The mother of all download stations

[sbaechler]

I built this transfer station because I was looking for a clean and fast solution to the problem of moving data around. The goal was to have everything in one box. It should be faster and more powerfull than a laptop but still portable.

So here it is:

http://www.westfilm.ch/public/Station0.jpg

It's about the same size as a 17" Mac book but deeper. It has a Core 2 Quad extreme processor with 3Ghz and 4GB of Ram. This means you can convert the footage to Pro Res or DNxHD on the set.
The standard configuration has two integrated CF slots that are SATA based. So a full 8GB cards is downloaded in under two minutes. There is also a LEMO RED drive port. Of course all is hot-swappable.
The data can then be copied to either the internal 1.5TB RAID-5 or a single 3.5" HD that can be replaced when full.
The second target drive is a 2.5" drive module that can go to the editing room every night.

http://www.westfilm.ch/transfer/Station1.jpg

Now I just need to convince the producers to use this instead of a laptop ;-)

[Patrick Tresch]

Nice Simon!

Is it for rent or to buy?
What power solution are there?

Thanks

Patrick

[Nick Shaw]

There is also a LEMO RED drive port.

Nice touch!

[sbaechler]

Nice Simon!

Is it for rent or to buy?
What power solution are there?

Thanks

Patrick

It's for rent for now. It needs AC and comes with a UPS system (mounted in a flight case) that gives you about 5 minutes of independence.

[Tai Wah Lim]

Simon,

Can you share how it is built or do you intend to sell

Lim

[Tim Lüdin]

Hi Simon

This motha looks cooler than I thougt.
Maybe we can use it on the new Army corporate movie that I told you about.
This thing looks like it can take some bullits:biggrin:

Cheers
Tim

[Joe Carney]

Wow, impressive. Similar to what I'm looking for (but windows based). Would you be willing to sell plans, or just the case?

[Perry Ho]

Well Simon!

It's incredible!!! May I know are you taking any order?

Dop - Mainland China & Hong Kong
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1660475/

[Chris Parker]

that looks great! is it a mac inside? if so, which mac is in there?

[Steve Sherrick]

Love it, nice!

[Alex Carr]

that looks great! is it a mac inside? if so, which mac is in there?

He He,

Thats no Mac, Great job, Everything works well? Are you running 10.5.5?

I have a very similar setup. I still use a laptop, But I remotely Manage this one to do Dailies and Pro Res, and It just sits on the bottom of my cart.

[Jonas Rejman]

Awesome Simon!

Fine Swiss craftsmanship! I if you are ever going to sell those, let me know. I would be very interested.

I added your station and your contact to the Purgatory Magazine. I hope that is alright. (PM me if you want changes)

[Tarek S. Kandil]

friggin ell you made that?

cheers

[Daniel García]

Where did you get the Lemo to Sata pinout? Can you share this info?

[JanneJansson]

Yes I was also thinking of making a small linux download station, just barley bigger then drive with Lemo connector and CF-reader. I have signed the SDK NDA, if the pinout is still considered sensitive info.

[Ryan Patch]

I am also very interested in seeing how you made this/purchasing one. If this is ever an option, let me know!

Ryan

[Chris Swartz]

Great looking box, but of course it's strictly illegal to run OSX on anything but Apple hardware. Wink Wink, Nudge Nudge!

Is your box a goer?

Chris

[Ross Vincent]

looks awesome? are you going to be selling them (as there seems to be interest)?

nice work!

[Michael Morlan]

This is very nice. Looking forward to learning more - especially the LEMO SATA pinouts.

Michael

[Alexandre Bouchard]

LEMO SATA pinouts PLEASE!

[sbaechler]

I made a deal with the largest rental house in Switzerland. It's available for rent from them.

I decided to licence the system. If you're interested in building your own, PM me.

But be aware. The costs of all the parts (with the UPS) are about 9000$. And it takes a few days to build (with detailed instructions).

Regards
Simon

[Jieva@jievamulokas.com]

quick question... after reading this ... I have to export about an hours worth of footage that is red 4k and export it on a dvd... what is the easiest way to do that??? i use final cut and have little knowledge of this red technology... It's already all on an external hd I just need to bring in all the files into final cut, but wondering what the best settings are and how to minimize the file size so that it could all fit in a dvd...
anyone have time to help a newbie out?!

[sbaechler]

Please ask Red directly for the pinout of the Lemo plug if you want to build an adapter cable yourself.