Posted: 4/22/2013 6:42:29 PM EDT
| I need to replace the external hard drive that my security system records to. It had been running fine for the last 2 years with a seagate 500 gig desktop hard drive, but that finally went kaput. The seagate connected via a USB cable, but relied on a separate AC adapter to power it....so....... my question is this.... Is a USB POWERED hard drive as durable for continuous service (always on and running 24/7) as one that has an external power source? The USB powered ones are smaller, and I'm wondering if heat will be an issue? Any thoughts? |
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I think it's the constant current draw you need to be worried about. If the mobo bites the dust, your recording will quit as well. Do you have a UPS? If the drive draws 1, maybe 1.5 A I think it will last long enough. Maybe an external power supply piggybacked into the UPS?
BTW, I prefer the WD caviar blacks... |
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Quoted:
I think it's the constant current draw you need to be worried about. If the mobo bites the dust, your recording will quit as well. Do you have a UPS? If the drive draws 1, maybe 1.5 A I think it will last long enough. Maybe an external power supply piggybacked into the UPS? BTW, I prefer the WD caviar blacks... the PC is set up with a DVR PCI card. I have the recording going to a "difficult to access in a hurry" area for added security. The entire system is attached to a UPS (also difficult to access) My main concern is will a "portable" type of external hard drive be durable enough to be continually in use 24/7?...anybody? |
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Buy an external enclosure (like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817173042) and put a 3.5" drive (I'd recommend something decent, like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136792) |