Experience with large external storage devices

joey515 wrote on 4/29/2002, 2:29 PM
I have a relatively small hard drive (20GB) and am looking to expand to an external device. I have a notebook Toshiba Tecra9000 and can't add anymore IDE drives. Can anyone tell me if they have had any experiences with Iomega Peerless or Firestone CIE, or any other device that might work? Both of these use Firewire connections, but I'm not sure if I can capture directly to them or not. Pointers on that would also be appreciated.

Thanks a bunch. Joe

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 4/29/2002, 4:33 PM
Not having used one of these devices, i can't recommend a brand to you. However, i'll point out that firewire can handle 400Mbps, and DV only requires 30Mbps. So you should be able to capure directly to a firewire drive with no problems. The DV streams coming from the camera and going out to the drive will total 60Mbps, which is less than 1/6 the bandwidth available.
Grazie wrote on 4/30/2002, 1:43 AM
Joey515

I've got a Dell Inspiron 32GB hd on board. I got myself a Maxtor 60gb 7200 rpm external firewire drive and Maxtor's firewire PCMCIA card - this comes with a dual/splitter cable, so you can add another firewire device onto this, if you so wish.

Okay, it was soooo easy to install and now my Dell doesn't do all the thrashing about it once had to with capturing/rendering/editing, the Maxtor kit takes all the strain. Oh yeah you even get a little icon on the task bar which allows you to disengage the Firewire Drive at any time. It all works puuuurrrfectly! And working with VF has been a real revelation. The external Maxtor does not seem to get off what I call 1st gear. Its got a little green (device on) light, and a little red (hd working) which flickers when read and write processes are going on. I have to pinch myself sometimes because the red light really just seems to flash on and off with very little frequency compared to my Dell red hd alert lamp.

The only drawback is that it does not have an on board 'switch' to turn it off. This means so long as it is connected to your pc/laptop it is always part of the laptops directory tree (F: D: or whatever) and spinning. I like to turns things off when I finish a session, so this means I need to disengage it from the laptop - using the icon (as above) - and physically unplug it from the mains. Small draw back for such a fine piece of kit. I'm also considering purchasing a further 80gb Maxtor - just because I can!

NB: These drives, as Maxtor say, are not for travelling. They are not meant to bumped about in the bottom of your Targus bag, briefcase or school lunch box.

Hope this has been of help,

Grazie
kcarroll wrote on 4/30/2002, 8:01 AM
Thanks Grazie.

I have just been wondering about the same question joey515 asked, and your info arrived at exactly the right time.

kcarroll
joey515 wrote on 4/30/2002, 12:01 PM
Grazie:

Great information. Where did you purchase your drive and about how much do they run?

Joe
Grazie wrote on 4/30/2002, 2:15 PM
In the UK I seem to remember £286 inc taxes [Drive and card]. I'll get some web links by tomorrow for you all - But now I'm tired and am going to bed - nite nite!

Grazie!
Sarasdad wrote on 4/30/2002, 2:37 PM
hey I found info Do asearch for Maxtor
Sarasdad wrote on 4/30/2002, 2:41 PM
MAXTOR dIRECT ,COM $279.00 80 GB EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE
ChuckSchultz wrote on 5/1/2002, 9:07 AM
When using an external IEEE1394 HD, are people running VF from that drive or is it being used only for storage of project data files (i.e., video, movie and temp)?
Grazie wrote on 5/1/2002, 9:22 AM
ChuckSchultz,

I use it solely for capture, storing the project files, render stuff - I leave the VF programme on the on-board "C:" HD. In fact I try to keep just my programmes on the C: drive. At the prices now I really am considering a further 80gb [or higher] firewire drive.

Grazie

jga324 wrote on 5/1/2002, 1:54 PM
I also have a Maxtor External Drive, 80GB, 7200rpm. Maxtor also makes a 5400rpm External Drive, so make sure you're getting what you want.
Grazie wrote on 5/1/2002, 3:23 PM
Yup jga324, I quite agree - 7200 does it for me!

Grazie
the_ripper wrote on 5/2/2002, 12:20 PM
I recently bought an 80 gig Western Digital 7200 rpm internal hard drive from Dell for $122. set it up as a unique drive for all movie dumping. I have found a 1.5-2hr move needs roughly 25Gigs for capture alone- the_ripper