LaCie Big Disk Extreme+ 301199U 1 TB USB 2.0-FireWire400-FireWire800 RAID System
Thursday, August 28, 2008 3:32
Binding : Electronics
ProductGroup : CE
Manufacturer : Lacie
Brand : LaCie
Label : Lacie
Publisher : Lacie
Model : 301199U
Studio : Lacie
- Powerful 1 TB drive optimized for professionals working with high-definition audio, digital video editing, SD video and 2D/3D imaging
- FireWire 800, FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 interfaces
- LaCie's trademark "Shortcut Button" for quick back-ups or application launch
- Includes FireWire 800 to FireWire 800 (9-to-9 pin) cable, FireWire 400 to FireWire 400 (6-to-6 pin) cable, hi-speed USB 2.0 cable (USB 1.1 compatible)
- Measures 6.8 x 1.7 x 10.6 inches (HxWxD); weighs 5.5 pounds; 3-year limited warranty
The LaCie Big Disk Extreme+ provides enormous capacity and a transparent, built-in RAID 0 array with no configuration for fast FireWire 800 speed. Easily share data among the widest range of user platforms with this triple interface, plug and play hard drive. Store presentations, archive image banks, work on large-scale audio/video projects, or chain FireWire devices and iLink DV cameras. Its LaCie shortcut button conveniently launches any application (backup, music, slideshows, etc.) with just one push. Advanced features for professionals include triple power management, a 32MB cache, a thermo-regulated progressive quiet smart fan, and EMC Retrospect advanced backup and data restoration software for Windows and Mac users.
Amazon.com Product Description
The LaCie Big Disk Extreme+ 301199U 1 TB USB 2.0/FireWire400/FireWire800 RAID System is a powerful drive that's optimized for media professionals working with high-definition audio, digital video editing, SD video and 2D/3D imaging. Designed by Neil Poulton, the Big Disk Extreme+ offers a compact, lightweight storage solution ready for some heavy-duty action.
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 The drive features USB, FireWire 400, and FireWire 800 connectivity. View larger. |
 The Shortcut Button can back up your data or launch any application with a single button push. View larger. |
 By purchasing multiple drives, it is easy to set up a RAID configuration. View larger. |
Featuring high-performance storage (1 TB of total disc space), high capacity and a user-friendly quick backup feature for data safety and recovery, the Big Disk Extreme+ packs a powerful 1-2-3 punch. Its capacity, combined with ultra-fast transfer rates, make it ideal for data-hungry applications or sharing and archiving large-scale video projects.
This versatile storage solution offers a terabyte of storage, along with FireWire 800, FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 interfaces. This triple-interface solution gives professionals the versatility needed to work in almost any environment. Professional users working with very large, resource-intensive files can take advantage of the high throughput of the FireWire 800 (with burst transfer rates up to 90 MB/s,) as well as the universal compatibility of USB. This makes the Big Disk Extreme+ especially convenient for video editors working in SD/HD, or for quick individual workstation storage in a small business setting.
LaCie's trademark "Shortcut Button"--the blue button in front of the drive--can be used to launch any utility--such as music, slideshows, or video--with a single push, or back up your valuable data. The Big Disk Extreme+ also includes EMC's Retrospect Express software for automated backups that will give you even greater peace of mind.
Convenient and Easy to Use
The Big Disk Extreme+ is a hot plug and play solution that offers built-in RAID 0 performance (with FireWire 800 speed) that requires no software configuration or drivers. Expandable via FireWire with other FireWire hard drives, the Big Disk can also be daisy chained with peripherals such as CD-RW, AIT or DV cameras. In fact, several Big Disks can even be daisy chained to the same computer and combined together to further increase capacity, speed or security via FireWire.
For extra convenience, the drive also features a power-saving three-position switch that allows for customized "Triple Power Management" -- "auto" for energy efficiency; "on" for instant access; and "off" for complete data protection.
Heat-Dissipating d2 Design by Neil Poulton
Designed by world renown designer Neil Poulton, the Big Disk Extreme+ boasts a sleek, handsome metal body that's ideal for naturally dissipating the system's internal drive heat. Its unique design actually draws heat away from the internal drive toward the external casing. The casing absorbs heat and will take advantage of its large surface to further dissipate the heat away from the drive. The Big Disk Extreme+ also includes an advanced cooling system with a thermoregulated, progressive quiet fan that keeps the drive safe and prolongs its life and reliability.
