Fast and Portable Storage Sony PSZ-RA6T Trial Experience

IT 168？ Evaluation At present, more and more program producers are keen to make 4K production at the shooting site, and it is very time-consuming and laborious to make resource backup at the scene. For people who usually take photos, I am used to putting photos, videos and miscellaneous documents on the mobile hard disk every time, because it can be accessed conveniently on different computers. But with the accumulation of days, especially after the use of high-pixel cameras, the mobile hard disk of 1T, 2T is far from satisfying me. I don't like using NAS either, because I'm not used to it and it's not portable. Therefore, a large-capacity mobile storage device is urgently needed to solve my resource storage needs.

As it happens, Sony has specially developed a series of high-speed and large-capacity storage products: high-speed PSZ-RA series 3.5-inch hard disk dual-bit array drives with a storage capacity of 4TB(PSZ-RA4T) or 6TB(PSZ-RA6T), which not only has a large capacity, but also can store up to 440MB/ s files in RAID 0 mode, thus backing up 1tb. Although it is aimed at professional video producers in terms of positioning, as an image practitioner with the same storage needs, today I will experience the 6TB version of PSZ-RA6T to see if it is suitable for mass users with large storage needs.

superiority

1, the fuselage is wrapped with rubber sleeve, which is firm and impact-resistant.

2. The fuselage size is156 mm×100 mm× 241mm, which is moderate and easy to carry.

3. The transmission speed as high as 440MB/s greatly shortens the transmission time and contributes to the improvement of work efficiency.

4. It is used together with in-memory media utility software to promote resource management and backup.

5, 6TB storage space, enough for daily use.

6.RAID 0, RAID 1 and JBOD can be switched freely, and the storage schemes are diversified.

deficient

1, the rubber sleeve is easy to dust, and the aesthetics is almost the same.

2, 2.9kg or so, holding it for a long time has a certain burden.

3. The switching process of 3.RAID mode is somewhat complicated.

Purchase suggestion:

Sony PSZ-RA6T is a high-speed and large-capacity storage product introduced by Sony, which has the characteristics of firmness, impact resistance, moderate size and portability. Moreover, the transmission speed as high as 440MB/s greatly shortens the transmission time, and it is helpful to improve the work efficiency when used in conjunction with practical software for storage media. 6TB of storage space is enough for outdoor shooting. In addition, RAID 0, RAID 1 and JBOD can be switched freely, and different storage schemes can be selected according to actual needs. I thought it was a professional storage device used by location program producers at the shooting scene, but after a period of trial, I think it can also meet the storage needs of image lovers for a large number of high-pixel image files. Considering that Taobao's price of 4999 yuan is not very high, it is suggested that not only professional video producers can consider using it, but also image practitioners who often shoot a large number of high-pixel image files.

1, parameter:

Before the actual experience, let's take a look at the specific parameters of Sony PSZ-RA6T. From the above, we can see some specific information of Sony PSZ-RA6T. For example, the device provides 1 USB 3.0 ports and 2 lightning ports, which support Windows and Mac operating systems.

2, appearance: low-key portable

▲ The fuselage size is about156 mm×100 mm× 241mm..

Sony PSZ-RA6T is all black, showing a simple style. The fuselage size is about156 mm×100 mm× 241mm, which is acceptable and much smaller than NAS. But the weight is about 2.9kg, although this weight is nothing compared with those professional video equipment. But I still have some heavy feelings after holding it for a while.

The fuselage is wrapped in rubber sleeve, which is strong and impact-resistant. This kind of rubber sleeve is easy to get dirty and unsightly, but it is very resistant to falling. I remembered that my previous mobile hard disk was accidentally damaged by me, which directly led to data loss. If there were, it wouldn't be like this. Daily use can be placed horizontally or vertically. As long as the ventilation holes in the front and rear panels are not blocked, there is no problem. In addition, Sony PSZ-RA6T is equipped with internal and external shock absorbers to further protect the hard disk from damage.

▲ The rubber sleeve is designed with a handle, which is easy to carry.

The rubber sleeve is designed with a handle, which is convenient to carry. Security and portability are guaranteed.

