Should I partition my external hard drive for FCPX media management?

Is there any benefit to creating partitions on a single external hard drive for media management purposes?
My thoughts were to divide a 1tb external firewire drive into 3x 300gb slices and leave 100gb as "free space". 
Each partition would be dedicated to at least 1 active event + project (using FCPX terms) that I am editing.
My thinking on this is that when dealing with the source media + event database, OSX/FCPX will only work on the partition that has been improving read/write speed.
I could easily be wrong about this.

In my view there is no point in partition the drive. You are wasting space and speed. Events are segregated in the FCP folder structure. There is no need to to it with partitions.

Similar Messages

  • Partitioning an external hard drive for Mac and PC

    I want to partition an external hard drive (3TB) into 3 even partitions. I want to use one for PC storage, one for Mac storage and the last for Mac backup. Is this possible and how do I do it?

    Drive Partition and Format
    1. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
    2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
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    When you connect the drive to your PC it should have no problem reading the partition set up for a PC. Now while on the PC you may wish to consider reformatting that partition using ExFAT (if supported on your PC.) This format is more compatible with both OS X and NTSF supporting long file names and other FAT filesystem irregularities.

  • Do I need to partition my external hard drive for a bootable backup

    Hi - First, I apologize for asking a question that's already been discussed so much.  I did try to read everything I could, but I remain confused.  Here is my precise situation:
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    Thank you in advance for any help you can offer!

    I prefer a clone/bootable backup ovver Time Machine myself.
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    Get carbon copy cloner to make an exact copy of your old HD to the New one...
    http://www.bombich.com/software/ccc.html
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    http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/
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    How to format your disks...
    http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/partitioning_tiger.html
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  • Partition of external hard drive for backup different computers

    I have a macbook(40Gig) and an iBook(80 Gig); I want to make an external hard drive to backup.
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    2.If so how big the external drive should be?
    Many thanks

    1. Is this possible to partition the external drive into two to make a bootable backup for both laptops?
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    2.If so how big the external drive should be?
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    A bootable clone is an exact copy of your drive which is capable of booting your computer. Making a copy of your computer which is capable of actually starting the computer requires special copying procedures. Some people just back up data files but if you have problems you have to reinstall all your operating system and all your applications. With a bootable clone you just start up from the backup drive and clone back everything.
    To copy files from one hard drive to another hard drive you can use:
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    [SuperDuper|http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuperDescription.html] (shareware)
    [IBackup|http://www.grapefruit.ch/iBackup/index.html] (free)
    The Restore function of Disk Utility included in OS X. [Kappy's directions|http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=8799711#8799711]
    [Tri-Backup (commercial)|http://www.tri-edre.com/english/tribackup.html] (payware)
    [Silverkeeper|http://www.lacie.com/silverkeeper> (free) - version 2 has some issues (references: [1|http://www.macintouch.com/readerreports/backup/index.html#d12jan2009],
    [2|http://www.macintouch.com/readerreports/backup/index.html#d13jan2009]) and it is recommended Tiger users stick with 1.1.4.
    [Kappy's Backup Software Recommendations|http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=9065665#906 5665]
    [Overview of Mac OS X Backup Programs|http://8help.osu.edu/1247.html]

  • Using an external hard drive for some media while leaving the rest on the desktop

    How can I access ripped DVDs on an external hard drive through iTunes while leaving our music and downloaded media on the desktop hard drive?
    I'm in the process of ripping all of our DVDs so we can watch them using our Apple TV. I can't figure out how to access the DVDs on an external hard drive while leaving all of our downloaded media on the desktop. We have way too much media to store it all on the desktop so that isn't an option.
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    Hi,
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    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1589
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  • How should I partition a new hard drive - for data storage

    My original drive was failing, so I installed another one, with the operating system on it, so that when that one failed, it was not a problem.  Now I have a 2nd one that's failing (or has possibly failed, though I do have it backed up using Time Machine .  I bought another drive today - a 2 TB one and want to install it, possibly partitioning it - maybe with a partition that holds the operating system and some of the software, (though don't know if that's a good idea or not), and part for the data backup of videos I've made, and slideshows from Aperture, etc. - just "stuff".  What is the best way for me to partition it?

    Unless you have very specific requirements, such as wanting to install more than one OS, there's no advantage to creating multiple partitions.

