Hi,

I know there are new ones coming out, being tested, etc.

Maybe there is something like this already out there, but a list of approved compact flash cards would be great.

I looked all over the CD web site and couldn't find any such list.

A 'sticky' thread might be good for this topic.

Here is a listing:


nanoFlash.net - *Cards currently certified by Convergent DesignSanDiskExtreme III32/16/8180 Mbps**SanDiskExtreme IV16280 Mbps**SanDiskExtreme Pro** 64/32280 Mbps**SanDiskExtreme32280 Mbps**DelkinUDMA16180 Mbps**Delkin**UDMA***64220 (http://nanoflash.net/compact_flash_card_information)

Hi,

This is covered in the manual that you can download at:

Convergent Design | (http://convergent-design.com/support.asp?SectionID=33)

On page 5 of the Flash XDR Manual:

Use only the qualified Compact Flash cards for the specified bit rates:
· SanDisk Extreme 3 32/16/8 Gb CF cards for bit rates up to 180 Mbps
· SanDisk Extreme 4 16 Gbyte CF cards for bit rates up to 280 Mbps
· SanDisk Extreme 32 Gbyte CF cards for bit rates up to 280 Mbps
· SanDisk Extreme Pro 64/32 Gbyte CF cards up to 280 Mbps
· Delkin UDMA 16 Gbyte CF cards for bit rates up to 180 Mbps
· Lexar 8/16 Gbyte 300x CF cards for bit rates up to 280 Mbps
· PhotoFast 64/32 Gbyte 533x CF cards for bit rates up to 220 Mbps
· PhotoFast Plus 32 Gbyte 533x CF cards for bit rates up to 280 Mbps

Thanks Guys,

I must have missed that in the manual too.

The URL listing Olof points to gets updated frequently. Cards and card sizes are being added semi-regularly. In addition Convergent Design periodically tweaks their code/firmware to allow some cards to accept higher bitrates from the nanoFlash.

You will read about these advances in this forum. Once you hang around for a while you will be in the loop.

Dear Andrew,

Thank you for your post, nicely stated!

We recently delisted the PhotoFast cards. This may be temporary.

One of our dealers received a batch of bad PhotoFast cards.

Also, there have been some failures of these cards in the field.


In better news, we are currently trying to squeeze every drop of performance out of all CompactFlash cards.

Our next firmware may include some improvements in this area. I do not have the latest info at this moment, but our engineers were working on this on Friday.

Our goal is to increase the maximum bit-rate for certain cards, such as the Delkin to 280 Mbps.

I would also like to note that we have been very happy with the Delkin 64 GB cards.

Hello Dan,
Would you please let us know what problems have come to light with the PhotoFast cards. as you say "We recently delisted the PhotoFast cards. This may be temporary."

Having purchased several of the PhotoFast 64gb cards which where approved which have become the work horse for me I am concerned it may fail. It would be of great assistance to known what to lookout for or should I withdraw the cards from service.

I have not experienced any problems with my PhotoFast 64gb cards but I rather be safe than sorry.

Dear Lance,

We have had reports that some of the PhotoFast cards would no longer communicate with external devices, such as ours.

We heard that the problem is related to the card itself losing the programming, internally, of its controller chip. One distributor has told us that there is a software program available from the manufacturer that will allow the controller chip to be reprogrammed but I do not have confirmation of this.

One test of a failed card is if it fails to work in our unit, that it also fails to be responsive in other devices such as PC's or Mac's.

Also, one of our dealers received a bad batch of cards.

At this time, we have more confidence in the Delkin and SanDisk cards.

We heard that the problem is related to the card itself losing the programming, internally, of its controller chip.

Dear Dan,

Also my two PhotoFast 32GB cards' behaviour might indicate this problem. Recently, I noticed that when the "Card in slot X too slow" error occurs, and the nano hangs with "Stopping" message displayed - after power-cycle, the card is no longer recognized ("Unknown card"), and I need to reformat it before use.

This never happened before - it was enough to reboot my nanoFlash and recording continued without the need for reformat.

