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Gear / Technical Help => Post-Processing, Computer / Streaming / Internet Devices & Related Activity => Topic started by: d swing on February 19, 2005, 03:24:22 PM

Title: external harddrive recommendations?
Post by: d swing on February 19, 2005, 03:24:22 PM

Looking for an external drive...anyone have any recommendations?  I'm looking for a 160 or bigger depending on price (trying to get < $1 per gig).  I know a couple of years ago it was cheaper to buy and external kit and an IDE drive than a pre-assembled external.  Is this still the case?  TIA.
 

Title: Re: external harddrive recommendations?
Post by: Ray76 on February 19, 2005, 03:48:34 PM

I have had this crossfire: http://www.theboyz.biz/product_info.php?products_id=38630

I use it for all of my torrents, and audio stuff, and havent had a prob in a year and a half..Great device. Highly reccomended.Good Luck!
Ray

Title: Re: external harddrive recommendations?
Post by: d swing on February 19, 2005, 04:06:08 PM

Thanks for the rec, +T...can you daisy chain these with usb 2.0?  It looks like you can with firewire but I'll be using usb.  I'm thinking that'll I'll be purchasing more in the future and would prefer if storage only takes up one usb port.

Anyone else have thoughts?? 

Title: Re: external harddrive recommendations?
Post by: Ray76 on February 19, 2005, 06:15:39 PM

http://www.smartdisk.com/Products/Storage%20Products/Hard%20Drives/CrossFire.asp
looks to me like maybe so, but Im no guru..At any rate, I love mine!+T backatcha!
Ray

Title: Re: external harddrive recommendations?
Post by: nic on February 19, 2005, 07:02:20 PM

I got a lacie 160 firewire drive last month for $120 at compusa.
will probably get another one shortly for the girlfriends emac...

Title: Re: external harddrive recommendations?
Post by: DCDireWolf on March 01, 2005, 11:26:50 PM

I need one too, but unfortunately only have regular old usb to connect with.  can these usb2 harddrives use usb as well?

would it make a difference in a recommendation?

Title: Re: external harddrive recommendations?
Post by: MattD on March 02, 2005, 12:32:27 AM

Regular USB = S L O W. Get a USB2/FW PCI card and enjoy the speed boost to external drives.

Title: Re: external harddrive recommendations?
Post by: DCDireWolf on March 02, 2005, 12:34:40 AM

i'm told my dell isn't able to upgrade to usb2.  maybe it's time for a new pc.

Title: Re: external harddrive recommendations?
Post by: Tall Adam on March 02, 2005, 09:15:29 AM

DONT BUY PRE ASSEMBLED! waste of money! i asked this same question a few months back (january) and did the research, wound up getting a 200gb drive for ~90 after rebates, case was 30 from new egg. putting an external together takes 2 minutes. buy a bigger drive and a cheap case, and enjoy!

Title: Re: external harddrive recommendations?
Post by: Lil Kim Jong-Il on March 02, 2005, 10:45:48 AM

Quote from: DCDireWolf on March 01, 2005, 11:26:50 PM

can these usb2 harddrives use usb as well?

would it make a difference in a recommendation?

Yes, a USB2 device will talk on an older USB port.  You're transfer speed will be limited to that of the slowest controller on the link.


It really would not make a difference in my recommendation, which is to get an enclosure that supports both USB2.0 and Firewire.  That gives you the most flexibility for moving the device between machines.  It may seem like paying for support of two protocols is a waste of money.  But one day you'll take that drive someplace where they have only the protocol that you can't support.  Get a dual protocol enclosure.

Title: Re: external harddrive recommendations?
Post by: DCDireWolf on March 02, 2005, 05:26:13 PM

thanks for the advice!  plus T to all.

Title: Re: external harddrive recommendations?
Post by: Tim on March 03, 2005, 12:16:39 AM

I got a 250 gig from Compusa last weekend for $90... spent another 40 or 50 on a firewire case. keep an eye out for local sales, dnsaclks tipped me off to that one...