Experiences/Benchmarks using Hybrid 2.5 HDD externally and internally

I was going to update this thread-
www.fcp.co/forum/4-final-cut-pro-x-fcpx/...h-264-video-natively
but then I thought it might make more sense as a new thread with a new subject.
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Workflow:

I am now giving live online classes 3 times a week. I'm using ScreenFlow to capture the live class. I export it out from ScreenFlow as H.264, 2000kbps, 48k Raw PCM audio, 1600x1000. (I experimented with doing a Pro Res 422 export, but it was overkill for what I'm doing since final exports for the web are 640x360.)

I take a Template project I have for these classes, duplicate it, and then start working on top of it on a 720p timeline. I'm using the H.264 original file (actually as an alias) and NOT using Optimized or Proxy files. I make adjusts for the audio when needed and use transform in the Inspector to crop/place the clip where it works best.

Once the edit is complete, I export as a Pro Res 422 file and then take it into Compressor to export out as both .mp4 and .m4v 640x360 x264 files for my websites.
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I don't do video as a profession, but since video is about 5-10% of what I do for my business, I do need to be good and efficient at it. (And, it will likely be an increasing proportion of what my business calls for.) I'm continually trying to improve my workflow to speed up the overall process.

I move around a lot and being able to edit anywhere at any time on my 2011 MBP i7 17" is a huge advantage for me. Because of this I decided to look at the option of removing my Optical Drive and putting in an OWC Data Doubler so that I have a 2nd drive for media always with me (and then I don't have to drag around an external RAID). SSDs are still too pricey for the amount of GBs you get, so I bought the Seagate Momentus XT Hybrid 750GB HDD. I first tested it with FCP X in an external drive dock connected via a 3GB eSata ExpressCard. The editing experience with FCP X felt fine. In fact, it didn't feel much different than with my 2-drive RAID 1 setup.
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Benchmarks:
(I used QuickBench 4.0, Large file test (2-10 MB), 5 cycle run, with the "Allow Cache Effects" box checked and 5ms set for the Read and Write Delays)

Seagate Hybrid 750GB in Voyager drive dock:
eSata: Write-92 MB/s, Read- 106 MB/s.

Seagate Hybrid 750GB internal MBP main slot- 6GB connection:
Write-273 MB/s, Read- 118 MB/s.
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Internal 750GB 5400 Drive (in original main drive slot):
Write- 57 MB/s, Read- 57 MB/s

Internal 5400 Drive (moved to optical drive slot 12/23/12 -- I don't know why this drive benchmarks faster and feels "snappier" in the new slot, but it does.):
Write-90 MB/s, Read- 90 MB/s.
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eSATA OWC Elite-AL Pro 2-Drive (1 TB) RAID 1:
eSATA: Write- 97 MB/s, Read- 99 MB/s.
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Some Other Notes:

I haven't tried an edit with the Hybrid drive as an internal drive yet. As soon as I do in the next day or two, I'll come back and notate my experience.

I'll give it a few more days to get the feel of the new hardware setup, but as soon as I come to some conclusions about the new drive as an internal, I'll upgrade my RAM from 8GB to 16GB and see how much of a difference I notice.

I'll also wipe the "OWC Elite-AL Pro 2-Drive (1 TB) RAID 1" clean and re-format it to RAID 0 and see what that does. If I don't pick up any speed at least it will go from 1 TB to 2 TB.

I have noticed that when I put the lid down to sleep the laptop, the main boot drive in the old Optical slot makes a clicking after a few seconds like it's shutting down. It wakes up fine, but it's a new sound.
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I've still got about 7 class edits to do this week to get caught up. Since these edits are all about the same, it really gives me a good chance to test different workflow aspects of editing and also the hardware config to try to optimize the process. (I did notice for instance that if I add the Transforms on the main clip at the very end, there appears to be less slowdowns.) I'll expand on this as I get more info.

Dave

I've got a mid 2010 15" MB Pro, 2.8G i7 with 3 GB/s bus. I have SSD in the HD drive bay and Seagate Momentus 750G replacing the optical drive using the OWC kit. I'm running OSX 10.8.2. I have mapped, via Terminal app, some of my User account sub folders. The os and apps reside on the SSD, Projects and Events are on the Momentus. All has worked fine for a year with one exception ill discuss below. First though I wanted to say that FCPX has worked fine with this config. The performance and stability are fine. The Momentus firmware managing the 8GB is seamless. Who knows what stays on the SSD portion vs. swapping to the HDD portion :blink:

The problem I do have applies across all applications. The Momentus will go to sleep while processing is happening, which thus interrupts whatever is in progress. I am thinking this happens because the os drive is busy but not accessing the hybrid for a long period. I use Caffiene on my menu bar and that solves the problem though not an optimal solution.

That's interesting about the sleep issue. I haven't run into that up to now, but I'll keep my eyes open for it.

As I mentioned in the first post,

"I have noticed that when I put the lid down to sleep the laptop, the main boot drive in the old Optical slot makes a clicking after a few seconds like it's shutting down. It wakes up fine, but it's a new sound."

I remember that the few times I had a CD or DVD in the Optical drive and put it to sleep, the drive made a clicking sound like I hear now with the boot drive in that slot. I suppose it's possible that there is something different going on with that Optical drive slot. I wonder if it would make a difference if you switched the position of the 2 drives?

Dave

Bobby,

I forgot to ask, how much RAM do you have in your MBP? I've got 8GB at the moment, but I've got 16GB sitting here waiting to be put in. I'll give it a few more days of editing first though so I can get a sense of how the new drive is doing before I put the RAM in and muck up the equation. Aside from upgrading to an SSD, this machine will be maxed out.

Thanks,
Dave

Dave, I'm maxed out at 8gb RAM. I usually quit most apps to edit. 1080p native AVCHD editing is painful, 720p pretty good. When ProRes converted, no problems and the drive has been fast and reliable. Just hope I won't need to use my AppleCare for hardware issue as they tell me my config is not supported. I'd have to swap out the drives again first.
-Bob

Bob,

It sounds like you've got a workflow that works for you and of course, that's all that matters. I too still tend to go "old school" for bigger edits and first re-boot, close apps and sometimes turn off wi-fi. (The big one for me is closing Mail so I'm not tempted to take a look and get distracted. I hate it when that happens.)

Happy New Year and editing,
Dave