I recommend setting up a RAID mirror if you're going to rip 700 CDs. You might feel like it will never happen, but every hard drive was made to eventually fail. A NAS unit like the Netgear ReadyNAS will give you RAID on top of networking benefits. Or you could just buy a plain vanilla RAID controller for cheap.
Ripping 700 CD's to HD using FLAC-How much space?
Hello all,
Currently, I am in the process of transferring my cd's to an external hard drive using FLAC lossless, EAC for transfer and WinAmp for a media player. I would like a HD with enough space for future downloads but am unsure as to what size to purchase? Memory seems reasonably priced these days and 1TB external HD's are plentiful. Also, I may let go of cd's that I no longer listen to after I have them on the HD which leaves me with another dilemma - how many HD's would suffice for backups? Everyone's advice is appreciated. Thanks, Chris
Currently using:
Windows XP Home
Dell XPS 400
Room for 2 internal HD's (using only (1) currently)
Currently, I am in the process of transferring my cd's to an external hard drive using FLAC lossless, EAC for transfer and WinAmp for a media player. I would like a HD with enough space for future downloads but am unsure as to what size to purchase? Memory seems reasonably priced these days and 1TB external HD's are plentiful. Also, I may let go of cd's that I no longer listen to after I have them on the HD which leaves me with another dilemma - how many HD's would suffice for backups? Everyone's advice is appreciated. Thanks, Chris
Currently using:
Windows XP Home
Dell XPS 400
Room for 2 internal HD's (using only (1) currently)
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- 29 posts total
Another thought here is, FLAC allows you to select the bit rate... so the overall file size will change accordingly. I've heard no diffs from one bit rate to another in the 500 - 1000 region. As it is a lossless codec it stands to reason you could even use the lowest bit rate encoding and save yet more space. The usual default of 768 or so seems appropriate enough though... and digital geography is mighty reasonable lately.... Do really consider having a back up however... Once you finish ripping all those CDs, and see how much time it takes to rip error free, and ever how many drives you will need to replace, you'll understand it better. I rippped onto a 500GB USB drive... then got an Iomega 1TB NAS. The USB drive is now the back up... it's seldom if ever turned on save to archive to or from. Have fun... and do them with error checking! |
Rakuennow hits it on the head. Every HD eventually fails. I've rippped about 2k cd's lossless to a 1TB drive, with a bit more than 350GB left. They are all backed up to an older drive. A RAID is a great idea, and Drobo makes a nice product (no affiliation). Again all drives fail, so in addition to backing up to a drive, you may consider a low tech inexpensive contingency. I've disposed of all liner notes and jewel cases, and placed all cd's in binders. They take up less than 2 cubic ft. and will not fail. Though I imagine there will be some degredation due to oxidation over long periods of time. Just don't forget to enjoy the music. |
Buy a Netgear NAS Duo 2150, on sale at Newegg for $360 with a $75 rebate. Comes with a single 500GB HD and at the same time buy a 1TB drive and install in the NAS. Now, when you rip, everything will be automatically mirrored. When you fill the 500GB drive, buy another 1TB drive (or 1.5TB) and remove/replace the 500GB drive (it's all hot swappable) then your NAS will have a capacity of 1TB. |
See the following thread for some things to think about before opting for RAID as your backup solution: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?icomp&1243817965 Regards, -- Al |
- 29 posts total