Tape-based data storage of raw footage is currently the best long-term storage option, as spinning disk drives and solid state drives have long-term survival issues. LTO tape is a very stable and compact storage medium that can last decades, at a fraction of the cost of hard drives. Creation of LTOs is a lengthy process and should be completed on location, if possible, or at the post-production lab if not.
Best practice is to create two identical LTO tapes simultaneously for redundant protection of footage.
There are multiple choices for formatting the data written onto an LTO tape. A format should be chosen that supports a simultaneous checksum during the writing process and is compatible with the post-production lab.
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