Comments

Former user wrote on 7/26/2002, 8:00 AM
There is much debate over disk rotation speed vs. performance. From my experience, the important element is not rotation speed, but data transfer speed.

Since this is a new laptop with an ATA/100 drive, I don't think you will have a problem with the transfer speed being too slow. On my desktop, one of my drives is running at ata33, 5400 speed, and it can capture and playback as well as my 7200 drives.

Dave T2
DanielH wrote on 7/26/2002, 9:32 AM
My Toshiba, has 4400 drive no problems there. I have one of the IO Gears USB2 PC powered 30gig drive and it works as well at 4400.

Dan
BillyBoy wrote on 7/26/2002, 9:42 AM
I too have used 5400 RPM drives with no problem. However even with a 7200 RPM ot 10,000 RPM drive you need to be sure you have the latest BIOS and IDE controller updates to ensure your drive is actually running at its rated speed. A common mistake if you're replacing an older drive with a newer Ultra 66 or Ultra 100-133 is not replacing our current IDE cable (new drive should come with one) which MUST be the newer 80 wire version, not the older 40 wire version. Also for printing to tape and capturing the best way to avoid dropped frames is using a SEPERATE drive apart from the one that your operating system is on.
wcoxe1 wrote on 7/26/2002, 6:26 PM
The most reliable indicator, from all manufactures, seems to be SUSTAINED ACTUAL Transfer Rate, not rotational speed. Some software, even Pinnacle's $70 low end product, includes a TEST of Sustained ACTUAL Transfer Rate right in the menus. (Hint, Hint.) It is a very nice feature, especially if you start having problems and have to track it down. SUSTAINED and ACTUAL Transfer Rates can change with changes to other things on a computer.