Hard drives "setup" ?

[real_per]

I'm building a new HTPC, based on the ABIT NF-M2 nView motherboard.
I'm in doubt concerning, the best method regarding the harddrives.

I'll most likely have 1 seperate harddrive for ripped dvd's. (320 GB)
But what's the best method for setting up;

1) Windows and Sagetv
2) Currently recording
3) Permanently recordings ?

I've been thinking of getting a separate 2,5" for Windows and Sagetv, and possibly the "currently watching" file.

Or would it be ok, just to get a 500 Gb 3,5", and partition it ?
Any advice, is much appriciated. Hearing about you setups, and experiences would definitely also contribute.

[paulbeers]

I have 2 hard drives in my box, a 200GB and a 320GB. I have my 200GB partitioned to 10GB for Windows/Sage and the rest of the 200GB hard drive partitioned with 64k block size and the 320GB drive all as one partition of 64k blocks. I do think it would be better to have a small hard drive (40GB?) for Windows and Sage. I even had a client using a 6GB hard drive (until it died). The small hard drive would be better so that you wouldn't have to worry about those random Windows hard drive seeks that theoretically could cause some studdering (especially for HD, although I don't think it has ever caused me any problems). No matter what route you go, do not put Sage and your recording directories in the same partition.

[real_per]

That sounds like what i had in mind too...

I think i'll go for that then, if there's no real benefit for a seperate windows hard drive, since 60 Gb 2,5" will cost almost the same as 320 Gb 3,5".

You don't have any troubles running Windows/SageTV, a recording and watching a recorded show of the same hard drive simultaneously ?

[Menehune]

I have three HD in my setup. A windows drive, a capture drive and an archive drive. the benefits of having separate drives for me is that when I upgrade my storage I don't have to reload or restore my windows partition from an image. I just shutdown, swap in the new drive, format it and use it.

I have had no problems recording two SD programs while viewing a third archived program while bulk copying movies onto the archive drive over the network. HD light stays steady for 25-30 min, but no drop outs or stutters with my setup.

[canuckle]

Hey, sorry to interrupt guys, but I am confused about using multiple hard drives for pvr systems. Could someone try to clear things up for me?

I want to get another hard drive for a Windows pvr and I have this configuration so far on my current drive:
Windows 2000 on one partition and a linux distro on the other.
I was thinking of getting another HD for using a Windows pvr program like Sage but would I be able to access my other drive easily?

Should I get a PATA or SATA drive and should I partition that drive for Sage and then have the other partition for archives or should I buy two drives and have it similar to you guys' setups? One small drive for Sage and another drive for moving the recordings to?

[paulbeers]

Originally Posted by canuckle

Hey, sorry to interrupt guys, but I am confused about using multiple hard drives for pvr systems. Could someone try to clear things up for me?

I want to get another hard drive for a Windows pvr and I have this configuration so far on my current drive:
Windows 2000 on one partition and a linux distro on the other.
I was thinking of getting another HD for using a Windows pvr program like Sage but would I be able to access my other drive easily?

Should I get a PATA or SATA drive and should I partition that drive for Sage and then have the other partition for archives or should I buy two drives and have it similar to you guys' setups? One small drive for Sage and another drive for moving the recordings to?

You can just get one hard drive for the Windows PVR, but if you do that make sure that you partition it for the windows/pvr software (10GB or more) and then partition the rest for recording at 64k blocks. This is how I am doing it (I have another hard drive simply for more storage). I don't think this is the best setup as a small seperate hard drive for the operating system and the pvr software and a second hard drive for recording would probably be the best, but this setup has worked for me for years and I haven't had any problems.