Choice: Firewire Drive or File Server

[timswim78]

So, my Mac Mini is on its way. The internal storage is not nearly large enough or fast enough for the video editing that I plan to do. So, I have two main choices for storing files. What would you reccomendation be?

Option 1: Purchase an external, firewire hdd.
Option 2: Use my linux filer server for external storage. It is a pretty decent system (AthlonXP 2800+, Dual Channel 1GB RAM, SATA 150 Seagate HDD, Dual LAN ports).

I am guessing that the firewire will be faster, is this correct? Using my existing system will be more cost effective, but will it be useable for working on video files?

I appreciate your input.

 

[Excelsior]

I would go the external drive route. However, I wouldn't buy it already built, I would buy the external enclosure then pick the drive myself and stick it in the enclosure. Bam.


Edit: You are gonna have a least 512 if not 1GB of ram in the mini right?

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Mac mini for video editing= :thumbsdown:

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: Excelsior
I would go the external drive route. However, I wouldn't buy it already built, I would buy the external enclosure then pick the drive myself and stick it in the enclosure. Bam.


Edit: You are gonna have a least 512 if not 1GB of ram in the mini right?

Yep, the mini is gonna have 512MB RAM.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
Mac mini for video editing= :thumbsdown:

Indeed. Never mind the storage being fast enough, you're going to kick yourself for using a Mini to edit video.

- M4H

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
Mac mini for video editing= :thumbsdown:

Indeed. Never mind the storage being fast enough, you're going to kick yourself for using a Mini to edit video.

- M4H

Oh come on, I had to edit video on my dads G4-400 and it wasn't THAT bad. If he upped the ram to 1GB and had a fast firewire drive it won't be too bad.

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
Mac mini for video editing= :thumbsdown:

Indeed. Never mind the storage being fast enough, you're going to kick yourself for using a Mini to edit video.

- M4H

If you are going to poo-poo on the system that I am getting for almost nothing, at least answer my question. 🙂

 

[RadiclDreamer]

With the mac being as slow as it is (sorry, not flaming, they just arent that fast) you arent going to notice much of a difference between the external and the network drive. If both sides have GB lan then its not even a question

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: RadiclDreamer
With the mac being as slow as it is (sorry, not flaming, they just arent that fast) you arent going to notice much of a difference between the external and the network drive. If both sides have GB lan then its not even a question

That may be true, but I just think it would be slightly easier and simpler to use an external firewire drive.

 

[V00D00]

I bet the mac mini doesn't have gigabit ethernet, and because it's a peice of sh!t apple, i bet you can't just pop in a gigabit card like a normal computer.

So logic says... 100mbit ethernet is going to be slower than a 400mbit firewire drive.

<b>edit</b> why don't you be really daring and just buy a cheap 250 gig hard drive and pop it in in place of the drive that's in there now??

and if you go for firewire, it would be a hell of a lot cheaper to get a good quality external IDe enclosure and buy a cheap drive from the hot deals forum.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: V00D00
I bet the mac mini doesn't have gigabit ethernet, and because it's a peice of sh!t apple, i bet you can't just pop in a gigabit card like a normal computer.

So logic says... 100mbit ethernet is going to be slower than a 400mbit firewire drive.

<b>edit</b> why don't you be really daring and just buy a cheap 250 gig hard drive and pop it in in place of the drive that's in there now??

and if you go for firewire, it would be a hell of a lot cheaper to get a good quality external IDe enclosure and buy a cheap drive from the hot deals forum.

VooDoo - yes, you are correct, it doesnt have gigabit ethernet. However, the reason he can't just buy another big HD to replace the current one is because the mini uses 2.5" hard drives.

I agree...itd be best for him just to buy an external enclosure and throw in a big/cheap IDE drive.

 

[KeithP]

why don't you be really daring and just buy a cheap 250 gig hard drive and pop it in in place of the drive that's in there now??

The Mac Mini uses a 2.5 inch laptop drive. There isn't room for a 3.5 drive in the Mini's case. I have seen a few hacks where people have extended the drive cable out of mini to attach it to a 3.5 inch drive sitting outside of the case but they ain't pretty.

I would think the external firewire drive would be the way to go. As others have mentioned, buy an external case and put a drive in it yourself for best value. However, several companies have made external HD enclosures (with drives) with built-in usb/fire hubs that are designed specifically for the mini and usually sit just underneath. These things look pretty nice but tend to be pricey. Here is such a model from MicroNet.

One other option would be to use TCP/IP over firewire. OS X supports this but I have no idea about Linux.

-KeithP