Digital Video - February 2008 - (Page 26) IN REVIEW DULCE PRO DQ nects of non-locking eSATA cables, it was reassuring to see that the card and drive unit were attached by two latch-locking 4-lane connectors. Software installation was a snap. The drive mounted on the desktop immediately as one volume. RAID management is accomplished by a Web-based interface which controls formatting, settings, notification management and all other functions. It is through this interface that one can select the RAID protocol. To remain consistent not only with Dulce’s recommendations but also with what most editors would common maintain, I left the default RAID 5 settings. Before capturing any video, I ran the AJA System Test software to verify Dulce’s speed claims. Numbers for SD 720x486 were off the chart. But you’re not going to invest in a RAID such as this strictly for local furniture store going-out-of-business-sale commercials in Beta SP. More real-useages scenarios are HD and 2K. With a 1920x1080 10-bit frame size and 2GB file size, the system test returned write speeds of 634.4MB/s and read speeds of 553.5MB/s. I achieved eight layers of uncompressed HD in Final Cut Pro before I got the red render line. Testing for 2048x1556 10-bit RGB frame sizes with a 4GB file size, data rates remained virtually identical to 10-bit uncompressed HD. As a point of reference, 2K (1556) video at 23.98 fps has a data rate of about 308 MB/s and if by chance anyone would be editing 2K 29.97 (I don’t know why), that rate would climb to 382MB/s. Statistically speaking, then, the RAID should handle 2K without breaking a sweat. In order to test that, I acquired footage shot at 2K in the Red camera and, using Red’s software, converted to 2K footage. I dropped those files into FCP timeline and played. The result was not a single dropped frame. Dulce has demonstrated a PCIe expander box which would allow multiple controller cards to chain to multiple RAIDs. This allows for virtually unlimited storage expansion of securely redundant data. Note, however, that this is not a SAN solution. It would be a welcomed extension of this technology to make this fast and relatively economical storage solution available across a network. Dulce Systems has delivered a winner with the Pro DQ. It is available in configurations from 2TB to 8TB and with the upcoming expansion technology offers virtually unlimited size. The software is flexible and allows for easy reconfiguration and rebuilding of the RAID. The device itself is sturdy and quiet. The connections are secure. Support is knowledgeable of video matters and speaks the language of our industry. The Pro DQ is the other extreme from the inexpensive technologies I have demonstrated previously, but, for those editing in this HD and 2K range, it should be a serious contender for your precious data. DV www.dv.com on drives rather than a mirroring scheme as in the RAID 10 configuration of my homebuilt devices. To calculate the effects of parity, take away one drive from the config and that gives you roughly the useable space on your RAID. RAID 6 provides double parity and the expense of one more drive. Dulce claims that in RAID 5 configuration, the system will deliver 570MB/s as opposed to 660 MB/s in the unprotected RAID 0 mode. Those data rates should sustain any video frame size editable on the desktop. The system ships with drives removed and packaged in shock-resistant packaging, numbered sequentially 1 through 8. Just insert drive 1 in the top slot and so on down the line. The unit is heavy and well-ventilated with virtually silent fans. The controller card (I tested the PCIe model on a MacPro) installed easily into a slot which then I configured as a 4-lane PCIe slot using Apple’s utility. Having experienced any number of accidental discon- SCORE DULCE PRO DQ PROS: An affordable, well-built solution that performs without a hitch yet also has a great warranty. BOTTOM LINE: Dulce Systems has delivered a winner. MSRP: $4,799 (2TB) - $8,399 (8TB) CONTACT: www.dulcesystems.com $899 Complete Systems From Complete System - Color LCD - Glass Beamsplitter - FREE PC Software! Pr Presidential models also available Customers include: ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS, GE, Intel, Exxon, Nortel, Sony Pictures, Wal-Mart, Time-Warner, Marriott, Boeing, IRS, U.S. Airforce/Army/Marines M Models for all Cameras MiniDV to Broadcast A f f o rda ble F lu o r e sce nt Vide o L ig hts FloLight $369 Models From Just - FREE lamps 3000K or 5400K - Dimmable - Reflective Barndoors - 2/4/6/8/10 lamp models - High >92 CRI - Wired Remote Dimmer Complete Line from 500-2500 watts (408)866-9100 www.prompterpeople.com http://www.dulcesystems.com http://www.prompterpeople.com http://www.prompterpeople.com http://www.dv.com
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