IDE 1394 and SCSI for audio storage of PTLE?

[t502kg]

hi everybody I 'v just bought my bew mac G4 dual 1Ghz 1GB ram. For all of your kind replies, may i ask

(1) whether I shoud spend on SCSI drive or IDE1394 for storage of PTLE audio data and ,

(2) what the difference and performance btn them?

[BeefEater]

I have used IEEE 1394 external drives (firewire) with 24 tracks at 24bit 44.1KHz with no problem.

Firewire is less expensive than SCSI and is fast becoming a replacement for SCSI in smaller systems such as Pro Tools LE systems.

1) Definitely go with firewire NOT SCSI for PT LE. Just be sure you get an approved firewire drive. I have been using the OWC 40GB Mercury Elite 7200 RPM drive with no problems. Here is a link to the site:
http://eshop.macsales.com/Catalog_It...em=OWCMEFW40GB
Also, if you do purchase a firwire drive, be sure to initialize and format the drive using the MAC OS disk setup utility. DO NOT INSTALL THE Hard Disk Speed Tools software that comes with the firewire hard drives.

2) Performance difference is not important here. Because, your PT LE software can only use 24 tracks anyway, and both SCSI and FIREWIRE are qualified for that.

[John H]

SCSI has a faster access time, typically around 5 - 10 ms, while a firewire drive is no more than an ATA drive with a bridgeboard converting it to firewire.

ATA drives, usually called something like UDMA 66, 100 or 133 can be added cheaply inside you're mac. I know the prices are much lower in the states but you can pick up a 7200rpm deskstar 120GXP drive for a little over £50 in the UK.

As long as the drive you get has a 7200rpm speed, 2Mb or more of cache and the usual 7.5 - 9 ms access time ATA drives have, you'll save a fortune over scsi and firewire drives and get good results with any 7200rpm drive from IBM and most of the other manufacturers.

Check out Xlr8yourmac.com for a bit of info on drive compatability, choose one that works fine with you're model of mac and then just buy the biggest one you can afford.

I'm getting a deskstar 120GXP myself soon hopefully, It's a lot off messing about for me because I've got a beige G3, it's a 5 minute job to add a second hard drive to one of the towers.

[t502kg]

i already had an IBM 120GB 7200rpm with an 'Icecube' firewire hard drive enclosure, I use it in video editing using final cut pro3.

Someone told me I better use separate drive for audio data storage, and MUST use same rpm external drive for 1394 linked up, is that true?

[where02190]

Just install 2 add'l ATA drives into your G-4. (No add'l hardware needed) the one that lives on ATA 0 slave is easily swapped out in less than 5 minutes.

Want a hotswappable firewire dock with 2-40gb-60gb drive docks for under $300?

check this link:
http://www.mackie.com/scripts/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=000977

It describes the drive for use with a Mackie HDR/MDR, but you can get drive bays, and use it as
you would any other drive.

Get the dock from here:
http://www.zeehoo.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=zeehoo&Produ ct_Code=firewirecasesilver&Category_Code=cases

Get the carrier and drive trays from here:
http://store.yahoo.com/directron/rh58.html
You can also get extra drive trays separately from them.

The enitre unit takes about 30 minutes to assemble, is externally powered so it doesn't draw from the firewire buss, and is about the size of a medium hardcover book. You can put any ATA drive in it, and if you use PT approved for recording drives you can record directly to it from PT.

You can put together the drive dock and two 40gb holders for under $300. Each add'l carrier and 40gb drive is under $100. The drive carriers are hot swappable. It is universal voltage too as I recall.

Hope this is helpful.

[shaggy]

Someone told me I better use separate drive for audio data storage, and MUST use same rpm external drive for 1394 linked up, is that true?

Digi HD systems only support 2 firewire drives (on same 1394 bus) and they're required to be 7200 rpm.

But for FCP, I hadn't heard that. In fact, I thought everyone was using 'Cheatahs' for video, and ATA or Firewire for audio.

SCSI is geared for long life, so ATA, Firewire or whatever aren't meant to spin as long without crapping out.

And you add two additional Seagate Cheatahs in your machine, with an Adaptec card 2930U2 (cheap $79)

You need to update the Adaptec firmware (is all)

Check http://www.macgurus.com/
http://www.hypermicro.com/store/index.htm

Use Hyper's twisted to flat TPE internal cabling (low induction) It comes with its own active terminator $39 Don't get 80 pin SCSI drives on close-outs. Only new Seagate low profile SCSI-3 drives. IMO

...and a Firewire burner instead. Firewire for backup. Taking to studio etc.

.02 fleas

[shaggy]

Think about what you want to use firewire for. Capturing DV. DV playback. Etc. Burners are great. Ditto with portable storage.

But, SCSI has been perfected for professional hard disk applications. SCSI-3 is that much more above SCSI-2 in this regard.

Use ATA for your system drive and IMO SCSI for your data.

Also, choose option 'disable start-up' on the Cheatahs. Then DriveSetup (to format) and spin-up/ mount when needed. Leave on for days when working. Email check/chat. Don't spin em up.

.02 fleas more