The Sony EX1/EX3 camcorders use special SxS cards, which are very fast, to allow HD video recording at regular and overcranked speeds. If you don't need full range of overcranking that SxS cards provide (and you rarely will), there is a way to pay about 10 times less for the same hour of quality HD video recording, by using an adapter with certain SDHC cards instead of SxS. Your camera's software, and your hardware have to be compatible however.

Here's how to do it:

1. Make sure your EX1 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/520761-REG/Sony_PMWEX1UC_PMW_EX1_XDCAM_EX_SxS.html/BI/2187/KBID/2932)'s firmware is upgraded to v1.11 (You can send it to Sony for the upgrade if you have older version, and pay $100 fee. Some people do it themselves at home using the firmware files and a tiny Philips screwdriver to uncover the special USB port).

The EX 3 does not require a firmware upgrade.

2. Get the Kensington 33407 7-in-1 Media Reader adapter card (http://us.kensington.com/html/12631.html) -- or the older Delkin adapter, part no. DDEXP346IN11 with the "eFilm" logo (and not the newer Delkin Multi, part no. DDEXP34-MULTI-1, as it will not work)

3. Get a Transcend 16Gb Class 6 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=B0015AOK1O&tag=mo7iescom-20&index=electronics&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325) or Sandisk 16Gb Ultra II (http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=B0012W7HQK&tag=mo7iescom-20&index=electronics&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325) card. (Sandisk also makes other cards compatible with the camera/adapter, but they do not improve performance appreciatively and have worse price/performance ratio than above listed cards.)

4. Stick the Transcend or Sandisk card into Kensington adapter. Treat the combo like you would an SxS card (it even looks similar) - insert it into the EX1 or EX3 as one piece, and eject it the same way. Here you have it - a substitute for SxS card (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/548307-REG/SanDisk_SDX_VS_016GR_16GB_ExpressCard_Pro_Media.html/BI/2187/KBID/2932) at a tenth of the price.

Prices: Currently SxS can be had for under $800, while Transcend combo will cost you under $80, and Sandisk combo under $100. Of course you can also use these cards in your compatible DSLR camera, such as Nikon D80/D90, as well.

Again, you cannot do overcranking at full range with Kensington-based combos. 24p usually maxes out at 40fps overcrank for reliable recording; but all other shooting modes will work fine.

And, adapter/card combos do not fit inside the EX1's compartment entirely, so the door won't close. Not too good in dusty environment - but a small piece of lo-tek gaffers tape will help. EX3 owners will be able to close the slot cover door without any trouble.

It may be a good idea to get as many Kensington adapters as many cards you have, so to keep the cards in the adapters at all times and simply insert a new blank combo in your camera as needed, if you have to record for longer than 56 minutes that 16Gb cards allow, without having to offload/delete the cards on location.

It also may be useful to use Shotput (http://www.imagineproducts.com/ShotPut_EXpress.html) software that allows offloading to multiple locations for instant backup, plus data verification to ensure all your precious video was copied intact.

I received the final production version of the Expresscard adapter I was referring to in my post of 28/11/08.

This isn't a prototype, this is from the first batch off the production line, ( although we didn't have the final artwork ready for this small batch, so please excuse the temp label for now ).

If you watch the video below you can see the card in action.

The first design consideration was to ensure that with an SDHC inserted, the EX1 door would close. - Done.

The second was It is designed to ensure that the SDHC will not eject from the Expresscard while it is in the camera, unless by deliberate and concerted effort by the user, not by accident. You can see where it slightly moves but does not eject or disengage from the Expresscard or camera, even after sticking my big thumbs in there to try to. - Done.

The third was performance - that it should meet at least the performance of what other cards were already doing. The card will crank up to 48fps, which as we understand from many on this thread is the limitation of the USB implementation on this camera. - Done.

The fourth was that it would be reliable, that it should work each time and every time. So far it has been recognised every time by several EX1 cameras and hasn't dropped one frame. - Done.

The last consideration, not a design one but just as important, that it didn't cost any more than other cards already on the market. - Done.

The price? $US35 + postage which will be approx $10 to the US, and $12 for Europe.

We will be offering quantity discounts on freight as most people appear to be ordering more than 1 at a time, with orders of 10 or more being freight free.

We'll be putting up the website to take orders on Friday this week, and we expect to start shipping 19/12/08 ( 12/19/08 for our US friends ). There shouldn't be any shortage of cards as we have already committed to our first production run of 20,000 cards to be delivered over the next two months.

Oh and one last thing the name? MxR Expresscard Adapter. I wanted to use "Efilms Expresscard Adapter", because "Efilms" has been my trading name since 2001, but I thought it would confuse people.

If you have any questions I'd be pleased to answer them, just remember we're in Sydney, so if you don't get an immediate response it's because we are catching some shuteye, too much excitement for one day.

http://www.efilms.com.au/streams/SDHCExpress.wmv

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/attachment.php?attachmentid=9995&stc=1&d=1228737851

Note: Jay Gladwell contributed to Alex Raskin's post above.

Ross Herewini's solution can be discussed, along with the
rest of this topic (questions, suggestions, corrections etc.)
at http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/sony-xdcam-ex-cinealta/130757-sdhc-substitute-sxs-cards.html

Removed from "sticky" status. Thanks all,