Re: SATA/SAS

I don't often look at the FCP forum, as I answer storage questions on the AJA and Blackmagic forums mostly, but I want to stress one thing about this entire discussion.

EVERYTHING BECOMES OUTDATED QUICKLY. We used to use SCSI drives not that long ago, then Fibre (some still do). A quick switch to FW800, then to SATA, and now everyone is hot on SAS (which uses SATA drives).

SAS arrays are hot, because they are very fast (MUCH faster than an Apple XServe RAID for example, and a lot cheaper), and they are RAID protected (which means that if a drive fails, you don't lose your media). The current crop of SAS arrays that work in MAC computers use a single chassis, that typically holds 8 disk drives, giving you an 8TB maximum. Companies like Dulce Systems and Cal Digit are both coming out with port expander products that will allow for the addition of multiple chassis. In addition, companies like XStor make larger chassis that hold more than 8 drives (this works with the ATTO R380 card, and was demonstrated at NAB2007). But SAS port expansion will be the next "big thing".

The point is - ITS NOT OUT YET, but it's coming soon. So how do you plan for the future - YOU DONT. You buy what you need to make a living. In 3 years, ALL THIS STUFF WILL BE OUTDATED, and you will need new stuff to do 4K, 8K, and whatever else the demands are. And some moron will still write in and say "how come I can't record my 4K files on my MAC Book Pro's internal hard drive".

Currently, all the SAS products you see advertised on Creative Cow will handle uncompressed HD, and since most of you are doing less than this (like ProRes422HQ or DVCProHD), all of these products will work.

And will SOLID STATE STORAGE PRODUCTS take over - of course they will, and we will spend the next 15 years suffering thru this - 8Gig cards, 16 Gig cards, and it will grow and grow, and your INVESTMENT will go into the toilet with every increase in technology.

By the time 1TB solid state cards exist, Apple will no longer sell Final Cut Pro, and most of you will be working for McDonnalds anyway, so it won't make a difference. In the mean time, all these products work just fine. Buy from a RELIABLE DEALER THAT CAN HELP SUPPORT YOU, because if your not a "do it yourselfer" - you will fail.

Bob zelin