Multi Format Systems ??? – semi quick opt in and out…

[Chris Blair]

I could be wrong but I don’t think you need software like StoreNext to achieve this. If you’ve read Bob and Walter’s configurations in past posts, they’re just using native Apple file-sharing.

There are others on this forum, including me, who are using plug and play hardware/software combos that will work with both PCs and Mac’s right out of the box. Our system is the Apace vStor, but there are others out there that do the same thing I believe. They’re built on Linux architecture and I’m pretty sure you can have a PC hooked to it running Premiere using .avi files in one room, and have a Final Cut workstation on a MAC using .mov files in another.

That said, you need to give Bob and the others that do more engineering type work more info, like are you wanting to edit HD or SD, what codec or data rates will you primarily be using etc.

Also…I’d be wary about the idea of having people come in and edit on my shared storage setup if they’re not at least familiar with some basic asset management guidelines…like where to setup render directories, where to store project files etc. If you don’t, you’ll have a mess on your hands since everybody’s brain works differently and people have a tendency to put files all over the place.

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

[Jake Hawkes]

Thanks for the feedback.

We work on DVCPro and PRO Res HD or lower bandwidth assets…the needs we have are covered by Bob’s system with some overhead but I am not sure if it is OS agnostic and if I can use a Windows server rather than a Mac…

Sorry such lame questions but as I don’t have Mac systems it is a big concern given that all I see so far is people doing this sort of system on a Mac.

The shared environmental variables you mentioned are pretty basic and those rules apply to people working on their local disk but it is good advice none the less.

You’ve Had Our Potatoes!

[Chris Blair]

I don’t think Bob and Walter’s configurations have been tested on PCs. They’ve been tested extensively on MACs and since PCs are going to use different file-sharing protocols, it’s anybody’s guess if it will work.

You can get systems that work right out of the box for under $9,000 for PCs. Of course that doesn’t take into account a new high-end switch, possible new ethernet cards, backup, cabling etc. You might read down thru past posts to see who’s built a PC specific system and had success if spending $12-15k is more than your budget.

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

[Bob Zelin]

I don’t know the answer to your question. I don’t know how to build a cheap PC based system, that has a PC server, PC clients, and a link agg switch (like a HP ProCurve) to do your job. As Chris said, you can buy a turnkey soltuion from a company like Apace or EditShare, but to do a “home made” solution like I described for PC’s – I just don’t know. I have not done it.

Bob Zelin

[Jake Hawkes]

Bob,

I really appreciate you weighing in! I am going to give it a shot PC prices being what they are and will get back to ya’ll.

You’ve Had Our Potatoes!

[Bob Zelin]

Hi Jake –
just remember, you will need a managed ethernet switch, that can do LACP (link aggregation), support jumbo frames and flow control. Your cheapest bet is probably the HP ProCurve. You will need a multi port ethernet card. I would not put one penny into the disk drives (the expensive part of this project) until you got your switch setup and connected to your other PC’s. You can do basic lo res tests without any disk drive array. This way, you will save yourself the financial aggrivation if something goes wrong.

Bob Zelin