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van13
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14. March 2007 @ 15:01 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Im looking to get a 500 gb external hard drive to rip my dvds on to so that i dont cluster all of the space up on my laptop. I have a few questions, my first is if i rip my dvds on to an external drive will it slow down the ripping time? i also was wondering if this is a recommended way of ripping or if i am digging myself into a hole. If you have any suggestions on what drive i should select or if i should not use this idea at all i would love to hear them. thanks
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14. March 2007 @ 15:33 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
it actually could b faster or the same speed, ure not digging ureself a hole but u will if u get a "lacie" external hard drive

so dnt b cheap while paying for the 500gb hard drive get good brands like western digital

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136030

or maxtor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144069

my personal choice would b the my book 500gb for wd

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van13
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14. March 2007 @ 15:47 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
yeah i was already looking at that wd one, firewire will make my transfers faster right?
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14. March 2007 @ 16:01 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
yes

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15. March 2007 @ 05:20 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
CNet, gives the WD drives poor review for write speed, 36 minutes to write a 10 gig test folder off both the usb and fire wire. Read test was lest than 10 minutes, which they say is a little better than average.
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15. March 2007 @ 09:33 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
transfering lots of files requires a very good proc to keep the transfer speed high thats y its not the same transfering a 10gb file than transfering a folder full of music and pics with 10gb

as he said his main purpose was rip dvds so either it will b only one file or lots of big VOB files so he wnt have a prblm with it

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16. March 2007 @ 08:20 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
I have 2 WD "me book" external HDD's and love them. Now i never use them to rip DVD's to because of the USB. I rip them to the SATA internal then just transfer the folder when i have time to spare (not using the PC that is)
Should take about 10-12 minutes just to rip the DVD to the HDD with an internal. Will be longer with an external.


van13
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16. March 2007 @ 12:40 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
yea but if i get an external drive with firewire wont it be just as fast or even maybe faster than my internal drive? and i only have an 8x dvd burner so it might not make it any faster or slower, my burner might be whats slowing me down.
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16. March 2007 @ 12:41 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
yeah it could be

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16. March 2007 @ 13:21 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
@steimy
What are the specs of your WD drives. I Do swear by WD internals, but when i saw that review on Cnet it kind of scared me off the external WD's.
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16. March 2007 @ 13:23 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
i dnt trust cnet reviews i trust toms hardware and such, cnet just doesnt cut it 4 me

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van13
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16. March 2007 @ 13:28 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
these are the specs... i know the basics but some of the specs i have no clue what they mean so if anyone can give me suggestions i would appreciate it.



Model
Brand Western Digital
Series My Book Premium
Model WDG1C5000N
Performance
Interface USB 2.0 / IEEE 1394a
Capacity 500GB
RPM 7200 RPM
Average Seek Time 8.9ms
Average Latency 4.2ms
Physical Spec
Form Factor 3.5"
Dimensions 6.8" x 5.7" x 2.3"
Weight 2.9 lbs.
Features
Features Easy to set up, easy to use -- Installation is a snap because you don't really "install" this drive, you just plug it in and it's ready to use. There is no CD to install; the included software loads from the drive the first time you plug it in.
WD Backup software ? We?ve provided software that makes backing up your data as easy as possible. With a few simples steps you can back up all your data files or just save your picture and music files. You can also set scheduled backups, so you don't have to think about it again.
Intelligent drive management features ? The My Book drive turns itself on and off with your computer and Safe Shutdown prevents the drive from being powered down until all your data has been written.
Capacity gauge ? See at a glance how much space is left on your drive.
Intelligent drive management features ? The My Book drive turns itself on and off with your computer and Safe Shutdown prevents the drive from being powered down until all your data has been written.
Smart design ? The elegant case, iconic of a book, takes up less space on your desk, stacks horizontally, and allows two or more drives to nestle neatly together like volumes on a shelf.
High quality hard drive ? Inside the case is an exceptionally fast-ultra quiet, cool-running hard drive from Western Digital.
Free Google software ? Search your drive, manage your photos, and simplify Web searches with included Google software. Note: Google software is compatible with Windows 2000 and XP only.
Packaging
Package Contents 500GB External Hard Drive
1 x USB Cable
1 x FireWire (IEEE 1394a) Cable
Power Adapter and Power Cord
Manufacturer Warranty
Parts 1 year limited
Labor 1 year limited
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16. March 2007 @ 15:52 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
@Van13
Those specs sound like what i've been looking for in an external HD.
especially these...
Quote:
Interface USB 2.0 / IEEE 1394a
Capacity 500GB
RPM 7200 RPM
Average Seek Time 8.9ms
Average Latency 4.2ms

