Video has been a crucial marketing and communication tool since internet speeds could keep up with video streaming. Now, video is everywhere and has become even more important on social media where people can make a living as content creators and for marketers who need a medium that can easily reach and resonate with a new generation of consumers.
Almost all the videos required for both of these need to be edited. In the past, it was common, expected even, for editors to do this on their computers. However, things have changed, with large production houses and marketing agents turning to cloud-based solutions for their video editing needs.
How do these options compare, and which one is better?
Different Hardware Requirements
The most apparent difference between local vs. cloud-based video editing is hardware requirements. Local video editing requires that the editor owns a computer with a powerful graphics card, sufficient RAM, and enough local storage.
Cloud-based editing does not require all this because a server handles most or all of the computation. However, the editor should still own a computer capable of connecting to the server and running the necessary programs and commands.
The differences in hardware requirements and setup result in differences in performance and responsiveness. In most cases, the raw power of a dedicated editing rig can allow for smooth, real-time playback and manipulation of high-resolution video files without latency issues.
While a dedicated server is more than capable of handling the same and doing so at higher resolutions of 4K and 8K, the performance depends on the internet connection. Working at such high resolutions or on high frame rate footage over a suboptimal internet connection can lead to a degraded experience.
Another difference is that dedicated GPU servers from the right providers give you more resources for hardware-accelerated video processing tasks like rendering, color grading, and effects application. While a local GPU can give you the same capabilities, it will still be hampered by the differences in raw GPU power.
Lastly, editors see differences when processing multiple videos. Selecting the best AI GPU configuration means you never have to worry about editing or rendering multiple streams due to the amount of power and bandwidth you have. This is also true due to the CPUs and RAM these servers use that further help the process.
Differences in Storage and Data Management
There are also several differences in how you store and manage your data when using local and cloud-based video editing solutions. Local storage gives you much more freedom in where you store your data, but you run the risk of fragmentation. This is where you have different data on different storage mediums and have challenges finding what you need when you need it.
With cloud-based solutions, you have a more streamlined data management solution. You always know your data is on a single server, and you can leverage search tools to find what you need quickly if you name your files properly.
The best thing is that your server provider might store the data on different servers to give you a level of backup and redundancy that you would have to set up yourself otherwise. However, you have to trust the cloud provider’s data management policies and infrastructure to ensure you never lose your data.
A crucial downside of local video editing is that large files can quickly consume your storage, requiring the purchase of additional hard drives or SSDs. Cloud storage is often more scalable, with server providers allowing you to expand the available capacity as needed.
It is up to you to decide if the added cost of such expansion and the peace of mind that comes with it outweighs that of buying new storage mediums.
Lastly, offline work is easier with a local setup. You don’t have to worry about internet connectivity when you want to access your files. Cloud-based editing requires a reliable internet connection to load and save your projects.
Security and Privacy Considerations
When considering both solutions, you must also think about security and privacy. Storing your video and project files locally gives you more control over its security and privacy. However, you must be willing and able to implement your own backup, security, and access control measures. If you do not know how to do this, you can learn online or let a server provider handle it.
Cloud-based server and video editing platforms rely on the service provider’s security protocols and data privacy policies. While reputable cloud providers invest heavily in security, there is always the risk of data exposure or theft. This is why it is important to do enough research to find providers with a long history of excellent data protection and no breaches.
We also have to mention that it is perfectly reasonable for users to have concerns about the potential for unauthorized access, data mining, or other privacy-related issues when uploading their video files to a cloud service and editing them there. This is especially true in the age of artificial intelligence, where a cloud-hosting partner may use customer video to train their AI models.
The Cost Associated with Both Solutions
Another crucial difference to think about is upfront and ongoing costs. Local video editing requires a significant upfront investment in hardware. This includes buying and setting up a high-end editing computer, storage and backup drives, peripherals, and so on. You also need software licenses for the software you wish to use.
Cloud-based video editing services typically follow a subscription-based model, with monthly or annual fees. Some also charge you depending on how much computing or storage you use in a given period.
While this can be more affordable in the short term, the long-term costs may add up, especially for professional or enterprise users.
Local systems may have higher maintenance and upgrade costs because you will be responsible for maintaining your hardware and software. Cloud platforms often handle updates and maintenance automatically, so you do not have to worry about these costs.
Cloud-based video editing has emerged as an excellent solution for many people, especially those who do not want to invest in the required hardware, software, and storage solutions. Local editing also has its perks, mainly data, hardware, and software control. In this age, cloud-based editing edges out local editing slightly for users who need the latest and greatest software, hardware, and storage solutions. It is also great for those who do not want to think about the upfront and ongoing cost of owning and maintaining a high-end editing set up.