Re: what's better sdi or firewire?

What is your set up Bob?

Perhaps we can all learn a thing or two?

David

The type of system that I usually setup for most companies is almost identical to what Steve Covello describes. I usually start with Middle Atlantic racks. Each rack contains a Powerware PW5125 or APC Smart UPS 1500 on the bottom. Video patch bays are Canare 242U-DVJAW, which handle everything thru HDSDI, and are the least expensive video bays on the market that can handle HD. Audio patch bays are ADC PPA1 series solder point bays (long frame 1/4", but I often get requests for Bantam, where I use the PPB series). I bring all RS422 points up to a CAT 5e coupler patch bay, either from TecNec or ADC. The Tecnec model that is reliable is the PB8-R4R4. Firewire 400 bays are Tecnec 8XFW 16XFW, which too have been reliable. I have not tried the new ADC firewire patch bays. I have been using Gefen KVM extenders. For new MAC G5's with the dual DVI ports, I use the Gefen CAT 5 5000 HD, which works very well. I realize that there are cheaper KVM's on the market, like Hall Research, etc., but I have had good luck with the Gefen series.

For drives, I have stopped using Lacie FW800 drives, in favor of G-Tech and StorCase. For SATA, I have found that Firmtek Seritek (with Hitachi drives) and the Sonnet Tempo X eSATA 8 port have been reliable. For SCSI array's, the combo of a HUGE U320RX with an ATTO UL4D is unbeatable. I am not an Apple XServe fan.

For monitoring, I have been using AJA HDP HD-SDI converters with either Sony SDM-P234b or Apple Cinema 23" monitors, even though I LOVE the "old"
Sony PVM-20L5/1.

For those looking for routers, I have also found that Sigma Electronics offers an excellent value vs. performance. Their SDI routers handle the embedded audio as well. I have not yet tried the Blackmagic Videohub, but I am anxious to do so. I have certainly used Kramer (also sold under Ocean Matrix and Comprehensive Video) routers, which certainly work, but
I don't have the confidence in this line compared to Sigma.

And what's the moral of all of this nonsense here - ITS COMPLEX AND EXPENSIVE to build a nice editing facility - you just don't stick a firewire cable in the back of a G5, and say "I'm in the TV business".

Bob Zelin