[Alex Vargas]

Very cool,

Thank you so much for your prompt and clear response.

I have already checked Title Exchange Pro and will purchase it tomorrow. It is now past bed time where I live.. :0)

Again, thank you for your help.

Alex

Alex Vargas
filmmaker/composer
Macpro 5,1 12 core 48GB RAM – Macbookpro 15″ – FCP 7+/Logic 9

[Alex Vargas]

Hello Neal,

I have a feature to subtitle in three languages (to begin with).
As the editor, I am also creating the subtitles. Do I understand from you that, working with FCP 7, on a two hour movie, you suggest using text within FCP? That’s all I do.
I am not familiar with DVD subtitling, but I know that I may eventually need more than three subtitled languages. Do you suggest that each DVD version is burnt with its own language?
I use no markers to subtitle. I have three layers of text, one with each language. I enable and disable as needed. Will I be able to export later or would I need to start from scratch because i did not use markers to begin with?

Your opinion is appreciated.

Alex

Alex Vargas
filmmaker/composer
Macpro 5,1 12 core 48GB RAM – Macbookpro 15″ – FCP 7+/Logic 9

[Alex Vargas]

Hi Andrew and all,

I use SxS cards with my EX1. I am considering the HyperDeck Shuttle 2 and a few SSDs as a way to record longer times in 1080p 30fps until my BlackMagicCamera 4K arrives so I can use the SSDs in it.
I still haven’t figured out if I can record compressed 1080p ProRes to the Shuttle 2 (for longer recording times).

“Like Shane and Rafael said, yes you’ll be able to edit it in FCP, but no it won’t be a pleasant experience as DNxHD is not a ‘blessed’ codec therefore anytime you do something like add a dissolve, apply the 3-way CC filter or adjust the opacity of a clip you’ll get a red render bar.”

Is this still the same in July 2013 or can the Shuttle 2’s DNxHD in a Quicktime wrap now be edited in FCP 7 without having to render each edit?

Thanks!

Alex Vargas
filmmaker/composer
Macpro 5,1 12 core 48GB RAM – Macbookpro 15″ – FCP 7+/Logic 9

[Alex Vargas]

Thanks Eric!

Thats great info. 🙂
For my current 1TB 16 drives, RAID 6 will be good. (your experience is respected) When I go to 4K I’ll have to add 4TB drives instead, but that is a talk for next year…as will be backing up all that data…

Alex 🙂

Alex Vargas
filmmaker/composer
Macpro 5,1 12 core 48GB RAM – Macbookpro 15″ – FCP 7+/Logic 9

[Alex Vargas]

Thanks Eric,

( Skal jeg sige Tak?)
Anyway, I digress… 🙂
I went with a 16 bay from iStorage, the ATTO R680 and 1 TB Toshiba 6G drives. This should push my EX footage more than I need, but it will also allow for 2.5K and 4K editing in my next project.

I am happy to know that the Accelsior is not a must. In that regard, I added a bootable card to run four internal drives at 6G, though for the time being, anything I am transferring does not need it. I still couldn’t help myself turning my 12 core into 6G capable. 🙂

Why do you suggest RAID 6 with no hot spares over RAID 5 with spares? And I mean that considering that I now have a 16 bay enclosure…
I am thinking RAID 5 with two spares for this. Do you still suggest RAID 6 with not hot spares?

Thanks!”

Alex 🙂

Alex Vargas
filmmaker/composer
Macpro 5,1 12 core 48GB RAM – Macbookpro 15″ – FCP 7+/Logic 9

[Alex Vargas]

Definitely that ATTO R680!
Agreed…I have read a lot of threads about it…
I am just curious as if a 16 port card would work better for a 16 bay box or two 8 bay boxes…
About speed right…? So I have that question for ATTO tomorrow… 🙂

Unless you can tell me that I get a better box with the CR-T08E, so far cost and the fact that I was able to see the T8 6G SAS Expander quite available online (in different forms, but basically the same box) made me choose it. If there is better performance in the CR-T08E I would like to know that…but at what cost…and so on…

I am already overextending…you know…

Alex Vargas
filmmaker/composer
Macpro 5,1 12 core 48GB RAM – Macbookpro 15″ – FCP 7+/Logic 9

[Alex Vargas]

OK, all enclosure considerations made.

iT8 6G SAS Expander is the winner.

If all goes well, I’ll get another (or two) next year. By then, space won’t be an issue. This solution allows for proper cooling, visual monitoring AND expansion for a reasonable price while at the same time using 6Gb/s technology and its SATA III lovers.

