Hardware question

Aje wrote on 1/6/2004, 2:20 AM
This is not really a Vegas question but I guess other Vegas users too have had back up problems.
Questions: Is a firewire external harddisk a good choice?
Which mark to choose? La Cie, Maxtor, Western digital, .....
How big ? - is over 160 Gb reliable?
I´m just about to get one but would be glad to get a hint from anyone
that have tested.
Regards
Aje

Comments

farss wrote on 1/6/2004, 2:39 AM
Cannot comment on models, don't use them.
Personally I prefer drive modules, upside is drive is secured in machine and it's one less thing taking up desk space. Also one less thing that needs a plug pack

Downside: Need matching cradle in all machines you want to use them in.

Latest SATA drive modules are hot swappable.
FuTz wrote on 1/6/2004, 4:55 AM
Just be sure the unit you're gonna buy has got an Oxford chipset inside and you should have no problem.
I bought one here in Canada a few time ago with both FireWire and USB 2 outputs/inputs for less than a hundread canadian bucks. I've fit a removable storage "drawer" inside and all I do now is swap my drives when I need it... It's got a 250Go limit with HardDrives and you can fit what you want inside as long as it's IDE device...cheaper than ADS Tech/Maxtor/LaCie etc... which employ Oxford chipsets inside too...

My model:
http://www.nutrend.com/app/Catalog.asp?Code=4&manufactory=1281

OR:
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/softwares4u/dd606.html

OR:
http://www.cdromusa.com/asp/moreinfo.asp?pid=DD603

OR:
http://www.topcomsys.com/Case%20&%20Power%20Supply/Ext.%20Case/me-320.htm
TheHappyFriar wrote on 1/6/2004, 5:38 AM
I bought the bottom one on fUtZ's page. It's nice. :) I've moved it from home and work several times. Captured video at work, took home to edit. My drive said it supports a 300gb drive, but i can't afford that so one of my 80's is in there.

I plan to use it as a backup when I get another HD. Hopefully that will be soon.

Oh, just an FYI Aje, firewire is NOT hotswapable with drives. The usb/firewire drives must be unmounted before you remove them. Sounds like linux.

Also, the USB2 interface is faster then the firewire. I've done some speed tests to confirm this. Not by much, but a little.

Enjoy! I have!
Aje wrote on 1/6/2004, 8:52 AM
I really value your replies - thanks to all!
Aje
rmack350 wrote on 1/6/2004, 9:11 AM
"Sounds like Linux"

The Mac has always required you to unmount disks but they did it in a nice way. You just throw it in the trash. What happens behind the scenes is the same though.

In Windows, you should go to the effort of unmounting the disk. However, if you aren't using disk caching, you should be safe just pulling the plug. Still, it's a better practice to "Stop" the disk.

On the 1394 enclosure front, not all Oxford911 chip implementations work well. I have a Granite Digital bridge board that suffers from Vegas stalls. My ADS Dual Link box, on the other hand, works like a charm.

Rob Mack
JL wrote on 1/6/2004, 10:32 AM
Also, you may want to consider powering your external HD through the UPS if you have one, or risk trashing the drive if the lights go out.