jveekeres:

In other words in another thread I suggested that avid just gives us the exact hardware specs for the supported servers like they do with the editing products: A limited amount of HP, IBM and Dell or Apple machines. I would not be suprised if avid bought terrablock soon and then triple the price and at the same time release Media networks 6 which is back to facilty class/broadcast standard but only compatible with those "terrablock" avid servers...  

There is one other factor at work here.  The software is designed, tested and debugged (again not in the case of Unity 5)  with specific hardware.   Avid cannot predict when a specific server,  or even a specific workstation will be discontinued.   That opens the door for having to test MANY more configurations, something Avid doesn't have the time or resources to do.    Let me put it this way.   We purchased 20 Adrenaline systems on HP XW8000's about 4 years ago now.   The CPU's on that batch were bought from Avid, and made part of our hardware coverage.   I replaced one of those CPU's, through Avid last month, at no cost, and a replacement was in the mailroom in less then 24 hours.   HP cannot do that for me.   They can only, within the 3 year time period, get someone out to assess the parts needs and replace them within 48 hours of the call.   

When you pay more for hardware through Avid, you do have the security that you can get a replacement without much fuss, and that it is exactly the part needed to work with the software and other hardware.

JDS

 Dear Jeff,

You write: When you pay more for hardware through Avid, you do have the security that you can get a replacement without much fuss, and that it is exactly the part needed to work with the software and other hardware.

In my experience.......3 years ago I bought an avid adrenalione on xw8000. 4 months ago the power supply died in de dna box. I had to wait for more then a months and pay 1480 euro (at current rates 2000 dollar) for a new chassis with power supply.... and we are talking a power supply made in taiwan which cost 100 dollars maximum.....

Security considering hardware.....a power supply lasts only 2 years in an airconditioned room? Not much fuss when you have to wait more then a month?

Ok I have a reseller here in greece that can improve it's service a lot so this could be due to them. But I just don't share your experience... maybe I should move to LA......

And I want to add to my last comment that if Avid would supply the service as you described and does the testing of hardware as described I do agree it is worth paying more for the same hardware! Three times is a bit over the top but ok...

But in my experience is that Avid does not do that.

Wow, so your saying that if avid released that exact hardware and software spec's for its servers, that you would go out and build one and put it into service?  Wow, thats pretty balsy in my mind.  Avid has spent years perfecting unity and medianet, and im not saying its there yet, we all know that, but it does work a hell of a lot better than anything else out there.  I would doubt a broadcast facility or post enviornment that needs 24/7 up time would allow this. I know i would'nt stick my kneck out saying some off the shelf server can hack it, and come next week, all is lost. 

We pay for proven systems.  We pay for 24/7 up time.  We pay to be able to get replacement parts within 24 hours of a call in.  Show me another company that will drop ship you a new drive from flash logistics and have it in your hands later that day.  We pay for a system like unity becasue we value our edit time, material, and our jobs.  If someone is going to invest in shared storage, and they want to do it right, they are going to go with a full blown package, not a bunch of parts that they put together themselves, and have to figure out how to configure.  If they go that route, maybe shared storage is a little out of reach.  Im not saying that you should'nt look around at other vendors for shared storage, but what i am saying is that if you are serious about it, you go with a system that is proven, not some parts off the shelf at microcenter. 

Just my view.

Oh yea, its hardware based, and software.  Hardware in on the sled that drive sits in. 

I agree completely with what you write. The reliability/service/support as you describe by avid is valuable... very valuable. That's why they sell support contracts.

Would I build my own server?

- Yes...I would consider using a terrablock server for example. These machines are just as reliable if I'm to believe randall. Would I use a self build Lanshare with exact the same hardware as the original inc.. power supplies cooling etc...Yes. But...

- No I would not experiment with anything not supported by avid in a 24/7 environment

My point is that if I open my lanshare I can see all parts. Most of them are not made by avid but by others. Motherboards, processors, memory, raid cards, drives etc, etc... All quality stuff but why would the same stuff from avid be more reliable then from the original manufacturer... There is the issue of firmware yes. But new firmware triples the price???

I work for almost 20 years in broadcasting. I've been maintaining all kind of equipment inc. Mac's and Pc's (Avid's) for years. For plenty of standard parts like resistors, diodes, fuses etc..  you can buy them from sony, apple, avid,etc... but you pay much more the from the shop around the corner... I always bought my mac's from apple not avid. Etc...etc...etc....Ever replaced/repaired a power supply in a meridian system? Do you buy your fuses from avid?

Again I agree that we (broadcasting/facility class) want to reduce risk to the max. and want 99,9% reliable equipment. We want to feel that we have done anything to secure reliability. If doing exaclty what avid says makes you feel save.... I don't.. .and in case something goes wrong we want to feel save that Avid will save us. In my experience avid does not supply me enough feeling of safety to justify tripling the price on hardware. If I also bring in the updates (bugfixes) I've done over the years cause I had problems.... And then there is the MN5 issue with which I happely have no experience yet. It's like you said:

 Avid has spent years perfecting unity and medianet, and im not saying its there yet, we all know that, but it does work a hell of a lot better than anything else out there.

But does that justify tripling the price on hardware?