REDCODE HQ storage requirements

One hour of REDCODE HQ in UHD at 25p takes 386 GB. The table below runs the numbers for every common resolution and frame rate — including how many cards and how much backup volume a shoot day actually needs.

Footage Storage Calculator

Source (camera/codec)fpsHoursGB
Footage per day
With all copies
Cards needed
Offload time (1 copy)

Data rates: ProRes/DNxHR are per-frame constants from the Apple/Avid specs; RAW derives from resolution × bytes/pixel (nominal). Details further down this page.

REDCODE HQ: GB per hour

REDCODE HQ is a RAW format: data volume follows from resolution × 0.53 bytes per pixel per frame (nominal, derived from the manufacturer spec) × frame rate. Content-adaptive compression can land slightly below — you budget the nominal value, because the card has to survive the busiest take.

REDCODE HQ storage in GB per hour (2026)
Resolution24p25p30p50p60p
HD 1920×10809397116193232
UHD 3840×2160371386464773927
4K DCI 4096×2160396412495824989
6K 6144×32408909271,1131,8552,225
8K 8192×43201,5831,6491,9783,2973,956

From GB to a shoot day

A typical shoot day produces 2–4 hours of footage per camera. At REDCODE HQ in UHD 25p that is 773–1,545 GB per camera — before copies. With 3-2-1 backup (three copies) it multiplies to 3.4 TB per three hours of material. The table runs three full shoot-day scenarios:

Shoot-day scenarios with REDCODE HQ (UHD 25p, one camera)
FootageRaw data1 TB cards3-2-1 volumeOffload per copy (400 MB/s)
2 h773 GB12.26 TB33 min
4 h1.51 TB24.53 TB1 h 6 min
8 h3.02 TB49.06 TB2 h 12 min

Planning offload and backup

Offload is the underrated line: securing a 1 TB card over a 400 MB/s link takes about 42 minutes per copy. Book the DIT only for wrap and you have booked a night shift.

In the schedule this number belongs in two places: as a card budget on the equipment list and as an offload window in the day plan. TillyGen keeps both in the same plan — change the shooting hours and the offload window moves with them.

Frequently asked

How much storage does 1 hour of REDCODE HQ need?

In UHD at 25p: 386 GB. At 50p, double that. Every resolution is in the table above.

Are the numbers exact?

RAW rates are manufacturer nominal values; content-adaptive compression can land slightly below. For capacity planning, use the nominal value plus 10 % headroom.