REDCODE LQ storage requirements
One hour of REDCODE LQ in UHD at 25p takes 160 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
- Footage per day
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- With all copies
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- Cards needed
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- Offload time (1 copy)
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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 LQ: GB per hour
REDCODE LQ is a RAW format: data volume follows from resolution × 0.22 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.
| Resolution | 24p | 25p | 30p | 50p | 60p |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD 1920×1080 | 38 | 40 | 48 | 80 | 96 |
| UHD 3840×2160 | 154 | 160 | 192 | 321 | 385 |
| 4K DCI 4096×2160 | 164 | 171 | 205 | 342 | 411 |
| 6K 6144×3240 | 370 | 385 | 462 | 770 | 924 |
| 8K 8192×4320 | 657 | 684 | 821 | 1,369 | 1,642 |
From GB to a shoot day
A typical shoot day produces 2–4 hours of footage per camera. At REDCODE LQ in UHD 25p that is 321–642 GB per camera — before copies. With 3-2-1 backup (three copies) it multiplies to 1.4 TB per three hours of material. The table runs three full shoot-day scenarios:
| Footage | Raw data | 1 TB cards | 3-2-1 volume | Offload per copy (400 MB/s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 h | 321 GB | 1 | 0.94 TB | 14 min |
| 4 h | 642 GB | 1 | 1.88 TB | 27 min |
| 8 h | 1.25 TB | 2 | 3.76 TB | 55 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 LQ need?
In UHD at 25p: 160 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.