I would like advice as to the optimum number of hard drives to use for Vegas Pro. I've heard that three is a good number. Is this correct and if so, what should each drive be used for?
I don't know if there is a set rule to the number of hard drives one can have access to. I always follow the rule that there is no such thing as to much hard drive space.
For anyone project I suppose we have content on atleast three drives at anyone time.
1. System Drive - This is where Vegas is installed, typically a C: drive and we only install the programs on it, no production content.
2. Drive (2) - We keep our in house and third party graphics, music and sfx on this drive. This content could be used on any project at anytime.
3. Drive (3) - Actual production, the raw footage, *.veg files etc.
As a general rule, we prefer not to use external drives while working on a project. Work can still get done, but if you have a choice I believe the new SATA drives will provide better performance.
The transfer rate of USB 2.0 can create some slow downs. Always good to have an external though for back up and portability.
Never use an external USB of Firewire drive for editing or encoding. The data transfer speeds are just too slow. If you must use an external drive, then get an eSATA card and an eSATA drive enclosure.
This is what I have with 8- 1TB drives... http://www.sansdigital.com/towerraid/tr8mb.html. But I really only use it as a backup/archival drive. Sans Digital aso has 4 and 5 drive Tower Raid enclosures... just be sure to get the eSATA and not the USB version.
Never had a problem with external firewire drives down here. I know at least one Vegas user who has had problems with USB drives, probably best avoided.
For certain eSATA is the best, if your PC offers that option.