FirewireDirect.com Inc. on Friday introduced the Pro Z-RAID, a new compact FireWire 800-based RAID storage system compatible with both Macs and PCs, molded in aluminum to complement Apple’s line of pro systems. FirewireDirect.com hopes the Pro Z-RAID will appeal to digital video professionals looking for a compact, portable RAID system — the company claims the RAID system is suitable for digital video editing software that works with multi-stream, uncompressed Standard Definition (SD), High Definition Video (HDV) and Digital Video (DV) content.
Inside the Pro Z-RAID chassis is a hardware RAID controller and room for two 7200RPM drive mechanisms which are striped together as a RAID Level 0 array for fast performance. FirewireDirect.com will offer capacities from 320GB to 1 terabyte (TB). Most configurations are shipping now, though the 1TB system is expected in March. Prices range from US$119.95 for a “kit” system that contains no drive mechanism to $1,199 for the forthcoming 1TB system.