Drobo 4TB Drobo 4-Bay Storage Array

Comments about Data Robotics 4TB Drobo 4-Bay Robotic Storage Array:

I don't think most people realize that the hardware inside most raid/jbod storage devices is made by only 2 or 3 companies. There are alot of solutions that work great without the brand name price. Drobo looks pretty, but that about it... its nothing special.

Comments about Data Robotics 4TB Drobo 4-Bay Robotic Storage Array:

Running as an MPEG2 server for three television channels. Months of programming stored and played back for over a year now. Keeps playing even while backing up the primary programming to a second Drobo.

Comments about Data Robotics 4TB Drobo 4-Bay Robotic Storage Array:

Does exactly what it promises; easy intuitive setup, small foot print, quiet and powerful. I primarily use it to store my precious high definition TiVo files. The Drobo is connected to my PC with the USB 2 connection and I am able to stream the video (without delay) directly from the Drobo through my PC via my home network to my HD TiVo (My PC does not have a firewire 800 connection). I installed four of the the latest WD 2 TB drives, which provides approximatly 6 TB of storage and 2 TB of protected back up. Amazing design!

Comments about Data Robotics 4TB Drobo 4-Bay Robotic Storage Array:

Read befor you Buy!!!
The Drobo can copy file size of maximum 4gb if format for Mac & Window FAT 32.
this is miss leading. NOT RECOMMENDING to buy
C.

Comments about Data Robotics 4TB Drobo 4-Bay Robotic Storage Array:

I'm sleeping better these nights after installing the newest version of the Drobo. It is extremely easy to install and upgrade, and works behind the scenes to ensure the security of your data.

I've gone from a Buffalo TeraStation to an Infrant (now Netgear) ReadyNAS and now -- finally -- the Drobo. Why the changes? I thought the ReadyNAS would hold me for awhile based on the positive reviews it's received. However, the deal-breaker for me has been the heat the ReadyNAS generates. Because of this the fan runs constantly and I've found it far too loud -- so loud, in fact, that I have to store it in a network closet away from my desk. I also have to watch the ReadyNAS on hot CA days, as it will often get too hot and send me a warning.

I'd never considered the Drobo as a serious alternative -- until, that is, they came out with the newest unit with FireWire 800. That -- along with the availability of the new 1TB Western Digital "Green Power" drives -- gave me the confidence that this unit would be both quick AND quiet enough.

This has proved to be the case. I have the Drobo on my desk and hardly ever hear it -- and I am incredibly picky about noise. The case is never warm to the touch -- even during an intensive backup session. This gives me confidence that it will be quite reliable over time. As for the speed, the unit will transfer 480P video real-time without interruption. I have yet to try this with high-definition video, as that's not the reason I bought it.

At present I use the Drobo to handle automated backups of each of my four internal MacPro drives, along with handling Vault duties for Aperture. I haven't yet decided whether or not to use Time Machine with it; that may be my next step in the quest for data integrity.

Overall, I would rate the Drobo to be as much of an improvement over the ReadyNAS as the ReadyNAS was over the TeraStation. IMHO, it's that good, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for simple, quiet, and reliable desktop storage.

What, you ask, is the reason I don't give it 5 stars? That would imply perfection, and though it's been superb so far I'd only give something that kind of rating after using it for a few months...

Comments about Data Robotics 4TB Drobo 4-Bay Robotic Storage Array:

I'm sorry I bought this device! I'm going to return it and buy a Lacie Quadra raid. The thing isn't appropriate for video files over 2GB. I've got a whole series of large .mov files from a massive video project and the largest file that plays back without being totally choppy is 1.76 GB. So I double checked and the same files play back fine on my Lacie Triple Interface and Quadra drives. I'm trying to replace a desk covered with external drives with this drobo pseudo raid. Funny thing is that the files play back fine even using USB 2 on the Lacie external drives. Why am I supposed to be satisfied with the speed of this unit when an external USB 2 drive outperforms it? The company should just state that the product isn’t appropriate for video projects.