Is it possible/advisable to store video on external disks?

[mortenjensen]

Hi all
Though having a 750 gig HD, I am running out of storage pretty soon due to some video editing. One DV tape takes up 12 gb when ripped, and then comes the editing files + final outputs.

I was thinking: Is it possible to set up an external HD as the main storage place? Right now, my ripped files are just kept in my "Video"-folder.

If it is, will it then work OK or is a regular usb-disk simply too slow?

What are you guys doing about this?

Morten

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Relocate your iMovie projects

It is always advised to use an extra HDD (internal or external) and not the HDD/SSD the OS is stored on.

As for USB 2.0, it is okay for DV footage (which has been "captured", not "ripped"), but Firewire 400 or 800 would be better.

I once edited a 20 minute film using DV footage stored on a USB 2.0 2.5" HDD, it was okay, but once I used a FW800 HDD it was a much better experience.

 

[mortenjensen]

Hey Sim

Thx for all your replies. Great!

One thing: In settings for iMovie, it does not seem possible to change the standard folder locations. Is that needed?

Or put different: Is it possible to change the location for the Movie-folder permanently? Or shall I just place the footage where I want it each time I capture?

Morten

 

[simsaladimbamba]

As far as I know, it does not seem that way, but I also don't use iMovie, so maybe there is a trick.

 

[Dave Braine]

When you import into iMovie, the import dialogue box gives you the choice of where to save the import. Just choose your external drive.

 

[McRCN]

Keeping your video on an external hard drive is a great idea. I keep all of my music on a separate external hard drive too.

 

[Zwhaler]

Hey Sim

Thx for all your replies. Great!

One thing: In settings for iMovie, it does not seem possible to change the standard folder locations. Is that needed?

Or put different: Is it possible to change the location for the Movie-folder permanently? Or shall I just place the footage where I want it each time I capture?

Morten

The only requirement is that the Events are located in a folder called iMovie Events, and the Projects are located in a folder called iMovie Projects. Where you store them doesn't matter. If it's on an external drive iMovie (and FCP X, assuming you are using Final Cut Event & Final Cut Project folders and you have the application installed) will read them fine. I would strongly advise against editing projects off of an external USB 2 drive. It's okay to archive them there, but when you're editing put them on your Macintosh HD or on a separate internal drive like on the Mac Pro or iMac HDD + SSD models.