  • Can time capsule be used as an external hard drive for storing media

    Can you use it in such a way that you put movies and music and home vidoes on there to be accessed on when on the network along with using it for backing up data.  Could it be used in such a way that you  can access your files when on wifi from anywhere?

    TC is not designed to be a NAS.. principally it is lacking any means to back itself up. And TM cannot backup a network drive.
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  • Want to partition a new External Hard drive for both pc and mac

    Hello!
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    Thank you!
    Nikki

    If I may suggest:
    Drive Preparation
    1.  Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
    2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
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    5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
    6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
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  • Hello, I need help to retrieve deleted information to partition an external hard drive. What should I do?

    Hello, I need help to retrieve deleted information to partition an external hard drive. What should I do?

    I'm not about the question, and giving you the right answer requires me to ask a few more questions.
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  • Should I get a 2.0 or 3.0 USB external hard drive for my 2011 Macbook Pro? I need it to be compatible with the USB ports of both a PC and a Mac.

    Should I get a 2.0 or 3.0 USB external hard drive for my 2011 Macbook Pro? I need it to be compatible with the USB ports of both a PC and a Mac. I was thinking of getting a Seagate becuase apparently it is compatible with both systems, but I want to know which would be a better investment.

    Using USB 3 devices on Mac computers FAQ

  • I need to buy an external hard drive for my MacBook Air as it is almost full. Which one should I buy?

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  • "How to partition for an external hard drive for windows and Mac backups"

    I have two PCs, Dells, and 1 Macbook Pro.  They are  set up on a wireless network. I would like to set up an external hard drive to backup all three automatically.  Does anyone know how I can do this?  Do I have to partition the external hard drive?  

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  • How can I use one external hard drive for both Time Machine and iPhoto Library?

    I have been using a 1 TG LaCie external hard drive for Time Machine backups.  My (older) Mac has 160 GB and is almost full.  I would like to move my iPhoto Library to the external hard drive, but I've heard Time Machine doesn't share one space well.  Should I
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  • Choosing an external hard drive for back up

    This is more for general advice than a specific question. Right now I have my hard drive partitioned and use the second as a backup with Time Machine. It will work for most situations but not all, such as a home fire or break-in (all my photos and music, lost forever!).
    What I want to do is buy an external hard drive for backup and keep it at work. I would then bring it home every few weeks to update, but otherwise not store it in the same place as my computer. That way I would never lose more than a few weeks worth of stuff. So, a few questions, the nature of which will let you know how much of a novice I am at this.
    1) Right now, Time Machine automatically updates once per hour. When I am using the external drive will I be able to set Time Machine up to only update my back up files when I connect the external drive. Is this difficult.
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    3) My hard drive is about 280 GB. What size should I buy.
    Advice on any of the above would be appreciated. Also feel free to toss in anything else you think I should know or consider.
    Rgds
    PF

