USB based so there is limitation on overcrank like Sony's hard drive. Fits in EX1 so it allows the door to close. Card won't accidently pop out when trying to remove adaptor from the camera.
Re: New SDHC Express card adaptor on the way by Craig Seeman on Dec 12, 2008 at 5:44:36 pm
Ross has tested and confirmed Sandisk 16GB Ultra II cards. They'll work with Extreme but those are more expensive and don't offer any additional benefit. It seems Sony limited the USB Express card data rate (apparently deliberately) which is the same reason Sony's 60GB hard drive doesn't do overcrank. In other words while you'd think the faster cards would give you overcrank they won't (Grrr Sony!). So the short answer is get the Sandisk 16GB Ultra II SDHC cards.
Re: New SDHC Express card adaptor on the way by Craig Seeman on Dec 12, 2008 at 6:34:48 pm
He's also tested with 8GB Class 6 Transcend card. No mention of tests with the 16GB cards.
Class 6 is the fastest but not all class 6 cards will work since, apparently, not all have the same sustained write needed for the EX. I've also heard of cases where some 16GB cards were slower than 8GB cards from the same manufacturer. I suspect Ross's tests matched the results people were getting with the Kennsington adaptor and various cards.
16GB Transcend is worth testing but Sandisk is a sure thing. I'm really hopping Sandisk 32GB works.
Seeing all this I can see why Sony gave up on the certification process. With Kennsington dropping their compatible adaptor and apparently reliability issue with Delkin adaptor, Sony would have needed a willing manufacturer to make an adaptor or a new "all in one." In addition those adaptors were just a hair too big for the EX1 door to close (EX3 was OK though) so Sony probably wanted a redesign. I think that's why Juan Martinez saying such fuzzy things about it would take too long and other related issues, as to why Sony gave up.
Ross found a manufacturer (Chris Hurd had apparently found one also but he was still looking at how to design the card) to design a card that would fit in the EX1. He went with a method that would prevent the card from accidently popping out when removing the adaptor but still allow pulling the SDHC card out when needed.
I can see why the Transcend card is attractive. The lower the price the easier it becomes to treat them like tape or even XDCAM discs and just keep them for archival or charge clients for them.
B&H sells Sony 60 minute DigiBeta tape for $27.49
Sony 60 minute HDCAM $50.99
Sony XDCAM 23GB disc is a bit cheaper at $21.59
So recording to the EX is getting into the price range of professional tape that you can bill and hand to a client.
Given the breakthrough I'm kind of surprised that we're not getting a bunch of people asking questions about this. Sony promised inexpensive media. Their firmware provides it and 3rd parties are providing media that works. In forums on other boards the posts go on for pages and can number over 1000.
Re: New SDHC Express card adaptor on the way by William McCauley on Dec 23, 2008 at 3:13:49 am
I just order a pair of the MxR Express Card readers. Looks like for the near term I can maintain a bit of extra storage and back up before moving to an archive.
Re: New SDHC Express card adaptor on the way by David Wheeler on Dec 23, 2008 at 3:05:30 am
Thanks for the info, Craig. I ordered two of the new SDHC adapters. I thought I saw information on one of the forums that the EX1 needs the firmware upgrade (1.11?) to use the SDHC cards. Can you confirm this?
Thanks!
David Wheeler
Have XDCAM. Will Travel.
dave@marcombiz.com
