Galaxy Note 3 as Video Camera - How to Backup?

[Robo]

Our Camino seems a long time in coming But we are within 8 months now, so the planning and training needs to get seriously started. I'll need the 8 months to lose some weight and get fit!

I plan to shoot some video. Maybe make a personal video diary, perhaps some interviews and thoughts along the way. My initial thoughts were to take along my trusty Kodak Zi8, external mic, using poles as a tripod etc.

But........I can take just as high quality video on my phone. I'm taking it anyway. A Galaxy Note 3. It takes an external mic (using adapter) has good video functionality, and using a 'Glif' it can be tripod mountable.

But my challenge is this. (would have been the same with the Kodak). How do I backup my video files. I certainly don't want to carry a computer. And the files will be far too big to upload to the cloud via internet cafes etc.

I expect to accumulate a few cards of video files, and would feel better if I knew I had a backup of each card, maybe stored in my wife's pack. It would be awful to be 4 weeks in, and find the previous 4 weeks of video was lost or damaged.

Any thoughts?

 

[CaptBuddy]

I leave in a week. Going to shoot RAW images and videos. Here's my tested solution.
(I'm using an iPad mini, but you should find these apps for your GN3.)
Purchase a Dropbox upgrade to get 1 TB of cloud storage. Figure out the best way to transfer videos to your tablet (likely mp4 only, the ipad has a connector for SD cards.). Use CameraSync app to upload to Dropbox.
WiFi is available throughout the CF. Save video files in folders and upload smaller chunks. I'm going to try to stay under 30 seconds per video shot when possible. For get AVCHD.
That's the thumbnail, send me a PM if you have questions.
Buen Camino.

ps - I'm also carrying lots of SD cards.

 

[Bajaracer]

Get a few 64GB SD cards and pack a small USB SD card reader and upload to a cloud storage site at an albergue desktop computer or your Note 3 on wifi.

 

[Robo]

Thanks guys. It's the size of file that I am concerned about. Availability of Wi Fi and connection speed might be an issue. I wouldn't want to rely on just that for my backups. I tend to shoot 3-4 minute documentary style segments. These can easily be 500MB+ each. That's a lot of bandwidth!

Of course I could just upload direct from my GN3, (to dropbox or similar) but I'm not sure what type of SIM cards are available and if it's possible to get one with a really big data package. If I could buy a data pack with 5-10 GB that would be easy. just upload each evening. If upload speed is OK.

The simplest option might be.....to just connect a thumb drive to the phone and backup onto that? There's an adapter I think.

CaptBuddy. Not sure I see the purpose of the iPad. Maybe I'm missing something? I guess you are using a 'camera' as opposed to a phone.

 

[CaptBuddy]

CaptBuddy. Not sure I see the purpose of the iPad. Maybe I'm missing something? I guess you are using a 'camera' as opposed to a phone.

Yes, Robo, I'm using a Sony A6000. Much lighter that the Canon 5D2 I carried last time. Never again.
We're staying in Spain and Europe for a while after the Camino, so the iPad/Dropbox makes some sense (the Sony RAW image files are 24MB). In the cities such as Leon, Burgos, etc., WiFi is very good. Cell data plans are very, very expensive. I'm paranoid about losing SD cards, and they'll be 2 of us shooting, so the Cloud is my "comfort zone".
Otherwise, lots of SD cards is likely just as good. What I'm doing is probably overkill, but I want to process some images for sharing from Spain. Keep it simple.

 

[Bajaracer]

http://www.lebara.es/passes/internet has some good prepaid data SIM cards and the site is in English.

https://www.tuenti.com/movil also has very affordable prepaid data SIM cards as well.

 

[Robo]

http://www.lebara.es/passes/internet has some good prepaid data SIM cards and the site is in English.

https://www.tuenti.com/movil also has very affordable prepaid data SIM cards as well.

Interesting. I looked at the 3GB card. There is a connection fee and then it looks lie a tariff based on minutes connected. That could be very expensive. Think I'd prefer one that has no connection time limit, but just a data limit.

 

[Robo]

Yes, Robo, I'm using a Sony A6000. Much lighter that the Canon 5D2 I carried last time. Never again.
We're staying in Spain and Europe for a while after the Camino, so the iPad/Dropbox makes some sense (the Sony RAW image files are 24MB). In the cities such as Leon, Burgos, etc., WiFi is very good. Cell data plans are very, very expensive. I'm paranoid about losing SD cards, and they'll be 2 of us shooting, so the Cloud is my "comfort zone".
Otherwise, lots of SD cards is likely just as good. What I'm doing is probably overkill, but I want to process some images for sharing from Spain. Keep it simple.

Yes, I might try the cloud as a backup Plan B (when I can get access). And extra cards / thumb drives as my Backup Plan A.

How times change. 40 years ago I was a very keen SLR user. All the lenses, did my own developing and printing. Had a couple of 'compacts' as well.

About 5 years ago I bought a DSLR. Canon. I use it at work sometimes where I need Hi Res shots.

But I rarely use it now. I shoot all my video on my Kodak Zi8. Hi Res. Training videos, promos for the web etc. And stills? I've only used my phone for the last 2-3 years. A succession of iPhones, 3, 4, 5. And now the GN3. I reckon it takes as good quality as my DSLR! Mind you, I'm not a professional and don't require the images to be printed on billboards. Mainly seminar presentations and websites. The DSLR sits in it's bag these days......

I think when my trusty Zi8 gives out, I won't replace it. I'll just use my phone.

 

[NicoZ]

Interesting. I looked at the 3GB card. There is a connection fee and then it looks lie a tariff based on minutes connected. That could be very expensive. Think I'd prefer one that has no connection time limit, but just a data limit.

My guess is you looked at the base rate and not the package rate. The carriers all tend to offer a certain amount of data for a price. If there is a minute rate that tends to mean you haven't selected one of the offers-

Thanks guys. It's the size of file that I am concerned about. Availability of Wi Fi and connection speed might be an issue. I wouldn't want to rely on just that for my backups. I tend to shoot 3-4 minute documentary style segments. These can easily be 500MB+ each. That's a lot of bandwidth!

Of course I could just upload direct from my GN3, (to dropbox or similar) but I'm not sure what type of SIM cards are available and if it's possible to get one with a really big data package. If I could buy a data pack with 5-10 GB that would be easy. just upload each evening. If upload speed is OK.

The simplest option might be.....to just connect a thumb drive to the phone and backup onto that? There's an adapter I think.

.

WiFi if you need to upload is your best bet. 3G isn't exactly fast . At least not when compared to wifi.

Email to your gmail account. Use your Google drive account.

The problem with extra cards,drives etc is if you lose your pack you've lost your backup and the orginals.

 

[Bajaracer]

Interesting. I looked at the 3GB card. There is a connection fee and then it looks lie a tariff based on minutes connected. That could be very expensive. Think I'd prefer one that has no connection time limit, but just a data limit.

The tariff and connection fees applies to outgoing voice calls, it doesn't apply to your data allowance. It's still cheaper than international roaming on your home carrier.
You might be able to get away with 3GB data and available wifi, if you max out the data, add more credit to cover the price of data you want at a tabak store, phone store, or locutorio, then add more data by sending a text to the phone carrier. When it comes to uploading video, it really depends on how many are on the network, you might be able to upload most of your video clips in the late evening or early morning.