Workflow Data Calculator

Calculate media data rate, storage requirements and system throughput for professional workflows.

Capabilities

• Uncompressed video data rates for any resolution, frame rate, bit depth and color format (RGB / YUV 4:4:4, 4:2:2, 4:2:0)
• Compressed codecs: ProRes, DNxHR, H.264, H.265/HEVC and more, with calibrated real-world bitrates
• Camera RAW: ARRI (ARRIRAW, HDE), RED (REDCODE), Sony VENICE (X-OCN), Blackmagic (BRAW) with real hardware limits per sensor mode
• 32-bit float and multichannel professional audio
• Storage estimation (decimal GB / TB, per minute / hour / day) and recommended disk throughput
• Simultaneous streams, storage calculator, and multi-day / multi-camera project simulation with backup copies and overhead
• PDF and CSV report export, sequence XML for Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve, shareable permalinks — free, no signup, 9 languages

Methodology / FAQ

How does the calculation engine work?

Unlike other calculators that use averages, our engine applies official manufacturer compression ratios (Whitepapers) over the real bit depth (12/16-bit) and sensor type (Bayer CFA).

Why is the Audio calculation different?

We calculate the real metadata impact. We support modern workflows like 32-bit Float audio, which increases the total bitrate by 33% compared to the 24-bit standard.

How is ARRI HDE (variable) estimated?

ARRI High Density Encoding (HDE) is lossless but variable — file size depends on image content. We use the manufacturer average (≈60% of uncompressed, i.e. a 40% reduction) as the typical value and show a ±25% content range around it, so noisy or high-texture scenes are covered.

Why do some codecs show a min–max range?

Content-dependent codecs vary their data rate with scene complexity: constant-quality RAW (Blackmagic RAW Q0–Q5), VBR codecs (H.264/H.265) and lossless-variable formats (ARRI HDE). The main figure is the typical value; the range shows the min–max around it. A range tagged "official" comes from manufacturer specifications; one tagged "estimated" is an engineering estimate. Constant-bitrate and intra-frame codecs show no range because their rate is fixed.

Are the CinemaDNG data official?

We use the Adobe specification for CinemaDNG Uncompressed and apply lossy ratios based on the standard industry implementation (3:1, 5:1).

Technical Sources & Validation

Calculations are based on official technical specifications and manufacturer documentation, including: ARRI Codec White Papers (ARRIRAW, ProRes, HDE), Blackmagic RAW Technical Specification, Blackmagic Cinema Camera data-rate specs, Codex HDE (High Density Encoding), Apple ProRes White Paper, Apple ProRes RAW White Paper, Avid DNxHR Codec Documentation, REDCODE RAW White Paper, Adobe CinemaDNG Specification, Sony XDCAM HD422, Panasonic (ALL-Intra, DVCPRO HD) and SMPTE codec and bitrate standards. Results have been cross-checked against real production data and professional workflows.

Calculation Scope

Calculates: video bitrate, throughput required for real-time playback, total storage needed, proxy requirements and audio impact on data flow. Does not calculate: GPU performance, render speed, effects performance or network latency.

Model Precision

Unlike generic calculators, our engine: uses real codec- and manufacturer-specific ratios; distinguishes between compressed RAW, Log, and Intra-frame; calculates sustained throughput; accounts for real bit depth and sensor format; and includes the real impact of audio and proxies.

Recommended Production Use

Designed for on-set storage planning, RAID/NAS sizing, proxy estimation, ingest/backup planning and workflow design. For maximum safety, adding an extra 10–20% margin is recommended depending on the specific workflow.

Unit Conversion (Base 1000 vs 1024)

We use decimal base (1000) because it is the standard used by hard drive, SSD, RAID and camera manufacturers. This ensures estimates match the actual labeled capacity of the hardware.

Where do the storage costs come from?

They are EU-market reference prices (July 2026) for the storage medium only. SSD and HDD: street-price trackers (cost per TB of 2-4 TB NVMe drives and 18-24 TB NAS disks). LTO-9: the 18 TB native cartridge price, excluding the tape drive (~€4,000-5,000). Cloud: public object-storage rates such as Backblaze B2 ($6.95/TB/month) and Wasabi ($7.99/TB/month). Real prices vary by country, currency, taxes and volume: treat these figures as a comparative order of magnitude, not a quote.

What does the "Sequence XML (NLE)" button do?

It downloads an empty sequence in the FCP XML interchange format (xmeml) carrying the exact resolution and frame rate of your calculation, including NTSC rates like 23.976. Import it in Premiere Pro (File → Import) or DaVinci Resolve (File → Import → Timeline) and the timeline is born with the right settings. Avid is not supported: it requires AAF, a binary format.

What data does the calculator collect?

Anonymous, cookie-free usage statistics (country, browser and events like "export PDF"; never your IP or personal identifiers). If you submit a real measured bitrate it is stored anonymously in the community calibration database. Your email is stored only if you type it voluntarily, and you can unsubscribe anytime. All calculations run in your browser: what you calculate never leaves your machine.

Known Limitations

Results may vary slightly due to manufacturer-specific codec implementation, image content (noise, detail), file system overhead and editing software behavior.

By Jorge Mochón — certified Adobe & Blackmagic trainer. workflowcalculator.jmochon.training