BRAW Calculator

Professional BRAW Calculator for Filmmakers

The most accurate BRAW calculator for professional filmmakers and cinematographers. Calculate Blackmagic RAW storage requirements and data rates instantly with our free, comprehensive tool. Perfect for planning shoots, estimating storage costs, and ensuring your drives can handle the data rates. Used by thousands of professionals worldwide for accurate BRAW calculations.

ProRes CalculatorDNxHD CalculatorH.264 Calculator
Calculate BRAW Storage & Data Rate

What is Blackmagic RAW (BRAW)?

Blackmagic RAW (BRAW) is a revolutionary codec developed by Blackmagic Design that combines the image quality and workflow benefits of traditional RAW formats with the speed and ease of use of conventional video codecs. Unlike other RAW formats that can be cumbersome and require extensive processing power, BRAW is designed for real-time editing and efficient storage.

Key BRAW Advantages

  • •Smaller file sizes: Up to 50% smaller than other RAW formats
  • •Real-time editing: Edit natively without transcoding
  • •Full RAW control: Complete color grading flexibility
  • •Efficient workflow: Faster processing and rendering

Technical Innovation

BRAW uses partial in-camera de-mosaicing and advanced compression algorithms to achieve its efficiency. This means some processing is done in-camera, reducing the computational load during post-production while maintaining the flexibility of RAW footage.

The codec supports both constant bitrate and constant quality modes, giving filmmakers precise control over file sizes and image quality based on their specific needs.

Our BRAW calculator helps you plan your productions by providing accurate storage and data rate calculations based on official Blackmagic Design specifications. Whether you're shooting a feature film, documentary, or commercial project, understanding your BRAW storage requirements is crucial for successful production planning.

How to Use the BRAW Calculator

1

Select Your Camera Settings

Choose your recording resolution (2.8K to 12K), frame rate, and BRAW compression setting. Our calculator supports all standard Blackmagic camera configurations and BRAW compression ratios.

2

Enter Recording Duration

Input your planned recording time using hours, minutes, and seconds. The calculator will instantly update to show total storage requirements and continuous data rates for your specific duration.

3

Get Accurate Results

View real-time calculations showing data rate (MB/s), total file size, and storage requirements. Use these numbers to plan memory cards, drive speeds, and backup strategies for your production.

Professional Tip

Always plan for 20-30% more storage than calculated to account for additional takes, B-roll, and safety margin. For multi-camera shoots, multiply your single-camera calculations by the number of cameras. Remember that the data rate shown is the minimum sustained speed your storage system needs to maintain for smooth recording and playback.

BRAW Compression Examples & Use Cases

Constant Bitrate Settings

3:1 Compression

Highest quality, largest files - ideal for high-end cinema and extensive color grading

Example: 4K 24fps = ~200 MB/s data rate

5:1 Compression

Excellent quality with balanced file sizes - perfect for most professional productions

Example: 4K 24fps = ~120 MB/s data rate

8:1 Compression

Great quality with efficient storage - ideal for documentaries and commercial work

Example: 4K 24fps = ~75 MB/s data rate

12:1 Compression

Good quality, smallest files - perfect for long-form content and live streaming

Example: 4K 24fps = ~50 MB/s data rate

Constant Quality Settings

Q0 Quality

Maximum quality with variable bitrate - adapts to scene complexity for optimal results

Best for: Feature films, high-end commercials

Q1 Quality

Very high quality with intelligent compression - excellent for most professional work

Best for: Music videos, corporate productions

Q3 Quality

High quality with efficient compression - great balance for broadcast and streaming

Best for: TV production, web content

Q5 Quality

Efficient quality with maximum compression - ideal for long recordings and live events

Best for: Live streaming, event coverage

Real-World Production Examples

Feature Film

90-minute feature in 6K BRAW 3:1

~2.4 TB

Total storage needed

Documentary

4-hour interview in 4K BRAW 8:1

~1.1 TB

Total storage needed

Commercial

30-minute shoot in 8K BRAW Q1

~850 GB

Total storage needed

Professional Video Codec Calculators

Comprehensive suite of professional video codec calculators for accurate production planning. Each calculator uses official specifications and real-world data for precise storage and data rate calculations.

ProRes Calculator

Calculate Apple ProRes storage requirements and data rates for all ProRes variants including ProRes RAW, 422 HQ, 422, 422 LT, and 422 Proxy. Essential for Mac-based workflows.

