-
RAID set up for cutting DVCPRO HD project
i put together a new system to cut a feature length documentary project. we’ve got 60+ hours of DVCPRO HD footage (shot 720p30) and about 20 more hours coming. we will also be working heavily with 3D animation and still image files.
my questions now focus on our RAID setup, performance and integrity of data.
our system:
MacPro Dual 3.0GHz Xeon, 4GB RAM, MacPro RAID card, 750GB drives in all 4 bays (apple drive in bay 1, seagate drives in bays 2-4), ATI Radeon X1900 XT card.our concept:
have a 2.73TB internal RAID running at RAID 0 and link a 3.0TB external RAID (g-technology G-SPEEDeS 3TB RAID) running at RAID 5 to function as a backup to the internal RAID. ideally, backup would be automated.on the eve before capturing tapes begins (still waiting for the G-SPEEDeS 3TB to arrive), i am wondering if this RAID set up is a good plan.
Running at RAID 0 was suggested by the Apple rep that sold us our machine, and our IT guy gave it the nod.., though i wonder, do we need this level of performance to handle the HD data and keep the software performing smoothly, or is it overkill? should we be running one RAID at another (safer) rate, or is going with the two smart? has anyone linked two RAID systems like this before that can suggest a backup method that would be automated?
perhaps it is just “night before” jitters, though i feel like i can still make a change now, once i start capturing i feel more locked in.
your suggestions and expertise would be greatly appreciated.
thanks so much, janelle -
5 Replies
-
DVCPRO HD can be captured and worked with fine on an internal SATA drive, or external FW800 drive. Internal eSATA would be better. NO need for RAID 0, but it does get you more RT performance. I use a two drive RAID…either the G-Raid (old one) or a CalDigit S2VR Duo. I also have a homemade 4 drive 2TB Raid 0 box that I use. I use these and manually back up to firewire drives.
I will use this until I get my CalDigit HD Pro in play…just waiting on the show to start using my system. I am moving to the HD Pro for the Raid 5 protection…that is very nice. Now, the G-Speed has Raid 5 too, but might be more than you need to spend. There are cheaper External PCIe boxes like the Caldigit, Sonnet, dulce systems and MaxPower solutions.
But…up to you. All you need is an internal SATA, but the faster the raid the more RT performance you get.
Shane
Littlefrog PostGETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD now for sale!
http://www.lfhd.net -
Running an internal RAID 0 and an external RAID 5 is just redundant. RAID 5 IS protected data, if a drive fails in the array, you’re still good to edit. We have MaxxDigital SAS/SATA arrays running here at almost 500MB/s in RAID 5. We’re protected with a ton of speed.
What I would do is pick up an external RAID 5 SATA array. Then pick up the LaCie FW800 2TB to use as a backup device if you want further protection. It’s only about about $700, we have one in the shop here that we use to backup projects that will be removed from the main drives.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.STOP STARING AND START GRADING WITH APPLE COLOR The new Color Training DVD now available from the Creative Cow!
-
I’m cutting an HD TV series with DVCPRO-HD and we just transferred everything over to a 6TB Caldigit HDPRO.
so far everything is working great.
Its configured in Raid 5 mode (though it offers Raid 6) and my speed disk test indicates a sustained data rata rate of 403MB/s -
Set up our system following the above advice, though at RAID 5 could not capture without dropping frames after 2-3 minutes.
I reset our internal RAID to level 0 (Apple RAID card and 3 750GB seagate drives). The boot drive stands alone (750GB Apple drive, running at JBOD). I brought in a LaCie “Bigger” drive to function as a backup device for our RAID. It’s not involved in the capture loop.
I have logged several tapes (just setting in and out points leaving plenty of handle at head and tail for pre/post roll) and am using batch capture to try and capture. I have checked my settings, I have the RAID selected as my scratch disk, I have turned off system power settings (energy saver, screen saver, etc.), I have run disk utility on all drives, checked out the drives using RAID utility and all seems great. still getting these dropped frames failures though… AT RAID 0.
so now i am a bit lost as to what could be causing this.using DVCPRO HD 1400 deck
easy set up is: DVCPRO HD, 29.97, 720p30.any insight or tips would be huge right now. the clock is ticking on our deck rental and i am starting to get a bit nervous. i have successfully captured only one 29 minute clip/tape.
help!!!
-
Janelle,
We are about to purchase DVCPro HD gear and new Macs. I am trying to find out if the set-up you mentioned in an your old posts will work. We plan on buying a new Mac Pro with four 1TB 7200rpm drives and a Mac Pro RAID card. We hope this will provide enough throughput for DVCPro HD. Has your system worked for you? Apple has confused the issue by now offering 320 gig drives at 15,000RPM on their new systems. Do you have any advise on what to purchase and how to set it up? Were you able to solve your dropped frames issue?
Does anyone else have any input?
Thanks, and contact me directly at david.gerberding@dgs.ca.gov
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up