    Snowfog wrote:
    This is more for general advice than a specific question. Right now I have my hard drive partitioned and use the second as a backup with Time Machine. It will work for most situations but not all, such as a home fire or break-in (all my photos and music, lost forever!).
    What I want to do is buy an external hard drive for backup and keep it at work. I would then bring it home every few weeks to update, but otherwise not store it in the same place as my computer. That way I would never lose more than a few weeks worth of stuff. So, a few questions, the nature of which will let you know how much of a novice I am at this.
    1) Right now, Time Machine automatically updates once per hour. When I am using the external drive will I be able to set Time Machine up to only update my back up files when I connect the external drive.
    This is what I am currently doing among 3 different backup disks (1 Time Capsule, a WD500GB, and a Lacie 160GB). You won't have to "set" anything up other than attach the new drive and select it in the TM prefs. Then when your done, reselect your normal TM disk.
    2) Any suggestions on what kind of external hard drive I should buy, or what features I should look for would be appreciated. I live in a remote area, so something I can get from futureshop.ca would be preferable.
    Most any drive will do, as you partition it correctly to begin with.
    *_How Should a Time Machine Hard Disk be Prepared?_*
    For Time Machine to work properly, the hard disk must be formatted “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)” and its’ Partition Scheme should be either GUID or Apple Partition Map.
    Time Machine is incompatible with disks partitioned as Master Boot Record (MBR). Unfortunately, this describes nearly every hard drive you can buy because MBR is a Windows partition scheme. (Naturally, this DOES NOT apply to Apples’ Time Capsule.)
    For some, Time Machine begins to perform as expected with a new external hard disk. But then the initial full backup or subsequent incremental backups fail. The user only later discovers the hard disk was still partitioned as Master Boot Record (MBR).
    One article on Time Machine made this observation: “Virtually everybody will have to open Disk Utility and repartition the disk as APM or GUID. It doesn't really matter which one because the Time Machine disk will not be bootable anyway. APM allows a disk to boot a PowerPC, GUID allows the disk to boot an Intel processor but both are easily digestible by Time Machine on either kind of processor.” [http://www.girr.org/mac_stuff/backups.html]
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    One poster recommended this regarding multiple partitions: “If you do create multiple partitions (half and half would be a good place to start), make sure you use the first partition for Time Machine, and the second for your own stuff (the first one will be on top in the graphical representation shown in Disk Utility; you'll understand when you see the partition tab). This way, you can expand the Time Machine volume at any later time by deleting the second partition. Disk Utility allows this dynamic re-sizing of volumes, but volumes can only be expanded toward the end of the drive, when a volume that comes after is deleted to create the room.” [http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1712437&tstart=0]
    Procedure
    Connect the hard disk you wish to use for Time Machine backups.
    Launch Disk Utility.
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    Click on the upper icon of the external hard disk.
    Select the "Partition" tab.
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    Name the disk.
    Format should be "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)".
    Click "Options".
    Select either GUID or Apple Partition Map. (See above for significance)
    Click "OK".
    Click "Apply". Then click “Partition”.
    Once the external hard disk is repartitioned, select it again in Time Machine preferences and use it for your backups. If you chose to create 2 partitions, then select the first partition for Time Machine backups, and the second for additional files/folders.
    3) My hard drive is about 280 GB. What size should I buy.
    Any TM backup drive should be +at least+ twice as large as your Macs internal hard disk.
    Let us know if this resolves your issue.
    Cheers!

  • HT201250 What does it mean to "partition" an external hard drive? Is it something that I want to do?

    What does it mean to "partition" the external hard drive?  Is it something I want to do?  How do I save files from another hard drive to the new one?  I have to reformat the old one as it was not set up correctly.  The drive I have is Seagate but not specifically for MAC, so I have to format it.. never have done this before. Don't know the jargon.  I read that Time Machine will back up automatically but I want to take files from the old drive to the new one.  Do I have to take them to the computer first and then to the new drive?  I need more memory on my computer. It's way too cluttered and congested.  HELP!

    Whoa! Slow donw. TRhere's a lot here. I would suggest you buy a good book on computers in general or macs in particular, one is "OSX the missing manual".
    What does it mean to "partition" the external hard drive?
    It means you take one large drive and make it into more than one volume. This means that it might show up as 2,3 or 4 inde[pendenmt drives. Each one could have, for example, a different operating system on it. Its  a good thing to do if you want to use a drive for several purposes
    Is it something I want to do?
    beats me, you didnt way what you're trying to accomplish. Sorta like sking "should i turn left?"  Depends on where you want to go.
    How do I save files from another hard drive to the new one?
    See advice n book above. Copy them in finder. Copy them in unix. Use a backup or sync utility. No different from Windows in that respect.
    I have to reformat the old one as it was not set up correctly.  The drive I have is Seagate but not specifically for MAC, so I have to format it.. never have done this before. Don't know the jargon.
    Hook it up. Run disk utility. Partition 1 or more partions. GUID map.  Format each partition Mac OS extended, Journaled.  for more, read book, above.  Seriously - we could give you more tips, but you really should learn enough to be comnfident.
    I read that Time Machine will back up automatically but I want to take files from the old drive to the new one.  Do I have to take them to the computer first and then to the new drive?
    I have no idea what you are asking.
    I need more memory on my computer. It's way too cluttered and congested.  HELP!
    What kind of memory and why?  RTAM? Hard drive space? Explain. By the time you are done explaining, i suspect you will have ansered your own question.
    Good luck,
    Have you read the PDF manual for your cmputer?
    Have you used a search engine to look for info, for example, in two seconds i got this from google and wikipedia:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_partitioning
    Grant

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