Got a 1TB ext. HDD for scratch disks etc., assistance required

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Got a 1TB ext. HDD for scratch disks etc., assistance required

Today I bought a 1TB iomega Prestige Desktop HDD, only for video. I'll be saving resources (Such as explosions, sounds), the exported videos, the project files and the scratch disks.

I have it sorted out. Saved all the files onto it, moved the ones from my Macs HDD to the trash and reconnected the files on FCE.

But I still have the render files and capture scratch disks on my Macs HDD. It's taking up about 30GB (It was 80GB before I deleted most unwanted stuff). What shall I do with this? Shall I copy them to the external HDD then delete them off th computer?

What should I and shouldn't I delete from the computer?

I'm guessing I should just copy the Capture Scratch folder across and then delete it from the computer. I just want to be sure so I don't mess anything up.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.7), 2010, 21.5" 3.06GHz 4GB RAM

Posted on May 14, 2011 9:08 AM

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Answer 1

May 14, 2011 9:58 AM in response to Siderz

Hi

Mess anything up. Yes it's too easy.

You Must and Should

• MUST - format the external drive as Mac OS Extended - UNIX/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange WILL NOT WORK for VIDEO

• SHOULD use a FireWire hard disk - as USB/USB2 performs badly

Re-formatting a hard disk = Erases everything on it - so it has to be done when it' new or don't contain anything of value as it will be lost.

I do on my formatted external HD - create a new folder and address ALL Scratch to this and Save the FCE/P project document PLUS all photos and audio files and my Manus on how I want to build my movie.

In this way I've collected everything in one Folder.

Yours Bengt W

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Answer 2

Siderz Author

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May 14, 2011 10:18 AM in response to Bengt Wärleby

Mine's USB 2.0, but the port on the HDD end is a bit different. It doesn't say anything on the box about FireWire but maybe there's some kind of adapter I can buy.

Yes, I did format it correctly.

But I'm asking what to do with the files that are still on my computer.

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Answer 3

May 14, 2011 10:26 AM in response to Siderz

When I collected all material into one folder - for running project.

Then I go to another Mac with same version of FinalCut and try to cont. working for this.

That is my method to find out if all material is collected - if so then reconnect to this ext HD and movie project folder works 100%

Then I could delete the material on internal HD - (But I would like a second copy as securty - to many HD died to me)

USB2 to FireWire adapter - As far as I know of - It doesn't exist. There might be a e-Sata connection and if Your Mac got such - then this is a supperior connection but I doubt - very few Mac Pro has this.

Yours Bengt W

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Answer 4

Siderz Author

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May 14, 2011 12:43 PM in response to Bengt Wärleby

I was thinking more a different cable. If I could, I'd show you the port. It looks different from any other ports. So maybe there's a FireWire cable made specially for this port.

I have an iMac, so there aren't that many ports.

My brother has a MacBook Pro, but he doesn't have Final Cut, so I can't test it out on his computer and I'm not sure of anyone else who has Final Cut.

Edit: Here, I found a picture of what the USB port looks like - http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wv5AsyslggQ/TJVHK2wqlrI/AAAAAAAAFa4/Qk4y1D1ycv8/s320/H ard%2BDisk%2BConnections.jpg

From left to right is the power switch, the power inlet (Or whatever you want to call it) and then the USB port. See, the USB port looks a bit odd.

I didn't take the picture by the way.

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Answer 5

May 14, 2011 7:19 PM in response to Siderz

Siderz,

I went to the iomega website. The Prestige line of drives comes in either USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. I didn't see a firewire option.

If you have formatted the drive and copied files over.....you must have had it connected to your computer. How did you accomplish this?

By zooming in on the picture of the drive, the symbol over the receptacle looks like a USB symbol.

Didn't the drive come with a cable?

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Answer 6

May 14, 2011 11:05 PM in response to Siderz

>See, the USB port looks a bit odd

Doesn't look odd at all. Standard USB A-B cables have a different connector on each end. That's the way it's supposed to be.

http://www.cheapdownloadsoftware.com/images/options/usbcableicon.jpg

http://www.cannonsimulationtechnologies.com/user/cimage/USB-cable-pic.jpg

-DH

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Answer 7

May 14, 2011 11:16 PM in response to Siderz

It looks like an ordinary USB-connector on Your hard disk's backside.

So You should have a Cable with this Hard disk that has one matching connector in one end and a flat rectangular connector with half of it filled with a piece of plastic in the other end. This flat end goes into Your Mac's backside connector.

Don't connect to Key-board as it's meant for low energy devices.

Then when connected and turned on - You should see it as an icon looking like a hard disk on Your Mac screen.

Select this by ONE-click then press {cmd+i keys} or goto File and down to Get Info.

Now read how it is formatted
• MUST BE - Mac OS Extended
• UNIX/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange - will not work for VIDEO

Yours Bengt W

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Answer 8

May 14, 2011 11:33 PM in response to David Harbsmeier

FWIW, USB hard drives are not recommended for video editing. The USB protocol transfers data in packets (short bursts) and many non0linear editing apps like FCE and FCP can often interpret those gaps between the bursts of data as dropped frames. Apple and most editors recommends using SATA, eSATA or Firewire hard drives with a minimum rotational speed of 7200rpm. Those drives transfer data as a sustained stream with no gaps.

If it's not too late, return the USB drive and exchange it for a hard drive with a Firewire connection. Many new external drives have multiple connection options: FW400, FW800, USB and eSATA all on one drive.

That said, a USB drive is still good for exports, backups and regular computing use.

-DH

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Answer 9

Siderz Author

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May 15, 2011 5:44 AM in response to Michigan One Fly

Of course I've connected it to the computer.

When did I say it didn't come with a USB cable?

I was just wondering whether or not it was for a special cable (Sold seperately) that would plug it into a FireWire port.

Judging by other responses, it can't.

Nevermind that. I still want to know what to do with the files on my computer. Shall I just copy the Capture Scratch files from my computer to the Capture Scratch folder on the external drive? Will I have to reconnect the videos again?

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Answer 10

Siderz Author

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May 15, 2011 5:45 AM in response to David Harbsmeier

I've never seen such a port. Well, not that I can remember.

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Answer 11

Siderz Author

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May 15, 2011 6:09 AM in response to David Harbsmeier

Fine I'll be returning it today and hopefully get a refund.

BQ: Before I buy this, is it recommended? - http://store.apple.com/uk/product/H0303ZM/A - Otherwise, what shall I get?

Now, what do I do with the Capture Scratch files that are still on my computer? I'm pretty sure you know the answer.

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Answer 12

May 15, 2011 8:13 AM in response to Siderz

Unlike FCP, FCE doesn't have a Media Manager function so you have to manually move the media files associated with any current projects then reconnect them. Media files include video clips, audio clips as well as still images and graphics. Don't worry about moving any render files ... they often don't reconnect properly so it's better to just trash them and re-render once you have the scratch disk settings reassigned in FCE.

-DH

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Answer 13

May 15, 2011 8:35 AM in response to Siderz

you would be far better off with this drive and buying from Jigsaw

it has a better price, double the staorage space, has an external mains power adapter and is better suited for editing

Do as David H suggests and delete the rnder files, as they dont work very well if copied

http://www.jigsaw24.com/product-details/x377ava/g-tech-g-drive-1tb-desktop-exter nal-hard-drive-(4th-generation)

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