Storage w/AJA IO HD

[Gary Adcock]

Don’t do it.

NAS systems use ethernet packeting protocols and the blocks are not large enough for the data you are planning on sending thru it. I have yet to see any kind of portable NAS systems that could hold up to an eSata array on location. They are fine for SD – but lack sufficient power to handle HD content from RED or Phantom.

gary adcock
Studio37
HD & Film Consultation
Post and Production Workflows
Inside look at the IoHD

[Carson Maddocks]

Gary,

firstly, you’re a legend… secondly, you just saved me so much money and so much time and so much embarrasment… again, you’re a legend…

Any thoughts on eSATA external arrays – is it forbidden to do the old “DIY”? Stick to brandname products (G-Tech/Caldigit/etc/etc)?

Just to clarify, are you specifically saying that the IO HD won’t work with a NAS? How about using a NAS as a stand alone external storage solution (on a separate machine for data wrangling with RED)? Would it be exactly the same again?

Carson M
RED Wrangler / Phantom HD Tech
Sydney, Australia

[Carsten Orlt]

As I saw your in Sydney too:

I bought my eSata chassis from eyo: https://www.eyo.com.au/items_CatID_3_SubCatID_136_Storage_External_Enclosure_for_3.5_HDD.html
the 4 bay and 8 bay CFI chassis work perfectly fine. I have 2 of the 4 bay with my MacBookPro 2.33. Extremely! easy to assemble!

I recommend 1TB drives. I have the Seagate ES model :https://www.eyo.com.au/prod_E-ST31000340NS_proddesc_HDD_SATA_Seagate_Barracuda_1000GB_ES_24x7_3Gb_s_NCQ_32MB_7200.2_ST31000340NS.html
I think its worth the extra bug. But shop around. Sometimes you get good deals.

So 4TB Raid ~ AUD$1600. This is Raid 0 and might not be secure enough for you but I only work in ProRes with the ioHD so I stripe only 2 drives together at a time (and we still do tape base acquisition).

so: use at your own risk 🙂

Cheers

Carsten

[Carsten Orlt]

Addition:

Of course you can stripe in Raid 1 with the CFI chassis too.

Double the capacity for 1000 less (compared to CalDigit)

Carsten

[Carson Maddocks]

Cheers Carsten…

With an external eSata chassis with 4x1TB set to RAID 1 (so, 2TB protected), is the RAID a SOFTWARE or HARDWARE based raid? I’ve heard of serious bottlenecking issues with software based raids, after using the Caldigit I know it’s a Hardware based raid – this is what I really need.

On the ioHD using a MacBook Pro, would you be able to capture ProRes HQ onto an external eSATA like you suggest?

BTW, CreativeCow Forums rock… Cheers everyone

[Carsten Orlt]

Software Raid, just using OSX disk utility to build the Raid.

Yes I can easily capture ProRes(HQ) with either of my 2 drive Raid’s. Both show 100MB/s in the Aja utility for read and write.

I actually only use ProRes wich needs even less MB/s as somebody still has to convince me that (HQ) is better 🙂 (on paper I’m convinced but from all tests I have done I do not see a difference)

Cheers

Carsten

[Carson Maddocks]

Hmmm, okay… Do you experience any processing issues/drop frames/lag/etc running through the eSATA externals?

Do you mind me asking what your main purpose for the ioHD is? I am considering it for tapeless aquisition as an onset backup, and could also offer a quick Video Split solution. Could I operate FCP log and capture whilst transferring data off RED drives/CF cards… Wait, actually, with the ioHD using FW800 bus, the eSATA in expresscard slot, there isn’t a way to attach a CF Card Reader/RED drive, right? All the buses are used if I’m correct? Would have to have 2 machines?

Carson M
Red Wrangler / Phantom HD Tech
Sydney, Australia

[Carsten Orlt]

Carson

Nope, no problem re speed of drives. Not sure what you mean with processing but I do not have any drop frame issues. All footage is 1080i50 (1080psf25) ProRes.
Obviously my MacBook lags a bit in the RT department at that resolution, but this is to be expected.

I do have the ioHD as my video in/out interface. I need to capture all sorts of SD/HD analogue and digital. As I don’t have the money for the MacPro right now, I wanted a video hardware that I can keep using no matter what CPU I buy in the future.

And you’re correct: Firewire is completely blocked by the ioHD. But you can import CF cards via USB2 readers too which works just fine (use it for my stills)
As for Red drive: If it is firewire only, you have to disconnect the ioHD, transfer data, reconnect ioHD and restart.

If the only thing you need is monitoring your footage (all acquisition tapeless) you might want to check something like the Matrox MXO. I only have bad experiences with Matrox so I don’t recommend it, but it might work for you…
That said if you go for the ioHD you’ll not be disappointed. Rock solid hardware and as everyone will confirm the Aja support is second to none!!

Cheers

[Carson Maddocks]

Cool…
How much lag are we talking about? Good enough for HD Video Split?
I just found another solution for my CF issue which avoids USB 2.0 (I don’t really want to transfer 8gigs across USB 2.0)… An external standalone CF reader with an internal hdd (320gig) and an eSata port, which I could then connect to my second eSata port on my dual ExpressCard34 eSata adapter and start the capture, right? It seems so basic in principal, please don’t tell me i’ve missed something (or do, it would be good to know haha)…
I’m with you, had a few Matrox issues… So would I be able to capture ProRes into FCP and then instantly plaback to an OnSet monitor all using my MBP, FCP and the AJA ioHD? If so, would i just have to close the FCP log and capture window to enable playback of a clip, or do I have to place in timeline?
Would love to get a look at the AJA ioHD, did you manage to take a look at one here in Sydney before purchasing?

Cheers again…
Carson M

[Carsten Orlt]

Carson

Bought my ioHD online from Videoguys.com.au. Cheaper and excellent support!!. Check local resellers if you want a demo.
And I couldn’t have a look first as nobody had it at the time. Lots of research…

Can’t answer your question re split video because I do not do on set work.

As with all capture video in FCP you can play the clips straight in the viewer. Or you can use the Aja TV software to play clips through the ioHD without having FCP open.

You might want to study the Aja website as they announced new drivers (I think there was a press release) that will support Red footage. Don’t know the ins and outs as I do not work with Red footage.

Good luck!

Best

Carsten