▲ The front of the fuselage is a power button and an access indicator.

The front of the fuselage is the power button and the maintenance indicator light. Press and hold the power button, and when the power button and the access indicator light are on at the same time, it will enter the power-on state.

▲ There are some indicator lights and ports on the back of the fuselage.

On the back of the fuselage are some indicators and ports, including: lightning port, USB port, RAID 0 indicator, RAID 1 indicator, JBOD indicator, select button and confirm button. ...

▲ The bottom of the fuselage is marked with information such as model, production date and place of origin.

The bottom of the fuselage is marked with information such as model, production date and place of origin. Information shows that this machine was produced in Thailand from 2065438 to August 2006.

▲USB cable, lightning cable, AC adapter, power cord.

In addition to the fuselage, the items contained in the box include USB cable, lightning cable, AC adapter, power cord, warranty card instructions and so on.

3, the use of steps: simple and efficient

Press the power button. When the access indicator lights up, it will start successfully. During the visit, the visit indicator will flash all the time.

Manned mode

It supports Windows and Mac, is compatible with USB 3.0 and lightning ports, and can connect Sony PSZ-RA6T to up to five other devices (excluding computers) in the daisy chain. The system supports various connection options for processes and functions, including USB3.0 and two lightning ports, and various RAID modes include RAID 0, RAID 1 and JBOD.

Change RAID mode

It should be noted that before changing the RAID mode, be sure to turn off the device and unplug the USB or lightning cable from the device. In addition, changing the RAID mode will delete all data stored on the hard disk.

Press the power button while holding down the select button. The indicator and access indicator of the currently selected RAID mode will flash. Press the Select button to change the RAID mode.

Every time the select key is pressed, the RAID mode will change in this order: [RAID 0] → [RAID1] → [JBOD] → [RAID 0]. The flashing indicator will change accordingly (RAID 0 indicator → RAID 1 indicator → JBOD indicator →RAID 0 indicator). Then press the confirm button. Confirm that the RAID mode has changed, and then turn off the device. Connect the device to the computer, turn on the power, and then format.

Remove the device from the computer

Before turning off the device after data backup, please ensure that the access indicator does not flash. If Windows users connect Sony PSZ-RA6T to PC with lightning cable, they can continue to access even if they have finished reading and writing data. To avoid damaging data, in the notification area in the lower right corner of the desktop, click Show devices currently connected to the computer on the screen. Click Safely to remove Sony PSZ-RA6T. Wait until the message "Hardware has been safely removed" is displayed. (Mac users drag and drop icons on the desktop into the recycle bin) Then press and hold the power button for about 2 seconds. Wait for the power indicator to change from blinking to off, and then unplug all cables.

The whole operation can be mastered quickly with a little study, and it is not complicated.

4. Transmission speed: high-speed transmission of large files.

If the transmission speed is too slow, it will be a headache when transmitting large files. I believe many people have encountered this situation. Especially when we shoot outdoors, speed is very important because time is precious. Sony PSZ-RA6T theoretically has a transmission speed as high as 440MB/s, which greatly shortens the transmission time and contributes to the improvement of work efficiency. Using SxS PRO+ memory card, SxS card reader and PSZ-RA6T, it only takes 50 minutes to transfer 1TB video files, which is much faster than the 150 minutes of general storage devices.

Next, I used CrystalDiskMark for performance testing. CrystalDiskMark is a simple and easy-to-use disk performance test software with intuitive interface and clear test items.

The test results of this software show that the reading speed is 427. 1MB/s and the writing speed is 4 10.8MB/s, which is quite good.

Besides running, I also found 37 4K video files with a total size of ***56.27GB to see how long the actual backup takes. Considering that USB 3.0 is more popular, this test is conducted using USB 3.0. Through the actual test, the 56.27GB 4K video file takes 2 minutes and 56 seconds, which is faster than other USB 3.0-port mobile hard disks 10 minutes or more. This result is very satisfactory.

