Xserve(and Xraid) vs Omneon
by Hector
on
Nov 2, 2007 at 3:11:33 pm
We've ordered an Omneon Mediadeck. Unfortunately, it's on back order. I took that oportunity to look into an Xserve/Xraid setup. The pricing between the 2 servers is dramatic. (Xserve/Xraid being cheaper)
Our setups are 3 Macs/FCP and 1 PC/Avid. We shoot mostly in 720p and Beta Uncompressed.
My question is this: What are the benefits of getting an Xserve/Xraid server over an Omneon(PC based server)? Both system would be outfitted with 10TB of storage.
I apologize ahead of time if I'm posting in the wrong forum.
Re: Xserve(and Xraid) vs Omneon by blambore on Nov 2, 2007 at 3:34:42 pm
Hi Hector,
The Omneon Mediadeck is a "video" server, while the Xserve/Xraid is a "file" server.
You won't be able to record video directly to the Xserve without adding video capture cards, and software that will allow it to mimic RS-422 protocols.
Hope this helps,
Bernard Lamborelle
Tiger Technology
+1 514 667 2015
bernard at tiger-technology.com
Re: Xserve(and Xraid) vs Omneon by Hector on Nov 2, 2007 at 5:34:10 pm
Let's say that I were to add a Kona card (the same brand that I use on my tower), and FCP, would that accomplish the same goal that the Omneon provides? I'm guessing we'll need Fibre Channel...
Re: Xserve(and Xraid) vs Omneon by blambore on Nov 2, 2007 at 7:53:29 pm
Well, it all depends what you need the Omneon for...
The FCP software will let you capture and playback clips, but you won't be able to trigger it using automation, the way you could with Omneon.
You therefore cannot use it to replace the Omneon in a broadcast ingest/playout environment. However, you might very well be able to replace it for editing purposes.
Bernard Lamborelle
Tiger Technology
+1 514 667 2015
Re: Xserve(and Xraid) vs Omneon by ErnestoSanchez on Nov 2, 2007 at 10:52:52 pm
You can definitely do automated ingest and playout on the Mac. Two solutions are Gallery's Sienna line and Softronmedia. Sienna can tie into MOS gateways. There is also an entry level version that doesn't support stuff like GPI triggers.
Cheers,
Ernesto Sanchez
ProMax, Inc.
E: ernesto.sanchez@promax.com
