Author Topic: Most reliable Brand/Model of External Hard Disk / Drive (Read 20342 times)

Chivalry · « **on:** Jul 29, 2008 at 12:20 PM »

Hi, can anyone help me out by suggesting the most reliable brand of External Hard Drive to store photos and videos? Is it advisable to buy one in the Gilmore strip mall area? Thanks in advance!

iiinas · « **Reply #1 on:** Jul 29, 2008 at 12:46 PM »

Quote from: Chivalry on Jul 29, 2008 at 12:20 PM

Hi, can anyone help me out by suggesting the most reliable brand of External Hard Drive to store photos and videos? Is it advisable to buy one in the Gilmore strip mall area? Thanks in advance!

i find western digital's my book series of external 3.5" harddisk the most cost effective per gb storage. and it has a nice look too. if you like portability you can get their 2.5" passport are pretty good too.

there are a lot of brands. most of them reliable. seagate, maxtor and western digital are all good brands. thats why i go for the cheapest per gb storage.

dbdbd · « **Reply #2 on:** Jul 29, 2008 at 01:21 PM »

I'm also planning to get an external hard drive. My concern is can I directly plug in the hard drive directly to my PS3's USB port for playback? Thanks.

iiinas · « **Reply #3 on:** Jul 29, 2008 at 03:35 PM »

Quote from: dbdbd on Jul 29, 2008 at 01:21 PM

I'm also planning to get an external hard drive. My concern is can I directly plug in the hard drive directly to my PS3's USB port for playback? Thanks.

i think there is no problem with that, but i think if you are planning to play media heavy files like mkvs i suggest you get the 3.5" externals, because they usually have their own power, para hindi magkaproblema power rather than using a portable 2.5" external that draws power from the ps3's usb port. baka mabitin.

you can try the ps3 as a bluray player thread to ask if any has done this, usually kasi they just change the internal drive of the ps3 para less hassle.

dbdbd · « **Reply #4 on:** Jul 29, 2008 at 04:40 PM »

Great. Thanks for the input.

vin314 · « **Reply #5 on:** Jul 30, 2008 at 06:56 AM »

how about this one? ok ba to?

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=391

Chivalry · « **Reply #6 on:** Jul 30, 2008 at 09:50 AM »

Quote from: iiinaslao on Jul 29, 2008 at 12:46 PM

i find western digital's my book series of external 3.5" harddisk the most cost effective per gb storage. and it has a nice look too. if you like portability you can get their 2.5" passport are pretty good too.

there are a lot of brands. most of them reliable. seagate, maxtor and western digital are all good brands. thats why i go for the cheapest per gb storage.

Thanks for the suggestion!

Though I finally settled for a regular 3.5" 320Gb SATA hard disk and an enclosure, (the lightest on the pocket!). I know, I started off wanting apples but finally settling for oranges...

OT but relevant :

After assembling the hard disk and the enclosure, being the noob I am, I sorta panicked when couldn't find the drive after plugging it into the USB port. Luckily I was able to find help in the web, here's the site for those who might encounter the same problem i did :

http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/prepare_second_hdd/prepare_second_hdd1.shtml

iiinas · « **Reply #7 on:** Jul 30, 2008 at 11:20 AM »

Quote from: vin314 on Jul 30, 2008 at 06:56 AM

how about this one? ok ba to?

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=391

oks yan, thats the 2.5" portable ng western digital, pero sa portable, i think you can find cheaper brands than western digital, try to shop around. dami na ngayon.

goodluck.

dbdbd · « **Reply #8 on:** Jul 30, 2008 at 11:34 AM »

Finally! Went to Vmall last night and ended up getting a 3.5" 500Gb Western Digital SATA drive enclosed in a VRAM DJ enclosure. Though the casing, remote and the menu's of the VRAM may look a bit low end. Im completely satisfied with the simplicity of the device. Just cut and paste, plug and play! Cost me 6.5K. Dami na nakapila sa Utorrent ko.

