1.1About the Serial ATA interface

The Serial ATA interface provides several advantages over the traditional (parallel) ATA interface. The primary advantages include:

•Easy installation and configuration with true plug-and-play connectivity. It is not necessary to set any jump- ers or other configuration options.

•Thinner and more flexible cabling for improved enclosure airflow and ease of installation.

•Scalability to higher performance levels.

In addition, Serial ATA makes the transition from parallel ATA easy by providing legacy software support. Serial ATA was designed to allow you to install a Serial ATA host adapter and Serial ATA disc drive in your current system and expect all of your existing applications to work as normal.

The Serial ATA interface connects each disc drive in a point-to-point configuration with the Serial ATA host adapter. There is no master/slave relationship with Serial ATA devices like there is with parallel ATA. If two drives are attached on one Serial ATA host adapter, the host operating system views the two devices as if they were both “masters” on two separate ports. This essentially means both drives behave as if they are Device 0 (master) devices.

Note. The host adapter may, optionally, emulate a master/slave environment to host software where two devices on separate Serial ATA ports are represented to host software as a Device 0 (master) and Device 1 (slave) accessed at the same set of host bus addresses. A host adapter that emulates a master/slave environment manages two sets of shadow registers. This is not a typical Serial ATA environment.

The Serial ATA host adapter and drive share the function of emulating parallel ATA device behavior to provide backward compatibility with existing host systems and software. The Command and Control Block registers, PIO and DMA data transfers, resets, and interrupts are all emulated.

The Serial ATA host adapter contains a set of registers that shadow the contents of the traditional device regis- ters, referred to as the Shadow Register Block. All Serial ATA devices behave like Device 0 devices. For addi- tional information about how Serial ATA emulates parallel ATA, refer to the “Serial ATA: High Speed Serialized AT Attachment” specification. The specification can be downloaded from www.serialata.org.

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DB35.4 Series SATA Product Manual, Rev. C

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Seagate DB35.4 manual About the Serial ATA interface
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DB35.4 specifications

The Seagate DB35.4 series of hard disk drives (HDDs) represents a significant advancement in data storage solutions for digital video recording and other demanding applications. Designed specifically for use in DVRs, NVRs, and related multimedia production environments, the DB35.4 drives are tailored to meet the rigorous requirements of streaming and recording high-definition video content.

One of the standout features of the DB35.4 series is its optimized design for continuous operation. These drives are built to handle workloads that involve constant read and write cycles, making them ideal for multi-channel recording setups. With a Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) rating of 1.2 million hours, the drives ensure reliability and durability, essential for critical applications in broadcasting and surveillance.

The DB35.4 series supports advanced technologies, including native command queuing (NCQ), which enhances performance by allowing multiple read and write commands to be processed simultaneously. This results in improved data transfer rates and reduced latency, which are vital for applications requiring swift access to stored content. With capacities ranging from 250 GB to 2 TB, the drives provide ample space for storing extensive video libraries.

In terms of performance, the DB35.4 features a rotational speed of 7200 RPM, combined with a SATA interface that enables high-speed data transfers. The drives usually come equipped with 8 MB or higher cache memory, further boosting their efficiency during heavy data loads. This ensures that users experience smooth playback and recording, minimizing the risk of dropped frames or buffering.

Energy efficiency is another key characteristic of the Seagate DB35.4 series. Designed with power management in mind, these drives consume less energy during operation while still delivering optimal performance. This not only reduces operational costs but also contributes to a more environmentally friendly solution for users looking to maximize their storage capabilities without excessive power consumption.

In summary, the Seagate DB35.4 HDDs stand out for their reliability, performance, and efficiency. With their specialized design for multimedia applications, advanced technologies like NCQ, and a focus on energy savings, the DB35.4 series remains a preferred choice for businesses and individuals aiming to optimize their digital storage solutions in a demanding video-centric world.
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