How does it feel to go Tapeless? tell me about your experience

Perrone Ford · February 16th, 2010, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregory Barringer

Do any of these video cameras have dual card slots that can record to both cards at the same time? My Nikon D3s has dual CF card slots. It can record to both cards, creating an immediate backup for stills only.

No, but the nanoflash does... which is one major reason so many pros are gravitating toward it. Many of us were hoping for a firmware update from Sony that allows this. That would allow me to stop dragging out my Firestore, and shooting HDV every time I have to record a live event.

Vince Baker · February 17th, 2010, 11:48 AM

Been reading with interest, ready to move but it is the price that is keeping me from doing it...

I love technology, love the latest thing but as everyone here feel a sense of fear at going tapeless.

Saw some comments on RAID, I have a RAID 5 array that I use to store current files/projects/anything business related and I run it on a server.

It is suprising how many PCs now offer RAID built in but be aware, these PCs only offer RAID 0 or 1 (or 0+1 as often known)

RAID 0 is useless in terms of security, it only stripes the drives to make the PC perform faster. RAID 1 is full tolerance, it mirrors the drive, so this means you have to get for example 2 x 500GB identical drives and you will only have 500GB of storage.

RAID 5 allows the drives to split the contents across multiple drives, typically if you had 4 200GB drives, you would have 550GB rather than 800GB of space as each drive contains a portion of the others.

Now to do this you need to have a RAID card, and not just buy a PC that has RAID on the motherboard.

Might be telling you something you already know, but I was a happy bunny when this was explained to me, hope it helps someone make a decision....

Perrone Ford · February 17th, 2010, 01:25 PM

I don't understand what going tapeless has to do with RAID. Or maybe I am just missing something.

Louis Maddalena · February 17th, 2010, 09:08 PM

If you are shooting tapeless having RAID's is the best way to do it for security and speed.

Perrone Ford · February 17th, 2010, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Louis Maddalena

If you are shooting tapeless having RAID's is the best way to do it for security and speed.

So, if I am shooting on tape, RAID is not the best way to go for security and speed? Honestly, I don't call having my only copy of my files physically in the same machine secure at all. It can be faster. I'll grant that.

Gregory Barringer · February 18th, 2010, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perrone Ford

No, but the nanoflash does... which is one major reason so many pros are gravitating toward it. Many of us were hoping for a firmware update from Sony that allows this. That would allow me to stop dragging out my Firestore, and shooting HDV every time I have to record a live event.

I read the User Guide for the new Sony NXCAM-N5U. On page 24 it looks like it can record HD to the flash card and the optional 128GB flash drive at the same time. Can anyone confirm this?

Art Varga · February 19th, 2010, 07:57 AM

We took a major power hit during the last east coast snow storm. Multiple components in my PC got fried -even though I had a surge protector. I had my current project files backed up to 2 seperate drives but both were connected and and running at the time of the power surge. Needless to say I was very nervous that both drives may have been taken out. Fortunately that was not the case but going forward, one of my backups will be to a portable drive that I will disconnect when not in use.

Kyle Root · February 19th, 2010, 11:50 AM

I think that's a pretty good idea right there Art.

I'm still on tape, but I think when I do go tapeless, the best (and increasingly affordable as hard drives get larger and cheaper) way is to have a combination of:

(1) Copy footage off cards to your editing computer which has say Raid 1 and 4TB physical storage, yielding 2TB working space.

(2) Copy footage off cards to a removeable 500GB USB 3.0 drive which is put in storage until the project is complete.

Now, I have no idea how big HDV/AVCHD etc files are because I still am on the 13GB/hr miniDV standard. haha. But, I'm just guessing 500GB would be enough to store all the raw files for a typical HD wedding project. If you can go smaller, then great.

Perrone Ford · February 19th, 2010, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle Root

Now, I have no idea how big HDV/AVCHD etc files are because I still am on the 13GB/hr miniDV standard. haha. But, I'm just guessing 500GB would be enough to store all the raw files for a typical HD wedding project. If you can go smaller, then great.

HDV is roughly the same as DV. That's why you can use the same tapes. AVCHD will be slightly less.

February 17th, 2010, 11:48 AM	#32
Vince Baker Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Portsmouth, UK Posts: 118	Been reading with interest, ready to move but it is the price that is keeping me from doing it... I love technology, love the latest thing but as everyone here feel a sense of fear at going tapeless. Saw some comments on RAID, I have a RAID 5 array that I use to store current files/projects/anything business related and I run it on a server. It is suprising how many PCs now offer RAID built in but be aware, these PCs only offer RAID 0 or 1 (or 0+1 as often known) RAID 0 is useless in terms of security, it only stripes the drives to make the PC perform faster. RAID 1 is full tolerance, it mirrors the drive, so this means you have to get for example 2 x 500GB identical drives and you will only have 500GB of storage. RAID 5 allows the drives to split the contents across multiple drives, typically if you had 4 200GB drives, you would have 550GB rather than 800GB of space as each drive contains a portion of the others. Now to do this you need to have a RAID card, and not just buy a PC that has RAID on the motherboard. Might be telling you something you already know, but I was a happy bunny when this was explained to me, hope it helps someone make a decision.... __________________ capture it as it happens...with motion and sound. http://www.creative-films.net

February 17th, 2010, 01:25 PM	#33
Perrone Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 4,100	I don't understand what going tapeless has to do with RAID. Or maybe I am just missing something. __________________ DVX100, PMW-EX1, Canon 550D, FigRig, Dell Octocore, Avid MC4/5, MB Looks, RedCineX, Matrox MX02 mini, GTech RAID, Edirol R-4, Senn. G2 Evo, Countryman, Moles and Lowels.

February 17th, 2010, 09:08 PM	#34
Louis Maddalena Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NYC Area. Posts: 550	If you are shooting tapeless having RAID's is the best way to do it for security and speed. __________________ Red Epic available for rent, starting at $500 per day, Scarlets, and Lenses available too. rentals.maddalenamedia.com

February 19th, 2010, 11:50 AM	#38
Kyle Root Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Decatur, AL Posts: 883	I think that's a pretty good idea right there Art. I'm still on tape, but I think when I do go tapeless, the best (and increasingly affordable as hard drives get larger and cheaper) way is to have a combination of: (1) Copy footage off cards to your editing computer which has say Raid 1 and 4TB physical storage, yielding 2TB working space. (2) Copy footage off cards to a removeable 500GB USB 3.0 drive which is put in storage until the project is complete. Now, I have no idea how big HDV/AVCHD etc files are because I still am on the 13GB/hr miniDV standard. haha. But, I'm just guessing 500GB would be enough to store all the raw files for a typical HD wedding project. If you can go smaller, then great. __________________ Kyle KR Productions; www.kyleroot.com

February 19th, 2010, 07:57 AM	#37
Art Varga Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Belle Mead, NJ Posts: 552	We took a major power hit during the last east coast snow storm. Multiple components in my PC got fried -even though I had a surge protector. I had my current project files backed up to 2 seperate drives but both were connected and and running at the time of the power surge. Needless to say I was very nervous that both drives may have been taken out. Fortunately that was not the case but going forward, one of my backups will be to a portable drive that I will disconnect when not in use.