SSD Options

Rick Lang's post above is the defacto list.

I just ordered two of the 256GB Crucial M4 SSDs and a USB3.0 2.5"/3.5" SATA dock (recommended amongst a BMDCC SSD kit). Also bought two of the SSD cases to put them in. Only $5 each.

Disclaimer: I'm going to shoot primarily in ProRes at first.

[Joshua Helling]

Can you please explain this further? Will the 256GB version work for ProRes & DNXHD? - Is this problem just with the current firmware (released on Aug 19th) ?

Sure, when it was originally tested it was working very well besides the occasional trim issue, which meant the drive would need to be cleaned and formatted once in a while. Later a firmware was released which caused some serious problems with mounting the drives on different devices. For example you could mount it on a Hyperdeck studio, but then not to a shuttle, but putting it back on a computer would work. Essentially the device got really inconsistent and we are not exactly sure why. So we felt it was safer to remove it.

Can someone from Blackmagic comment on the supported drives list? The one in the manual is different than the one in the faq - which one is right? I had bought an OCZ Vertex 3 240 which seems to no longer be supported (Don't know if it was due to John's experience or not).

The one on the FAQ is typically updated more frequently. So I would generally default to it first.

Yes the OCZ's were removed from the list due to what seems to us to be a high failure rate.

We find that the higher volume drives seem to perform better than the smaller, but there are plenty of the smaller drives that work.

We find that the higher volume drives seem to perform better than the smaller, but there are plenty of the smaller drives that work.

First off glad to see you here Joshua, please stay awhile so we can bask in your knowledge
Now back to SSD talk, can you give us some basic tests done without using any of BMDs products?
Can we test these drives with the BMD app for speed or is that not how testing is done for the BMCC?
A lot of us are scrambling to find the right drive and some have gone rogue with drives not on the list.
I applaud them but Im too chicken to buy the wrong drive.

Thanks for clarifying the OCZ drives Joshua.

Thanks for the response Joshua. I've just managed to exchange my Samsung's for Sandisk Extreme SSD's

Adam

Crucial 512GB M4 is $389 at B&H

Cheers.

Be VERY careful with the M4's. Even with firmware rev. 0009 (as recommended in BM listings), it consistently failed during recording, ruining my 3-day shoot. So much for recommended listings! It MIGHT work better if you upgrade the firmware (they released a newer firmware just last week).

It almost sounds like Blackmagic should do a RED and resell their own "most reliable" series of SSD sizes.

Crucial 512GB M4 is $389 at B&H

Cheers.

Be VERY careful with the M4's. Even with firmware rev. 0009 (as recommended in BM listings), it consistently failed during recording, ruining my 3-day shoot. So much for recommended listings! It MIGHT work better if you upgrade the firmware (they released a newer firmware just last week).

Marco (I think?) mentioned they had issues with the Crucial M4s.
He suggested to go with the Sandisk.

Yes, Eric is right in referencing me. I've grown to absolutely HATE the Crucial M4 SSDs (512GB). Slow on camera boot times, and worst of all, completely dropped frames on ProRes on every second or two (RAW is okay but drooped frames once there too). IMO, the Crucial M4 SSDs are worthless and a waste of money. I am NOT using them with the camera anymore. Junk.

And yes, I absolutely LOVE the SanDisk Extreme SSDs (480GB) with the camera. Very fast boot times (like around 3 seconds), and I've NEVER had a single failure or dropped frame with them, both RAW and ProRes.

This might not be widely known, but if the Cinema Camera drops a single frame when recording, the red REC display on the LCD screen will blink to let you know.

I've recorded over 2 HOUR non-stop runs with the Cinema Camera (in ProRes), and no dropped frames with the SanDisk. And again, no dropped frames in RAW either.

I will ONLY buy 480GB SanDisk Extreme SSDs. And dang it, they were on sale for only $319 on Amazon the other day and I should have bought more of them.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006EK ... nemed0a-20

Cheers!

