Comments

Tom Pauncz wrote on 10/23/2006, 5:42 PM
Absolutely, though I'd make sure it was USB2 - it's faster throughput.

I regularly use DVRack to an external USB HDD for video capture on my laptop without any problems at all. Makes for great workflow.

Tom
TheHappyFriar wrote on 10/23/2006, 5:42 PM
yes you can. usb2 is faster then firewire too.
MH_Stevens wrote on 10/23/2006, 5:44 PM
what store? 7/11?

Look at the new Matrox onetouch 3. 330g firewire about $180

xjerx wrote on 10/23/2006, 6:43 PM
usb 2 is faster than firewire?? I though it was the other way around...
PeterWright wrote on 10/23/2006, 6:53 PM
USB 2 has a faster maximum speed than Firewire, but Firewire is usually better for sustained speeds. Also, USB2 uses up CPU whilst Firewire does not, and Firewire can be daisy chained, whilst USB cannot.

So, not really a change for the better, though as stated USB2 drives will capture DV and HDV ok.
Chienworks wrote on 10/23/2006, 7:03 PM
USB2 is 480Mbps.
Firewire is 400Mbps.
DV is 30Mbps
USB1 is 11Mbps.

Obviously either USB2 or Firewire is well more than sufficient for transferring real-time DV data. USB1 doesn't even come close.
GlennChan wrote on 10/23/2006, 7:08 PM
Sometimes firewire or USB2 drives will not work when other devices on the same bus compete for the available bandwidth.

it can happen if you have a firewire camera + hard drive, or if you have multiple USB2 devices connected.

2- The Prolific firewire chipset in many FW enclosures doesn't always play well with other firewire devices... it's something to watch out for.
DGates wrote on 10/23/2006, 8:17 PM
You're right. Most externals are now USB only. It's cheaper for the manufacturers to make, and there isn't a big demand for Firewire. Not everyone is out there making movies like us.

While USB will be fine for most editing situations, it is CPU intensive, while Firewire isn't.

vicmilt wrote on 10/23/2006, 9:37 PM
Patryk -

I have "graduated" to SATA outboard drives - a little more expensive, but 3 times faster than the Firewires.

You can still get the Firewire docks, as well as the SATA docks at www.wiebetech.com

v
groovedude wrote on 10/23/2006, 10:56 PM
I don't understand, those docks are expensive, I can get an enclosure for only $40.
Grazie wrote on 10/23/2006, 11:20 PM
Oh yes, the demise of firewire in retail outlets. We did this here back in August it was a thread I learnt LOADS from.

We have some fine associates here and this IS a MAJOR benefit from being a Veghead!



groovedude wrote on 10/23/2006, 11:50 PM
Newegg.com is where I've bought several firewire+usb hard drive enclosures. They have listed 93 such enclosures. I've bought several AMS VENUS DS-2316CBK 3.5" USB + IEEE1394 External Enclosure

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Submit=ENE&N=2010090092+1054207135&Subcategory=92&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc=
RexA wrote on 10/24/2006, 12:28 AM
>We have some fine associates here and this IS a MAJOR benefit from being a Veghead!

Is that pronounced like smeghead? [Red Dwarf reference.]
Grazie wrote on 10/24/2006, 12:34 AM
Hi Groooovy! Might I share this most EXCELLENT link creator? Makes life amongst the VegHeads here a breeze - especially as you took the time to track down this F/W stuff? Yeah?

It's dead-easy to use and AlanC is a total star for providing it for us all to use. This was your Newegg link - good eh?

And this is where you can find it! Brilliant!

Love it!

Grazie
AlanC wrote on 10/24/2006, 1:04 AM

;~)
DavidSinger wrote on 10/24/2006, 7:38 AM
LaCie makes a truly reliable Firewire 800 device. Yep, 800.
I'm with vicmilt re: eSATA or SATA docking from Wiebetech (mini SATA dock, $75), but for those who do not have a place to plug SATA in, LaCie makes the next best thing - cheap multi-port Firewire 800.

Firewire800 PCI or PC cards that work reliably

Here's Wiebetech's docking line to plug into firewire 800

Weibetech's firewire 800 cards *probably* work (I can only vouch for LaCie), but you'll notice that LaCie cost less and comes with 3x800 ports, not 2x800 + 1x400.
LarryP wrote on 10/24/2006, 8:40 PM
The new MacBook Pro comes with FireWire 400 and FireWire 800 ports. That may help the drive market.

http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/
fldave wrote on 10/24/2006, 8:50 PM
Vic, re. SATA external: They just became available, correct? My system has an external SATA connector, I guess it's time to start using it.

Do they have the impression of "speed" like an internal, as in nice and quick access?
DJPadre wrote on 10/24/2006, 9:35 PM
had nothign btu probelms with windows and firewire drives..
countless MBR's have been wiped requireing data recovery which takes stupid amounts of hours.
Absolutely NOT happy with firewire management though windows whatsoever.

I thought SP2 alleviated this issue, but today, while rendering on my laptop, lo and behold, the extrnal firewire dirve ends up with a nuked MBR...

recovery is easy, but time consuming

since using USB2, im yet to have a problem
Its not as fast in the longterm, but at least the bastard works..
Grazie wrote on 10/24/2006, 9:48 PM
I have 4 internal drives PLUS 5 External F/W drives. At one time or another I've thrashed media from all 9 drives. It all works.

What can I say?
farss wrote on 10/24/2006, 10:32 PM
Pretty muc the same here, around 10 drives in caddies that go into a firewire external enclosure and IDE dock, no problems but we do shut everything down before disconnecting anything.

Re eSATA.

Even if your PC doesn't have a eSATA port you can buy a very cheap connector thing that'll turn any SATA port into an eSATA port, the only difference is the physical connector / shield / ground connection.

Definately the way to go and yes an eSATA drive is the same speed as the drive would be inside the box, there's no electronics involved.

And I believe Apple are ditching the Firewire 800 port on the Intel laptops which is a bummer, I'd hoped 1394b would become more popular.

And a word of caution. ALMOST every 1394a device works happily on my 1394b ports but not everything so it pays to still have a 1394a port available.

Bob.
Grazie wrote on 10/24/2006, 11:25 PM
but we do shut everything down before disconnecting anything.


. . oh yes . . . !
Patryk Rebisz wrote on 10/25/2006, 5:08 AM
Thanks guys for all the input. It seems soon i start thinking about upgrading my computer to something more modern (my system is 4 years old).
ken c wrote on 10/25/2006, 5:14 AM
after using over 14 external drives to produce over 21 DVDs this past two years, my findings are:

a) they're usually crap for realtime video editing
b) especially don't buy maxtors, ever ever
c) use external drives solely for backing stuff up, not for production work
d) best solution is to get 4 400-gig internal IDE seagate drives and use those
(they're only $159 now at newegg.com)

also, I just bought an extra IDE controller card (thx guys for the idea) and will try installing that, so I can put even more HDs in my main pc.

I've got a huge Lian Lee case w/5 fans and a large power supply, so that'll take care of heat/power issues.

I do this full time for a living, editing/producing videos. Stay away from externals, except for backing up files.

This knowledge came at a high price, in terms of failed maxtor external drives, lost production time, and figuring out what works. Just get a bunch of big internal seagate IDE drives, they're great. And a lot less expensive.

ken