Nifty Stuff…Western Digital 320GB Hard Drive

I’ve been playing with personal computers since before there was an IBM PC, or a Mac, or even hard drives for personal computers. I have gone through so many drives from that time to this it boggles the mind. So, when I have to replace a 120GB hard drive simply because it’s not big enough, I’m in awe of the audacity of it all.

Like many of you, I’ve taken up the torch of transferring some of my old and irreplaceable VHS stuff to DVD–not so much because it’s fun and I have so much time on my hands, but simply because the tapes weren’t designed for very long-term storage (some of my oldest tapes are pushing twenty-five). It’s one thing when you can go out and buy or rent some movie or tv show, but when you have footage of old friends getting ready to play in the NCAA tournament…well that just isn’t available on Netflix or even eBay.

To get maximum quality out of these aged videos I employ the three-copy method: transfer three copies of the program (assuming the tape will stand up to the abuse) and then combine the three copies into a new whole. The result is less video noise from the tape heads without having to do a software blur. I’m actually gaining a smidge of quality.

That’s all fine and good, but what does that have to do with the WD hard drive? Well, I tell ya. As you can imagine, making three copies takes up a fair amount of space. If any editing has to happen, then you have to save those copies (if possible), that means six copies on the drive at once. Due to program length, more often than not, six copies won’t fit on a 120GB drive.

Enter the Western Digital 320GB drive, model WD3200JB. I’ve been with WD for a long time now. They’ve always treated me well when I’ve had to replace the occasional drive (generally after many years of 24/7 service). More importantly, the drives are quiet. For me, quiet is a big thing. Not so much with the computers stuck in the server closet a few rooms down, but with the computers I live with day-in and day-out. Between all the fans and other miscellaneous noise, I don’t need to hear whining or clicking from a hard drive for nine-hours when I’m converting something lengthy to mpeg.

Given all the reviews, it was a toss-up between the WD drive and one from Seagate. In the end I chose the company that’s done good by me for years, though I might still buy the Seagate in the near future for another computer, just to test it out.

The WD is so quiet the only indication I usually have that it’s working is the drive indicator light on the front of the computer. It’s fast, and spacious…though 320GB doesn’t seem to go nearly as far as 10MB did in the "old days".

All that said, I have to admit that WD drives in general have been getting some spotty reviews in the last couple of years. While I haven’t had any trouble, some others seem to. As a result, I’m only going to give this a *very recommended*.