Compression

I have a massive amount of video and pictures to backup. If I used maximum (or any amount of) compression when I back it up, will the file be compromised when I restore it?

I am using True Image 10 with updates.

Thanks for any input.

 

Houndstooth,

Unfortunately, video and pictures are already compressed and will not really be more compressed in a backup image. However, even if they were more compressed, they would restore to the original file size so no concerns there.

But, I would never consider what you are contemplating. Imaging a partition of video, data and pictures. You are then relying on a proprietary format to restore in the future. If the backup image becomes corrupted you could "lose the lot". It's safer to backup these files in native format. Or perhaps you were going to do that anyway along with a partition image. That's OK. Even so, I'd separate data from OS and just image the OS.

 

Soooo, if you wouldn't back up with a propriety format, you would just back it up with Windows Explorer? I have tried that before and it gets real messy with no incremental/differential options.

BTW, I am backing up non-compressed videos so I can get a big savings from the compression.

 

Good point.

Not with Windows Explorer. I use SecondCopy but there are many apps, even freeware such as Karen's Replicator. These can run on a schedule and do incremental backups so it's no effort on your part.

 

And those aren't proprietary?

 

By "proprietary" I meant the backed up file. A proprietary format. So instead of abc.doc being contained with thousands of other files in xyz.tib, it is on your backup HD as abc.doc. Native format.

 

Yes, I understand the proprietary issue. I don't really see it as a problem with Acronis since I can browse the files just like I would in Windows Explorer. I take it you are not too keen on Acronis.

I originally bought it because I wanted something that would support RAID but when I tested it, it proved to be impossible to restore the file. I tried using BART PE and could never get it to work. In the meantime, I have given up my RAID and I'm not too happy about how long it takes to render video now. I think I will try it again as soon as I get my backup strategy in place.

The forums are full of people complaining about this problem. I guess the RAID drivers are another proprietary problem.

 

Backup software is pretty much worthless if you can't trust to backup important data files.....

S-

 

Houndstooth,

Unfortunately, if the image is corrupt you can't browse the files. Everything is lost.

 

In many cases, mounting a corrupt image will allow you to recover files that are not in the corrupted area.

 

Thanks, but threads like this make me shiver.

https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=205919

Houndstooth, take note. I'm not singling out Acronis TI, I'm just pointing out the dangers of relying solely on a proprietary format to backup your data.

 

Agreed. Depending on one backup program to save you is really just the same as depending on the orginal source never to fail (except you do have a chance if the restore works). If your data is important, it's always better to keep multiple backups using different backup programs as well as native copies. In addition, keep at least one set off-site.

 

For some interested reading, check thes links below.

For a large collection, many suggest that you have extra hard drive and use it as a third copy of the original.


SAVE MY MUSIC COLLECTION! PLEASE (29 replies --2 pages)
https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=167710

Recommend backup scheme for photos, music 32 replies--2 pages
https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=164175

Backups
https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?p=1036066#29