FCP & firewire 800 drive

thefilmaddict

thefilmaddict

Veteran
I use a Mac Book Pro, the latest version of FCP and a G Raid 500GB firewire 800 drive.

2 issues I need help with:

1. If I leave the computer on and don't touch it for awhile (with a FCP project open), then press esc to get back onto the machine, the system doesn't always come back and I am forced to do a forced quit (it just spins without coming back). Bigger issue: Sometime it comes back, but it no longer sees the firewire 800 drive connected. Any way to prevent that?

2. Sometimes video playback will be sluggish as I move around on the timeline (issue showing the video frame I am on instantly). It's a fast machine and a fast drive, why would I have this issue (it even happens in a DV project). Should I change some settings (lower quality playback)?

Thanks!!!
 
1. What brand of drive? I've seen similar problems with external drives that don't have Oxford FW chipsets. Get a Glyph?
 
It's a G-Technology drive. They are not cheap and are highly respected. Perhaps my computer is going into sleep mode or something that is breaking the connection with the frewire 800 drive? Could tha be a possibility?
 
I've had exactly this problem with a G-drive before! I have a G-drive that works fine for everything EXCEPT when I plug it into the front FW port on my PowerMac. Which means the G-Drives at least in some cases CAN be sensitive to which port their plugged into. So... try the FW400 port and see if it helps?

Not to be naggy... but this is exactly the type of issue I've had with many drives but NEVER see with a Glyph!
 
thefilmaddict said:
It's a G-Technology drive. Perhaps my computer is going into sleep mode or something that is breaking the connection with the frewire 800 drive? Could tha be a possibility?
Click to expand...


Well, when I had these issues, I tested other devices and cables and such. The ports worked; the drive worked with other ports, different cables didn't change the situation, etc. So, it seems to be a hardware mismatch issue of some sort. You may want to try an expresscard FW800 adapter... but see if you can TRY it before you buy it!
 
Yeah, my guess is the hard drive has a built in sleep mechanism. You need a utility that will do a quick check on the drive every few minutes to keep it awake. I've used Cronnix.
 
I turned off my screensaver and put sleep on never. Edited for 8 hours and had no problems! Thanks for all of your advice.
 
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