Define Project Specifications
30 minutesSet target resolution, frame rate, and delivery platform to determine bitrate and storage requirements.
Field context
This workflow is part of 12 niche fields
Video production workflow covering script timing, frame rate calculations, storage estimates, shoot schedules, audio levels, and editing checklists.
Set target resolution, frame rate, and delivery platform to determine bitrate and storage requirements.
Calculate total storage needed for raw footage, project files, and rendered outputs.
Calculate optimal export bitrate for target platform, resolution, and frame rate to balance quality and file size.
Calculate expected render duration based on project length, effects complexity, and hardware capabilities.
Render final output at calculated settings, verify file size against storage plan, and deliver to platform.
Determine target bitrate for resolution and frame rate. · Set export bitrate for final render settings. · Verify final file bitrate matches target.
Calculate pixel dimensions and aspect ratio for delivery format.
Estimate total storage for raw footage and project files. · Confirm output file size fits delivery constraints.
Verify aspect ratio for platform-specific crops (16:9, 9:16, 1:1).
Estimate export duration to plan workflow schedule. · Compare estimated vs actual render time for future planning.
Target export bitrates for common delivery platforms.
| Platform | 1080p30 | 1080p60 | 4K30 |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube | 8 Mbps | 12 Mbps | 35–45 Mbps |
| Instagram/Reels | 5 Mbps | 8 Mbps | 15 Mbps |
| Broadcast/TV | 25 Mbps | 50 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| Archival Master | 50+ Mbps | 80+ Mbps | 150+ Mbps |
4K and 6K footage chokes most laptops. Create 1080p proxy files for editing, then relink to originals for final export.
DaVinci Resolve's free tier outperforms most NLE built-in color tools. Round-trip via XML/AAF for best results.
Use Adobe Media Encoder or FFmpeg batch jobs to export platform-specific versions overnight from a single master.
Running out of card space mid-shoot is unrecoverable. Calculate needed storage before every shoot day.