Drive configuration

[Eric Jurgenson]

Should work well, although I question your need for the additional media drive. It’s going to make your file management a bit more complex. I think all the stuff you have allocated for this drive could be put on the primary video array without affecting performance, with the possible exception of the MPEG export, especially if you have an RTX100 card, which can drop frames when exporting to the same drive containing the media. For my system I use the C: drive for this purpose, which seems to work OK. I personally like the simplicity of keeping all my project elements in one filder.

I am presuming you are editing DV. Higher quality video (larger file sizes) would require more performance, which would be aided by moving the audio to another drive as you have planned.

[Eric Steinberg]

Thanks for your reply,

I appreciate your input! I guess I was a little unclear about what I really am wondering about. I am going to buy the new Matrox Axio, which comes pre-configured as a turn-key system. The only extra thing I have added is the one single extra drive. I am going to physically have this set-up no matter what. What I am unsure about, is if my choices as far as which drives I’ll be putting project files, captured video/audio, audio previews, etc., etc. is correct/best choice/bad choice?

Kind regards,
Eric

[Redgum]

Eric, we run three editing points all set up the same way…
c:\ Programs (Adobe etc) d:\ 2 x 400Gb Sata Raid +0 Assets including captured files e:\ Preview, audio and temporary files. After trying different configuarations for years this set up proved to be the fastest and most reliable. After the edit we dump all conformed and temporary files and transfer all the Asset files plus the project file via firewire to an external drive which we give to or hold for the client. If we need to re-edit (update) at a later time we simple plug in the external drive, reconform and rerender. This is so quick and convenient that we haven’t lost a single follow up job in three years.
http://www.redgumtv.com.au

Redgum Television Productions
Broadcast & Corporate Documentaries
Brisbane, Australia

[Eric Steinberg]

Thanks, that is very helpful!

One more thing: On which drive do you store the actual project files? I would think on the same drive as the preview files, in your case the E: drive…?

Kind regards,
Eric

[Redgum]

G’day Eric,
No, the project file gets stored on drive D (the Raid) with a backup copy on C. We do this so it’s a simple matter of just copying all relevant files (for the client) from our Raid to their external firewire drive for storage/reuse later. They need the project file (at least a copy) along with all the other assets to be able to edit again later.
http://www.redgumtv.com.au

Redgum Television Productions
Broadcast & Corporate Documentaries
Brisbane, Australia

[Eric Steinberg]

Thanks, that does seem like a very viable way to do things. I’ve always stored my project files on a separate drive, fearing that autosave and other program-related activity could cause glitches in the media playback. I had problems like that a few years ago when I worked on in:sync Speed Razor on the VideoToasterNT, so I’ve just kept that habit. But if you’re saying it’s rock solid with project and media assets mixed, I will definitely give it a try on my new Axio system. Thanks for your help!

Kind regards,
Eric