iPhone and mobile creator storage
iPhone ProRes Storage Calculator
Turn an expected ProRes or ProRes RAW data rate into a practical SSD capacity. The calculator separates estimated footage size from recommended purchase capacity so retakes, free space and offload timing are not ignored.
Calculate required SSD capacity
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Why a calculator is better than a fixed minutes table
ProRes storage demand changes with codec, resolution, frame rate and application. ProRes RAW adds further variation. A fixed statement that one terabyte always records a specific number of minutes can therefore be misleading. The most reliable approach is to measure or obtain the data rate for the exact mode and calculate from that value.
The calculator accepts megabytes per second, multiplies by the recording duration and adds selected headroom. This makes the assumptions visible. A creator can rerun the calculation after a test clip and compare the result with standard 500GB, 1TB, 2TB or 4TB capacities.
How much headroom to add
Fifteen percent may be adequate for a controlled session with a known shot list and frequent offloads. Twenty-five percent is a practical general starting point. Fifty percent gives more space for retakes, unexpected higher data rates and a delayed offload, but a larger drive also concentrates more unbacked footage in one place.
Do not plan to fill a capture SSD completely. File systems and applications need working space, and performance can become less predictable near full capacity. The phone should also retain adequate internal free space for normal operation even when media is recorded externally.
Turning the result into a shopping decision
Round the required capacity up to a standard product size rather than down to the nearest mathematical result. Then screen the available products by sustained write performance, interface, power and formatting. Price per gigabyte is useful only after compatibility.
When two capacities have similar cost per gigabyte, consider the offload schedule. A larger SSD may allow a full travel day without reuse. A smaller pair can support rotation: one captures while the other is backed up and verified. Redundancy and workflow can be more valuable than the lowest single-drive price.
Build the estimate from data rate and shooting plan
A useful storage estimate starts with the amount of data written each second, then multiplies it by recording time. The calculator lets the user select a workflow or enter a custom rate because codec, application and scene settings can change real file size. Planned minutes should include expected retakes, B-roll and setup recordings, not only the final edited duration. The result is an estimate for capture capacity rather than a promise of exact file size.
Use the highest likely data rate when several modes will share one SSD. A project that is mostly 4K60 but includes 4K120 segments should not be planned from the lower rate alone. Similarly, multiple shooting days should be combined unless footage will be safely offloaded and verified between them. The calculator is most valuable when it models the production schedule rather than a single ideal take.
Add operational headroom instead of buying the exact minimum
Advertised capacity is not the same as free formatted space, and a drive should not be planned to finish with zero remaining bytes. Add room for file-system overhead, retakes, unexpected extensions and differences between estimated and actual data rates. A modest social shoot may use a smaller margin, while an event with no offload break deserves substantially more. The tool exposes the headroom percentage so the assumption is visible.
The next practical capacity tier is usually easier to purchase than an unusual calculated number. If the estimate is 1.18TB, a 2TB SSD may be the sensible choice. If it is just above 2TB, decide whether the production can offload midway or whether 4TB removes unnecessary risk. Current product pricing can then reveal whether moving up a tier also improves price per gigabyte.
Account for copies beyond the capture SSD
The calculator’s primary result is the mobile recording requirement, but the project needs more total storage. Editing often creates proxies, renders, cache files and exports. A safe production also retains at least one separate copy of the camera originals. For a simple workflow, multiplying the capture estimate by two or three provides a starting point for working and backup capacity; more complex teams may need additional versions and offsite protection.
Cloudzat’s external HDD, DAS and NAS tools can be used after the capture estimate is known. A portable SSD is appropriate for recording and handoff, while high-capacity HDDs may provide more economical archive space. The goal is not to buy every device at once, but to make sure the capture calculation connects to a complete storage path instead of ending at the phone.
Check that the chosen capacity is technically recordable
Capacity alone does not qualify a drive. The selected SSD must also satisfy the target mode’s write speed, link, format and power requirements. Apple’s external 4K60 guidance calls for at least 220 MB/s, while 4K120 requires 440 MB/s. The recording path uses an exFAT volume, a USB 3 cable rated at least 10 Gbit/s and a directly attached storage device drawing no more than 4.5 W.
A larger drive from an unsuitable product family is not safer than a smaller verified model. After calculating capacity, use the compatibility result next to each live product and investigate any amber condition. Sustained-write performance and power draw are the most common unknowns. Confirm the exact model rather than assuming every capacity in a family behaves identically.
Turn the number into a shoot-day storage schedule
Divide the result by shooting block or day and decide when offloads will occur. Estimate how long each copy will take using the actual computer port and destination drive. If the schedule cannot accommodate the transfer, increase capture capacity or bring a second preformatted SSD. Two drives can also provide operational resilience when one device, cable or volume develops a problem.
Before leaving for production, format, label and test each capture drive. Record a representative clip, verify the available time shown by the app and compare the resulting file size with the estimate. Update the calculator assumptions when real footage differs materially. A planning tool becomes more accurate when it is calibrated with the creator’s own codec, application and scene type.
Frequently asked questions
What data rate should I enter?
Use a measured rate from the exact codec and mode when possible. The Apple speed threshold is a minimum device requirement, not necessarily the actual file data rate.
Why is the recommended capacity larger than the footage estimate?
The recommendation adds free-space headroom for retakes, working space and variability.
Does the calculator include audio?
Use the measured total file data rate, which already includes the media created by the selected recording mode.
Can I calculate ProRes RAW storage?
Yes, but use a measured or reliable mode-specific data rate because RAW options can vary substantially.
Is a 2TB SSD safer than two 1TB SSDs?
Not automatically. One large drive is convenient; two drives can support rotation and reduce the amount of footage tied to one device.
Should I buy exactly the calculated size?
Round up to a standard capacity and keep spare space. Do not plan around filling the drive completely.