Calculate REDCODE® RAW storage requirements and bitrates
8K Full Format (8192 x 4320)
7K Full Format (7168 x 3780)
6K Full Format (6144 x 3240)
5K Full Format (5120 x 2700)
4K Full Format (4096 x 2160)
2K Full Format (2048 x 1080)
When filming with high-end digital cinema cameras like the RED V-RAPTOR, KOMODO, or DSMC2 systems, understanding data management is critical for production planning. RED cameras use a proprietary compression format called REDCODE RAW, which allows filmmakers to balance image quality with manageable file sizes.
How the Calculation Works
The data rate of a RED camera is determined by several factors. Unlike standard video formats, REDCODE is a wavelet-based compression that acts on the raw sensor data. The math follows this logic:
Resolution: The total pixel count (Width x Height). Moving from 4K to 8K quadruples the data.
Frame Rate: More frames per second result in a linear increase in data rate.
Compression Ratio: This is the most unique variable. A ratio of 5:1 means the data is compressed to one-fifth of its original raw size. Higher ratios (like 12:1) save space but may introduce artifacts in complex textures.
Bit Depth: RED cameras typically capture in 16-bit RAW, providing immense dynamic range.
Practical Examples
Setting
Data Rate
1 Hour of Footage
8K 24fps @ 8:1
~164 MB/s
~590 GB
6K 24fps @ 5:1
~152 MB/s
~547 GB
4K 60fps @ 12:1
~84 MB/s
~302 GB
New RED Quality Settings (HQ, MQ, LQ)
Modern RED cameras like the KOMODO and V-RAPTOR have simplified settings. While this calculator uses the traditional ratio method, you can approximate the new settings as follows:
HQ (High Quality): Approximately 3:1 to 5:1 ratio.
MQ (Medium Quality): Approximately 7:1 to 9:1 ratio.
LQ (Low Quality): Approximately 12:1 to 15:1 ratio.
Data Management Tips
Always budget for at least 3x the storage you think you need for a professional shoot (Primary, Backup, and Off-site). High data rates require fast media cards, such as CFexpress Type B or RED MINI-MAGs, to ensure the camera doesn't drop frames during recording.
function updateResolution() {
var preset = document.getElementById('resPreset').value;
var parts = preset.split('|');
document.getElementById('resWidth').value = parts[0];
document.getElementById('resHeight').value = parts[1];
}
function calculateDataRate() {
var w = parseFloat(document.getElementById('resWidth').value);
var h = parseFloat(document.getElementById('resHeight').value);
var fps = parseFloat(document.getElementById('fps').value);
var ratio = parseFloat(document.getElementById('compression').value);
var durationMins = parseFloat(document.getElementById('duration').value);
if (isNaN(w) || isNaN(h) || isNaN(fps) || isNaN(ratio) || isNaN(durationMins)) {
alert("Please enter valid numeric values.");
return;
}
// REDCODE Calculation Logic
// Bits per second = (Width * Height * BitDepth * FPS) / Compression
// Note: RED uses 16-bit processing
// Data Rate in MB/s = (Total Bits per second) / 8 / 1024 / 1024
var bitsPerFrame = w * h * 16;
var bitsPerSecond = (bitsPerFrame * fps) / ratio;
var mbps = bitsPerSecond / (8 * 1024 * 1024);
// Storage
var totalMB = mbps * 60 * durationMins;
var totalGB = totalMB / 1024;
// 1TB card time
var oneTBMinutes = (1024 * 1024) / (mbps * 60);
// Display Results
document.getElementById('resultsArea').style.display = 'block';
document.getElementById('dataRateResult').innerText = mbps.toFixed(2) + " MB/s";
if (totalGB >= 1000) {
document.getElementById('totalStorageResult').innerText = (totalGB / 1024).toFixed(2) + " TB";
} else {
document.getElementById('totalStorageResult').innerText = totalGB.toFixed(2) + " GB";
}
var hours = Math.floor(oneTBMinutes / 60);
var mins = Math.round(oneTBMinutes % 60);
document.getElementById('oneTBTime').innerText = hours + "h " + mins + "m";
// Smooth scroll to result if on mobile
if (window.innerWidth < 600) {
document.getElementById('resultsArea').scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth' });
}
}