PowerBook G4 +p2+ eSATA Hard Drive?

[karmafilm]

Okay. Here we go. Been reading for about 2 hrs on the posts. Can't find an answer my li'l brain can understand. Here's my deal:

I'VE GOT
-- HVX
-- P2 Cards (8gb x2 once my free card comes, and YAY my Barry Green stuff)
-- PowerBook G4 17" (With the PCMCIA slot - which I use for the P2 cards)

CONSIDERING
--eSATA Hard Drive (possible one of those RAIDS from OWC)

THE PROBLEM & UNHAPPY SOLUTIONS?
--How the heck would I download from P2...
A) I've read somewhere that I can download directly from HVX to Ext HD (TRUE???), but it wouldn't be as fast/safe(?) as eSATA. Though for editing, the eSATA would work from PowerBook to HD, as long as I buy a (?)PCMCIA SATA II Card.
B) Put P2 in PB, but then couldn't use eSATA to put directly into HD - don't want to put in PB Internal HD. And again, could use SATA for Editing.

ANOTHER PROB
--Just signed on a house. Don't have all the money in the world. Found a LaCie 320gb Ext HD FW 4/800 for $145. But now thinking about the SATA II RAID 500gb from OWC for, like, $250. Plus SATA Card, I guess.

SOOOOOO CONFUUUUUSED.:cry:

Hate using those little happy/sad faces, but wanted to elicit some pity for replies.

Signed,
The Poorest Noobiest Nooby that ever there was

[Shane Ross]

Back up your P2 cards to firewire drives. Then import the footage onto an eSATA raid for editing. You need to keep the P2 backup files anyway after you import, so store them on the firewire drive on a shelf. Then edit with the eSATA.

Simple.

If you had a bit more money you could get the 500GB S2VR Duo from CalDigit...without card it is $449. The Express card is $118 SOLID unit.

But, if you can't afford it, I understand. OWC is a reputable company. But 500GB SATA II raid for $250? Sure about that? Have a link?

[karmafilm]

Oops. The 500gb drive is NOT SATA. Sorry 'bout that. Had a lot of numbers in my head. $269 for 500gb FW 4/800. Apologies.

Problem with the suggestion (for me) is that I'd have to then buy FW drives AND the SATA drives. Maybe I'm too poor to do this? Thanks for the reply.