DCPs on DCI compliant External HDD/USB

[macuser]

Hello Everybody,

that issue with the Toshiba HDD drives happens to me as well. Due to the power requirement of these HDD's it can happen that it doesn't mount. At least on the Doremi DCP-2K4 servers there is a workaround. I use one of the rear USB connectors. These connectors are directly mounted on the motherboard while the front panel is connected with a - relatively - long cable to the motherboard and that leads to a voltage drop which causes the problem of not mounting the HDD!

In some cases it also might help to use another USB cable and remember that the DCP servers might have only a USB 2.0 connector that delivers only 500mA - not enough for some HDD's for the power-up sequence!

Kind regards
Max

[carl]

I would go along with Max - it's been years since I've been "at the sharp end" but I remember having the (unproven) feeling that drives powered by some external supply were more likely to work than those powered by the USB bus, so I wouldn't be surprised if there's some problem with a lack of power (especially if it's a spinning disk rather than a SSD).

[Carsten]

A more solid solution is to use a powered USB hub, or simply a USB-Y cable/USB extension. These can be bought very cheap on eBay or Amazon. The Y cable simply takes power from both USB ports. On most 'classic' Doremi sites I service, I have a USB-Y cable attached to the back USB ports, and hanging it's USB-2 socket over the front of the server as a second ingest port option. You also get them with 2 USB-A connectors, and a fitting USB-Micro-B connector for most mobile drives, like this one:

https://www.netzgeraet.de/Kabel-und-Zub ... o-USB.html

Alternatively, you can also power the power-side of the Y cable with a 1A or 2A USB wall plug.

The drive you mention quotes 1A, that is too much for a USB 2.0 port. I would simply add a USB-Y cable when shipping/using the drive and add a short letter explaining it's use.

Bildschirmfoto 2025-04-19 um 18.24.34.png

[clownshoe]

Max, Carl , Carsten,

The triple threat for the clean up. This makes complete sense

Also, in my journey to make things as idiot-proof as possible in the projection booths outside of my purview, it sounds like I might be better off to avoid this drive completely, or any 1A drive for that matter, when it comes to 2.5" external USB for short DCP delivery.

I'm going to type up some verbiage to include with my future deliveries regarding the power issue, as an FYI to the cinemas which I deliver to. As well as provide the extra cabling, just in case. Over-preparedness is fine with me.

Regarding SSD: Would everyone here agree that I'd be safe using 2.5" SSD, in the type of enclosure I listed, if I either provide the extra cabling as mentioned by Carsten, or if I only stick to utlizing SSDs that are, say, .22A to around .8A? Is that a correct assumption?

For example: If I used this drive... based on the fact that it's .22A, I should be safe from this 2.0 vs 3.0 power issue, yes?


That is, if the drive is .22A - .5A, and the enclosure I'm using is 3.0 (also backwards compatible with 2.0), then I imagine I'd be safe plugging that into the cinema server of any cinema that is defaulting to 2.0 and it would recognize it, as it relates to our power issue. (Again assuming the drive is formatted properly Ext3 for mounting/recognition).

[IoannisSyrogiannis]

Using such an SSD makes sense both in terms of low demands on power and less sensitive (to maltreatment) equipment.
Depending on the scale/number of the deliveries, one may argue that an SSD drive of such capacity could have no significant cost difference with a HDD. Exceptions exist.
I don't know if this site is legit, but it gives some insight on the price matter.

[clownshoe]

Hey again, Ioannis,

I agree with you. The math makes sense. So what I'm hoping is true, is that I can utilize a low amperage SSD, in the specific 3.0 enclosure I mentioned in my prior reply, and it will be recognized by an cinemas that happen to still be USB 2.0 only when it comes to their ingest ports.

That diskprices site is incredibly useful, thanks.

[macuser]

Hello clownshoe,

cinemas that happen to still be USB 2.0 only

The early DCP-Servers - from around 2010 or so - had only USB 2.0 but they are still in use. In comparison with a 'normal' PC-motherboard the motherboards in the DCP-Servers have a much better quality.

Depending on the kind of cinema - especially Arthouse cinemas - they will use their hardware as long as possible.
I expect these units will still be used in the next five years. Depending on the country the online delivery directly into the cinema has already
outperformed the hardware delivery with a HDD/SSD in any form (DataPort CRU, USB-Drive etc.).

Kind regards
Max

[clownshoe]

Hey Max,

I suspect that's exactly right.

I'm going to take that exact drive that's giving trouble (1A Toshiba 2.5", in the 3.0 enclosure, with the cable) over to that exact cinema with:
The same enclosure / cable, but with:
.8A HDD
.5A HDD
.22A SSD

And I'll see how everything is recognized. Just to put the fact that it's a power issue, for sure. Then I'll make sure to shy away from the 1A drives (thanks for that info, Carsten).