'file I/O error' message

2 replies [Last post]
Mark A
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Joined: Jul 2 2003

I am capturing vhs footage in Final Cut Pro 3 on a Mac G4 tower via a formac firewire video digitiser. I am using an external lacie firewire hard drive as my primary scratch disk for capture. Previously this has worked fine but now capture is interupted by the message 'file I/O error'.

I suppose the most obvious explanation is that the external hard drive cannot handle this high level of data transfer with such a round about route (first from the formac device to the mac then to the external drive all via firewire). But previously capture seemed to be fine so this doesn't quite add up.

Any help woud be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Mark

GG
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Joined: Mar 16 2002

Should be plenty of headroom on IEE1394 for 2 DV streems, so shouldn't think that was it.

I would run a disk checking utility on the Lacie 1st, there could be some corruption. Maybe even a disk error that isn't being masked. Usually bad sectors are marked off when partitioning and formating. Removable drives can quite easly aquire more bad sectors, especially if they are moved around alot.

If it is this a repartition and format should fix it.

rgds

GG

BSOD - a truly unique Microsoft innovation!

PaulD
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Joined: Aug 31 2002

quote:Originally posted by Mark A:
...the external hard drive cannot handle this high level of data transfer with such a round about route (first from the formac device to the mac then to the external drive all via firewire). But previously capture seemed to be fine so this doesn't quite add up....

Computers are very good at transfering data by whatever route you set up - this shouldn't be a problem.
Are the Hard drive and the Formac connected to different FireWire ports on the back of the Mac - its better to do this if you can.
It is vaguely possible that one of your FireWire ports on the Mac has a problem, try various different combinations.
More likely it is a reoccurrence of the FireWire hard drive problem you had earlier. Try a different cable. Try a complete power off of everything etc etc.
If you have Norton Utilities that can do a speed test of the drive, to check what data rate it can manage.
Regards