Setting up a video editing system

[Guest]

I'm setting up a new video editing system. I currently own eight 250GB
Western Digital Special Edition (8mb buffer) HD and a two 74 gig Raptor
10,000 rpm SATA HD.

I guess my question here is what's the ideal stripe size i should use.
Should I match my cluster size to the stripe size? What are the benifits and
what nots? Key thing here is video editing and yes I do edit some stuff in
uncompress format. This is for RAID 0.

Another thing, can someone recommend a good power supply and tower to go
along with this setup. I currently have a Dual Xenon 3.0ghz. Links would be
great to help answer my questions especially on the raid setup.

 

[William Meyer]

I'm setting up a new video editing system. I currently own eight 250GB
Western Digital Special Edition (8mb buffer) HD and a two 74 gig Raptor
10,000 rpm SATA HD.

Nice collection.

I guess my question here is what's the ideal stripe size i should use.
Should I match my cluster size to the stripe size? What are the benifits and
what nots? Key thing here is video editing and yes I do edit some stuff in
uncompress format. This is for RAID 0.

Why RAID 0? What kind of format on disk? Uncompressed? If so, then I expect you're using a 3ware card? If not uncompressed, then bandwidth ought not to be your most serious concern. It seems most people land on RAID 0 simply because they can do it with fewer drives. RAID 3 or RAID 5 would be my choice, with an 8 drive array.

Another thing, can someone recommend a good power supply and tower to go
along with this setup. I currently have a Dual Xenon 3.0ghz. Links would be
great to help answer my questions especially on the raid setup.

I'd not recommend a tower for so many drives. Better an industrial chassis built to handle that heat load, such as the ones you will find here:

http://chassisplans.com/rackmount_chassis.html

You won't find it on their site, but they have a 3RU chassis that will hold 12 drives in hot-swappable bays. Very nice!

 

[Guest]

I've upgraded to a Dual Opteron 250. I'm working with "uncompress" format
especially with 3 HD cameras. I own both a JVC HD10U, the new sony HD cam and
work with a Panasonic Varicam.
I'll take a look at the case you recommended. As an xmas present to myself
I'm getting a Power G4 17 inch since my company and school are switching over
to
Final Cut Pro. I would get a G5 but my current setup out performs this
sucker any day. Besides I need something portable and why not a Powerbook.
That's it for now ... just busy trying to get everything done.
Thanks for the info. If you can give more tips and suggestions, please do
so. I appreciate your input.

 

[William Meyer]

I'll take a look at the case you recommended.

You might also wish to look at cases from www.bowsystem.com -- they have a wide range available; I've evaluated them, and found them well-designed, well-built, and (like all things PC) underdocumented.