An image data processing system is configured to store image data with redundant protection in the form of a redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID). An input card is configured to receive an input stream of real-time digital video data, possibly provided by a video tape recorder. The video image data is stored and a processor is arranged to perform processing operations upon the stored video data. The input card receives an input stream of real-time video data and the processor performs a first writing operation to write the video data to storage (106) in real-time without parity. The processor then performs a reading operation to read the data from storage and performs a data manipulation (307) upon the data to generate parity information to create protected video data. The processor then performs a second writing operation to write the protected video data back to storage. In this way, RAID calculations are performed after the video data has been capture and as part of other post capture processes including proxy generation and possibly color space conversion.