Apple XServe RAID at DVinfo.net

Randall Brown · February 2nd, 2006, 08:48 PM

I am thinking about picking up a 5.6TB XSERVE RAID ($7000) for my editing set-up and wanted to check in with others using it to see their thoughts.

I have a JVC HD-100U, which is HDV format, but I would like to move to uncompressed 720p 24p capture for some studio work (20% of work), and the stuff I shoot HDV (80%) bring it in and convert to 10 bit uncompressed.

I like to do a lot of color work on my images, and want the best image possible. As well as liking having online archiving. Would I gain a considerable improvement when doing lots of CC of the HDV footage when uncompressed?

Is this complete overkill? I may in the future add a second edit suite, but thats at least a year off. For those of you using the Apple RAID what do you think? What do you use it for? I know the internal/ external SATA solutions are cheaper, but not by that much (~$1500), and this is nice because its a seperate unit, can live beyond my current G5.

THoughts? Advice? and yes I am a gear addict

Graeme Nattress · February 2nd, 2006, 09:19 PM

They're loud, heavy and rock solid. They're a great solution, but expensive. I wouldn't give mine back though....

Graeme

Randall Brown · February 2nd, 2006, 10:09 PM

About how loud is it. SHould i definitely plan on putting it in a closet? I would prefer to just put it under my desk.

Does it keep you from being able to work?

Graeme Nattress · February 3rd, 2006, 07:43 AM

Closet would be best :-) It's loud, but not extraordinarily loud, but when you add to it the G5 etc. etc. it's all quite loud.

Graeme

Ash Greyson · February 3rd, 2006, 11:38 AM

I work with one a lot... very loud but has to be to stay cool. Rock solid performance once it is set up, make sure you turn off the caching when you set it up and I always recommend setting it up in a protective, not just striped RAID.... You can do uncompressed HD streams, which is nice...

ash =o)

Graeme Nattress · February 3rd, 2006, 11:44 AM

Ash, how have you found the caching alters performance?

Graeme

Ash Greyson · February 4th, 2006, 12:43 PM

YES! I have no idea why but it was causing dropped frames. Turned it off and not a problem since...

ash =o)

February 2nd, 2006, 08:48 PM	#1
Randall Brown Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 40	Apple XServe RAID I am thinking about picking up a 5.6TB XSERVE RAID ($7000) for my editing set-up and wanted to check in with others using it to see their thoughts. I have a JVC HD-100U, which is HDV format, but I would like to move to uncompressed 720p 24p capture for some studio work (20% of work), and the stuff I shoot HDV (80%) bring it in and convert to 10 bit uncompressed. I like to do a lot of color work on my images, and want the best image possible. As well as liking having online archiving. Would I gain a considerable improvement when doing lots of CC of the HDV footage when uncompressed? Is this complete overkill? I may in the future add a second edit suite, but thats at least a year off. For those of you using the Apple RAID what do you think? What do you use it for? I know the internal/ external SATA solutions are cheaper, but not by that much (~$1500), and this is nice because its a seperate unit, can live beyond my current G5. THoughts? Advice? and yes I am a gear addict __________________ Panasonic HVX200, JVC HD-100U, Canon GL-2, Dual 2.7 G5, MBP 2.2, FCP Studio 2

February 2nd, 2006, 09:19 PM	#2
Graeme Nattress RED Problem Solver Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 1,365	They're loud, heavy and rock solid. They're a great solution, but expensive. I wouldn't give mine back though.... Graeme __________________ www.nattress.com - filters for FCP

February 2nd, 2006, 10:09 PM	#3
Randall Brown Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 40	HOw loud is it? About how loud is it. SHould i definitely plan on putting it in a closet? I would prefer to just put it under my desk. Does it keep you from being able to work? __________________ Panasonic HVX200, JVC HD-100U, Canon GL-2, Dual 2.7 G5, MBP 2.2, FCP Studio 2

February 3rd, 2006, 07:43 AM	#4
Graeme Nattress RED Problem Solver Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 1,365	Closet would be best :-) It's loud, but not extraordinarily loud, but when you add to it the G5 etc. etc. it's all quite loud. Graeme __________________ www.nattress.com - filters for FCP

February 3rd, 2006, 11:44 AM	#6
Graeme Nattress RED Problem Solver Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 1,365	Ash, how have you found the caching alters performance? Graeme __________________ www.nattress.com - filters for FCP

February 3rd, 2006, 11:38 AM	#5
Ash Greyson Trustee Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,689	I work with one a lot... very loud but has to be to stay cool. Rock solid performance once it is set up, make sure you turn off the caching when you set it up and I always recommend setting it up in a protective, not just striped RAID.... You can do uncompressed HD streams, which is nice... ash =o)

February 4th, 2006, 12:43 PM	#7
Ash Greyson Trustee Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,689	YES! I have no idea why but it was causing dropped frames. Turned it off and not a problem since... ash =o)