Setting up Shared Video Storage for Shoestring Documentary

[Nathaniel Cooper]

Hey Ryan,

As many will probably echo, what you don’t want to do is roll your own. Unless you have experience in setting up and supporting network storage for video, trying to do it on your own (albeit tempting) will cost you more in wasted time than it’s worth. Look into the various purpose built options on the market and stick with those.

I work for ProMAX and there are three solutions we sell and support
– ProMAX Platform
– Facilis Terrablock
– Avid ISIS

All of products these have their place and there are serveral other options on the market that you can look at as well.

If you don’t want to go down the road of a supported solution you are likely better off sticking with locally attached storage.

Feel free to reach out if you have any specific questions on this.

Nate Cooper
ProMAX Systems https://www.promax.com
nate.cooper@promax.com
949.861.2725

[Adi Antariksa]

Hi Ryan,

You may want check out Midi Space by GB Labs – https://www.gblabs.com – a stand alone desktop shared storage solutions that fit well for your current requirement. You can direct connect up to 4 editors or more by adding Gb-e switch.

Feel free to contact me if you want to discuss further your requirements or to find out more of Midi Space.

Cheers,
Adi Antariksa
GB Labs USA
E-Mail : adi@gblabs.com
Phone : +1 661 513 3089

[Bob Zelin]

Hi –
Nate is correct. You don’t want to try to build this yourself. You want to work with a company that knows how to do this.

I provide the Maxx Digital Final Share solution, but you can get similar excellent solutions like the ProMax Platform, GB Space, Facilis Terrablock, AVID ISIS, EditShare, Small Tree Granite Stor, and so many others. There are dealers right in NY that can sell you systems and set them up for you.

What cannot happen is that you can’t build this yourself. Find a brand that you like, and that meets your budget, and work with that company. ProMax, GB Labs, and myself have already responded, and I am sure that others will respond to. Call these companies, ask for pricing, and specs, and let someone help you, and you will have a simple working solution, that does exactly what you want.

If someone tells you (since you are in NY) to simply go to B&H Photo, and buy this –
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/756605-REG/Drobo_DR_B800FS_4A21_B800FS_Drobo_8_Bay_NAS.html

let me assure you that it will not work, you will not have shared storage, and you will be throwing out this money in the toilet.

Bob Zelin

[Alex Gerulaitis]

[Bob Zelin] “You don’t want to try to build this yourself.”

Second Nate and Bob (and Adi), with one possible caveat. Consumerization of shared storage is already here for general IT, small business and home networks, and it’s arriving to collaborative editing as well. One of the first manifestations is GB Labs Space Adi mentioned. While not sold on Amazon or B&H, and still requiring a modicum of integration (switch, NICs, permissions), it’s much more plug-n-play than most other solutions out there. Setting it up in my shop and editing off of it took all of 10 minutes. Possibly something for OP to look into.

Alex Gerulaitis
Systems Engineer
DV411 – Los Angeles, CA

[James Mckenna]

Hi Ryan,

For a month, why not just rent a system. You won’t have to deal with the headache and it’s gone when you don’t need it. I bet you can call Dom at MPE or Scott at East Coast Digital and get a good price.

Alternately, rent space in a facility. Most have shared storage available and I can get you the names of several facilities in Manhattan that have 4-walls for rent.

Jim McKenna
Facilis Technology
978-562-7022 x101

[Tim Ward]

Hi Ryan,

I guess I had best jump in here as well.

At Small Tree we provide simple, affordable and high performance Ethernet based shared storage for video editors. If you poke around the forums on CC you’ll find many posts complimentary of our solutions.

I’d love to have an opportunity to discuss with you how our TITANIUM can meet your requirements and your budget.

Thanks.

tim@small-tree.com
952-641-7440

Tim Ward
Small Tree Communications
http://www.small-tree.com

[Ervin Tia]

Hello,

SmallTrees’ Titanium4 looks closer to what we are looking for (or what we can afford:-). Tim, is this fully compatible with AvidMC-Mac?

What if we are really-really low-budgetted and desperate…What’s the next solution that can at least provide essential shareability of Avid projects and media between two MacPros?

Thanks!

———-
Ervz | Video Productions | WMC-AP, Philipines
System 1: Mac Pro/8-Core/10 GB/OSX 10.6.8
Avid MC/Adobe CS6
System 2: Windows XP Pro, SP3 / 4 Gig / Intel

https://vimeo.com/ervzman/videos

[James Mckenna]

Ok, the “really-really” took you out of the market for anything purpose built by a manufacturer. It seems like you’re not into renting, which could get you a great system for a month, for a fraction of the new purchase price. All you’re left with is a volume-level share, FC or iSCSI, you won’t be very scalable and you’re not sharing Avid projects.

The manufacturers that offer these feature have to develop and SUPPORT it, and that’s where the premium cost comes in. Avid would rather you buy an ISIS, so when we say we’re fully compatible with the Avid workflow, it’s on us to be fully compatible, or else. Again, let me know if rental is appealing to you and I can hook you up.

Jim McKenna
Facilis Technology
978-562-7022 x101