External Hard Drives - eSATA (is it an overkill)

[fattymatthews]

Hey All

 

Was just curious how many people use eSATA technology for their external drives. Do you really notice the difference when using Logic and a eSATA drive over a firewire 800? Or would you really only notice the speed when copying large amounts of data? Is paying the extra $$ for eSATA enclosures and a card really worth it?

 

Also curious how many people use a RAID array as a means of backup.

 

Peoples thoughts would be great.

 

Cheers

[Nublu]

In my opinion, yes.

The transfer rates are fast which smooth things out throughout the day.

The cost doesn't have to be high. I've learned from this forum of a company called Bytec. They make reliable inexpensive express cards.

 

I didn't pay for my express card. There was a logistical screw up with my MacBook Pro delivery, and as a friendly gesture, the salesman threw it in. Sure glad I have it.

 

I currently don't use raid.

[DocBop]

Audio and video are streaming huge amounts of data recording and needs to read a lot during mixing so you want as fast an interface as you can get. Eliminate the bottlenecks that you can.

[David Nahmani]

Yes, there is a huge difference between eSATA and FW800.

 

eSATA is the same as SATA. So the difference is the same between an internal drive and a FW800 external. Substantial!

[fattymatthews]

cheers everyone for the replies. Went with the external esata setup. Scored a Seagate 750GB SATA drive from frys.com for $129

 

And for an enclosure,after lots of searching around, found this great little fanless enclosure which has all the firewire compatibilities as well as ESATA. You pay a little extra but all the reviews weighed up.

 

 

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/MEFW924AL1K/

 

Thanks everyone for chipping in with their thoughts.