
Ann Keefe, Regional Director - UK and Ireland at Kingston Technology, explains how storage and memory decisions made now are underpinning creativity in the future
By Contributor
Published: April 18, 2024
Ann Keefe, Regional Director UK and Ireland at Kingston Technology, explains how storage and memory decisions made now are underpinning creativity in the future
target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin> Ann Keefe, Regional Director UK and Ireland at Kingston Technology, explains how storage and memory decisions made now are underpinning creativity in the future
https://www.tvbeurope.com/production-post/how-todays-storage-and-memory-decisions-underpin-future-creativity title=Share via Email class=share-email>
The media and entertainment (M&E) industry has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, fuelled by the shift from analogue to digital workflows and the proliferation of streaming services. These changes have led to increased demand for higher-quality content, more complex deliverables, and improved capture. Consequently, companies working in the M&E sector face mounting pressure to deliver more, faster, and at a lower cost.
Flexible external storage One of the most significant challenges facing M&E businesses is the need for speed and storage capacity. The resolution of footage has progressed from HD to UHD, quadrupling data bandwidth requirements. Modern software tools are memory-hungry, and the original camera files, as well as the final deliverables consumed on streaming platforms, reside in the digital realm. While modern technology advancements allow companies to explore new creative avenues - such as shooting from multiple angles and focusing on enhancing the overall quality of their productions - the increased flexibility comes at a cost - the need for faster read/write speeds in storage solutions and greater capacity are now top priorities.
Ann Keefe, regional director UK and Ireland at Kingston Technology Cost optimisation is another critical factor. Even the biggest productions aim to minimise storage expenses to allocate more resources toward on-screen elements. This necessitates solutions that are not only fast and offer the required capacity, but which are also affordable, and maximum reliability is paramount to ensure seamless operations. While solid-state drives (SSDs) may be more expensive upfront compared to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), the long-term operational costs associated with the more traditional, and slower media can quickly erode the initial cost advantage of HDDs. For production houses relying on hyper-efficient workflows, the performance benefits offered by SSDs can make a significant difference in the commercial success or failure of media projects.
Working on outdoor sets and on-location shoots means that portability must be considered, particularly if production is taking place in challenging environments. Heavy and bulky drives or slower HDDs are often impractical in these situations. Compact and ruggedised SSDs, designed with durability and speed in mind, are more practical. Production companies are no longer prepared to compromise when it comes to what and where they can shoot, which means using solutions that offer the bandwidth to manage high volumes of data from multiple cameras and cards, regardless of whether they are in the field or at a static location.
On-premise vs cloud Like other industries, the debate around on-premise, cloud-based, or hybrid approaches to data storage rumbles on. There is not a one-size-fits-all' option for media and entertainment companies, particularly on location. On-premise storage offers control and guaranteed access to data, which can be invaluable. However, cloud storage is useful for collaboration and leveraging the scalability and computing power of cloud platforms. It also allows companies to take advantage of AI and machine learning smart tools that are highly processor-intensive, demanding the kind of resource and storage capabilities that the cloud is well placed to provide, and which will reduce the time for tasks such as rendering, video processing and data analysis. A hybrid approach, combining on-premise storage for active projects and cloud backup for archival purposes, is possibly the best of both worlds - ensuring business continuity while benefiting from the flexibility and scalability of the cloud.
Utilising memory Regardless of the storage and computing approach, M&E companies must ensure that their production staff and editors have the necessary memory capability to turn concepts into final output efficiently. High-performance memory solutions, such as DDR4 and DDR5 modules, can provide the speed and capacity required to handle demanding workloads, enabling creative teams to focus on their craft without being constrained by technical limitations. When purchasing memory solutions, companies should prioritise addressing their most pressing bottlenecks. Whether it's transfer times, slow application response, or limited capacity, identifying and resolving these pain points can significantly improve overall workflow efficiency. User needs must be considered. Power users running multiple resource-intensive applications simultaneously, such as video editing, compositing, photo editing, and sound applications, will require more memory than those running one or two creative applications at a time.
