Hard disk drives, or HDDs, were innovative and dominated the storage market when they first came on the scene. But fast-forward a few decades, and newer, quicker, sleeker storage methods are now available. With so many options available, it’s prudent to know that’s out there to help you make the switch.
****Solid-state Drive (SSD) ****
The traditional HDD was a blueprint for its faster, more robust successor: the solid-state drive. Just looking at the external casing, the two are identical; yet there are crucial internal differences that make SSD performance more efficient than the obsolete hard drive. First off, the solid-state drive has no moving parts (hence the name “solid-state”), unlike hard drives, which have a spinning disk on the inside, like a record player or CD. Even the smallest microscopic contaminants could corrupt the hard drive permanently if the disk is touched or exposed to the surface, or even if certain particles drift behind the hardware’s walls. Because there are no moving parts in a solid-state drive, they are more reliable and have a longer lifespan than hard drives. However, while 1 TB of a decent-quality hard drive costs around $40-60, SSDs can be twice or three times that price. While hard drives are better for storing files you don’t access frequently—mainly because they are significantly cheaper and less likely to crash when not used frequently—solid-state drives are better for storing files that need to be accessed frequently and quickly.
Most recent models of computers use SSDs, but the inevitable downside is there is no way to increase the storage capacity of the drive itself. Since they’re expensive, buying many every few months is not ideal—and it gets physically confusing, too, to keep dozens of SSDs around your home. This is why most people looking for storage alternatives will turn to more flexible methods, rather than limited ones.
****Decentralized Storage Solutions ****
With cryptocurrencies on the rise, it’s no surprise that crypto companies have infiltrated the production industry. Blockchain storage solutions offer similar benefits to cloud storage—files stored remotely, rather than your device—with a few extra security benefits. Companies that offer blockchain storage provide decentralized solutions that operate similar to physical storage lockers: they offer tokens, known as crypto assets, and house users’ digital assets in unused storage space on their computers. Blockchain storage companies are extremely difficult to hack, because they are tightly encrypted, and users purchase storage that’s housed in multiple locations.
Blockchain storage companies, however, theywork as a third-party “matchmakers,” connecting storage seekers with storage donors. The distribution of storage is indirect, because it doesn’t come from the company itself, and therefore data cannot be lost or controlled by the company.
****Tape Storage****
An admittedly lesser-used option is tape storage: think of a foot-long black box encompassing yards of magnetic tape rolled up into a reel. While an older technology, modern tape storage combines the benefits of physical tape storage with extra backup software, recovery and retrieval programs. The main advantage of using virtual tape storage is the cost: tape storage is significantly cheaper than any other storage option on this list, running about two cents per gigabyte for LTO tape.
Of course, there are drawbacks to tape storage. These include mechanical errors, taking up excess physical space in your office and having a shorter lifespan due to the moving parts within the storage device, making failure more likely. But with the built-in backup and recovery software in virtual tape storage, it is unlikely your files or data will be lost. Tape storage is time- and cost-efficient. Though outdated, the tech’s affordability and longevity make it a decent option for storing data in bulk.
****Cloud Storage****
Cloud storage is the most popular storage alternative for businesses and personal use because of how reliable it is. Most people purchase however much cloud storage they need at a monthly rate, especially when their desktop runs out of space. Cloud storage is the perfect alternative for people who need an unlimited amount of space for their files, but who don’t want to purchase more bulky hardware. Your data is held safely in a remote location with hundreds of servers overlooked by qualified technicians. High-quality safety precautions include firewalls and security software programs, which make hacking and breaches unlikely.
For media professionals working with large assets, subscribing to a cloud-storage platform that offers scalable storage can save you even more money. Consider Alteon Cloud, which combines storage options with high-speed file transfer and forthcoming AI metatagging, audio transcription and connection to post-production tools like Adobe Premiere Pro.
****AI Storage****
AI technology is all around us: in our phones, powering newer cars, behind every social media channel. Storage, as it happens, is just another outlet for it.
AI storage solutions usually go hand-in-hand with the cloud. While your data is protected in the cloud, AI technology can provide analytics and insights based on your data. AI storage also increases the safety of your files because not only is the cloud encrypted, but AI can detect lost data during transmission by recognizing data patterns. When you back up content, your data is translated and “prepared” to be sent down a machine-learning pipeline to fine tune the software for your data. The more you store, the more accurate and secure your data becomes, as the AI becomes more familiar with your storage and data patterns.
****Synthetic DNA Storage****
This one is admittedly unrealistic, as it is still in the works. However, this is not to say storing virtual data in lab-made synthetic DNA isn’t in our near future. Humans are producing data at a higher rate than we can physically store. DNA is the only substance concentrated enough to be able to store all the world's data while taking up significantly less space than we already use in storage facilities.
There are companies already monetizing the storage of data within synthetic DNA molecules, but this method of storage is not common yet because it is incredibly expensive. This is not surprising—the technology is fairly new. One megabyte costs around around $12,000 to encode, and there’s an extra fee to retrieve it. But keep your eye on this in the future: DNA storage might one day be our only option to preserve our data from being lost forever.
****Conclusion****
We are inevitably leaving behind archaic hard disk drives. Regardless of your preferred choice, cloud storage, or at least a hybrid cloud-physical solution, often comes out as the clear winner for most companies and independent freelancers. With less hardware and decentralized options, plus a longer lifespan than hard drives and world-class security, cloud storage is the most reliable and cost-effective storage option. Alteon Cloud provides the safety benefits of cloud technology with the benefits of AI and organizational tools all in one, plus integration with Adobe Premiere Pro and access to the broader Alteon ecosystem. Learn more at alteon.io.