FCP and external drives at DVinfo.net

Mike Kim · November 3rd, 2006, 11:36 PM

I'm running FCP 5.1.2 through an intel iMac core duo 20" with 2gb of RAM. I got an external drive today. Here are the specs:

Maxtor 160gb IDE
7200 RPM
8mb buffer

I was wondering... will it be fast enough to use as a scratch disk and edit videos from it in real time? Or should I use it as a storage disk only?
It's connected through Firewire 400.

Thanks in advance.

Cody Lucido · November 3rd, 2006, 11:57 PM

I have the exact same iMac setup and use my external to capture to and store all of my clips with no problem. I use a Seagate, though 300gb 7200

Mike Kim · November 4th, 2006, 08:17 AM

So you don't notice any difference in speed?

Richard Alvarez · November 4th, 2006, 08:59 AM

7200 rpm with an 8meg buffer is fine for DV editing.

Mike Kim · November 4th, 2006, 09:19 AM

Nice, and what about HDV?

Gunleik Groven · November 4th, 2006, 09:35 AM

HDV has the exact same datarate as DV. It's more taxing on the computer, but not on the drives.

Gunleik

Mike Kim · November 4th, 2006, 09:46 AM

Okay, thanks for the replies everyone.

Richard Alvarez · November 4th, 2006, 10:53 AM

In fact, its generally a better idea to keep your system drives, and media drives seperate.

Robert Rinkewich · November 5th, 2006, 11:53 AM

I see you guys are running the same setup that I just purchased. Imac Intel 20inch, with final cut studio. I only have 1gb of memory and I've been trying to decide to go with 2 or 3gb. I spoke to an apple/final cut rep at the Photo plus Expo show in NY last week. He said 1gb is a problem, 2gb is okay, and 3gb is even better (best)

Have you had any problems running with 2gb of memory?

Nate Schmidt · November 5th, 2006, 01:28 PM

I haven't had any issues with two gigs usually running FCP editing dv and a bunch of other apps at the same time, but as he says the more ram the better :)

Martin Pauly · November 5th, 2006, 03:44 PM

I, too, have an Intel iMac (20", 2GHz) with 2MB of RAM and two external harddisks. Practically all my work is with HDV, and I have had no problem at all. Just wish there were more FireWire ports on the iMac.

- Martin

Gunleik Groven · November 5th, 2006, 04:20 PM

You'll always be happier with more RAM if you have the option...

Gunleik

Robert Rinkewich · November 5th, 2006, 05:12 PM

Thanks for the replies. I'm only editing dv, I've actually been able to edit fine with 1gb. I was able to lock up final cut once, but I had live type, dvd studio, and final cut running. Suprisingly, only final cut stopped responding, the rest worked fine.

I've been running a little widget monitoring memory, and I'm pretty much down to about 15-60 megs available when I'm running Live type and final cut.

I'm probably going to go with the 2gb, it s a pretty large price difference for the extra gig. If there was going to be a major difference in performance, I could justify the price difference. If its only marginal, then I'll stick with 2gb.

Here's another question, if I purchased (1) 2gb, could I leave one of the original 512mb in place, and have 2.5gb of memory?

William Muntean · November 7th, 2006, 05:57 PM

Thats correct 2.5

November 3rd, 2006, 11:36 PM	#1
Mike Kim Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 33	FCP and external drives I'm running FCP 5.1.2 through an intel iMac core duo 20" with 2gb of RAM. I got an external drive today. Here are the specs: Maxtor 160gb IDE 7200 RPM 8mb buffer I was wondering... will it be fast enough to use as a scratch disk and edit videos from it in real time? Or should I use it as a storage disk only? It's connected through Firewire 400. Thanks in advance.

November 3rd, 2006, 11:57 PM	#2
Cody Lucido Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 206	I have the exact same iMac setup and use my external to capture to and store all of my clips with no problem. I use a Seagate, though 300gb 7200 __________________ www.CodemanStudios.com

November 4th, 2006, 09:35 AM	#6
Gunleik Groven Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Espa - Norway Posts: 151	HDV has the exact same datarate as DV. It's more taxing on the computer, but not on the drives. Gunleik __________________ Red? Sure!

November 5th, 2006, 11:53 AM	#9
Robert Rinkewich Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 46	2or 3gb on Imac Intel 20inch I see you guys are running the same setup that I just purchased. Imac Intel 20inch, with final cut studio. I only have 1gb of memory and I've been trying to decide to go with 2 or 3gb. I spoke to an apple/final cut rep at the Photo plus Expo show in NY last week. He said 1gb is a problem, 2gb is okay, and 3gb is even better (best) Have you had any problems running with 2gb of memory?

November 5th, 2006, 01:28 PM	#10
Nate Schmidt Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Welland ON Posts: 515	I haven't had any issues with two gigs usually running FCP editing dv and a bunch of other apps at the same time, but as he says the more ram the better :) __________________ "We've done the impossible, and that makes us mighty."

November 4th, 2006, 08:17 AM	#3
Mike Kim Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 33	So you don't notice any difference in speed?

November 4th, 2006, 08:59 AM	#4
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	7200 rpm with an 8meg buffer is fine for DV editing.

November 4th, 2006, 09:19 AM	#5
Mike Kim Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 33	Nice, and what about HDV?

November 4th, 2006, 09:46 AM	#7
Mike Kim Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 33	Okay, thanks for the replies everyone.

November 4th, 2006, 10:53 AM	#8
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	In fact, its generally a better idea to keep your system drives, and media drives seperate.

November 5th, 2006, 03:44 PM	#11
Martin Pauly Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Posts: 563	I, too, have an Intel iMac (20", 2GHz) with 2MB of RAM and two external harddisks. Practically all my work is with HDV, and I have had no problem at all. Just wish there were more FireWire ports on the iMac. - Martin __________________ Martin Pauly

November 5th, 2006, 04:20 PM	#12
Gunleik Groven Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Espa - Norway Posts: 151	You'll always be happier with more RAM if you have the option... Gunleik __________________ Red? Sure!

November 5th, 2006, 05:12 PM	#13
Robert Rinkewich Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 46	Thanks Thanks for the replies. I'm only editing dv, I've actually been able to edit fine with 1gb. I was able to lock up final cut once, but I had live type, dvd studio, and final cut running. Suprisingly, only final cut stopped responding, the rest worked fine. I've been running a little widget monitoring memory, and I'm pretty much down to about 15-60 megs available when I'm running Live type and final cut. I'm probably going to go with the 2gb, it s a pretty large price difference for the extra gig. If there was going to be a major difference in performance, I could justify the price difference. If its only marginal, then I'll stick with 2gb. Here's another question, if I purchased (1) 2gb, could I leave one of the original 512mb in place, and have 2.5gb of memory?

November 7th, 2006, 05:57 PM	#14
William Muntean New Boot Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Arlington, Texas Posts: 8	Thats correct 2.5