I'm a college student in Germany and need to store more than 100 hours of recorded lectures from two semesters. I was considering a 256 GB SanDisk Ultra Luxe USB stick advertised at up to 400 MB/s, but I'm unsure whether that will provide enough space or if I should choose a 512 GB model instead. How can I estimate the required capacity, and does the advertised transfer speed matter much? Would USB 3.0 or USB 3.2 be the better choice? I'd appreciate recommendations for a reliable storage device.
4 Answers
You could also use an external hard drive if the main goal is inexpensive bulk storage and portability isn’t a major concern. It will usually be slower and less resistant to drops than an SSD, but lecture recordings don’t require especially high playback speed.
For this much data, I’d lean toward an external SSD instead of a thumb drive. It’s generally faster, more durable, and less likely to become unreliable after heavy use. A 512 GB SSD would give you more breathing room if the videos are large.
The 400 MB/s figure is a maximum transfer speed, not a requirement for watching the videos. Actual performance depends on the computer, USB port, and the drive itself. USB 3.0 is already fast enough for this use; USB 3.2 is worthwhile mainly if both the drive and computer support its higher speeds.
First check the total size of all the video files. The number of hours alone isn’t enough because storage depends on resolution, compression, and bitrate. Add up the files and leave some extra space rather than buying based only on the 100-hour estimate.
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