what's a scratch disk?

A scratch disc is where your video files and render files are stored. You can allocate any drive or folder to do this. Generally it's best to use a secondary drive for this, one that does not have to run the operating system and the software. For many people this means an external drive. If you have a desktop computer you can put multiple drives inside the case, which are very efficient. External drives should be FireWire drives, not USB, be at least 7200rpm with an 8MB cache if it's a full size drive.

I bet you've been itching to ask that question!

It doesn't have to be an external drive if you have a tower, like Tom said. It will just be another drive inside your computer.

You can use your computer's normal Hard Drive perfectly well as long as it has plenty of free space, but for maximum efficiency with really large projects, an extra drive is better.

However, don't feel pressured into buying one immediately. You can always fit everything on the one drive and see how it goes.

Make sure your MacBook has at least 20% of the HD free when you are editing and you should be OK.

Message was edited by: Ian R. Brown

Yes, but some render files may be dropped in the process. The application only holds what it needs for playback. So if you change and re-render something the original render file is dumped.

If you already have a USB 2.0 HD by all means use it - you have nothing to lose.

However, because of the way USB transmits data in bursts rather than continuously, it is not ideal for video, which needs a steady datarate.

USB 2.0 HDs can be used but some people have experienced trouble, so when you eventually buy one, get a FW to be safe.

No. It's not fast enough.

No you can't use a FW HD with new MacBooks.

As long as you are not making mammoth epics lasting hours, you will probably be OK using just your MacBook's HD.

You will also probably be OK using a USB 2.0 HD.

The sure way to find out is to try it and see.

Message was edited by: Ian R. Brown

Hi Tom,

I just bought your book, Final Cut Express 4 Editing Workshop by Tom Wolsky.

As instructed by you in the book, I have dragged the Media&Project folder into the computer & it copied into my desktop.

Can I move them to my external HDD instead ?

Thanks

You can if you want.

There is no difference in the usability wherever you copy the files to. Just remember when you are reconnecting media to point to where you have the files stored.

I now have a problem looking for the settings for scratch disk.

I remembered when I first launched FCE, there is a Choose Setup screen asking me among other things my format whether is HD or HDV ... etc and there is a small square bot at the bottom left where I can specify the is the Primary Scratch Disk.

I wanted to set my Primary Scratch Disk to an external hard disk but now I cannot seem to get that screen appear again.

Any ideas ?

Thanks