The difference between Backup and Archive:

Sounds tedious, but with the large amounts of data associated with video productions and
the move to file-based shooting it is an issue that must be addressed so rather than later.

What is a backup?
A backup is a duplicate of data that is currently in use, to be used if the primary data is lost
or corrupted in any way. The data in a backup is not designed to be secure as it is only
required if the primary representation is unavailable. Ideally a backup would be designed
to be restored and usable in the shortest time possible, however cost and the use of high-
availability* primary storage make this less important.
Cataloguing is not required as this is only duplicated data.
Ideally backups are taken frequently, but only the changes need to be recorded.

What is an archive?
An archive is a set of data that is no longer currently in use, but needs to be available for
use in exceptional circumstances. Archive materials should be easily transportable and
stored in a remote location if possible, but cataloged locally.
Archiving is done once, when the material is regarded as 'finished'.

Conclusion
Traditionally in video productions digibeta tapes have been regarded as both a backup and
archiving solution for media with projects being small enough to back up to optical disks.

In a modern production facility there is a need for a backup solution such as Apple's Time
Machine and an archiving solution and an Archiving solution such as LTO tapes.

The exception to this is files directly from the camera, which should be treated as 'digital
negatives' and also stored on an Archiving solution such as LTO4.

*high-availability means a system that can continue to be used despite component failures
due no single point of failure (ie: Raid5 Storage, dual power supplies etc.)
.