For editing and playback of very large video files on legacy PC platforms, which storage option typically provides the fastest access performance?

Introduction / Context:
Video editing and high-throughput workloads need storage with fast sustained transfer rates and low command overhead. Historically, professional workstations favored particular bus/storage technologies to meet these demands before widespread adoption of SATA/SAS NVMe.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Context is legacy/traditional PC storage (SCSI vs IDE/EIDE vs optical).
• Workload involves large video files requiring sustained throughput.

Concept / Approach:

Parallel SCSI (particularly Ultra/Ultra160/Ultra320 generations) offered higher sustained bandwidth, tagged command queuing, and multi-device buses tuned for servers/workstations. Consumer IDE/EIDE often had lower sustained speeds and higher CPU overhead. Optical drives (CD/DVD) were far slower and unsuitable for high-rate editing.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Benchmarks from the era show SCSI outperforming consumer IDE in sustained transfers and random I/O, especially with multiple streams.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• IDE/EIDE hard drives: consumer-grade, slower spindle speeds, less effective command queuing.
• Optical drives: orders of magnitude slower in both throughput and latency.
• None: incorrect; SCSI is the correct historical choice.

Common Pitfalls:

• Judging by interface alone without considering enterprise vs consumer drive classes.

Final Answer:

SCSI hard drives.