For many creators, remote editing is the way of the future. Innovations in secure storage and data transmission allow creatives to work on video content without having to access the server in-house. Of course, remote video editing is not without its challenges, which users have to navigate. With this guide, remote video editors and collaborators will have steps they can follow to improve the speed and efficacy of their video editing systems.
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Challenges to Remote Video Editing and Collaboration
Many industries had to figure out remote collaboration in a pinch during the pandemic, and this revealed a number of problems that organizations face with remote work. Uploading and downloading files on an unoptimized network can lead to high latency or security risks. Video production often creates large files that are difficult and time-consuming to transfer without the right plan. If you do not have a sufficient setup, you put your content and your existing system at risk.
How to Maximize Video Editing Speed and Security
Upgrade Equipment
The best place to start is the equipment that you use. To achieve the speed and accuracy that you expect from video editing, you may need to upgrade your system. Consider a multi-core CPU with at least 32 GB of RAM. Invest in a 4K monitor for seamless editing. If you plan to keep some of your files off the VPN, you may want to get a solid-state hard drive for quick file transfers. Round out the package with a comfortable keyboard, mouse, and chair.
Optimize Bandwidth Utilization
Next, you need to evaluate your bandwidth utilization and optimize it to fit your needs. In addition to timing bandwidth-intensive tasks strategically, making sure you have enough bandwidth to begin with is key. A connection of at least 100 Mbps is recommended, and the more bandwidth you have, the less lag you’re likely to experience. Take a look at your internet speeds and determine if the internet plan or service provider is creating latency issues. When you plan a big upload, such as a scheduled backup of the full file or syncing proxy files to the shared storage, choose the right opportunity. Late nights or early mornings may be the best time to perform these bandwidth-consuming tasks, without taking away from your ability to use the same connection when you need it.
Customize VPN
You may be familiar with the use of a virtual private network to keep sites from gathering your data, but a VPN for video editing and collaboration can do so much more. A custom VPN does not require your entire organization to join the VPN, which can take a long time to configure and slow down processing. Instead, you can use tools that allow you to customize a VPN just for editing and collaboration. You get the benefit of secure sign-in and encryption from any location without having to upgrade your firewall or network.
Standardize File Paths
Once you get into the VPN, finding the files you need calls for a standardized file path. Create a standard set of protocols for file naming and location and get team members on board with the system. You can use these file paths to ensure that backups and synced proxy files go to the correct place. That way, when someone logs on to look at a particular file, they can find it with ease.
Consider Proxies
When you work with footage up to 8K, downloading the high-resolution file can be time-consuming, expensive, and fraught with security risks. Instead, you should consider using proxies for editing. Proxies involve the creation of a low-res file that is much smaller. You may need to use a specific tool to create the proxy, and the time it takes depends on the duration and compression of the footage. Some tools can make the proxies for you automatically, so that you can download them, edit, and conform them to the original file much more efficiently.
In addition to VPN-based workflows, some teams may benefit from remote desktop solutions like Jump Desktop. These tools allow remote editors to access and control an in-house workstation as if they were physically present, eliminating the need to upload or download large files. Because all media remains on the local machine, this approach can reduce security concerns and remove the need for external collaborators to access the company VPN. As long as the in-office computer has sufficient processing power and RAM, editors can work efficiently from virtually anywhere.
Using a remote network for video editing and collaboration allows you to work with others to create excellent video, no matter where you are. By understanding the challenges of remote work of this caliber and following this advice, you can create a secure network that improves your speed, efficiency, and quality of work.
Sources
https://www.boardinfinity.com/blog/how-vpns-enhance-collaboration
https://www.studionetworksolutions.com/8-practical-tips-for-remote-video-editing/
https://riverside.com/blog/video-editing-setup
https://www.studionetworksolutions.com/remote-access-to-shared-storage-vpn-vs-remote-desktop/
Hey, I’m David. I’ve been working as a wireless network engineer and a network administrator for 15 years. During my studies, I also worked as an ISP field technician – that’s when I met Jeremy.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in network engineering and a master’s degree in computer science and engineering. I’m also a Cisco-certified service provider.
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