Marco thanks for your input
The frames that drop, are they salvageable?
Can you still use the clip?
That would drive me nuts in RAW format.
Is there some kind of warning on the file if its missing frames?
Maybe in the metadata?

Thank you so much for the update! I just changed my SSD order from OCZ to the Sandisk Extreme! Now it's all waiting on the camera!

Eric: No, the frames are not salvageable from the Crucial M4 SSDs as they drop (about 4-5 frames) every second. It's completely obvious on playback and worthless. But again, the camera lets you know the instant a single frame is dropped. The file itself isn't flagged as far as I know, but will mention it to the BMD dev team.

Bill: Very wise. The 480GB SanDisk Extreme SSDs have been 100% bullet proof for me in all manners of shooting.

For the record:

By accident I bought a Kingston 240GB ssdNow KC100 instead of the recommended Kingston 240GB SSDNow V+200 on the list.

The KC100 performs just fine - though I would normally not buy it for that camera, cause it's an overkill.

Frank

OK.. I switched my order to the SanDisk Extreme Solid State Drive (240GB)
here are the spec's...
Performance
Capacity 240GB
Interface SATA
Sustained Transfer Rate SATA 6Gb/s (backward compatible to SATA 3Gb/s & SATA 1.5Gb/s)
Sequential Read 550MB/s
Sequential Write 520MB/s
Random Read Seek Time 39K IOPS
Random Write Seek Time 83K IOPS
MTBF 2M hours
General
Environmental Requirements Operating: 32-158˚F (0-70˚C)
Non-operating temperature: -67-203˚F (-55-95˚C)
Power Active: 0.6W
Size 9.5mm Form Factor
Shock Resistance 1500G @ 0.5 mSec
Vibration Operating: 2.17gRMS, 5-700Hz
Non-operating: 3.13gRMS, 5-800Hz

Is this going to work? I don't see it on the suggested list for 12bit RAW shooting.. but I do see the larger sized brother on the list.. I also noticed the size is listed as 9.5mm rather than 2.5..
This is the SSD that was recommended by B&H..
Wondering if I should change my SSD order again to the larger SSD recommended by BMD?

Bill, until it's on the list in the BMCC Manual or a list that has been revised in October, I would think it is a gamble. There have been very positive posts about the Sandisk Extreme 480GB but not the 240GB drive. You can chose to follow the retailer's recommendation and let us know if 240GB works flawlessly. When I buy it will be either the 480GB Sandisk or the Plextor M5 Pro when and if BMD approves that new SSD.

Bill, I agree with Rick. The larger 480GB drive (like most SSDs) have faster read/write times. I have no experience with anything less than 480GB on the SanDisk. Personally, I wouldn't take a chance. What happens if you drop frames on the "perfect shot" that you can't recreate? Personally, it's not worth it to me. The 480GB SanDisk Extreme SSDs have been 100% solid: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=230&start=30#p9267

Thanks Rick and Marco for confirming my suspicions.. I'll call B&H tomorrow and switch to the 480gb SSD.. it's proven success rate and the experience of an actual user is good enough for me! I suppose the one benefit of not having the camera shipped yet is still having the ability to switch SSD's. Hopefully I'll get my BMCC at some point this month

I bought a Vertex 4 240 GB - deeply disappointed, drive speed is well under half the stated speed and I'm not sure its going to work with the camera for RAW. The first one I got was defective on arrival. Avoid these!

is this internal SSD or external SSD?

Bill, I agree with Rick. The larger 480GB drive (like most SSDs) have faster read/write times. I have no experience with anything less than 480GB on the SanDisk. Personally, I wouldn't take a chance. What happens if you drop frames on the "perfect shot" that you can't recreate? Personally, it's not worth it to me. The 480GB SanDisk Extreme SSDs have been 100% solid: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=230&start=30#p9267

Actually the 240GB is faster than the 480GB - at least on the SanDisc spec sheet.