As end-user demands continue to evolve, the media and entertainment industry is pivoting towards flash-based solid-state storage which satisfies the need for speed, capacity, and reliability, is cost-efficient, and allows emerging technologies like AI and cloud computing to be leveraged. By adopting a strategic approach to storage and memory, M&E companies can ensure their production staff and editors have the tools they need to bring the
More from TVB Europe
15/04/2025
Jan Krupp, VFX supervisor at Scanline VFX, tells TVBEurope how the company created a range of environments for the Netflix film
By Matthew Corrigan
Published...
15/04/2025
Ateliere said that due to the current, unforeseen turbulence in the US and in the global business and financial markets the company is no longer in a position t...
14/04/2025
Stanley has been promoted to the role following seven years as general manager with the company
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: April 14, 2025 Updated: Apri...
14/04/2025
StreamAMG delivers more than 15,000 live events each year, with over 52,000 hours of content watched in 200 countries
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: April 14...
14/04/2025
TVBEurope content director Jenny Priestley sums up her 2025 NAB Show experience, from the end of AI hype to the impact of tariffs, trying out virtual production...
11/04/2025
Two creative projects will receive awards of £35,000 aiming to boost innovation in 5G across the media and entertainment sector
By Matthew Corrigan
Published...
11/04/2025
The London VFX studio has strengthened its pipeline team with two promotions and a new appointment
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: April 11, 2025 Updated: A...
10/04/2025
The report outlined a package of proposed measures to ensure domestic production...
10/04/2025
Attendees travelled from 160 countries around he world to the media and entertainment industrys Super Bowl event
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: April 10, 202...
10/04/2025
Kitty Higinbotham, president of Wall Street Communications, tells TVBEurope why communication skills are essential in an ever-changing industry
By Matthew Corr...
09/04/2025
Located across from Panavision London's camera and optics rental business, the new site is nearly 10,000 sq ft larger than the previous facility
By Matthew...
09/04/2025
The project aims to enable flexibility and integration to ensure consistent graphics experiences across diverse platforms
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: Apri...
09/04/2025
The proposal includes an investment of £20 million in local industry and could create up to 4,000 jobs
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: April 9, 2025 Updated...
09/04/2025
Andy Sumner also joins the company supporting its recent expansion into Liverpoo...
09/04/2025
TVBEurope celebrates the stand-out products on show in Las Vegas
By Jenny Priestley
Published: April 9, 2025 Updated: April 13, 2025
TVBEurope celebrate...
08/04/2025
Channel 4's Top Guns: Inside the RAF puts viewers at the heart of the action, following the service as it carries out operations around the world. Mark Tatt...
08/04/2025
DPP CEO Rowan de Pomerai and CCO Mark Harrison talk to TVBEurope about the organisations first decade, plans for the future and challenges facing the media indu...
08/04/2025
Reports say ProSiebenSat is lining up the investment bank to repel the Berlusconi-owned company as it seeks to retain independence
By Matthew Corrigan
Publi...
08/04/2025
Jodi Morelli, acting head of external communications for Globecast, and growth manager, North America at RISE talks to TVBEurope about the need to stay curious,...
07/04/2025
The company debuted new products, accessories and upgrades ahead of NAB 2025
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: April 7, 2025
The company debuted new products...
07/04/2025
Production company Fulwell 73 and financiers Cain International plan to build 20 premium sound stages at the complex
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: April 7, ...
06/04/2025
TVBEurope content director Jenny Priestley sits down with new Grass Valley CEO Jon Wilson to discuss his vision for the company going forward, what that means f...
04/04/2025
In our latest article on a piece of broadcasting history, Vizrts Russell Leak tells TVBEurope how his Dad created the motor used in a BBC 1 ident from the 1980s...
04/04/2025
The agency aims to bridge gaps in product strategy, development, and go-to-market programmes for media tech companies around the world
By Matthew Corrigan
Pu...