Are you using the firewire or the usb port?
Is there an "interface" that you need to use or is it just an additional drive attached to your box?
van13
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16. March 2007 @ 18:03 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
i have firewire on my laptop so i will be using that
chrisfunk
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17. March 2007 @ 13:31 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
I thought USB 2.0 was faster than Firewire, Isn't it?



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van13
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18. March 2007 @ 09:28 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
no i think firewire is almost 50% faster? atleast thats what i heard
chrisfunk
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18. March 2007 @ 14:53 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Checked it out,,USB 2 is slightly faster than firewire,,it's something like 480mbps vs 400mbps. Where as USB 1 is something pants like 11mbps.

However, I found a webpage that compared two identical hard drives and they found that for some reason the firewire one did actualy transfer files slightly faster. Although UBB2 in theory is faster,,for hard drives at least, the way firewire works makes it better for the job.

I'll post a link to the site if I ever find it again!

Xbox 1.6 Executor3 EvoX 120gb
Custom white case, controler port and power button blue LED mods.
AMD Athlon XP 2.2gig, 120gb 7200rpm HD
512mb PC2700 ram, Delta Audiophile soundcard.
27" HD LCD, 450w dolby digital system.
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18. March 2007 @ 15:35 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
I found that there are 2 different "flavors" of firewire 1394a and 13094b. Flavor "a" maximum xfer rate is 400 Mbps flavor "b" is 800 Mbps, They do spec the firewire to be a 1394a. so yeah seems USB 2.0 put the "fire" out (By the way USB 2.0 is 480 Mbps)
apologies for the pun...

This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 18. March 2007 @ 15:40

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19. March 2007 @ 07:43 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?...d=1164155964057
that is what i bought. But they have one's called "premium" if you want the firewire. I personally did not need it. The external is just extra storage for things i do not use much. I have 4 internal drives for the things i use more often. Plus the rest of the specs are the same. And actually the USB 2.0 is faster. Here are the specs on the premium.
320GB maximum storage capacity
Dual FireWire (IEEE 1394) and USB 2.0 interfaces
Data transfer rates up to 480 Mbps via USB 2.0, up to 400 Mbps via FireWire
8MB cache buffer
7200 rpm for fast read/write times
8.9 ms average seek time
Automatic power-up, Safe Shutdown and LED activity lights make this drive easy to use
Capacity gauge lets you see at a glance how much space is left on your drive
Stackable metal case looks like a book and sits horizontally or vertically
Includes USB cable, FireWire cable, AC adapter with power cord, quick installation guide
Compatible with PC and Mac



chrisfunk
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19. March 2007 @ 09:22 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
As a data transfer standard,,yes USB is 480 vs the 400 of firewire.

BUT,,,,when tested (i really will have to find this website and link it) some guys found that in most cases and if all else is equal,,,the firewire version of the same hard drive did actually perform better in real life!

I'm not an expert but as with most technical things,,you find that the more you know,,,,the more you realise you don't know!

My fiat marea is a 1.6 engine but beats a 1.8 ford focus (yes,,it's proven) there si obviously more to it than pure engine capacity,,,stuff that i don't understand.

my point is that there is something different in the way these 2 standards work,,,not just in the mpbs figures.

Xbox 1.6 Executor3 EvoX 120gb
Custom white case, controler port and power button blue LED mods.
AMD Athlon XP 2.2gig, 120gb 7200rpm HD
512mb PC2700 ram, Delta Audiophile soundcard.
27" HD LCD, 450w dolby digital system.
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19. March 2007 @ 13:31 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
I could see that being the case, but try to find the link for us.
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