Why is TC so slow to access data on HD?

[rkdiddy]

So I picked up a 500gb TC on Friday and setup was fairly straight forward.

The internet runs fast on all of my computers, however there seems to be a delay when accessing files stored on the TC. Is this delay normal?

I deal with a lot of large PhotoShop and AI files - would I be better off purchasing an Airport Extreme with an USB external drive?

 

[skiffx]

Havent tried Time Capsule, but my AE + External HDD works flawlessly, as far as the speeds, it goes as fast as usb allows.

 

[MattZani]

I'm connected via gigabit, and once the hdd has initially spun up, its as fast as
anyother drive I have used

 

[richard.mac]

is there an option in Airport Utility to not let the TC sleep? if you want to access it while the it hard disk is asleep you have to wait for the disk platters to spin up before you can access it.

 

[rkdiddy]

Havent tried Time Capsule, but my AE + External HDD works flawlessly, as far as the speeds, it goes as fast as usb allows.

What type of HDD are you using?

 

[gwsat]

I backup my Quicken data files to my Time Capsule and there is usually a 15 to 20 second delay between the time I press Enter from within the Quicken Backup dialog box and the time the backup is complete, although the size of the backup files totals less than 7 MB. I suspect the delay is simply an indication that the sleeping disk took a few seconds to spin up. It has been no big deal, although I had a few heart palpitations the first time it happened.

 

[skiffx]

What type of HDD are you using?

some old 200GB seagate. hdd type doesnt matter at all, which version of osx are you running?

 

[ntrigue]

It has everything to do with the HDD sleeping. Just something you have to live with...

 

[rkdiddy]

Alright so I ended up purchasing an Airport Extreme with an External HD attached to test the difference.

I was told at the Apple Store the difference would be minimal and they were sure I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a TC and a AE with EHD attached.

Well, they're wrong. There is huge difference. When clicking on the folders on the TC everything had a 5 to 8 second delay before anything opened. When clicking on MP3s there would be a 15 second delay before they would begin playing.

The AE with EHD was a totally different story. Accessing files was virtually immediate. I'm pleasantly surprised!

Based off this test, I'm going to be returning my TC tomorrow.

 

[xraydoc]

Alright so I ended up purchasing an Airport Extreme with an External HD attached to test the difference.

I was told at the Apple Store the difference would be minimal and they were sure I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a TC and a AE with EHD attached.

Well, they're wrong. There is huge difference. When clicking on the folders on the TC everything had a 5 to 8 second delay before anything opened. When clicking on MP3s there would be a 15 second delay before they would begin playing.

The AE with EHD was a totally different story. Accessing files was virtually immediate. I'm pleasantly surprised!

Based off this test, I'm going to be returning my TC tomorrow.

That's because the USB HD connected to your AirPort Extreme never spins down.

 

[rkdiddy]

That's because the USB HD connected to your AirPort Extreme never spins down.

That makes sense. I'm using a WD Mybook 500gb, that automatically powers down with your computer - however since it is connected to my AE it is always on.

Is that a bad thing?