Has the LaCie Big Disk Extreme got the goods to play multiple streams?

[Dave Mac]

Alister,

I would avoid any external FW device that has multiple drives but no fan (like the LaCie Big Disk Extreme). Several people have reported what seems to be heat-related failures with these units. I had one just fail (bad circuitboard, not drives) this week, three weeks after the one year warranty expired. Do a search in this forum for more feedback on LaCie drives. I know of people using the Bigger Disk Extreme (4 drive models) that haven’t had problems, but these units have fans (the problems I described could be due to poor design, leading to inadequate heat dissipation and heat-related failures; manufacturing defects on certain production runs; etc.).

If you want to get a pre-built system, I would recommend the G-Raid, which has a two year warranty:

G-RAID

Other terrific vendors include WiebeTech, OWC, MacGurus, and FWDepot.

If you’re mechanically-inclined, you could save a few bucks by purchasing an enclosure and drive(s) separately.

You want to use a FW800 connection, if possible, to get the best performance. From what you have described, you should fare pretty well with a two-drive “RAID 0” FW drive setup. Depending on your Mac, its memory, whether or not you have a separate internal “scratch” drive, you may get terrific performance from the external FW system. You can always adjust the RT settings in FCP to eek out better frame rates, etc. It’s a balance. With more detailed info about your system HW, SW, OS, FCP version, you’ll get much better feedback.

-Dave

[Mat @ lacie]

Hi,
Just wanted to comment on the LaCie Big Disk Extreme. Actually some models like the 1TB Big Disk Extreme have a variable speed fan that kicks in only when needed (because 500GB mechs are running more hot than 250GB mechs for example). Big Disk have been used for pro video for 3+ years and they are approved for DV, HDV and SD uncompressed. For example, shows like Scrubs are using them daily. Same for the editor on Napoleon Dynamite.

Dave – let me know if you need some help with the drive that failed.

Hope this helps.

Mat @ LaCie

[Dave Mac]

Mat,

You can contact me via the address in my profile. My unit died in December 2005 (it was purchased 6 Nov 2004).

I can confirm that the bridgeboard died (I tried a couple of good power supplies and even bought a new one). The new power supply/brick that I tried made a clicking sound when plugged into the unit (doesn’t make that sound on two other good LaCie units). I moved the hard drives into a new FW enclosure and all is well.

It’s too bad the case went bad just after a year. The drives in the enclosure were enterprise-rated Maxtor Maxline II drives, with 5 year warranties.

-Dave

[Mat @ lacie]

Hi Dave,
Thanks for the response. I’ll shoot you an email.
FYI, mechanisms sold to OEM like LaCie (or computer manufacturers) don’t carry the same warranty than the mechs sold to end users/retail.
Mat