A media content is encoded at multiple bit rates to form a multi-bit-rate encoded media content, wherein the media content contains at least one segment. The multi-bit-rate encoded media content is stored to a first data storage device. An amount of disk space available on a second data storage device is determined and an encoding bit rate is selected for at least one segment that is to be transferred to a second data storage device. The encoded bit rate is based on the amount of storage space available on the second storage device. A quality can be chosen for transcoding an encoded media content to form a transcoded media content, wherein the quality is based on the at least one segment to transfer and the amount of storage space available on the second data storage space.