Write: 520 vs 480 - read: 550 vs 540

Real world speed may be different though.

http://www.sandisk.de/products/solid-st ... tate-drive

Frank

Bill, I agree with Rick. The larger 480GB drive (like most SSDs) have faster read/write times. I have no experience with anything less than 480GB on the SanDisk. Personally, I wouldn't take a chance. What happens if you drop frames on the "perfect shot" that you can't recreate? Personally, it's not worth it to me. The 480GB SanDisk Extreme SSDs have been 100% solid: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=230&start=30#p9267

Actually the 240GB is faster than the 480GB - at least on the SanDisc spec sheet.

Write: 520 vs 480 - read: 550 vs 540

Real world speed may be different though.

http://www.sandisk.de/products/solid-st ... tate-drive

Frank

Frank, you may be right that the 240GB SSD is better, but BMD have said that larger SSDs tend to perform better than smaller SSDs. Following the manufacturers' specs is normally the way we've judged drive performance. However, there's no consistent way the various SSDs are tested across manufacturers and, who knows, for a given manufacturer's product line. The way SSD data is written varies with their internal controllers and firmware revisions. Until there's a standard test adopted and that test applies to the long-duration streaming nature required by the BMCC, they're not reliable gauges of performance for our purposes.

SSDs using MLC (multi-level cell recording) may perform significantly slower when they reach half their capacity for example. That's totally unlike the HDD, to which we are accustomed, that writes/reads much more consistently and predictably whether new or old, empty or nearly full. So this is one time you can ignore the specs or at least understand that real-world use/performance trumps published specs. We may put our trust in the BMD Speed Test results, but personally, I'd trust Marco's endorsement because 1) he's used drives that fail to measure up and 2) he's used drives that have performed flawlessly.

The major reason I'm also interested in the new Plextor M5 Pro is that I trust Plextor will deliver an honest 'professional' product and not practice intentionally deceptive performance characteristics that are irrelevant to our camera needs. Still I wouldn't assume those new SSDs work either until we see the evidence.

I went ahead and cancelled my SSD order for now.. when I get the shipping notice for the camera I'll check this forum again before placing an order.. I'll most likely go with the Sandisk Extreme 480gb since it's tried and true.. then as I find a need for more SSD's I'll check the latest info and order accordingly..

Good thread.

Keep sharing those SSD experiences.

I went ahead and bought two OCZ Vertex 4 512 SATA 3 drives. I'd love to hear confirmation that these are going to work for 2.5 K capture... please could you let me know.

Thanks : )

I have 2 Crucial m4 256GB SSDs and while I haven't shot that much, they haven't dropped any frames. The write speed is about 165mb/s which exceeds the requirements. I'm not sure they're on the list but AVTech has them listed as "BMD authorised".

Anybody have any experience with the Intel SSDs? I just ordered one. Camera and SSD both arrive tomorrow. I guess I'll see, huh?

[Chris Pearse]

The Intel 335 and 520 series SSDs have been working nicely for us. The 240GB versions have been added to the recommended SSD list on the site already, and the 520 480GB has also been working flawlessly, and I think it will be added to the list too.

I know it´s not on the supported list but I have successfully used a Samsung 840 500GB. No drop frames, I have shot until the drive was full.
Maybe just luck

Been using this on my BMCC so far - 256GB Samsung 830 series SATA 6gb/s (No problems thus far with 2.5k or ProRes Footage)
After reading this thread I bought the 240GB SanDisk Extreme SATA 6gb/s to try based on Marco's review. Ill post the results here when I shoot with it.

Had a test shoot today with the Vertex 4 128GB drives, disaster, dropped frames all the time. Not sure if the bigger drives will be better

I have a kingston ssdnow v+200 120gb and goes fine... well just tested 4 minutes in 2,5k... i will test it hard

Hi Frank.
My camera is shipped and get it next week.
Can you please confirm that sandisk 240 GB is working well with this camera
I want to order 240 GB SSD and read some info that the kingston is getting hot.
And can you also give me the exact model of the SSD you using from sandisk

Thanks !

