What do I need to add to my system for FCP Studio

I have a 500gb internal and a 1TB external. This provides me with a 500gb backed-up scratch drive, as well as 500 gb of non-backed up space for non-essential items (applications, music, documents, etc.) with certain selective items backed up to the external. For me it's about the perfect amount... a few large DV projects and more. I'd suggest somewhere upwards of 500gbs for dv work, and upwards of 1tb for hd work, if your budget allows.

Of course, either type can be done with less space, but this is what i find suitable for me.

I'd also suggest getting a deck. This will reduce strain on your camera heads, and will provide a reliable and quick interface for printing to video or loading video to your disk. Panasonic makes a good DV one for about $1,000 if i remmeber correctly.

Good luck with your venture!

EDIT: Always add internal before external, as it will be faster and you won't have to worry about accidental unpluggings, and their resulting reprocussions. (That is, if the drive fits within.... no matter what, you aren't going to add 1tb internally in addition to your 250 without adding an SATA card and mounting plate.)

 

I'd say a large (300Gb+) internal drive (or external FW800/eSATA drive if you want to use with a laptop as well).

For Final Cut Pro setup your project files on the system drive (make backups) and have all your render/capture files on the second drive.

EDIT: If your budget doesn't allow for a dedicated DV deck, then the other option is to pick up a budget DV camcorder - does basically the same job, saves wear on your primary DV camera.

 

Well, what do you want to do?

I'm assuming this is for home movies/weekend amateur film type stuff. If that's the case grab a 250gig or 300gig internal or external HDD and you are pretty much set. Don't worry about wearing out your camera unless you are putting hundreds of hours through it on a regular basis. If you do worry about wearing out your camera then buy a "broken" camera for cheap off eBay (one that has a damaged lens or something) and use that as a deck. If you have an extra TV lying around then you might consider hooking it up next to your computer (Mac--FW-->Camera--RCA-->TV) to view your video on it 'cause computer monitors and TVs display things differently.


Lethal

 

i was told external (FW800) was better then adding an internal drive. It allows the CPU to focus on software only rather then software and hardware..or something like that....

 

getting an external HDD via firewire is very nice indeed and I do recommend it. Just set ur Catch files for FC to dump right into ur external HDD