Which is faster for editing: RAID 0 or VelociRaptor?

[montageman]

Hi all, got a question regarding video editing hdd setups:

I want to change my video editing pc from having 1 dedicated 7200RPM 32M cache HDD for captured video, to either two 7200RPM 32M cache HDDs in RAID 0 or 1 Velociraptor. My question is, which setup would be faster (ie perfom better) in terms of video editing??? I have no idea how to work this one out so any info would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[redwudz]

Personally, I would just add two or three SATA drives besides the boot, and it should work fine. RAID 0 or a VelociRaptor might give you a few thousandths of a second difference, but two or three regular drives would give you a lot more versatility and be a lot cheaper, IMO.

But to answer your question, depends on the drives used. If you use a couple of regular SATA drives in RAID 0 format, probably faster than a single VelociRaptor. But if you use RAID 0, you also have the risk of losing 100% of the file [s:89518f7e0c]if the array crashes[/s:89518f7e0c]. I should have said 'if a HDD dies.' The array can be rebuilt without loss most times.) There are better choices for RAID, but they take a lot more drives.

Unless you are editing HD, large videos, probably no improvement with RAID. IMO.

[montageman]

Thanks redwudz! Appreciate your advice and will consider it when setting up the new array

I edit HD almost as often as I do SD these days, so I'm looking for any improvement I can get as computers still aren't fast enough for my liking! I long for the day when rendering is instantaneous

Anyone else who's had experience with the two types of HDD setups??

Cheers.

[mrswla]

You really need to update to the new Core I7 processors http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010340343%2050001157%2010...name=Core%20i7 to see any differences.

[mrswla]

I have both and sigle HDD setup (sata) in an AMD Athlon 4200+ (dual core) and a Intel Pentium D Dual Core 3.0 ghz in Raid 0 configuration(sata). Both take approx. about the same time to render HD content. I have heard some great things https://forum.videohelp.com/topic366358.html from the Core I7.

[betwixt]

I would add that the biggest increase in performance for a given HDD setup will come from the way you organize the files on them. Try to keep the source material on one drive and the production (edited) material on another, this will dramatically reduce the seek times. Even with RAID, you lose time while the HDD heads are locating the files and if they are on the same disk or array, they have to constantly search for input data, output position and also any temporary files used in the process.

Personally, I found best results with three drives, one with the operating system and temporary files on it, one with the captured video and one for the edited results. Don't forget to defragment the drives before starting. This applies particularly to the production drive as your video file will probably be quite big and keeping it contiguous speeds things up quite a bit.

Brian.

[edDV]

RAID zero is necessary for real time uncompressed editing only. For compressed SD or HD editing, the disk system is lightly loaded (only ~4MB/s vs a 60MB/s max sustained for a typical 7200RPM drive). As explained above seek time is the only significant delay offered by the disk drive system.

HD MPeg2 and MPeg4 video requires heavy CPU + display card speed just to play at 1x. Uncompressed video taxes the CPU lightly. Encoding from compressed source requires extensive non-realtime CPU processing for HD. If you want real time recoding you will need to invest in proprietary hardware.

So for MPeg editing buy disk drives for capacity not speed. A 7200RPM drive is fine for editing MPeg or typical digital intermediate formats. Invest all your speedup money in the CPU. Memory >3GB is not likely to help unless requested in the encoder documentation.

Now if your goal is uncompressed capture off a BlackMagic Intensity, then a different strategy is required.

[montageman]

You really need to update to the new Core I7 processors

I wish I only recently built a new Core 2 Quad machine, so I'll have to wait a while to upgrade again

Both take approx. about the same time to render HD content

Thanks for the info. I suppose I'm more concernced about the read speed during actual timeline editing. I'm wondering if having a RAID 0 or VelociRaptor for the captured video will increase timeline editing performance eg better preview quality/playback during timeline editing (eg smooth playback instead of laggy playback), even if it only improves editing video with simple cuts and cross-fade transitions (easily the two transitions I use the most).

Personally, I found best results with three drives, one with the operating system and temporary files on it, one with the captured video and one for the edited results.

Yep that's the same as my setup

Don't forget to defragment the drives before starting. This applies particularly to the production drive as your video file will probably be quite big and keeping it contiguous speeds things up quite a bit.

Thanks for the tip Brian, this is one thing I have not thought to do, but will definitely give it a go with future edits.

Thanks everyone for the continued responses. Keep em coming if anyone has any other opinions.

Cheers.

[montageman]

@edDV, thanks mate that's exactly the kind of info I was looking for. That's two new lots of info I've learnt from you this week

Based on everyone's opinions, I think now I'll pass on the RAID setup and the Velociraptor and put my pennies towards a second, faster editing PC (which is actually something I've been working towards since the m/b on my main editing pc shat itself a couple of days ago ) My god computers cause me stress sometimes.

Thanks everyone for your help and opinions, it really has helped me to decide where to spend that money that I don't really have

Cheers.

[lordsmurf]

Use a KVM -- keep single monitor, mouse and speakers for all systems on the desk. Saves tons of space, especially in the age of micro-towers and ultra-thin LCDs.

[redwudz]

Since you have lots of money to spend. You might consider a SSD (Solid State Drive) for your OS, speeds up boot and program startups. A 256GB is a nice addition. I'm using a smallish 60GB SSD and it has made a big difference in system performance. And it's not a fast SSD.

I don't recall what OS you plan to use, but Vista (And maybe W7) automatically defrags your drives, so that's not much of a problem, at least on my systems. (But don't defrag a SSD as it can cause early failure with them. )

[INFRATOM]

The faster is having 2 velociraptors on RAID zero for OS and 2 x 1TB HD on a separate RAID 0 for data. RAID 0 will combine the volumes so there is no wasted space. 150 GB velociraptor is half the price of 300GB so buying 2 is better than one larger one and you can RAID it too.

[edDV]

The faster is having 2 velociraptors on RAID zero for OS and 2 x 1TB HD on a separate RAID 0 for data. RAID 0 will combine the volumes so there is no wasted space. 150 GB velociraptor is half the price of 300GB so buying 2 is better than one larger one and you can RAID it too.

But for other than uncompressed editing*, why do you need faster drives? You might say for file copy but copy proceeds at the speed of the slower drive or your network.

RAID 0 on the OS drive gets you faster application launch but few other benefits. It is also highly risky for data loss.


* Uncompressed HD editing requires more than two drives on your RAID.

[INFRATOM]

Hard drives are better in these days if chosen correctly and less chance of data loss well if data is going to stay and safety is crucial could go RAID 0+1 or 5. Single drive goes to sleep and kicking it into action has a delay, if you spin it continuously that will shorten it's life. In these days some MB come with 2 RAID any way why not use it.
montageman setup is the question of economy first, lets say your budget is under $200 choices would be one 150GB velociraptor or 2 one terabyte in RAID 0 performance is almost the same but 150GB VS 2TB storage which one do you choose? From the technical side RAID setup most likely would be easier to reformat and reinstall OS and installing on RAID is a bit tricky because you need to have the RAID drivers in the middle of install. The fastest possible is what I explained above. bring it on paper see how much each cost then go for configuration.

[jagabo]

Obviously the OP needs a 24 ssd drive raid array.
https://forum.videohelp.com/topic367759.html