Hey all,

I'm having issues with my new bought ssd OCZ 256go vertex 3. The camera doesn't recognize it, when i plug the ssd, it is still written "no ssd"... I read the documentation, they said to format the ssd but i have nothing to plug it to my imac : /


What to do?

Hey all,

I'm having issues with my new bought ssd OCZ 256go vertex 3. The camera doesn't recognize it, when i plug the ssd, it is still written "no ssd"... I read the documentation, they said to format the ssd but i have nothing to plug it to my imac : /


What to do?

Do you have a cage for 2,5HDD? usb 2 or 3?
you can plug your ssd in that cage and connect it to yor mac to format it

http://www.amazon.de/Externes-Geh%C3%A4 ... 453&sr=1-1

Hi Frank.
My camera is shipped and get it next week.
Can you please confirm that sandisk 240 GB is working well with this camera
I want to order 240 GB SSD and read some info that the kingston is getting hot.
And can you also give me the exact model of the SSD you using from sandisk

Thanks !

I have 4 of them and they work just fine so far. No dropped frames no hick-ups.

Sandisk G25-G3 Extreme SSD 2,5" 240 GB SATA 600, SDSSDX-240G-G25

Hi Frank.
My camera is shipped and get it next week.
Can you please confirm that sandisk 240 GB is working well with this camera
I want to order 240 GB SSD and read some info that the kingston is getting hot.
And can you also give me the exact model of the SSD you using from sandisk

Thanks !

I have 4 of them and they work just fine so far. No dropped frames no hick-ups.

Sandisk G25-G3 Extreme SSD 2,5" 240 GB SATA 600, SDSSDX-240G-G25

Frank, are your ssds still working fine? cos mine two weeks ago started to drop frames (lots) and its certified... now i must buy another one...
THe scandisk Extreme 240 has good price but i dont want to have another paperweight....

Gentlemen, there have been some recent developments that Blackmagic, and the rest of you might not be aware of. Intel has just come out with a new line of enterprise SSD, whose sole purpose is to have consistent disk performance under constant load. That means house cleaning happens in real time ALL THE TIME resulting in the drives ability to handle loads non stop.

Its called the intel DC 3700 series. And for the brave here (nerds), you can look at Anandtechs' thorough analysis.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6433/intel-ssd-dc-s3700-200gb-review

NONE of the Blackmagic certified SSD's including the older Intel SSD's have the performance capability of this new drive.

Just for clarification, where other drives slow down after all their cells have been initially written to, this drive keeps on blazing. The older drives need to have a "trim" command (garbage cleaning) executed regularly, and the BMCC likely does not give the drive trim commands. The Intel DC 3700 needs no trim command.

Questions?

Gentlemen, there have been some recent developments that Blackmagic, and the rest of you might not be aware of. Intel has just come out with a new line of enterprise SSD, whose sole purpose is to have consistent disk performance under constant load. That means house cleaning happens in real time ALL THE TIME resulting in the drives ability to handle loads non stop.

Its called the intel DC 3700 series. And for the brave here (nerds), you can look at Anandtechs' thorough analysis.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6433/intel-ssd-dc-s3700-200gb-review

NONE of the Blackmagic certified SSD's including the older Intel SSD's have the performance capability of this new drive.

Just for clarification, where other drives slow down after all their cells have been initially written to, this drive keeps on blazing. The older drives need to have a "trim" command (garbage cleaning) executed regularly, and the BMCC likely does not give the drive trim commands. The Intel DC 3700 needs no trim command.

Questions?

Interesting. Unfortunately 400GB is $1000, although perhaps this is cheaper in the long run.

I've been using two Intel 320 series 300GB drives. Just run a test: I could record 30fps raw until the disk filled up without problem. And the drives aren't even new - I bought them in 2011 and one used to be in my laptop.

After +/- 50 shots since i did the trim operation, today the certifies SSD failed again, records 10 seconds 24fps and then starts dropping frames

After +/- 50 shots since i did the trim operation, today the certifies SSD failed again, records 10 seconds 24fps and then starts dropping frames

I would try a different SSD.