SiCkBoY · « **Reply #9 on:** Aug 02, 2008 at 11:53 PM »

Congratulations on your new purchase. Is it similar to the Encore enclosures from CDR King wherein you don't need to have your computer on to download torrents?

ivannn · « **Reply #10 on:** Aug 04, 2008 at 08:44 AM »

Quote from: SiCkBoY on Aug 02, 2008 at 11:53 PM

Congratulations on your new purchase. Is it similar to the Encore enclosures from CDR King wherein you don't need to have your computer on to download torrents?

interesting... how much does this cost?

vin314 · « **Reply #11 on:** Aug 04, 2008 at 11:22 AM »

how about this one?

http://yahoo-ssp-cnet.com.com/hard-drives/my-book-essential-edition/4014-3186_9-32640301.html?tag=srch_7_1

SiCkBoY · « **Reply #12 on:** Aug 04, 2008 at 07:40 PM »

Quote from: ivannn on Aug 04, 2008 at 08:44 AM

interesting... how much does this cost?

Around 6k, if I remember correctly. It's really a hard drive enclosure that can be turned into a 'torrent downloader' with simple modifications. There's a step-by-step guide in TPC and a lot of people already testified that it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. Ok, I exaggerate. But yeah, several TPC members were able to make it work.

If I had 8.5k to burn, I'd go for it.

Chivalry · « **Reply #13 on:** Oct 20, 2008 at 01:18 PM »

My external powered enclosure + hard drive becomes very hot after few minutes of being turned on. Can anyone tell me if this is normal? Should I change my generic enclosure? TIA!

Alfie · « **Reply #14 on:** Oct 20, 2008 at 02:49 PM »

The higher the rpm the hotter it gets.

The bigger the files the hotter it gets.

The longer you use it, the hotter it gets.

That's the reason why we normally see HDD fans/coolers being sold at various Computer shops.

All you need is to place your HDD near a good ventilation,or better still, where your electric fan can cool the HDD.

BTW...a hot HDD is better than a cold one...well, if it's cold, it's dead...nunca activity.

anya618 · « **Reply #15 on:** Oct 20, 2008 at 02:51 PM »

nag ooverheat ba ang HDD ?

Alfie · « **Reply #16 on:** Oct 20, 2008 at 03:33 PM »

Yes....noted with those with poor ventilation....not neccessarily with cheap enclosures, cheap enclosures results to inability to function.

anya618 · « **Reply #17 on:** Oct 20, 2008 at 03:48 PM »

how about internal hdds? me overheat din ba?

iiinas · « **Reply #18 on:** Oct 20, 2008 at 04:05 PM »

Quote from: anya618 on Oct 20, 2008 at 03:48 PM

how about internal hdds? me overheat din ba?

sir anya, pag gagamitin mo sa nmt, i would strongly suggest you get an external hdd. as the nmt's inside is just right for the internal hdd so air circulation is not as good. so it gets hot. i got a western digital external. so my nmt is not as hot and its easier for me to transfer file from my computer to the external.

anya618 · « **Reply #19 on:** Oct 20, 2008 at 04:11 PM »

pero di ba ang external hdd is also an internal hdd with an enclosure lang?

Alfie · « **Reply #20 on:** Oct 20, 2008 at 05:13 PM »

Quote

how about internal hdds? me overheat din ba?

Quote

pero di ba ang external hdd is also an internal hdd with an enclosure lang?

He-He....

I was surprised that you asked such an elementary question...

Anyway....Yes to both.

Now, if you have any additional questions:
Kindly Goggle on the how's & Why HDDs overheat.
There's a lot of reports and preventive measures posted in various pc forums.

We need to get back to the topic thread.

Anyway, for me, all external HDDs are reliable, it's how you care for them that counts.
You hav ethem since you'll mostly use them for storage...damage can only occur due to Physical assaults e.g. dropping, or yes...Overheating.

Clondalkin · « **Reply #21 on:** Oct 20, 2008 at 06:00 PM »

Quote from: anya618 on Oct 20, 2008 at 04:11 PM

pero di ba ang external hdd is also an internal hdd with an enclosure lang?

