G-RAID Pro

[Walter Biscardi]

If you’re talking about the new G-RAID2 models I would avoid them. I love my two older model G-RAID’s (500 and 800GB) but have returned two of the new G-RAID2 1000GB models. They run slower than the older model and if you daisy chain anything off that drive, speeds drop dramatically to the point of all editing stops.

Not sure what they changed in the new 2 models, but something is different. If you want to go G-RAID, purchase the original 500 and 800GB models, those are just fine with FW 800.

Or go SATA and look at Cal Digit models. I’ve been testing a 1.5TB SVR2 Duo for a review and the thing rocks. I’m ordering a 3.7TB model this week.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Food Network’s “Good Eats”
HD Editorial for “Assignment Earth”

“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters

[Pipito]

The G-RAID PRO is a 5 bay raid 0, firewire 800 interphase. Im sceptical about the throuput of FW800, but I like the siplicity of the interconection. I need at least 40/mbs. Im editing DVCPRO HD 1080/60i I need realtime playback on at least 3 streams. Anyone tested this?

[Gary Adcock]

[Pipito] “The G-RAID PRO is a 5 bay raid 0, firewire 800 interphase. Im sceptical about the throuput of FW800, but I like the siplicity of the interconection. I need at least 40/mbs.”

The G-Raid Pro is a fine device, offering redundancy and sufficient thruputfor your worklfow but check your math My numbers for 3 streams of 1080i60 is closer to 60MBs than it is to the 40MBs you quote, but chances are your system needs to be updated also, as my guess is that you maybe talking about HDV content and 3 streams of HDV @1080 will really tax your CPU more than a Graid Pro.

I am of the belief that FW was great for SD but in an HD world Fibre or SATA is the only way to go.

gary adcock
Studio37
HD & Film Consultation
Post and Production Workflows

[Walter Biscardi]

[Pipito] “I need at least 40/mbs. Im editing DVCPRO HD 1080/60i I need realtime playback on at least 3 streams. Anyone tested this?”

You need more than 40mb/s to get true realtime with 3 streams. Look to SATA or Fibre Channel for those requirements. FW800 isn’t going to hold up very long with multistream HD.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Food Network’s “Good Eats”
HD Editorial for “Assignment Earth”

“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters

[Bob Zelin]

Everyone here is correct. I too am testing the Cal-Digit, and it in fact, does rock. Let me put it simply, it BLOWS THE DOORS off of any firewire product ever developed. There are other SATA solutions on the market as well, that will work for you too. I don’t know what type of computer you have, but if it’s a new MAC Pro, and you have no money, you can stick two SATA drives inside the computer, and you will get dramatically better performance than any firewire array.

Bob Zelin

[Walter Biscardi]

[Bob Zelin] “Everyone here is correct. I too am testing the Cal-Digit, and it in fact, does rock. Let me put it simply, it BLOWS THE DOORS off of any firewire product ever developed.”

Yeah, that’s the biggest surprise for me. I’m testing the 1.5TB unit which is just two 750GB drives striped together and it’s just killing my other SATA units and the FW800 units. So we’re going for the full 3.7TB model for our main suite. Really impressed with the product.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Food Network’s “Good Eats”
HD Editorial for “Assignment Earth”

“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters

[Gary Adcock]

[Bob Zelin] “Everyone here is correct. I too am testing the Cal-Digit, and it in fact, does rock. Let me put it simply, it BLOWS THE DOORS off of any firewire product ever developed.”

SATA is what FW always wanted to be, without the daisy chain issue I have my request for an eval unit is on hold until I am in my office and have the time to spend testing.

For now I still live on fibre, and carry my GSpeed array around the country regularly.

gary adcock
Studio37
HD & Film Consultation
Post and Production Workflows

[David Issko]

Can I just clarify that you have purchased the S2VR HD (that one is the 3.75Tb unit) for your main suite and you will be working with HD – up to 10 bit uncompressed on these drives? Or is your purchase just for SD?

As you are probably aware from my previous posts, I am learning what I can about HD before upgrading my suite to include HDV and most probably HDCAM.

I see that Caldigit has the 10 drive S2VR Pro as well. Have you tested this unit? I am interested in the Caldigit Pro but if fibre channel (say Ciprico Mediavault 4210) would be better suited to HDCAM, please advise as best you can.

Can you also please chime in here Bob, as I know you have great installation experience. What are your suggestions please?

Anyone else with Caldigit or Mediavault experience or any other HDDs that will handle at least 2 streams of 10 bit uncompressed HD.

Oh yes, Bob, if you answer, be nice!!! (thanks)

David Issko
Thanks very much

[Walter Biscardi]

[David Issko] “Can I just clarify that you have purchased the S2VR HD (that one is the 3.75Tb unit) for your main suite and you will be working with HD – up to 10 bit uncompressed on these drives? Or is your purchase just for SD?”

Yes, that’s the one I just ordered today and will be editing pretty much 100% HD on that unit.

[David Issko] “I see that Caldigit has the 10 drive S2VR Pro as well. Have you tested this unit? I am interested in the Caldigit Pro but if fibre channel (say Ciprico Mediavault 4210) would be better suited to HDCAM, please advise as best you can.”

That’s the unit I was originally going to consider purchasing but it is not available yet, probably not for another month. I’m not sure why they have it on the website when it’s not available. Ciprico is an outstanding company as well. We had a fluke issue with an array earlier this year, but I would highly recommend them.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Food Network’s “Good Eats”
HD Editorial for “Assignment Earth”

“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters

[David Issko]

Thanks very much Walter.

As for the Pro, no wonder my supplier doesn’t have pricing for it. Now I know why as he went away to check but never came back to me. Oh well, my HD purchase time line is not until around Jan/Feb 07 anyway so the Pro might be available then.

I read about your misfortune with 2 (i think you mentioned 2) Mediavault units failing in quick succession.

All the best with the Caldigit unit.

David Issko