Ensure your SSD can handle the data rates of your BRAW footage. Check compatibility and minimum speed requirements for smooth recording.
Compatibility Results
Required Sustained Write Speed: 0 MB/s
What is the BRAW SSD Compatibility Checker?
The BRAW SSD Compatibility Checker is a vital tool for filmmakers and videographers using Blackmagic Design cameras that record in Blackmagic RAW (BRAW) to external Solid State Drives (SSDs). This calculator helps you determine if your chosen SSD has the necessary sustained write speed to handle the data rates generated by your specific BRAW recording settings (resolution, frame rate, and compression). Ensuring compatibility prevents dropped frames, recording interruptions, and potential data loss during critical shoots.
Why is SSD Compatibility Crucial for BRAW Recording?
Blackmagic RAW, especially at higher resolutions and lower compression ratios, generates very high data rates. If your SSD cannot write data fast enough to keep up with the camera, the recording will stop, or frames will be dropped, leading to unusable footage. This checker helps you avoid:
- Dropped Frames: The most common issue, resulting in choppy, unusable footage.
- Recording Failures: Camera stopping mid-take due to insufficient write speed.
- Lost Time and Money: Reshoots due to technical failures are costly and frustrating.
- Workflow Bottlenecks: Slow SSDs can also impact offloading and editing speeds.
By verifying your SSD’s compatibility beforehand, you can ensure a smooth, reliable recording process and protect your valuable footage.
How to Use the BRAW SSD Compatibility Checker
- Select Camera Model: Choose your specific Blackmagic Design camera model.
- Select Resolution: Choose your intended recording resolution (e.g., 4K, 6K, 8K, 12K).
- Input Frame Rate: Enter the frames per second (fps) you will be recording at.
- Choose BRAW Compression: Select your desired BRAW compression ratio (e.g., 3:1, 5:1, Q0, Q5).
- Enter SSD Sustained Write Speed: Input the *sustained* write speed of your SSD in MB/s. This is crucial, as peak speeds can be misleading. Refer to your SSD’s manufacturer specifications for this value.
- Click Check Compatibility: The tool will display the required sustained write speed for your BRAW settings and indicate whether your SSD is compatible.
Always aim for an SSD with a sustained write speed comfortably above your required data rate to account for potential fluctuations and ensure maximum reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Peak write speed is the maximum speed an SSD can achieve for very short bursts. Sustained write speed is the speed an SSD can maintain consistently over a longer period, which is critical for continuous video recording. Always rely on sustained write speed for filmmaking.
Higher resolutions, higher frame rates, and lower compression ratios (e.g., 3:1 or Q0) result in larger amounts of data being generated per second. This directly translates to a higher data rate that the SSD must be able to write continuously.
No. While many SSDs use USB-C, not all offer the sustained write speeds required for BRAW. Blackmagic Design provides a list of officially approved SSDs for their cameras, which is a good starting point for guaranteed compatibility.
If your SSD’s sustained write speed is lower than the BRAW data rate, your camera will either stop recording, or it will drop frames to try and keep up. Dropped frames result in corrupted or unusable footage, making the take worthless.
You should check the manufacturer’s specifications for your specific SSD model. Look for terms like “sustained write speed” or “sequential write speed.” Be wary of marketing numbers that only list peak speeds.
Yes, different Blackmagic cameras have different maximum recording capabilities and internal processing, which can influence the data rates they output. For example, a URSA Mini Pro recording 12K BRAW will have much higher data rate demands than a Pocket 4K recording 4K BRAW.
It is generally not recommended. While it might work in ideal conditions, factors like SSD temperature, fragmentation, or background processes can reduce performance. It’s always best to have a buffer and use an SSD with a sustained write speed comfortably above the required data rate.
This calculator focuses on external SSDs. CFast 2.0 and high-speed SD cards (UHS-II V90) also have specific sustained write speed ratings. The principle is the same: their sustained speed must exceed the camera’s data rate for reliable recording. You would need to manually compare their specs to the required speed from this calculator.
Recording at lower compression ratios (higher data rates) means more data is written to the SSD, which can contribute to faster wear and tear over the long term. However, modern SSDs have high endurance ratings, so this is typically only a concern for extremely heavy, continuous usage over many years.
Blackmagic Design publishes a list of recommended and approved media for each of their cameras on their support website. This is the most reliable source for ensuring full compatibility and optimal performance.