It doesn’t matter if you love sharing silly videos of your kids, or you’re a self-proclaimed content creator—you have dozens, possibly hundreds, of videos on your phone!
Either way, you’re probably running out of space if you aren’t using the cloud, which allows you to backup videos and free-up some much-needed space on your phone. So, what features should you look for when choosing online video storage? In a nutshell:
Easy access anytime, anywhere
Solid security features
Effortless file sharing
The right amount of storage
Something budget friendly
Read on to learn more about each aspect of video cloud storage so you can find an option that works for you.
On-the-go access. If you’re going to store video files on a cloud server, you should have access to it on the go. After all, how often do you actually sit down at a computer? Because of the power of smartphones, some of us have to blow a layer of dust off the keyboard as the computer boots up. On-the-go mobile access makes it easy to dump videos into your storage on the fly, as well as pull them up to share with friends in a snap.
Data protection. Security measures protect more than just your home movies. Your account contains private information about you and a credit card number if you’re paying for storage. Security measures like two-factor authentication might be a hassle to deal with when logging in, but they make for much more secure storage than those that don’t have it. Look for features that will protect your videos and all your personal information that comes with using the platform.
File sharing functionality. You can’t always send a video to friends and family using text messages or email. Most text messaging and email services won’t send a video file longer than four and a half to five minutes long. Work around your limitations by sharing your video using cloud storage. It should be as easy as sending a link to share videos. Once you send the link, the person who has it should be able to open the video without any problems. Look into the sharing functionality of the storage service to make sure it does what you expect.
“Video files can get really big, really fast. Whether you’re creating content for YouTube, or just shooting videos of your family, without the cloud, they’ll quickly take over your phone.”
Storage space. Video files can get really big, really fast. Whether you’re creating content for YouTube, or just shooting videos of your family, without the cloud, they’ll quickly take over your phone. Uploading to an online storage server is a viable solution, but you need to make sure there’s enough space to serve your needs. Are you saving every video you make and upload? Are you looking to save only the raw footage? Have a plan for your videos, then start looking for video storage options.
If you’re not sure how much storage you’ll need, think about the resolution of your videos and how long they are because they’re the determining factors for video file size. Use these as your basis (each is based on most compatible settings and 30 frames per second):
720p – 3.5GB/hr of video
1080p – 7.6GB/hr of video
4K – 21GB/hr of video
Most smartphones will default to shooting video in 720p to help save space on your device. Of course, you can always change your settings to be as sharp as 4K if your phone’s camera has the capacity but know that it’ll take up considerably more space when you do. Be aware of the resolution of your videos and how much space you’ll need to store them.
Cost. While you may find some good free storage out there, down the line, it may be necessary to upgrade to a plan that gives you the amount of storage space you need. Consider how much you’re willing to pay for monthly storage fees and how much storage you get for that price. Remember that you can always change your plan if you fill your storage space after a year or two.
Now you can safely share, create and stay organized on the go using cloud backup for your videos. Look at each of the features we’ve highlighted above to make sure you’re getting the storage features you need to fit your lifestyle.
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