04/04/2025
Carole Pigeard, SVP of global sales at Moments Lab tells TVBEurope how diverse perspectives fuel evolution in the media and entertainment space
By Matthew Corr...
03/04/2025
Innovations across Premiere Pro and After Effects deliver AI-powered upgrades and workflow improvements, said the company
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: Apri...
03/04/2025
The new upgrades aim to enable smarter tracking, greater control, and faster workflows while expanding interoperability across robotic systems
By Matthew Corr...
03/04/2025
From a trip to space to the inaugural Sports Summit, and a look behind the camera of Wicked, this is whats on the TVBEurope teams radar at the 2025 NAB Show
B...
03/04/2025
Because of the nature of this sort of sliding scale of tariffs, there are opportunities that werent there before, analyst Alice Enders tells TVBEurope
By Jenny...
02/04/2025
Sally Wallington, SVP of sales at Pebble, explores the mission-critical considerations broadcasters should make when choosing a playout provider
Sponsored Cont...
02/04/2025
TVBEurope meets Tim Claman, chief product officer at Avid, to discuss the compan...
02/04/2025
Submissions will be accepted up until 23:59 PST on 2nd April
By Jenny Priestley
Published: March 24, 2025 Updated: April 3, 2025
Submissions will be acc...
02/04/2025
Leclerc will work with group members to explore and champion UK digital media distribution via broadcast, IP, mobile or hybrid delivery
By Jenny Priestley
Pu...
01/04/2025
Adopting open standards, the solution aims to provide workflow standardisation, allowing for automation and other innovations across a diverse range of markets
...
01/04/2025
Submissions will be accepted up until 23:59 PST on 2nd April
By Jenny Priestley
Published: March 24, 2025 Updated: April 1, 2025
Submissions will be acc...
01/04/2025
The AI issue takes a look at how AI is reshaping broadcasting, including areas such as sports commentary and archiving and storage, plus we discover how Norways...
01/04/2025
Joining the company with more than two decades of experience forging and scaling alliances in the industry, Wastcoats role will support TVUs strategic developme...
31/03/2025
Submissions will be accepted up until 23:59 PST on 2nd April
By Jenny Priestley
Published: March 24, 2025 Updated: March 31, 2025
Submissions will be ac...
31/03/2025
The company is said to be working with KPMG on a deal that could include the sale of a majority or minority stake
By Jenny Priestley
Published: March 31, 202...
31/03/2025
The confidential agreement ends multi-jurisdictional litigation between the parties over the issues
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: March 31, 2025 Updated: ...
31/03/2025
Em Bell, senior client services coordinator at dock10, tells TVBEurope why a can-do attitude and problem-solving mindset is ideal for the TV industry
By Matthe...
28/03/2025
TED-Ed series Ada fuses storytelling with eye-catching animation. The Should We ...
28/03/2025
Rita Madeira, content producer at Digital Azul, tells TVBEurope how the industry thrives on connections and welcomes curiosity
By Matthew Corrigan
Published:...
27/03/2025
The Mini has a footprint equal to the size of an average smartphone and can be placed side by side for use in stereoscopic or volumetric video
By Jenny Priestl...
27/03/2025
The teams behind House of the Dragon, Masters of the Air, Silo and The Lord of t...
27/03/2025
The initiative aims to help young women pursue higher education in broadcast and media technology, offering financial assistance and networking opportunities
B...
27/03/2025
We believe that ProSiebenSat.1 needs a strong shareholder that can provide expertise and experience in the industry, making an active contribution to its growth...
26/03/2025
The Chancellor presented her speech in the House of Commons today
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: March 26, 2025 Updated: March 27, 2025
The Chancellor p...
26/03/2025
The council will guide key focus areas to help grow a more secure, interoperable and effective media creation ecosystem, said the organisation
By Matthew Corri...
26/03/2025
Donna Thomas, executive vice president, Vubiquity talks to TVBEurope about how nurturing an early entrepreneurial streak paved the way for her career
By Matthe...