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Scratch, Media, and Cache Disk Strategies for FCP 5.0.4…
Today is my day for questions… 😉
In preparation for adding a RAID to my hardware setup (G5 system), I would like to learn how others have their systems configured for optimal disk performance with FCP 5. I did a few searches, read the docs, and glanced at Sean Cullen’s (et al.) excellent “Optimizing Your Final Cut Pro System.”
I know not to use the startup disk as your FCP scratch disk (that one is noted almost everywhere), unless you’re using a PowerBook. Though, I wonder, for PowerBook use, if using a FireWire (FW), or SATA, drive connected via a PC card would work pretty well (especially during captures over FW, as you wouldn’t be interfering with the primary FW bus).
I know that several people use their second internal drive as the FCP “scratch disk” and external FW/SATA drives for media storage (among the infinite variations possible). Instead of trying to describe most possible combinations, I will state my current “best guess” and let everyone comment.
My system will have two internal SATA drives and an external RAID. I work primarily with DV-25, uncompressed SD, and DVC Pro HD. Here’s my tentative plan:
- System and FCP on startup disk.
- Use the RAID for A/V capture and render (set in FCP), and general media storage (video, audio, stills, animations).
- Use the second internal disk for waveform and thumbnail caches, as well as the autosave vault.
How does this sound? Thanks for your assistance.
-Dave
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1 Reply
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That’s fine.
But most people do not understand RAID types or the benefit/risk trade-offs. There’s nothing unusual about your scratch disk designations so spend your time researching your RAID setup.bogiesan
This is my standard sigfile so do not take it personally: “For crying out loud, read the freakin’ manual.”
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