System setup

[mrshanes]

Hello.
I've got all new hardware on the way right now to build my new PVR. Before I begin putting everything together, I wanted to get everyone's opinion on how the drives should be setup. I will have the ability to record 6 shows at once (2 in QAM HD). I bought a single Samsung Spinpoint 500 GB drive (and will probably add a second before too long). My question is, how should I configure the drive? Do I need separate partitions? If so, how big? Or should I buy a smaller drive for the OS and other programs and leave the large drive(s) for photos, music, recordings, etc. I just want this system to run as smoothly/effeciently as possible. If the other hardware factors into these decisions, let me know and I'll post the other specs.
thanks,
SHANE

[Opus4]

You should at least partition the drive to have separate partitions for the OS and recordings, because the recordings drive should be formatted using 64K cluster size, which you don't really want for the OS drive. And, while you don't have to have separate drives, it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to use a different smaller one for the OS & apps

- Andy.

[paulbeers]

I second Opus's statements. Definately one partition between 20-40GB for OS and apps and one for recordings that way if something goes awry, you can zap the OS and not have to worry about losing your recordings (oh and it allows much more flexiblity with the block size as Opus stated already).

[mrshanes]

Thanks for the help. I think I'll go with a smaller drive for the OS and apps. What about photos and music? Should I have another drive formatted differently for those or just put them on the recordings drive?
thanks,
SHANE

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by mrshanes

What about photos and music? Should I have another drive formatted differently for those or just put them on the recordings drive?

Unless someone else has had a different experience, I don't think that matters as much as the OS/app drive. Unless you have small picture files, they won't waste that much space per file on the 64K cluster disk.

Speaking opf wasting space... I keep 3 copies of my music on 3 different drives so I don't have to re-rip all my music if a drive fails.

- Andy

[paulbeers]

While not quite as bad as you, I have mine on both my Audio server and my laptop (for when I am out of town and want to listen) and on varioius computers throughout the house (due to originally housing music on the clients rather than on one centralized location). Thank goodness my laptop has a 120GB hard drive. Ya know, I really should just buy a darn Ipod rather than eat all my hard drive space up with music.

Edit: Oh and back to the question, once again I agree. No reason to do a special partition for pics and music, however, don't forget to keep a backup (especially pictures...oy that has bit me hard).

[Polypro]

I'd get 2 500's..or 750's money allowing. One 500 gig for Sage will hold ~150 Hours at DVD Standard Quality/17mbs QAM HDTV. It fills fast during sweeps week. The second 500 I have as OS (10 Gigs) Apps/Music/Videos/Pics (60 Gigs) and DVD Archive (400 Gigs) I couldn't imagine smaller.

P