5. Support software: easy to manage

We can provide more convenient equipment management through Sony's PC software Memory Media Utility (downloadable) specially designed for storage media products. In addition to understanding device information, checking remaining capacity, file system and RAID mode, you can also perform data backup and formatting operations.

First of all, we need to download the practical software of memory media online, click to view the details, and then click "Download" to enter the download interface.

Although the website is in English, you can choose simplified Chinese as the language option when installing the software, and friends with poor English don't have to worry.

After downloading, you need to register when you connect Sony PSZ-RA6T to your computer for the first time and open the storage media utility software.

▲ Registration is required for the first connection.

▲ You can modify the disk name and comments.

▲ You can quickly back up the contents on the SxS memory card and format the memory card.

You can quickly back up the contents of the SxS memory card and format the memory card. (SxS is a professional storage medium developed by Sony for professional XDCAM EX cameras)

▲ You can manage the contents of multiple SxS memory cards at the same time.

▲ You can know the disk status, check the remaining capacity, file system, RAID mode and format.

▲ You can manage the contents of multiple SxS memory cards at the same time.

▲ Content on multiple storage devices can be managed at the same time.

Sony PSZ-RA6T combined with memory media utility software can further save the time needed for large file backup and improve work efficiency. Large file backup is simple and efficient from now on.

6.6T capacity: enough for daily use.

Sony PSZ-RA6T has 6TB of storage space, which is enough for photographers and cameramen to transmit all photos and videos taken live all day. After testing, the actual available space is 5.45TB.

7. Support multiple RAID modes.

Sony PSZ-RA6T is equipped with two hard disks, but it is designed to be non-removable, so the hard disks cannot be forcibly removed. Users can choose from RAID 0, RAID 1 and JBOD for daily use. (The factory default setting is RAID 0).

RAID 0:RAID 0 is to combine multiple hard disks into one large hard disk. When storing data, the data will be segmented according to the number of disks and written into these hard disks in parallel. Naturally, when reading, multiple hard disks will be read at the same time, which is the fastest. But Raid 0 requires that all the hard disks you use are reliable, because as long as any one of them is damaged, the corresponding data will be lost and cannot be recovered. (The computer will be identified as a single device. )

Raid 1: Compared with Raid 0, RAID 1 adopts a completely opposite working mode, using two or more hard disks as mirrors. When data is written to the primary hard disk, the same data is also written to the mirror hard disk. When the main hard disk is damaged, the mirror hard disk will replace the main hard disk, so the data security of Raid 1 is the best among all Raid levels. But the disadvantage is that Raid 1 has the lowest utilization rate of hard disk in all Raid levels. (The computer will be identified as a single device. )

JBOD: The computer recognizes this device as two devices, which are stored separately and do not affect each other.

Choosing RAID 0 in practical use can get more storage space and higher performance. Of course, if you want high data security, please consider RAID 1. We can choose different RAID modes according to actual needs. No matter which mode, data backup is fast and stable.

What is a "raid"?

Raid is spelled "redundant arrays of inexpensive disks", that is, "redundant arrays of inexpensive disks", or "hard disk array" for short. Simply put, by combining multiple hard disks into a hard disk array group, the overall performance of the hard disk array group can reach or even exceed those expensive hard disks. Raid is divided into Raid 0, 1, 1E, 5, 6, 7, 10, 50, and the most common ones are Raid 0 and Raid 1.

8. Summary:

Sony PSZ-RA6T is a high-speed and large-capacity storage product introduced by Sony, which has the characteristics of firmness, impact resistance, moderate size and portability. Moreover, the transmission speed as high as 440MB/s greatly shortens the transmission time, and it is helpful to improve the work efficiency when used in conjunction with practical software for storage media. 6TB of storage space is enough for outdoor shooting. In addition, RAID 0, RAID 1 and JBOD can be switched freely, and different storage schemes can be selected according to actual needs. I thought it was a professional storage device used by location program producers at the shooting scene, but after a period of trial, I think it can also meet the storage needs of image lovers for a large number of high-pixel image files. Considering that Taobao's price of 4999 yuan is not very high, it is suggested that not only professional video producers can consider using it, but also image practitioners who often shoot a large number of high-pixel image files.