HD SATAsfaction!
Today’s digital content creation and editing require more speed and space than anybody would have imagined just a few, short years ago—now, storage needs are spoken of in terabytes instead of gigabytes. FireWire drives used to be the storage solution of choice for users on a limited budget, but they don’t offer enough performance for all but the most basic needs, and high-end SCSI storage systems are out of reach for most people. You probably need something in between—Sonnet’s Fusion D500P SATA storage systems offer speed, versatility, and reliability in a compact package—they are a great solution for anyone looking for an affordable storage system that will fit into a variety of workflows.

Maximum Performance
Connected to a Sonnet Tempo SATA E4P PCIe or X4P PCI-X host controller installed in a Mac or Windows computer, a Fusion D500P system’s drives can be accessed through its port multiplier⁽¹⁾ at full speed, whether configured as a RAID 0, 1, 10, or JBOD set. With its drives configured as a RAID 0 striped set, a single Fusion D500P achieves 240MB/sec, fast enough to support multiple streams of DV, HDV, DVCPRO, or uncompressed 8-bit 1080 HD video. Up to four Fusion D500Ps can be ganged on a single Tempo SATA E4P or X4P controller for double, triple, or even quadruple the available streams (as well as increasing the number of supported video formats).

Safe and Secure
Fusion storage systems (except 0 TB models) employ Enterprise/RAID Edition hard drives⁽²⁾, which are subjected to hours of additional testing to check for soft errors, vibration, and other reliability predictors—just the sturdiest drives pass these tests. Only then are they prepared with special RAID-optimized firmware and become the building blocks of a super-reliable Fusion storage system. For added convenience, the swappable drive modules are compatible across the entire Fusion line.

One Cable, All the Data
The Fusion D500P enclosure employs a high performance SATA II port multiplier to manage the enclosed drives—just a single locking data cable connects the enclosure to a SATA host controller card. This efficient interface simplifies setup and cuts cable clutter without compromising performance.

Form Meets Function
Fusion D500P systems can be used for simple backup needs, but they are well-suited for use in editing suites employing applications such as Apple Final Cut Pro® and Adobe® Premiere® Pro CS3 video editing software, and video capture cards from AJA, Blackmagic Design, Matrox and Bluefish444. With an attractive and user-friendly design, Fusion D500P's handsome door hides the drive modules, yet status indicator LEDs for each drive shine through. The drive modules have built-in locking levers that double as handles to make swapping easy. If you choose, you can also secure each module in place with the built-in locks (great for added security). To keep things cool, the Fusion D500P uses a swappable fan module with a fan that is 80% quieter than a standard case fan, making this system perfectly suited for use in noise-sensitive environments.

Expandability to Start
Looking for a desktop 5-drive, removable storage system to expand with your needs? The Fusion D500P-0TB storage system offers the same great features as Sonnet’s other D500P models, but without the hard drives⁽²⁾. Performance, capacity, and RAID reliability are dependent on drive choice.

About stream count testing:
We've conducted in-depth, real-world testing to provide you with realistic results. Testing was conducted after weeks of use, during which time projects were captured, parts deleted, more parts captured, rendered, and so on, leaving the drives 85% full and fragmented. The stream counts we present here reflect the reduced performance that results from day-in, day-out use. Many storage systems work well the day you get them, but the true test is whether one will continue to serve you when you push the envelope. Fusion storage systems won't let you down.