Engineered with a compact 5.25-inch 1U form factor to fit seamlessly into most work environments, and more compact and lightweight than RAID towers, the Big Disk Extreme+ can be placed in a space-saving upright position with the included drive stand, or can be stacked, rack-mounted and even daisy-chained with other drives (via FireWire) to increase capacity. An optional LaCie Rackmount Kit can be used to incorporate the drive into a standard 19-inch computer equipment rack, and the drive can also be placed in the optional LaCie Desk Rack (also sold separately).
The LaCie Big Disk Extreme+ measures 6.8 x 1.7 x 10.6 inches (HxWxD), weighs 5.5 pounds, and is backed by LaCie's 3-year limited warranty.
About LaCie
Established in France in 1989, LaCie is a leading manufacturer of computer peripherals for Windows, Apple and Linux users. With offices and plants in the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, Europe, Singapore and Hong Kong, LaCie develops and manufactures external storage solutions and color monitors that help professionals and everyday people easily manage their digital lives. LaCie has differentiated its products through original designs and leading-edge technology.
What's in the Box
LaCie Big Disk Extreme+, FireWire 800 to FireWire 800 (9-to-9 pin) cable, FireWire 400 to FireWire 400 (6-to-6 pin) cable, hi-speed USB 2.0 cable (USB 1.1 compatible), external power supply, LaCie Utilities CD-ROM with User Manual, Quick Install Guide, and drive stand for upright desktop use.
Crashed After A Year (2010-01-08)
Worked great until then. a couple of months before it crashed the fan was making strange noises. I also bought the Lacie Porsche model 200 GB about two years prior to this one and it still is my most dependable hard drive. No more Lacie hard drives for me though.
Terrible (2010-01-05)
I have several of these drives. I recommend not getting any of the Lacie big disks. They have cause me so many hours, day, weeks... of frustration. They tend to become unreadable very easily. Don't put any valuable data on one of these drives.
WARNING - LACIE DOES NOT SUPPORT 64 BIT OS (2009-11-11)
I purchased two of these LaCie Big Disk Extreme+ 1TB drives a little over a year ago. They worked with relatively little headache on my Dell XPS720 running Windows XP Pro. I just purchased a new Dell XPS9000 running Vista Ultimate 64-bit version. Everytime I plugged in one of the drives I received a message that it could not install drivers. The drives did not work. I searched and searched for a solution on the LaCie website, hoping that they would have new drivers or some firmware upgrade available. Nothing. I finally opened a support ticket with LaCie's technical support. After several days they finally responded as follows:
"Thank you for contacting LaCie Technical Support.
This device is not supported on 64-bit versions of Windows. You will need a 32-bit version of Windows in order to be able to use this unit.
I apologize that I don't have a better response for you on this. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask, otherwise you can close the ticket if you feel we are finished.
I appreciate your patience."
You gotta be kidding!! I checked the boxes and all of the written materials that came with these two drives. Nothing on the box or any of the written materials warn that these drives will not work on a 64 bit OS. I also checked LaCie's website. Although they have information regarding this specific drive, it makes no mention that this drive only runs on 32 bit OS's.
Quite frankly, I feel like LaCie has simply abandoned their hardware by not providing updated drivers to run on current machines. Nor are they being upfront and honest about the fact that not all of their drives will run on a 64 bit OS. As a result, I am now stuck with two 1TB drives that I cannot operate. I will be buying some new 64 bit compatible hard drives from some company OTHER THAN LACIE.
Lasted less than one year (2009-10-22)
I purchased two of these 1-TB hard drives last November. Very simple to use, but one has already died after minimal use - just makes spinning noises but doesn't mount. Lost all my data. Now I'm worried about losing the rest of my data on the other one, too. Guess I'll be looking at a different brand to back up what's left. Very disappointing.
Dead after 16 months (2009-10-16)
My unit was fairly reliable up until last week when it started making a hissing noise while spinning up. I've always felt there were issues with this drive but just assumed that the random spinning and slow seek times were due to the fact that it was a 1tb drive. At this point I'm willing to concede that this was a poorly designed and poorly QA'd product. Steer clear as there are better cheaper alternatives.