External

frozi · Dec 2, 2012, 12:26 PM

I'm looking to get an external for the new imac to keep my footage on when editing.

My two options are either FireWire 800 or USB 3.0

The new imac doesn't have a FireWire port, so am I better off getting USB 3 or get an external with FireWire and use the thunderbolt to fire wire adapter?

I've always thought FireWire is the way to go because of continuous stream, but would the adapter slow it down to a point USB 3 has the advantage?

frozi · Dec 2, 2012, 02:10 PM

Did I post this in the wrong section?

Does no one know if the adapter is good enough, or if I should go usb3?

phoenixsan · Dec 2, 2012, 06:49 PM

Thunderbolt can be up to six times faster over USB 3.0 Supposing the adapter cut the advantage in 50%, still it is 3x faster

torana355 · Dec 2, 2012, 06:52 PM

USB3 is much faster then firewire, im not sure usb3 has the same issues with video that usb2 did. If you want the best performance why not get a thunderbolt external?

mokeiko · Dec 3, 2012, 01:01 AM

OP, if you can afford it, get the TB. Otherwise, get the USB3.0

mokeiko

frozi · Dec 3, 2012, 12:56 PM

Thunderbolt is a little out of my price range so I'm looking at this g-drive

http://www.amazon.com/G-Technology-G...d_rhf_dp_p_t_2

It says it has a "finless cooling system". What are some of your thoughts towards this maybe overheating?

mjsanders5uk · Dec 3, 2012, 01:34 PM

The jury's still out on if USB 3 is fast enough for editing. Burst speed is fine but it's the sustained rate that matters.

Caldigit are about to launch a new range of Thunderbolt drives which look interesting, especially the T1 which can use single drives.

The other option is the Lacie Thunderbolt to esata hub which (as I understand it) will work with any esata drive. Esata's are getting cheaper but are still fast enough. I like the G Tech's myself.

Dec 2, 2012, 12:26 PM	#1
frozi macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2012	External I'm looking to get an external for the new imac to keep my footage on when editing. My two options are either FireWire 800 or USB 3.0 The new imac doesn't have a FireWire port, so am I better off getting USB 3 or get an external with FireWire and use the thunderbolt to fire wire adapter? I've always thought FireWire is the way to go because of continuous stream, but would the adapter slow it down to a point USB 3 has the advantage?
	0

Dec 2, 2012, 06:49 PM	#3
phoenixsan macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2012	I know.... Thunderbolt can be up to six times faster over USB 3.0 Supposing the adapter cut the advantage in 50%, still it is 3x faster __________________ Mac Pro 2010 3.06 Westmere version, 12 Core 64 GB RAM, 4 TB , iPhone 5 (black)
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Dec 2, 2012, 06:52 PM	#4
torana355 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia	USB3 is much faster then firewire, im not sure usb3 has the same issues with video that usb2 did. If you want the best performance why not get a thunderbolt external? __________________ 2012 27" iMac with 680mx \| 2011 13" MBA 128gb \| iPhone 4 32gb \| Nexus 7 16gb \| Nexus 4 on Carbon and Trinity.
	0

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Dec 2, 2012, 02:10 PM	#2
frozi Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2012	Did I post this in the wrong section? Does no one know if the adapter is good enough, or if I should go usb3?
	0

Dec 3, 2012, 01:01 AM	#5
mokeiko macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2007	OP, if you can afford it, get the TB. Otherwise, get the USB3.0 mokeiko
	0

Dec 3, 2012, 12:56 PM	#6
frozi Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2012	Thunderbolt is a little out of my price range so I'm looking at this g-drive http://www.amazon.com/G-Technology-G...d_rhf_dp_p_t_2 It says it has a "finless cooling system". What are some of your thoughts towards this maybe overheating?
	0

Dec 3, 2012, 01:34 PM	#7
mjsanders5uk macrumors member Join Date: May 2009	The jury's still out on if USB 3 is fast enough for editing. Burst speed is fine but it's the sustained rate that matters. Caldigit are about to launch a new range of Thunderbolt drives which look interesting, especially the T1 which can use single drives. The other option is the Lacie Thunderbolt to esata hub which (as I understand it) will work with any esata drive. Esata's are getting cheaper but are still fast enough. I like the G Tech's myself.
	0


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