Most branded external drives have better designed enclosures - for instance heat sink multi-layered body material, well ventilated (with or without optional fans) - that keeps the temperature in the immediate surroundings of the hard drive within reasonable levels. Kung bibili ka nang sariling enclosure, better buy one with good fan because usually ordinary lang yung casing material.

What levels of temp are you getting anyways?

Personally, I find the cradle/dock to be the most effective in terms of keeping the hard drive just normally warm. Nakahubad ba naman halos.

Chivalry · « **Reply #22 on:** Oct 21, 2008 at 08:50 AM »

Thanks sir Alfie for the reply.

Quote from: Clondalkin on Oct 20, 2008 at 06:00 PM

What levels of temp are you getting anyways?

I couldn't get Speedfan to read my external drive, but it says 43-45°C for my internal hdds. My external hdd enclosure is a generic brand made of aluminum, and by "hot" I mean hot to touch (I'd say nearly as hot as the hot water from a drinking water dispenser), I'll find a better way to get its temperature. Thanks!

momay · « **Reply #23 on:** Oct 21, 2008 at 09:20 AM »

bought this fanned HDD casing for my 1TB samsung spinpoint F1. temps never go above 30C.

Clondalkin · « **Reply #24 on:** Oct 21, 2008 at 09:35 AM »

Quote from: Chivalry on Oct 21, 2008 at 08:50 AM

Thanks sir Alfie for the reply.

I couldn't get Speedfan to read my external drive, but it says 43-45°C for my internal hdds. My external hdd enclosure is a generic brand made of aluminum, and by "hot" I mean hot to touch (I'd say nearly as hot as the hot water from a drinking water dispenser), I'll find a better way to get its temperature. Thanks!

If you're getting 43-45 degrees for your internal hard drives and maintain trouble-free operation, I think you should try to aim for that kind of level (as maximum) with your external drive as well. Mainit na anything above 40 degrees. Hot water in our dispenser is about 60-70 degrees.

Alfie · « **Reply #25 on:** Oct 21, 2008 at 06:18 PM »

Quote from: Chivalry on Oct 21, 2008 at 08:50 AM

Thanks sir Alfie for the reply.

I couldn't get Speedfan to read my external drive, but it says 43-45°C for my internal hdds. My external hdd enclosure is a generic brand made of aluminum, and by "hot" I mean hot to touch (I'd say nearly as hot as the hot water from a drinking water dispenser), I'll find a better way to get its temperature. Thanks!

Aluminum dissipates heat via enthalpy conduction/convection mechanism.....hence, you'll need a cool environ, or if the need arises: support from a cooling fan.

Aluminum's widely use because it's inexpensive.
However, being a conductor,it also need help in dissipating the heat enthalpy to the environment.

So the rule of thumb is; You don't need an expensive enclosure.

Aluminum is Aluminum.

anya618 · « **Reply #26 on:** Oct 22, 2008 at 06:58 AM »

me effect ba if natatapatan ng electric fan ung enclosure?

Alfie · « **Reply #27 on:** Oct 22, 2008 at 09:50 AM »

He-He

Convection

JT · « **Reply #28 on:** Jan 20, 2009 at 11:43 AM »

Anyone using Maxtor OneTouch III 1tb/1.5tb/2tb model? Is it recommended?

http://www.maxtor.com/en/hard-drive-backup/external-drives/maxtor-onetouch-3-turbo-edition.html

THX1138 · « **Reply #29 on:** Jan 21, 2009 at 07:12 AM »

Quote from: dbdbd on Jul 29, 2008 at 01:21 PM

I'm also planning to get an external hard drive. My concern is can I directly plug in the hard drive directly to my PS3's USB port for playback? Thanks.

I have been using my PS3 as my media player since i prefer its video upscaler over the one on my Pioneer DVD player (with DIVX). I found that any drive formatted with FAT32 works well (either 2.5" USB powered or 3.5" AC powered). I also upgraded the internal hard drive to 320GB but still use a Western Digital MyBook 1TG external drive since i have a lot of video files!

I must say though that 720p mkv video files look great on my 1080p monitor!