Now I only need to figure which ATTO RAID controller is the best option these days to connect with this Enclosure. (One call to ATTO should do).

I am pretty happy with my findings. And yes, after reading a lot of posts, I realize what an excellent tool this site is. I won’t make the same mistakes during set up. I feel the pain… damn.

Thank you both Alex and Rainer…and to the rest of you who read this post and chose to let me make my own mistakes…or bleeding read all other related posts! HA!

Alex Vargas
filmmaker/composer
Macpro 5,1 12 core 48GB RAM – Macbookpro 15″ – FCP 7+/Logic 9

[Alex Vargas]

Hello Robert,

Sorry for hacking this old thread, but I am looking at building a RAID and during the last 48 hrs I have been all over the possibilities of building an external RAID rather than running an ATTO R608 with 6 internal drives.

After posting inquiries about this two days ago, I have only more questions and a tight budget, so I can’t go too crazy, but if I can afford it, I will go for a 16 bay enclosure with miniSAS, Enterprise drives SATA or SAS III (6Gb/s) and the ATTO R680.
So far, I had understood that as an internal RAID in my MacPro, I would only need to mod an optical bay to house two drives there, mod the four existing backplanes and add the R608 plus two fan out cables. But I am considering the cost of a bigger set up instead…

I want to get the parts myself and put them together, even if it is my first RAID. I need to get an enclosure, plus a RAID card for it (is that the one I linked below?) and a ……… RAID pcie card for the 12 core Mac. And then connect the two cards with…? Is it possible for money similar to an internal RAID as I was originally planning?

I know we are all very busy, but you came up with three very reasonable set ups and if you are aware of any similar set ups today, that I can look into, I would be a very happy man.
By the way:
https://www.pc-pitstop.com/sas_expanders/A33606-PCI.asp

If this is too much to get into, no worries! I understand busy!

Thank you for reading,

Alex 🙂

Alex Vargas
filmmaker/composer
Macpro 5,1 12 core 48GB RAM – Macbookpro 15″ – FCP 7+/Logic 9

[Alex Vargas]

Thanks Rainer!

I am certainly listening to all opinions. I have been editing Prores 422 on an MacPro Octocore 3.0GHz 2,1 without a RAID, compositing, multiple tracks when needed…and it has worked fine, but slow. I will be doing the same for the next 10 months on a 12 core 9.93GHz MacPro with the RAID set up I mentioned. I apologize for not clarifying that editing RAW would be for my next project 15 months in the future.

Right now, it is XDCAM EX HD 1080p 30 fps on a Prores timeline. I am also considering an external RAID, but I am 100% clear that I cannot afford the number of drives that you mentioned would be ideal for smooth processing of RAW 2.5K material, so I will focus on getting what I need to make my current project work and wait until next year to see what money I make then before I think 16 – 24 bay external RAID.

And yes, the heat issue…I am on to it. Either a small external enclosure (though I don’t know where to put it…and I mean it) or a very good way to keep it all cool internally.

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience Rainer!

🙂

Alex Vargas
filmmaker/composer
Macpro 5,1 12 core 48GB RAM – Macbookpro 15″ – FCP 7+/Logic 9

[Alex Vargas]

Thanks again Alex Gerulaitis!

Yes, what I meant about the Accelsior is that it will be faster than my current boot drive. So I’m good with that.

And yes, it will run hot and blind. But it will set an alarm of course if there is something going down. I am good with that. If and when it happens, it will happen, be it with lights or alarm. Once there is a hard drive down I will be informed as it begins the re-build on the hot spare. As to figuring out which one is the failing drive, I have to go with ATTO’s monitoring software which seems to be pretty straight forward. I just called them and they went through the application to clarify the basics, even though I have not yet bought the card. That was cool. And opening the cover to replace a drive…not a problem. Hopefully it won’t be often. 🙂 Keeping it cool however will be essential. I’ll figure something out for that.

The software side is OK. The RAW files are processed in Resolve, Prores in FC7 and back to Resolve for final color. I was more worried about compatibility between FC and the RAID…ignorant as I am…

Thank you for your thorough response Alex. My main issue, editing my upcoming feature, seems to be resolved with this set up.
I hope nobody pitches in to mention a known lack of compatibility! (Or actually, I hope they do if they know of it…)

I will consider the possibility of an external array, though I can’t see the space “opening”…I will reconsider all possibilities before I buy.

Much appreciated! 🙂

Alex Vargas
filmmaker/composer
Macpro 5,1 12 core 48GB RAM – Macbookpro 15” – FCP 7+/Logic 9