While it may not bother some people...the Intel DC3700 is designed for enterprise use and sucks a LOT of power.

So if battery life is a concern for you, you may wish to avoid that particular SSD.

While it may not bother some people...the Intel DC3700 is designed for enterprise use and sucks a LOT of power.

So if battery life is a concern for you, you may wish to avoid that particular SSD.

Hang on there skippy. The average SSD consumes ~3 watts when writing sequentially and the Intel DC3700 consumes 4 watts.

You're going to tell me that extra watt is going to decimate your battery life?

The latest information regarding supported SSDs doesn't include any Samsung drives which is a shame considering B&H is selling 500 GB 840 series Samsung SSDs for $280 right now!! That comes to $0.56/GB, almost half the going rate of average SSDs! It may not be able to handle RAW but does anybody have any experience using this drive with ProRes?

500 GB would be perfect for shooting a lengthy event in which you there isn't a break to swap drives. If this is good for ProRes, it may be the only drive I would need for most shoots.

Has anyone tried any of the Samsung 840 series drives? Please note that these are not the same as the Samsung 840 PRO SSDs which I believe are higher performance.

While it may not bother some people...the Intel DC3700 is designed for enterprise use and sucks a LOT of power.

So if battery life is a concern for you, you may wish to avoid that particular SSD.

Hang on there skippy. The average SSD consumes ~3 watts when writing sequentially and the Intel DC3700 consumes 4 watts.

You're going to tell me that extra watt is going to decimate your battery life?

Your posts are always helpful and Informative but please don't oversell the impressive Intel product. The 800GB DC S3700 draws about 8 watts. BMD has told us the camera typically draws about 18 watts total and people think of that figure when calculating the time a battery will last. Smaller SSDs draw less power. Perhaps Sean had the largest SSD in mind. And his name is Sean, not "skippy".

Rick Lang
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Your posts are always helpful and Informative but please don't oversell the impressive Intel product. The 800GB DC S3700 draws about 8 watts. BMD has told us the camera typically draws about 18 watts total and people think of that figure when calculating the time a battery will last. Smaller SSDs draw less power. Perhaps Sean had the largest SSD in mind. And his name is Sean, not "skippy".

Rick Lang

So take the additional draw into account and move on or just use a smaller SSD. I'm so sorry you find the colloquialism "Skippy" offensive as its one of my favorite socially accepted epithets. I'll be sure to keep that one under my hat from now on. Ok Skippy Rick?

The point...I guess I'll use Skippy since you're not using your name on here...is that these drives are not designed for portable, low-powered devices. Enterprise drives have very different requirements than laptop or recorder drives. So while the spec sheet might look impressive, it's not a perfect fit.

Neither is the price tag quite frankly.

The point...I guess I'll use Skippy since you're not using your name on here...is that these drives are not designed for portable, low-powered devices. Enterprise drives have very different requirements than laptop or recorder drives. So while the spec sheet might look impressive, it's not a perfect fit.

Neither is the price tag quite frankly.

Its a choice, and there are very few. Use a windows system for SSD interactions. Use the DC 3700. Or jump through a maze of hoops on the Mac.

Considering the price premium of Mac hardware, I don't think the the DC 3700's can be considered "pricey".

I'll just call you Sean unless you tell me your favorite nickname....

Can we please get some other Sandisk 240GB users to speak up about experiences?

I've only use the OCZ Vertex 3 256 and Sandisk 240GB Extreme SSDs on the camera.

In the case of the OCZ Vertex drives I didn't have an issue with consistent usage, but I believe someone reported drive failure at one point.

As far as the Sandisk 240GBs, John Brawley, Myself, and a multitude of others are using them and I have yet to hear one single off report about them. They also are not on the official list, and there must be a reason for that.

Has anyone had a bad or strange experience?

I've never done a trim function, I erase the drives in Disk Utility (Mac), rename, shoot. Have pulled down quite a bit of RAW and ProRes, never a dropped frame.

I also use USB3.0 as the interface between computer and SSD if that makes any difference.