add to cache or export

"Add to Cache" downloads the original media to FCSvr's local cache on your client for drag-and-drop use from the FCSvr client. "Export" lets you direct where the download goes on your local machine and gives you the option of renaming the output file and/or transcoding it to one of the available transcode settings.

What are you doing with the files after downloading them?

I'm not sure what it would be messing up. You are not round tripping the original media, only downloading it a particular way. If you were checking out the media, then I'd advise against it. But caching it doesn't affect what is on the server, it just copies the original media to your local client. Ask your guru what specifically he is worried about.

I don't know about it messing things up, but it may be creating an extra step.

I.e., why copy it to your machine first if it really only needs to go from the server to the audio guy? It creates an extra download & upload on the network.

I'd set up a subscription to automatically send the file straight from the server to his computer.

The "best" (but not cheapest) solution would be to have the file on an edit-in-place device, like Xsan, so he could access it without having to copy anything anywhere.

1) Generally, a subscription monitors changes to metadata, and triggers a response as a result. (I could attempt to explain it in greater detail, but instead I'll refer you to the dozens of pages on it in the help menu documentation, also online at <http://documentation.apple.com>, and in the Peachpit book.)

2) Apple did not kill Xsan (though next year Apple will kill the Xserve, the server hardware that often is used to manage Xsan). If you're using Xsan it means anyone connected via FibreChannel does not have to copy files to their computer, they can view them directly on the FC device without downloading.

Another way to think about it, Add To Cache means FCSvr is expecting that file to be uploaded again into it's catalog. Export makes a copy the FCSvr does not track at all, and expects that if you do upload it, it will be a whole new asset it's never seen before.

The Peachpit book "Apple Pro Training Series: Final Cut Server 1.5" is a great reference, and a great help in learning to understand FCSvr in more detail. It's a pretty easy system to learn.

BenB wrote:
The Peachpit book "Apple Pro Training Series: Final Cut Server 1.5" is a great reference, and a great help in learning to understand FCSvr in more detail. It's a pretty easy system to learn.

I was really surprised when received this book. I expected many more info, tips and techniques. It seems too similar to the original Apple Manual.
In fact, this book contains 271 pages when the three Apple guides (FCSvr Administrator Guide, FCSvr Setup Guide and FCSvr User Manual) have a total of 375 pages.
Cheers

That might be nice, but after all it is called "Training" and not "Advanced Administration" or anything like that...

Like other Apple Pro Training Series books, it is designed to teach students the basics and prepare them for the exam.

Truth is, that book has everything you need to know to use and customize FCSvr in it. If you're looking for more, you're looking for a babysitter. After doing that book, you know everything there is to know about FCSvr, and are able to customize it to your hearts content, period. If you're looking for something more, the truth is, there is nothing more. That's how simple and easy FCSvr is, period. I simply does not get any more "advanced" than that book. Unless you really do need a babysitter. That is the simple fact of FCSvr life.

Same as the original book? Not by a long shot! This one makes learning FCSvr much easier! The original book was a MESS! This one has formulas in it, shows you about everything you need to know to be able to move forward.

You're both looking for babysitters, and such does not exist. It's a wonderful book, I teach it weekly all over the country, and my students and clients love it, learn it, and do amazing things with FCSvr after going through it. Fact.