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Opinions on disk storage
Hey folks,
currently have an IO LA and a g5 dual 1.8. Am most likely going to be acquiring a Betacam SP within the month and wanted to get a few opinions about disk storage. I know that that the Xserve RAID is the creme’ de la creme for media storage, but I wanted some other decent (and less expensive options) from you all experts. Here are what I’d LIKE to accomplish–
– Ability to capture uncompressed 8 bit, and have up to 4 hrs. storage space.
– Rack mount preferred, but not mandatory
– connection can be ata, SCSI or other, but can’t really hold up speed of system.– COST effective. Don’t have 10K to spend or even 5K. Could go as high as $2-3K but it must be decent.(Remember, I don’t need a ton of free space, just a good 4 hrs. uncompressed)
Any suggestions would be great. Thanks.
Rick
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10 Replies
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8 bit uncompressed is easy. Any Firewire 800 drive will do (G-Tech, Lacie, StorCase), and SATA drives will do (Firmtek, DR Group, Sonnet, ProMax), and of course any SCSI array from HUGE Systems, etc. will work.
They ALL work. For 8 bit uncompressed.
Bob Zelin
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Just do a search for SATA on all of the Cow FCP forums for the last few months (Final Cut, Kona, AJA Io, BlackMagic. You should get lots of good ideas for cost effect (and fast) RAID solutions (both internal and external). I prefer external solutions myself. The downside with these solutions, compared to say an Xserve RAID, is the lack of redundancy. If one drive fails you would likely loose everything. However, you can’t argue with the value for the price. Do the research and come to your own conclusions.
Tony!
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Also have a look at medea. I have been using the RT3 for uncompressed onlines. No problems as yet
nick
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My first question is why waist your money on a Beta SP? I would look to the Panasonics, Sony, or new JVC cameras.
Take half your budget that you would spend on a Beta package…buy one of these cameras…get as good or better picture quality…edit via firewire and invest the rest of what you would have spent on the Beta package on some good firewire drives.
I know of several Beta packages in my area that have been closeted for months because the DV, DVCAM, and HDV markets have taken their place.
Tim Baker
Chameleon Mobile Video Productions
(239)849-3295
“It is not the light at the end of the tunnel that we should seek…it is the courage to take the next step in the dark that we must find.” -
Thank you all for your thoughts,
to answer the last post, I haven’t given up on DV or DVCAM. I still plan on acquiring a DSR deck in the near future. And of course am watching sharply for the HDV development and eventual wide-spread use. But most of the places I work with (clientele, cameramen) are still pretty content with sticking with Betacam SP for now. They, like me, will eventually adapt, but the need here for HDV just isn’t there yet. ‘Sides, I’m supposed to get a GREAT deal on the SP deck.
Thanks for all youe thoughts, guys. Take care.
RN
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I would head over to https://www.macgurus.com/productpages/sata/satakits.php and take a look at their sata storage. Easy and cheap. Do it yourself or buy built and ready to plug in.
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I’ll second the MacGurus “roll your own” recommendation. I just built two 1TB SATA arrays (4x250GB) for less than $900 each. They were easy to put together (MacGurus has great online instructions.) and they work great.
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Hey,
still getting lots of great response. Wanted to ask though- I was still under the impression that the IO uses the entire firewire Fibre channel, making it difficult to go from a tape deck though the io via firewire and back to an external media array via firewire. Is my assumption correct? incorrect? outdated? or am I simply not fully understanding what SATA means. Guys?
Rick
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Hey Rick,
Was not trying to be a smart@$$ on my last post…just don’t want to see someone waste money if they dont have to, but if you are getting a great deal…heck…that makes all the difference. And I thought you were talking a camera package…sorry my wrong assumption.
As I understand it…SATA externally…is the same as the wide ribbon connectiong that your internal drives would use. You just have to have a seperate card inserted…to gain the external SATA connection and taaaaadaaaaa.
I am glad for the MacGurus weblink…that may be an option for me, as well.
My 1tb internal is getting mighty full.
Tim Baker
Chameleon Mobile Video Productions
(239)849-3295
“It is not the light at the end of the tunnel that we should seek…it is the courage to take the next step in the dark that we must find.” -
Hi Tim,
never took it as a smart @$$ comment. Appreciated your input and the response to my SATA inquiry. I did some research after the posting and now understand how it works. the Macruders option seems like the best plan of attack. Many thanks to you and everyone else’s help.
Rick
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