Digital video data presents a unique set of challenges when it comes to storage and management. Video data files are large and tend to take up a great deal of storage space. Primary storage, being at a premium, must be continually cleared of aged video data to ensure there is space available for production use.

There are several types of video and image data. While it all starts out the same, its intended uses require different management capabilities. Video data for production and entertainment can contain over 100 metadata categories that need to be extracted for use in search queries. Methods for archiving surveillance routinely degrade the data, often making it unsuitable for its intended purpose. Video storage environments often do not include easy methods to track and manage off-line media, where most video data is stored.

Phoenix VCM and Phoenix SVM address these issues with special features designed specifically for the problems presented by video data.