Recording Issues

[djrikstar]

I see a lot of people having issues with recording etc onto skyboxes/openboxes
Its not cost-effective to get a external hd most of the time so im wondering would this not be as good

USB Flash Drive
Link

Powered Hub
Link

Would this work?

[nibblitz]

The memory stick should work, but the powered hub would be pointless.

[djrikstar]

Wouldn't the powered hub allow the usb to keep up to speed while recording the HD channels with it having its own power source?

[nibblitz]

Nope, wont make a difference, the Openbox provides same amount of power via usb as the hub would.

[djrikstar]

Ok no probs what is the bare minimal needed to record hd channels with?

[nibblitz]

Probably around 20MB/s minimum write speed to be safe..

[djrikstar]

Thanks nibblitz is that for usb flash drives as well?

[nibblitz]

Yea, but be careful, manufacturers generally exagerate their read/write speads in product tech specs, they sort of give theoretical maximums. The real world read/write speeds are usually more truthful from online users or magazine reviews, and almost always lower than what the manufacturer states...

[djrikstar]

Ok i see is there any free programs out there that will benchmark the usb flash drive etc i have? cheers

[nibblitz]

This should do it

[slugworth]

the write speed is the factor,which is a destructive test and I never compared drives.Most of my drives were read speeds of around 33MBs and failed.
The hub is a moot point,since openbox don't recognize hubs.

[slugworth]

the drive gets written to even if you are just watching a recording, BTW

[djrikstar]

So if I use a benchmark test it will **** up my usb and make it a good use for my bin :-)

[nibblitz]

No, it wont.. Just format the stick first then benchmark it...

[slugworth]

or just do a read test