Supports: All ProRes codecs, resolutions up to 8K, variable frame rates

DNxHD Calculator

Professional DNxHD and DNxHR codec calculator for Avid workflows. Calculate storage for all DNx variants including DNxHR HQX, HQ, SQ, LB, and legacy DNxHD formats.

Supports: DNxHD/DNxHR codecs, broadcast standards, Avid workflows

H.264 Calculator

H.264/AVC codec calculator for delivery and streaming workflows. Calculate bitrates and storage for various quality levels, from web streaming to broadcast delivery.

Supports: H.264 profiles, streaming bitrates, delivery formats

Frequently Asked Questions about BRAW Calculator

What is Blackmagic RAW (BRAW) and why use a BRAW calculator?
Blackmagic RAW (BRAW) is a revolutionary codec that combines the quality and benefits of RAW formats with the speed and ease of use of traditional video formats. A BRAW calculator is essential for filmmakers to accurately estimate storage requirements and data rates before shooting, ensuring you have adequate memory cards and drive speeds for your production.
How accurate is this BRAW storage calculator?
Our BRAW calculator uses the official data rates provided by Blackmagic Design, making it extremely accurate for planning purposes. The calculations are based on real-world testing and official specifications, though actual file sizes may have minor variations (typically within 5%) due to content complexity.
What's the difference between Constant Bitrate and Constant Quality in BRAW?
Constant Bitrate (3:1, 5:1, 8:1, 12:1) maintains a fixed data rate, making file sizes predictable and consistent. Constant Quality (Q0, Q1, Q3, Q5) varies the data rate to maintain consistent image quality, often resulting in more efficient compression and better quality-to-size ratios.
Which BRAW compression setting should I choose for my project?
For high-end cinematic work and color grading flexibility, use 3:1 or Q0. For general production with excellent quality, 5:1 or Q1 offer great balance. For documentary work or longer recordings, 8:1 or Q3 provide efficient storage. For maximum efficiency, 12:1 or Q5 still maintain professional quality.
How do I calculate BRAW storage for multiple clips or entire projects?
To calculate total project storage, add up all your clip durations and enter the total time into our BRAW calculator. For complex projects with varying settings, calculate each segment separately and sum the results. Always add 20-30% buffer for safety.
What drive speed do I need for BRAW playback and editing?
The 'Data Rate' shown in our BRAW calculator indicates the minimum sustained read speed your storage needs. For smooth playback, your drive should exceed this speed by 20-30%. For multi-cam editing, multiply by the number of streams. NVMe SSDs are recommended for high data rate BRAW footage.
Can I use this calculator for other Blackmagic cameras?
Yes! This BRAW calculator works with all Blackmagic cameras that record BRAW, including URSA Mini Pro, Pocket Cinema Camera series, URSA Broadcast, and Studio cameras. The BRAW codec specifications are consistent across all Blackmagic cameras.
How does BRAW compare to ProRes in terms of storage requirements?
BRAW is significantly more storage-efficient than ProRes while maintaining superior image quality. For example, 4K BRAW 5:1 uses approximately 40% less storage than ProRes 422 HQ while providing RAW flexibility. Use our dedicated ProRes calculator for ProRes comparisons.
What's the maximum resolution supported by BRAW?
BRAW supports resolutions up to 12K, depending on your camera model. Our calculator includes all standard BRAW resolutions from 2.8K up to 12K. Higher resolutions require proportionally more storage and faster drives for smooth playback.
How does frame rate affect BRAW file sizes?
BRAW file size is directly proportional to frame rate. Doubling the frame rate (24fps to 48fps) approximately doubles the storage requirement. High frame rate recording for slow motion significantly increases storage needs - plan accordingly using our calculator.
Is BRAW better than other RAW formats for storage efficiency?
Yes, BRAW is one of the most storage-efficient RAW formats available. It uses advanced compression algorithms and partial in-camera processing to achieve smaller file sizes than traditional RAW formats while maintaining full RAW flexibility in post-production.
Can I edit BRAW on any computer, and what are the system requirements?
BRAW is designed for efficient editing and can be edited on most modern computers. However, higher resolutions and data rates require more powerful systems. Check the data rate from our calculator against your system's capabilities - generally, you'll need fast storage and adequate GPU power for smooth playback.