Another idea ...

[evinsky]

Disadvantages of Firewire over sealed professional connector:
1) Inconsistent/unreliable data rate in harsh conditions.
2) Flimsy connector not designed for intense, vibrating environments.
3) Non standardised cables of varing degrees of reliability.

This is not an I-pod sitting on your desk, you need connectors capable of reliable, sustained highspeed transfers under real production conditions.

 

[Anders Holck]

I believe we all agree that the non standard pro connector is the way to do it. Both 9 pin 1394b and eSATA connectors suck.
LEMOs sure are addictive, but what a ***** to solder in the field. I'd still prefer LEMOs and just have a spare set in the bag.

The discussion is what interface protocol will be communicated over that Physical connector. SATA+Power seems to be the current plan, 1394b would be more flexible but makes the implementation more complex.

 

[mike the beginner]

I am worried with the red drive options? partly because it could be the first piece of hardware to become superseded. The largest red drive could be 160GB and cost more than $1,000. For those who are out doing inaccesable run & gun type of stuff and not wanting to be carrying a laptop about with us we could end up requiring three or more red drives. That might not sound much in the greater scheme of things but with developments in that area likely to change fast (poss holographic cards) what price and how efficient will your red drives be worth in two years time? Will the red drive be capapble of being modified to suit newer faster/bigger storage options or will we require a different red drive?

If red can attach a suitable connection to the red drive how about a seperate same connection being available to use if one wished to connect on to a portable cheap sata drive?

Michael