What kind of media drives for editing?

[Lenilenapi]

I am getting a MacBook pro today. Am very excited.

Until now I had an old G4 that was not really fast enough for HD editing. However I will be configuring my new computer with Final Cut Studio 6 - FCP 6, compressor DVD studio pro etc.

I own an Sony EX-1 and an HVX 200 so I want to be able to edit my own stuff now. That means some of the footage will be DVCPro100 (the HVX200) and some will be Sony EX-1 files (XDCAM EX format)

My question is what do I need to use for my media drives. I have an assortment of 250G firewire 400/ USB drives , 250G eSATA drives (I'm getting an expresscard to eSATA adapter) and portable 2.5" firewire 800 drives to use for media.

Can I cut at all with my media on single drives or do I need to make some kind of a raid. If I am able to get by without a raid how will that limit me?

What differences will I have with the Panasonic vs the Sony files and can I cut them into the same timeline?

Thanks,

Lenny Levy

[Jim Kinsey]

I to am ordering the MacBook Pro later this week. I have done quite a bit of research on this and I would recommend the new Sonnet fusion F2. I am purchasing 2 EX1 cameras to go with my HVX200 set up.

http://www.mac-business-solutions.com/product.php?productid=17526

Raid 1 would be cool. Spendy but depending on reliability is key to working with solid state media and keeping clients happy.

Jim Kinsey

[robfilms]

jim-

when it comes to video, i believe a fan is needed to disperse the eventual build-up of heat. the sonnet is fan-less and thus, i'm less impressed with what it does well-speed & portability-and more concerned about it's design and reliability.

ymmv

be well

rob

[Jim Kinsey]

Sure heat is an issue if your playback footage/ rendering on your drives... I am talking about copying your media in the field in remote locations with out power...with peace of mind knowing when you erase your cards the files will be there but as far as heat goes my little g-raid mini's stay pretty cool thanks to their design which helps dissipate heat. I have both hooked up firewire 800 daisy chained.. They play back both 1080 30p without any issues and 720 24pn easily...

JK