Instruction manual

20
Blackmagic Software
Blackmagic Software
Blackmagic Disk Speed Test
If you want to check your disk array speed, Blackmagic Disk Speed Test can be run to check the array
speed, and to provide the results in video frame rates. This makes it much easier to understand
how various disk arrays will handle video capture and playback at various video resolutions and
frame rates.
Disk Speed Test provides more accurate results for large disk arrays, as often the manufacturer
provided speed results only check small data blocks; so you only get an indication of the cache
speed of the disk and not the sustained data rate of the disk. Video uses sustained data rates and
only Disk Speed Test provides a long burst of data for more accurate results.
When using Disk Speed Test, you need to account for disk seeking, so it’s best to add a healthy
margin to the results. If a disk array tests at 32 frames per second HD 1080, it doesn’t mean you can
do 29.95 HD capture and playback, as the margin is too tight. However it should do 24 fps ok.
Disk arrays
If you intend to run your disk array as a software stripe, you will need to make sure that ‘host RAID’
is disabled. Use the “Disk Management” tool in “Computer Management” within Windows
™
to set up your software RAID, or refer to third party instructions when using pre-configured
hardware RAIDs.
Further information can be obtained via the Windows
™
Help and Support. Search and review the
section on “Dynamic Disks”. This section will provide you with information on how to convert a
basic disk to dynamic disk and configuration steps on striping your disk array.
Disk Management.
Disk Speed RAID results after testing a disk array.