External Hard Drive

[HMFC]

Morning folks. Well it's Crimbo time and I know have some money to buy a new external hard drive to help me record and store my family videos for teh last 5 years.

Problem is that I don't know if it's as easy as buying it and plugging it in.
Does anyone know where I can find a guyide which explains how I go about setting up a new ext hd?

I'm a bit of a technophobe but willing to try and learn but I need some basic help i.e. do I need to install separate virus checkers on this hd? I don't think I do as long as I sweep all the drives regularly.

I'll only be using the hd to store videos I'm recording or once they're recorded.

Any help would be gratefully received.

[guns1inger]

Get one in a case that supports USB2 and firewire. It should be pretty much as a simple as plugging it in, maybe installing a driver, and then using it. It should appear and act like any other HDD on the system, and does not require it's own anti-virus etc.

[waheed]

Get a external enclosure for an internal drive supporting SATA (and maybe USB 2.0 too). You will need to buy a PCI SATA card as well (which usually includes internal and exterbal SATA connections).

The speeds of SATA are incredible and faster than compared with USB or Firewire. Im using one and its fast as a internal drive. If you're using Win XP, no driver installation is required. Its Plug & Play.

[HMFC]

Thanks for the advice folks much valued and appreciaed.

[Denvers Dawgs]

I'd also go the build your own External HDD. You'll need a case here is what I have and where I got it

Macally PHR-100AC Aluminum 3.5" USB2.0 + IEEE1394(firewire External Enclosure

Then you will need an internal hard drive to put into the enclosure. I recommend Seagate. They are very reliable with 5yr warranties incase there is a problem, and there are always good deals(that is if you don't mind sending in rebates.)

200GB Seagate with no rebate $100
I myself love rebates, if it saves me $$ then taking 10mins to fill out a form and mail it in is worth it.

Or if you prefer buying already built external Hdd here is one for Western Digital WD160GB $119 AR