Looking to determine BW requirements

[Arnie Schlissel]

[John Baumchen] “At this point, I’m not even sure what the bandwidth is for one stream of HD video from these cameras.”

DVCPro HD clocks in at 100 megabits per second or 12.5 megaBytes per second. If you can shoot 24PN, then the bandwidth is close to that of miniDV, since you’re recording 60% fewer frames than in 60P. AVC Intra is either at 50 or 100 megabits per second.

Arnie
Post production is not an afterthought!
https://www.arniepix.com/

[Bob Zelin]

and what SAN are you considering for your system ?

Bob Zelin

[John Baumchen]

We had narrowed the selection between an Aberdeen and Enhance system. Then our IT dept decided that they could help us out, (the boss, a non video type, loves the idea), and I’m not so sure they’re up to speed on the requirements for a SAN to handle video. Neither am I for that matter but having read a few posts in this forum, do know about the data vs. video requirements. I’m trying to rapidly come up to speed so I can communicate with the data people of what our requirements are so they don’t muck up my workflow.

[Mark Raudonis]

[John Baumchen] “so they don’t muck up my workflow”

Good luck with that!

Mark

[Chris Blair]

John Baumchen: Then our IT dept decided that they could help us out, (the boss, a non video type, loves the idea), and I’m not so sure they’re up to speed on the requirements for a SAN to handle video.

I can guarantee you they aren’t up to speed on it! IT people do not understand the demands that video places on a shared storage system.

If you’re editing at the data rates Arnie reported, you could even consider a NAS based system for 4 edit stations instead of a SAN. Of course a SAN will give you MUCH higher data rates and room for growth, but if you’re on a budget, Apace and EditShare both make NAS based systems that can handle mutliple streams of Apple ProRes or DVCProHD material.

We own an Apace vStor and I can verify it does EXACTLY what they claim in terms of performance, real-time streams and data rate benchmarks.

Chris Blair
Magnetic Image, Inc.
Evansville, IN
http://www.videomi.com

[John Baumchen]

Thanks Chris,

Fortuneately the guy who will be running the data center is a great person who I know will listen to our reccomendations. I’m leaning to a SAN because of the need for at least three workstations to access stored video at the same time, and as you pointed out, room for growth.

Cheers

[Bob Zelin]

John writes –
We had narrowed the selection between an Aberdeen and Enhance system. Then our IT dept decided that they could help us out, (the boss, a non video type, loves the idea), and I’m not so sure they’re up to speed on the requirements for a SAN to handle video

REPLY –
they you will fail with these solutions. This forum has a wealth of information on it. Countless excellent companies, including Studio Network Solutions, Apace Systems, Fibre Jet, Maxx Digital Final Share, Small Tree Granite Stor, Edit Share, Facilis Terrablock, Apple XSAN, and others have been discussed – AND RECENTLY on this very forum – all good solutions, all with their pluses and minuses – but all good working solutions – and your “research” comes up with companies like Enhance (who does not offer a shared storage solution – they make drive arrays under the ProAVIO brand name) and Aberdeen (who also makes drive arrays, and does not have any MAC drivers for their products) – how did this “research” come about. Your research is DODO !!!!! Proof once again, that Creative Cow is the ONLY place to research professional products, and professional SAN systems. There are countless rep’s hawking their products on these forums, and advertising in the banner ads. And you know what – THEY ALL WORK. But your two choices DO NOT. If you rely on your IT department, you will fail.

Bob Zelin

[John Baumchen]

Bob Zelin Writes: Your research is DODO !!!!!

And just why do you think I’ve taken the time to post in this forum?

[Chris Blair]

I think Bob’s point is that a lot of people come to the forum with proposed solutions in mind and are often just looking for validation of their choices. I’m not saying that’s what you were doing, but in the original post you said a couple of things that are BIG red flags when it comes to doing this:

1. Buying SAN storage arrays from companies that don’t really do shared VIDEO storage (except as an aside).
2. Your IT people were going to supervise the purchase and install (or something to that effect).

Having done the exact same kind of research myself about 2 years ago, I know firsthand how confusing and contradictory a lot of the information is on the web. I initially decided our purchase of a shared storage solution could be on of those “I can build it and save” projects.

But after talking to people on here, and talking extensively with several companies (most of whom sell turnkey solutions like EditShare, Apace, Tiger Technology, Studio Network Solutions and others), I came to the realization that we needed a PROVEN solution. Meaning one that was already out there in the field working for facilities with similar demands as ours.

Is it more expensive up front to buy a NAS or SAN from a company that specializes in shared video storage? Yep. Is it worth it? DARN STRAIGHT. I cannot imagine if I had built a system and it didn’t perform as we needed. I would’ve still spent several thousand dollars, and would’ve spent dozens of hours of time installing and configuring the thing, only to have a system that didn’t work…and worse, with NO-ONE to turn to for a solution.

Bob’s point is simple. Buy a system that is proven. Don’t buy something based on what a sales rep or engineer or marketing guy says…because when it comes to shared video storage, it probably won’t work and they won’t have a solution for you to make it work.

Hope that helps.

Chris Blair
Magnetic Image, Inc.
Evansville, IN
http://www.videomi.com

[Caspian Brand]

Hi John,

I am a Product Specialist for Studio Network Solutions.

If you’d like to discuss your workflow transition and how to utilize centralized storage feel free to contact me.

Best Regards,

Caspian Brand
cbrand@studionetworksolutions.com
206.310.8537