The best ways to format an external drive for Windows and Mac. Compare the different options for formatting an external hard drive to work with Windows and Mac. And, no: the answer isn't always FAT32.

If you work with libraries of large image files, or in audio or video production, you need to be selective about your external hard drive. Writing files directly to an external drive can incur some hefty performance demands, so it's best to determine your needs before you buy a drive. With the ever-increasing data-transfer demands brought on by more megapixels, higher audio bit rates, and higher-resolution video—keeping up with all of that data can be a burden. The first thing to determine must be how much overall storage space you need and, then, what data-transfer speed your projects will require. Each medium is different, as is every user.

Mac os x 10.7 download free. To break it down, we'll discuss the writing of data to an external hard drive while editing video, for use in photo editing and running audio projects. Drives for Video Production No one creates a greater need for media storage than a videographer, especially those working in 4K. To prevent getting bogged down by a sluggish external hard drive, you need fast drives.

These days, the default spin rate is 7200 rpm, though even faster drives are available for a premium. Next, you need to consider your interface. Are you using FireWire, USB 3.0 or USB 3.1 Type-A or Type-C, Thunderbolt, Thunderbolt 2, or possibly the newer Thunderbolt 3? Do you intend to use eSATA or set up a RAID array because a single drive can't handle your output, so you need multiple drives? Interface Speeds: USB, Thunderbolt, and Beyond The latest in high-definition video requires a whopping 106 MB/s of bandwidth. But if you aren't working in the latest ProRes HQ 4K codec, you can get by with less speed. By contrast, AVCHD 1080p video at 30 fps requires just 3 MB/s.

But your hard drive's maximum write speed should exceed this by as much as is comfortable for your budget, because other issues, such as caching, also can impact performance. With any external hard drive interface, keep in mind that you will only achieve its maximum data transfer rate if your computer—and the external hard drive—support it. USB 3.0 is capable of 625 MB/s. However, check the rated speed of the external drive (it likely can't move data that fast). For example, the is rated at up to 180 MB/s. The is rated at up to 226 MB/s. Note that, in both cases, these speeds exceed the 106 MB/s requirement of ProRes HQ 4K video at 24 fps.

That can only be a good thing. G-Technology 6TB G-DRIVE G1 USB 3.0 Hard Drive Faster still is Thunderbolt. Version 1 can transfer at bi-directional speeds up to 10 Gb/s (1,250 MB/s), Thunderbolt 2 can transfer at bi-directional speeds up to 20 Gb/s (2,500 MB/s), and the newer Thunderbolt 3 operates at bi-directional speeds up to 40 Gb/s (5,000 MB/s). But you'll pay more for these interfaces, which may not be worth it for all that speed: None of today's drives are that fast. But if you need a RAID array or plan to use external solid-state drives (SSDs), you might want the Autobahn of interfaces.