External storage - anyone use this?

[tvmaster2]

I've always and only used internal drives for my SageTV server. However, has anyone ever made anything like this product work perfectly well for all your storage needs? This would allow a lower power server as well I should think:

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/wd-easy...?skuId=5792401

[JustFred]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

I've always and only used internal drives for my SageTV server. However, has anyone ever made anything like this product work perfectly well for all your storage needs? This would allow a lower power server as well I should think:

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/wd-easy...?skuId=5792401

This is just a USB disk drive, not a networked disk. No real power savings, since it still needs to be hosted on some sort of computer.

It's intended for backup use, and doesn't really fit into the "perfectly good for ALL my storage needs" category. I've been using two of these **disks** for backup purposes for almost a year, with good results. (I shucked the case and then installed the bare drive internally.) But it's not a great choice for storing Sage media, since the drive spins down after 7 seconds of non-use. It takes about that same amt of time to spin back up when access is requested. With Sage, the delay is pretty obnoxious.

As sold, for anything other than occasional backup use, the product gets a big thumbs-down from me. The enclosure's cooling is almost non-existent. Before shucking, I got hourly reports of the drive going over-temp (> 50 deg C). Definitely not conducive to long drive life.

[Malfunction]

I shucked one and it's in my SageTV box. The newer ones sometimes have soldered cables.

[jpwegas]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

I've always and only used internal drives for my SageTV server. However, has anyone ever made anything like this product work perfectly well for all your storage needs? This would allow a lower power server as well I should think:

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/wd-easy...?skuId=5792401

I use these types of external USB backup drives (but the Seagate version, not WB) for all my recording/media drives (currently 6 drives). I use dedicated USB 3.0 PCIe cards for them (not the USB ports built into the motherboard). I used to use internal only drives, but after some testing (and realizing I didn't have enough internal drive bays) I started using these with good results.

I'm not sure using them saves any energy and they do run hot (I have a fan over mine, with lots of space between them). My impression is because they run hot, they may fail sooner, so I monitor them for errors and replace them as soon as they start showing any sign of failure.

As far as I can tell, the Seagate ones don't spin down if they aren't used, but I don't know if that is because I'm using Linux or some other reason.

Performance wise, I don't have any problems using these drives with SageTV under Linux. I've successfully recorded 9 shows simultaneously writing to 3 of these drives without issue.

--John

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by jpwegas

I use these types of external USB backup drives (but the Seagate version, not WB) for all my recording/media drives (currently 6 drives). I use dedicated USB 3.0 PCIe cards for them (not the USB ports built into the motherboard). I used to use internal only drives, but after some testing (and realizing I didn't have enough internal drive bays) I started using these with good results.

I'm not sure using them saves any energy and they do run hot (I have a fan over mine, with lots of space between them). My impression is because they run hot, they may fail sooner, so I monitor them for errors and replace them as soon as they start showing any sign of failure.

As far as I can tell, the Seagate ones don't spin down if they aren't used, but I don't know if that is because I'm using Linux or some other reason.

Performance wise, I don't have any problems using these drives with SageTV under Linux. I've successfully recorded 9 shows simultaneously writing to 3 of these drives without issue.

--John

Are you still using these external drives? Under Linux?

[jpwegas]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

Are you still using these external drives? Under Linux?

Yup!

--John

[RedR]

Hey,
Sorry so late to the thread, just wanted to add what I've found about these drives.
1. I have a 2TB WD USB 3 external that run's 24/7 for years now without issue.

2. With that said, as I understand they do not put the best drives in these sealed enclosures. For a little bit more money, buy a drive you know will be solid for its intended use, then get a proven enclosure for it, if you are really needing/wanting to go with external storage.

Hope this helps!
RedR

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by RedR

Hey,
Sorry so late to the thread, just wanted to add what I've found about these drives.
1. I have a 2TB WD USB 3 external that run's 24/7 for years now without issue.

2. With that said, as I understand they do not put the best drives in these sealed enclosures. For a little bit more money, buy a drive you know will be solid for its intended use, then get a proven enclosure for it, if you are really needing/wanting to go with external storage.

Hope this helps!
RedR

Thanks. WD drives have been my most reliable over the years, especially Reds. The idea with this USB external is for archiving thousands of films, shows, etc., and then turning it on and off when need be (when you’re looking for an archived film to watch). It’s likely they would’nt remain on 24/7.

[jpwegas]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

Thanks. WD drives have been my most reliable over the years, especially Reds. The idea with this USB external is for archiving thousands of films, shows, etc., and then turning it on and off when need be (when you’re looking for an archived film to watch). It’s likely they would’nt remain on 24/7.

Currently I have the following external Seagate drives for storage:
1x 5 TB
1x 6 TB
4x 8 TB
1x 14 TB

They all run 24/7 with a fan blowing on them, as (1) the cases can get warm by themselves as there isn't a lot of internal air flow, and (2) I think heat is the main drive killer. I have SMART monitoring and replace them as soon as they show ANY sign of failure. I typically buy whatever size drive is the cheapest per TB when I replace one.

Only 2 of the drives get new recordings now, the rest are full (2 partially have some file server stuff on that that isn't Sage related).

I don't ever turn them off or let them spin down because I don't want any delays in the Sage interface when people are browsing.

I used to care more about the drives and the enclosures I used, but after a few years (and watching the Backblaze drive reports) I realized the cost difference of those things didn't really pay for itself.

--John