Comments

Spot|DSE wrote on 2/4/2004, 9:43 AM
The All 4 DVD case is pretty good, and very nice looking 149.00
The ADS Firewire kit is very good, but not as sexy. Albeit cheaper. 99.99
donp wrote on 2/4/2004, 9:46 AM
Firewiredirect.com has some nice ones too. Remenber to make sure the Oxford 911 at least is used.
Frenchy wrote on 2/4/2004, 9:58 AM
I've been using an ADS PYRO 1394 case. Specs here:

http://www.adstech.com/products/PYRO1394DriveKit/intro/API800intro.asp?pid=API-800

It's been working GREAT (including capture, playback, and PTT on my P3-600 MHz dinosaur) for close to a year mated with a WD 120GB HDD. Installation was a snap, included instructions which were coherant and clear (I mention this because I first tried an off-brand case which my pc would not even recognize, and the "english" instructions were written by someone for which english was clearly a second language. Needless to say, I returned it, and bought ADS case).

I'm awaiting delivery of a second ADS case, ordered from Dell for $72, free shipping to mate with a recently purchased Maxtor 120 GB HDD. I have three 1394 ports on my PC - one for each external HD, and one for Sony D8 camera. It's been reported several times here that you can daisy-chain at least two externals and a camera (as long as the camera is last in the chain) on a single 1394 port. I might try it just as an experiment, in case I get another external down the line...

good luck

Frenchy
FuTz wrote on 2/4/2004, 10:01 AM
I got two of those and they work very well:

http://www.globalpremier.com/me320.html
OR
http://www.pctekonline.com/meusb20ie13c.html
($49!)

(just for illustration; type "me-320 in Google and you'll find a lot of retailers)
Strong point: VERY good price for an Oxford based enclosure...
They also have a FireWire only enclosure which is even cheaper but for the difference in price, I chose this one so it'll work with more computers (new and older ones).
BrianStanding wrote on 2/4/2004, 10:03 AM
Here's an interesting one that has USB 2.0, 1394a AND the new 1394b (Firewire 800) interface. $96 at Newegg.com

http://www.byteccusa.com/product/enclosure/ME-720U2F2.htm

I have a similar Firewire-only (1394a) case, also from Bytecc. I think I spent all of $35 for it. It's nothing fancy, and the case is kind of flimsy, but the price is right, and it works flawlessly. In contrast, my slick-looking, expensive and heavy ADS Pyro drive enclosure bit the dust (taking my ADS Pyro card with it!) after a power surge.
John_Cline wrote on 2/4/2004, 10:55 AM
Look for an enclosure with the Oxford 922 chipset and make sure the enclosure has a built-in fan. Enclosures without fans are OK if you only access the drive periodically, but for NLE, a fan is a must to keep the drive cool. Yes, the fan makes some noise, but it isn't nearly as loud as the scream you will emit when you drive overheats and dies.

Check out the enclosures from these two web sites:

Firewire Depot (as donp326 mentioned)

Firewire Direct

As far as drives are concerned, pretty much any IDE drive will do. Keep in mind that drives over 137 gig are only supported in enclosures that use the Oxford 922 chipset (or similar.) Most of the newer cases that support both USB v2.0 and Firewire will handle the larger drives.

John
busterkeaton wrote on 2/4/2004, 12:42 PM
When did the Oxford 922 chip come out? Is it tested and reliable?
John_Cline wrote on 2/4/2004, 10:13 PM
Oops, I meant to write "911" chipset. The Oxford 922 is the Firewire 800 chip. It is out and it works well.

John
logiquem wrote on 2/5/2004, 6:04 AM
Did you try an USB2 disk case?. Works perfectly for me. I have a couple of small 3.5 inch ME2 unit. They don't have the terribly noisy fan of the 5 inch firewire USB enclosure. I'm running a 160 Mo disk all days long with it and never got problem.