SSD 744T upgrade

480sound · External Since: Oct 08, 2009 Posts: 1

Has anyone installed an ssd (solid state drive) into a Sound Devices
744T.
I have the XL-SATA drive adaptor to accept the new drive.
Has anyone upgraded the drive in a 744T? What drive did you use?
cheers

glen · External Since: Jun 27, 2009 Posts: 5

I upgraded mine with an 80g hard drive about a year and a
half ago. SSD was still too expensive and limited in capacity.
The process was very easy; a LOT easier than any laptop
I've ever done.

Glen Piegari

On Oct 8, 11:17 am, 480sound <da....DeleteThis@studiox.com> wrote:
> Has anyone installed an ssd (solid state drive) into a Sound Devices
> 744T.
> I have the XL-SATA drive adaptor to accept the new drive.
> Has anyone upgraded the drive in a 744T? What drive did you use?
> cheers

Edwardo Santiago · External Since: Jun 28, 2009 Posts: 6

On Oct 8, 9:17 am, 480sound <da....RemoveThis@studiox.com> wrote:
> Has anyone installed an ssd (solid state drive) into a Sound Devices
> 744T.
> I have the XL-SATA drive adaptor to accept the new drive.
> Has anyone upgraded the drive in a 744T? What drive did you use?
> cheers

David,

I spoke to Sound Devices two days ago and they said the Sata adapter
will allow any brand of 2.5" Sata drive to run in the 744T, up to 2
TB. Last week I sent you a link with all the info on SSD's so you can
find all kinds in varying prices. I personally decided to go with
another Pata HD because of cost. The internal 40G HD that ships in the
744T is Pata 2.5" running at 5400 RPM. The manual mentions that
installing a drive with a faster rotation will not yield enough
benefit in terms of record quality, but will lead to more current
draw, causing shorter battery run time. I purchased a 160G 2.5" Pata @
5400 RPM for $69.99 at Best Buy because I just couldn't afford the
128G SSD that I found for $325.00 plus the adapter @ $90.00. But to be
honest, I still think the SSD would be the best drive if you can
afford to do it. I found info stating that SSD's will not only run
quieter and cooler, but they're also much more responsive and quick in
their operation. No rotating parts leads to shorter seek times, higher
durability,...etc.

David, You're a great friend. I hope this info helps. Have fun making
your next movie.

E. Santiago

Marc Wielage · External Since: Feb 22, 2009 Posts: 4

On Fri, 9 Oct 2009 20:43:59 -0700, Edwardo Santiago wrote
(in article
<dd66b801-7954-4be5-b2f6-974540e68322.RemoveThis@y10g2000prg.googlegroups.com>):

> I purchased a 160G 2.5" Pata @
> 5400 RPM for $69.99 at Best Buy because I just couldn't afford the
> 128G SSD that I found for $325.00 plus the adapter @ $90.00.
>------------------------------<snip>------------------------------<

I just did something similar this past weekend: replaced an 80GB internal
744t drive with a 250GB, which was about $79 here in LA. I'm skittish about
PATA (IDE)/SATA adapters, so I stuck with IDE.

I expect SSD drive prices will be dropping steadily over the next six months.
Once the 128GB SSD's dip below $150, I think that'll be the way to go for
all portable recorders, but finding the PATA's is a little tricky.

Drive replacement was easy, but the SD is fussy about formatting.

--MFW

Joaquin · External Since: Apr 10, 2007 Posts: 22

I'm just about to replace my 744T hard disk and am curious about it being
'fussy about formatting' - in what way please?

thanks

> On Fri, 9 Oct 2009 20:43:59 -0700, Edwardo Santiago wrote
> (in article
> <dd66b801-7954-4be5-b2f6-974540e68322 RemoveThis @y10g2000prg.googlegroups.com>):
>
>> I purchased a 160G 2.5" Pata @
>> 5400 RPM for $69.99 at Best Buy because I just couldn't afford the
>> 128G SSD that I found for $325.00 plus the adapter @ $90.00.
>>------------------------------<snip>------------------------------<
>
> I just did something similar this past weekend: replaced an 80GB internal
> 744t drive with a 250GB, which was about $79 here in LA. I'm skittish
> about
> PATA (IDE)/SATA adapters, so I stuck with IDE.
>
> I expect SSD drive prices will be dropping steadily over the next six
> months.
> Once the 128GB SSD's dip below $150, I think that'll be the way to go for
> all portable recorders, but finding the PATA's is a little tricky.
>
> Drive replacement was easy, but the SD is fussy about formatting.
>
> --MFW
>

Marc Wielage · External Since: Feb 22, 2009 Posts: 4

On Mon, 12 Oct 2009 06:00:22 -0700, Joaquin wrote
(in article <GLFAm.2328$KR3.1205@text.news.virginmedia.com>):

> I'm just about to replace my 744T hard disk and am curious about it being
> 'fussy about formatting' - in what way please?
>------------------------------<snip>------------------------------<

Being used to dealing with computers and FAT32 drives, I figured I'd just
format the new drive as FAT32 on a Windows machine, copy all the SD files
from the old drives straight across, and all would work. Not so.

