. Tape backup has been proved to be most reliable format of data backup in computer industry, and LTO was developed years ago and has been widely adopted and proved to be the most efficient and reliable format. Currently LTO4 is the newest format in LTO family and it's our preferred format for huge data backup. Its huge capacity, efficiency & reliability made it widely adopted in banks, government & military. As blu-ray disk just won the format battle, and 25/50GB capacity plus easy access makes it another format for us to use. We also provide online server storage for easy access if you need.
Q10: What's the capacity for those media format you're using?
A: Each LTO4 tape has a capacity of native 800GB, LTO3 tape has 400GB, single layer Blu-Ray disk (BR-R) is 25GB (the market doesn't have archival grade dual layer Blu-Ray disk of 50GB available yet). For your reference, 1 hour of HDV footage is about 13GB compressed, 1 hour standard definition uncompressed is about 95GB, high definition 10 bit YUV (4:2:2) is about 450-560GB/h, 10 bit RGB (4:4:4) is about 670-835GB/h. See the chart in SERVICES page for more details. Check your files size in computer or user manual for your camcorder.
Q11: Will I get any discount for large volume of data and extra copies?
A: Yes, you will have 47% off on service cost for the 2nd set of backup copy, since we advocate 2nd set of copy. If you have large volume of data to be backed up, we will give you extra discount as well. BTW, if you refer new client to us, you will have 10% off on service cost the next time you come to us.
Q12: What delivery format shall I use to give you the data?
A: We accept data file from many format, such as removable hard drive, internal hard drive, computer with hard drive, CD/DVD disk, Compact Flash, SD/HDSD, P2, SxS, network share(LAN drive), and others. Call us if you have any question, we will take care of them for you.
Q13: How do I know if there will be any compatibility problem in the future?
A: LTO format was developed with well-planned future, so compatibility won't be a problem for the future. If you're backing up on LTO4 tape, it will be readable on 3 generations (LTO4 & LTO5 & LTO6 drive)! Now LTO5 is not in production yet, and we can foresee your tape will still be accessible in the next 30 years or even longer. The software we are using is also computer industry standard, you can have it restored even at your own company (of course, we can do it more professionally and efficiently).
Q14: What hardware & software do you use to backup the data?
A: HP has been in the computer industry for so many years with proven success, its server and desktop are widely used in bank and government and military, HP is also one of the LTO4 standard establisher and advocator, with its full success and support, HP has been the one of the best in total solution. We're using HP server and disk array and desktop, plus HP LTO4 tape drive & network switch, we are very confident about the service quality we provide.
Q15: Can you come over to pick up and delivery our data?
A: Yes, we will come over to your door to pick up the data and deliver the tape & disk for you if you are in GTA (Great Toronto Area), we will verify the data is accessible on site if possible, network share data from your LAN will be copied to our hard drive first then back up later.
Q16: We are not in Toronto, Can you come over to pick up and delivery our data?
A: For those clients reside outside of Toronto, we can offer in city services if the volume is big. For small volume of job, you can make a copy of your data and ship us the copy to be backed up, then we will ship them all back to you. DO NOT ship your data to us if there is only one copy! As they may get lost on the road. Feel free to inquire us if any question.
Q17: How do I get the data copied over to your server to be backed up?
A: With dedicated hard drive adaptor or network port, your data will be copied from removable hard drive or computer drive over to our desktop or network share to be scanned for virus, then it will be moved to data center server (NAS) to be backed up to tape. If you have only one copy of the hard drive, we highly suggest you to make a copy of that before sending the hard drive to us, we are serious about your data's safety.
Q18: How long will my data stay on your server?
A: Your data will stay on our server until all copies of backup are done. Once they're backed up, we will delete them all from our data centre server.
Q19: How secure is my data on your server?
A: Only backup operator has rights to back them up, no other users have access to them. The LAN is local & not connected to Internet, so it won't be hacked either. Once the backup job is done, data will be erased from our server. We committed to our customers' rights to privacy and will not use customer data in any way that would breach, or appear to breach, the customer's trust and confidence. You can be sure about the safety.
Q20: Will my data be erased/destroyed from my hard drive?
A: You original data on removable hard drive or computer hard drive will not be erased or destroyed as the data will be copied over only. We highly recommend you to make a copy of the data before sending them to us just to avoid any unexpected problem. If you want to do the copy over yourself, it's welcomed as well.
Q21: How can I make sure they're backed up properly?
A: For all the backup job, we request data read verification as our standard procedure to ensure the integrity of the data. For jobs to tape, we will provide you with the detailed backup job report/log (either print out or digitally) as a proof for your peace of mind.
Q22: How can I get them restored in the event I need to access them?
A: Yes, that's why we should backup the data! In the event you need to restore the data, we're standing here to support you. Restore price will be the same as backup.
Q23: How long is the lifespan of the backup?
A: Tape backup already has a proven history of 30 years lifespan and is still increasing as clock spins, and that's how long tape media guaranteed as well. Lab test has confirmed tape can last at least 100 years. For Blu-Ray disk, we're using the best disk media of the world (archival grade), Archive Gold Blu-Ray disk guaranteed to preserve data safely for 200 year! (by manufacture) US government, military & library are using this media as well.
Q24: How can I have my video tapes backed up?
A: You will need to digitize them first, you can either do it yourself or we can do it for you, we know the world still has a great legacy of tapes. Please contact us for this service.
Q25: Will I bee notified when I need to transfer them to new format/media when they become available?
A: Even tape & Blu-Ray disk will last at least 20 or 30 years, there will definitely be some new formats that become available in the future, we will inform you when we start to provide the new service.
Q26: How long the backup job will take?
A: Backup & restore jobs are technology & time intensive, we also implement the strictest requirements to ensure the data integrity & accuracy. The job usually can be done in 5-10 business days. For rush job services, please inquire us.
Q27: What do I do if I have other question?
A: Please give us a call or send us an email, and we will be happy to answer your question.
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