Walter – Maxx Digital

[Shane Ross]

Well, as an owner of the HDOne, and user of the EVO (I think it is the 2), I can say they are both great units. Fully abused both of them before I put them into service and they are solid work horses. I trust them both on high end high pressure jobs. The EVO is currently doing a 10-bit uncompressed PAL show, and the HDOne is doing a DVCPRO HD and ProRes show.

Oh, but I am not Walter. Sorry.

Shane

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[Tom Daigon]

Well, Im not sorry (your not Walter) 😉 I value your experience and input! I guess its a toss up since you and Bob Z and others have good things to say about both.

[Tom Daigon]

After thought…Shane, would you feel comfortable with if the HDone and the Evo 2 switched projects (meaning the HDone doing 10 bit uncompressed and the Evo doing the DVCPrd HD) in terms of
their handling the thru put?

[Shane Ross]

Yes. I’d feel very comfortable

Shane

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[Tom Daigon]

Thanks again. I think Im leaning abit more to the HDone. I just like the idea that Caldigit is deeply involved in the design of most elements in the system. The details like putting the controller card in the external unit to keep heat down in the Mac Pro counts alot with me. I appreciate your input.

[Walter Biscardi]

[Tom Daigon] “Walter, how long have you had your Maxx Digital raid in service. Any issues? I hear the Evo 2 is now using a different card then the one used with the Evo 1 (ATTO). Any opinions or information about that? “

Yes, they have switched to an Areca card now I believe as they are getting even faster and more robust performance. I actually have one of the EVO 2 chassis here and as soon as I can take my suite down for a day, I’m pulling all the drives out of the original EVO chassis and into the new one and swapping out the R380 card. This requires a complete re-striping of the drives so I have to wait until we’re completely done with all the projects.

I think it’s been in service over a year now or so, we have two of them and they are rock solid.

[Tom Daigon] “Heat is my other concern. I believe HDones card is located within the raid unit to avoid generating more heat in the Mac Pro, where Evolution has its card in the Mac Pro. “

No issues with heat at all.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.

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[Tom Daigon]

Thank you Walter. I guess Im now back in a dead heat situation. Sure wish there was some factor that could sway me in either direction.(Maxx Digital or Cal Digit).

[Walter Biscardi]

[Tom Daigon] “Thank you Walter. I guess Im now back in a dead heat situation. Sure wish there was some factor that could sway me in either direction.(Maxx Digital or Cal Digit). “

Shane has had very good luck with CalDigit. I will not allow any of their products in my shop. They failed 3 times in 6 months. Each time CalDigit assured me they would replace the unit and bring back all the media. Three times they didn’t. In fact the last time they never even contacted us back period about the media on the array after 2 or 3 months of having it. Supposedly their service has gotten better, but I avoid their products at all costs.

If you want something to compare the Maxx to, look at Dulce and Sonnet. Also very good products. Sonnet and Maxx are very similar products. Dulce was created by a couple of former Medéa engineers which was probably the best array company that ever existed.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.

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[Walter Biscardi]

[walter biscardi] “Three times they didn’t. “

Let me clarify that because I forgot something there. They did replace the two SATA units, but never recovered the media for us. In the third case, we just shipped the unit back to them and it was never returned over several months, nor did they contact us, so we asked for and received a full refund.

It was at that time we tested Maxx, Sonnet and Dulce and ultimately with Maxx for the combination of speed and protection. Service after the sale has been great too.

And MaxxDigital is a VAR so you can purchase any of the products you’re considering, including CalDigit, from Maxx. Bob Zelin is now providing tech support for those guys so you’ll get your product and Bob for one low price!

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.

STOP STARING AND START GRADING WITH APPLE COLOR Apple Color Training DVD available now!
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[Chi-ho Lee]

I also used the HDOne in an uncompressed 1080i online for a few months. It was fantastic, not one issue. I would recommend it.

CHL

Chi-Ho Lee
Film & Television Editor
Apple Certified Final Cut Pro Trainer
http://www.chiholee.com