The SD 744T is apparently "aware" when it sees a drive not formatted on
itself -- so in this case, it immediately asked to reformat the drive. My
theory is that it does something proprietary to the drive during the
formatting process.

It wasn't a big deal -- I copied the files to a CF card and reloaded them,
which took only a few minutes. But it does show you in some cases, not all
FAT32 is created alike. (My definition for "fussy.")

If you're going to try to replace the drive yourself, make absolutely sure
you have the right tools, a static-free table, and you back up the drive
first.

--MFW

Scott · External Since: Jan 20, 2009 Posts: 17

On Oct 21, 3:36 pm, Marc Wielage <mwiel... DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote:
> On Mon, 12 Oct 2009 06:00:22 -0700, Joaquin wrote
> (in article <GLFAm.2328$KR3.1...@text.news.virginmedia.com>):
>
> > I'm just about to replace my 744T hard disk and am curious about it being
> > 'fussy about formatting' - in what way please?
> >------------------------------<snip>------------------------------<
>
> Being used to dealing with computers and FAT32 drives, I figured I'd just
> format the new drive as FAT32 on a Windows machine, copy all the SD files
> from the old drives straight across, and all would work. Not so.
>
> The SD 744T is apparently "aware" when it sees a drive not formatted on
> itself -- so in this case, it immediately asked to reformat the drive. My
> theory is that it does something proprietary to the drive during the
> formatting process.
>
> It wasn't a big deal -- I copied the files to a CF card and reloaded them,
> which took only a few minutes. But it does show you in some cases, not all
> FAT32 is created alike. (My definition for "fussy.")
>
> If you're going to try to replace the drive yourself, make absolutely sure
> you have the right tools, a static-free table, and you back up the drive
> first.
>
> --MFW

I have formatted HDDs as FAT 32 for the 744T and the 788T with both my
Mac and Windows and used them in both without any problems

Marc Wielage · External Since: Feb 22, 2009 Posts: 4

On Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:50:47 -0700, Scott wrote
(in article
<2b968026-946d-42b1-b27e-53f6941561b1 DeleteThis @v37g2000prg.googlegroups.com>):

> I have formatted HDDs as FAT 32 for the 744T and the 788T with both my
> Mac and Windows and used them in both without any problems
>------------------------------<snip>------------------------------<

Either you're blessed, or I'm just unlucky (or both).

There have been times when I'm convinced I have a black cloud over my head.
Smile

--MFW

Scott · External Since: Jan 20, 2009 Posts: 17

On Oct 21, 6:28 pm, Marc Wielage <mwiel... RemoveThis @yahoo.com> wrote:
> On Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:50:47 -0700, Scott wrote
> (in article
> <2b968026-946d-42b1-b27e-53f694156... RemoveThis @v37g2000prg.googlegroups.com>):
>
> > I have formatted HDDs as FAT 32 for the 744T and the 788T with both my
> > Mac and Windows and used them in both without any problems
> >------------------------------<snip>------------------------------<
>
> Either you're blessed, or I'm just unlucky (or both).
>
> There have been times when I'm convinced I have a black cloud over my head.
> Smile

>
> --MFW

I am guessing fluke

Joaquin · External Since: Apr 10, 2007 Posts: 22

Thanks for the information. The 744T will see a Windows FAT32 formatted CF
card OK but a Zaxcom Fusion will not in the so called 'backup slot' however
when the Fusion has formatted the CF it is then reported by Windows as being
FAT32 and even the main card which is formatted as MARF I believe is
reported in Windows as FAT32. I would be interesting to know what the
difference is with these FAT32's.

Thanks also for the additional tips.

Joaquin

"Marc Wielage" <mwielage.RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:0001HW.C704DAF30055DFEEB01AD9AF@news.giganews.com...
> On Mon, 12 Oct 2009 06:00:22 -0700, Joaquin wrote
> (in article <GLFAm.2328$KR3.1205@text.news.virginmedia.com>):
>
>> I'm just about to replace my 744T hard disk and am curious about it being
>> 'fussy about formatting' - in what way please?
>>------------------------------<snip>------------------------------<
>
> Being used to dealing with computers and FAT32 drives, I figured I'd just
> format the new drive as FAT32 on a Windows machine, copy all the SD files
> from the old drives straight across, and all would work. Not so.
>
> The SD 744T is apparently "aware" when it sees a drive not formatted on
> itself -- so in this case, it immediately asked to reformat the drive. My
> theory is that it does something proprietary to the drive during the
> formatting process.
>
> It wasn't a big deal -- I copied the files to a CF card and reloaded them,
> which took only a few minutes. But it does show you in some cases, not
> all
> FAT32 is created alike. (My definition for "fussy.")
>
> If you're going to try to replace the drive yourself, make absolutely sure
> you have the right tools, a static-free table, and you back up the drive
> first.
>
> --MFW
>