What's the best external hard drive??

Logan LeBlanc

Logan LeBlanc

Well-known member
Hey guys, I need a 100-250g XHD for my Mac. I have a G4 Powerbook w/Superdrive (not sure if you need to know the specs). Any recommendations? I've heard Glyphs are good, but I can't seem to find a price list.
Thanks, Logan
 
I have five of 'em - all at least 2 years old.... 4 are GT050's (120 and 200GB) and one is a "Companion". Check www.glyphtech.com; for current products and prices; the new quad-interface with FW400 and 800, USB, and eSATA should be good for anything; mine are all FW400.

Not a hiccup from a Glyph drive in 7 years of use... fast and reliable, and they offer free overnight replacement and data recovery if there ever is a problem. Noone comes near!

People are talking a lot here about the brand of the drive inside the enclosure... but, indeed, the enclosure is the major point of failure. Certainly the problem with Lacie drives is their firewire interfaces. Glyph develops their own custom drive firmware and FW interface electronics optimized for A/V production...
 
Wow. Glyphs sound REALLY good. One question, though. If I'm capturing via Firewire/slave cam, will USB 2.0 be fast enough to transfer the footage to the drive?
 
I was using the western digital drives with firewire 800, on newegg.com they were going for under $250 for a 500gb. There speeds were great and I will probably buy one of those again in the future. the LaCie are great too, but they are pricey. The WD is best for the price.
 
Logan LeBlanc said:
Wow. Glyphs sound REALLY good. One question, though. If I'm capturing via Firewire/slave cam, will USB 2.0 be fast enough to transfer the footage to the drive?
Click to expand...


Should be. I always prefer FW, but havce used USB 2.0 in a pinch without trouble.
 
ullanta said:
Wow. Glyphs sound REALLY good. One question, though. If I'm capturing via Firewire/slave cam, will USB 2.0 be fast enough to transfer the footage to the drive?
Click to expand...

ullanta said:
Should be. I always prefer FW, but havce used USB 2.0 in a pinch without trouble.
Click to expand...

Some people get away with USB for video but it is not recommended.
USB sends data in bursts, while FW sends it in continuous streams making it more suitable for video work.

Because Macbook or powerbook pro uses only one bus . It helps to get another Firewire pci card and this way it helps to spread the load. You don't want to over work the bus in the Macbook pro or powerbook
 
Last edited:
KROOKEDKROWN said:
western digital arnt good with macs they need to be reconfigured and just dont jive as well with a mac as the lacies do
Click to expand...
The pro(FW800) myBooks work flawless for us, nothing to be reconfigurated...
Using our G-raids most of the time nevertheless...
 
DavidChia said:
Some people get away with USB for video but it is not recommended.
USB sends data in bursts, while FW sends it in continuous streams making it more suitable for video work.

Because Macbook or powerbook pro uses only one bus . It helps to get another Firewire pci card and this way it helps to spread the load. You don't want to over work the bus in the Macbook pro or powerbook
Click to expand...


I don't disagree in principle, and indeed do as you say whenever possible. And recommend that everyone does. But, for the record, I've done lots of capture of DVCProHD to external FW drives using just the single bus on Powerbooks (G4 1GHz, 1.5 GHz, 1.67 GHz) without any issues (using Glyphs, of course - which does make a difference!). I've also captured (on fewer occasions) DVCProHD to powerbooks with external USB drives, without problems. However, in my audio work, I have had issues with USB drives slowing things down... so I avoid 'em....
 
I just picked up a 500GB Western myBook for $180 (shipped and 8.25% tax) from Dell's site... I am using XP (Vegas)

However I am considering returning it to get one that is USB powered, wich I belive to be a big selling point. Firewire isn't such a big point forme, not so much anyway, yes it is faster but not my external HDD priorities. I want space and portability (really screwed up not getting a USB powered aghhh!!). 480MB/s is quick enough, and 4-pin firewire can't power that I know of. So since price is important I didn't look for one with both...

"Best" if you would be USB powered, Firewire 400 and 800 (if there are any). Of course, also big and cheap... :) 400 to ofload directly and 800 for when you get home and ofload to the station.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top