Dear Dan,
Thank you for the info I will monitor my PhotoFast 64gb cards very closely for any sign of problems. It’s really a shame that one can no longer have faith in the PhotoFast cards. I can not use them now on critical work for the fear of failure. I think PhotoFast need to offer a solution to the problem if they want sales.
Dan when you hear that the software program is available from the manufacturer that will allow the controller chip to be reprogrammed would let us know please and how we can access it. I am not real happy about having a bunch of cards that I can not use.
Many thanks.

It is intereresting to note that "nanoFlash.net" is now only selling Delkin 64GB cards which according to my unscientific observations appear to the ones that have received the most positive response in terms of value and reliability.

I recall Dan stating a little while back that the CD developers were going to be tweaking their code to eek slightly higher recording speeds out of them.

Dear Andrew,

Yes, we have had very positive results with the Delkin 64 GB cards.

Yes, we will be trying hard to get more performance out of the CompactFlash cards.

Hello Dan,
I am ready to purchase more 64gb CF cards and I remember that PhotoFast cards where delisted a while ago. I can not find any further update information on these cards as to their status. I have personally not had any problems with my Photofast 64 gb cards and was thinking of ordering more. It would be appreciated if you can please update us on the Photofast 533 64gb cards suitability.


Dear Andrew,

Thank you for your post, nicely stated!

We recently delisted the PhotoFast cards. This may be temporary.

One of our dealers received a batch of bad PhotoFast cards.

Also, there have been some failures of these cards in the field.


In better news, we are currently trying to squeeze every drop of performance out of all CompactFlash cards.

Our next firmware may include some improvements in this area. I do not have the latest info at this moment, but our engineers were working on this on Friday.

Our goal is to increase the maximum bit-rate for certain cards, such as the Delkin to 280 Mbps.

I would also like to note that we have been very happy with the Delkin 64 GB cards.


Many thanks

In better news, we are currently trying to squeeze every drop of performance out of all CompactFlash cards.

Our next firmware may include some improvements in this area. I do not have the latest info at this moment, but our engineers were working on this on Friday.


Hi Dan,

Any chance there will be an improvement for the Transcend 64GB 400X cards? Will they benefit from the new firmware update to be able to go to 280mbps?

Thanks for the great work.

Garrett

I am using Transcend 32GB 400X cards as listed on one of the CD lists. All is well but should I be using more upmarket cards?

Dear Garrett,

I doubt that we will be able to get the 400x Transcend card to work at 280 Mbps.

Please understand that the actual quality difference between 220 Mbps and 280 Mbps is slight.

Dear Bruce,

If you need 280 Mbps for some reason, then a higher performance card will be necessary.

Thanks Dan, I'm happy with 100mbts my EX1 now produces pictures (plants,leaves in wind etc.) that cut really well with HDCAM material.

Thanks Dan,

The I-Frame only at 220 is pretty incredible so I don't know how much more I could gain by going to 280 but I was just checking.

Thanks again,
Garrett

Hi Dan sorry to be a pest would you be able to update me re post #13

Many thanks

Dear Lance,

One of our Premiere Dealers got a batch of bad PhotoFast cards.

His PhotoFast distributor, after a period of time, replaced the cards.

After this experience, this dealer did not purchase any more PhotoFast cards. He has tested all of the cards that he has in stock and they are all good.

Thus, we have reports of people, like yourself that have not had any problems whatsoever with the PhotoFast cards.

Our main concern was the lack of reasonably prompt action by the distributor.

Thanks for that Dan if after sales service is like that then I will not be purchasing any more PhotoFast compact flash cards.

Dear Lance,

Your PhotoFast distributor is a different company.

Please do not hold the experience that we had, half way around the world against your distributor. I hear that you have a great distributor.

Kia Ora,
Re: PHOTOFAST G-Monstor CF cards. I use regularly and have tested successfully up to and including 280mbps on the Phtofast 533x Plus 32GB cards. I DO NOT use the Photofast 533x Cf cards. Their tolerances may be too low for NanoFlash and XDR.Why? What that means? I dont know and Photofast have not investigated to find out why,but they make the 533x PLUS series for higher end applications like HD video etc. The std 533x cards were the ones that others have had problems with, and were what the bad batch was. But the 533x PLUS are superb, reliable and even beat our Sandisk Extreme IV in a download race. So far and there has been loads of recording on them the 533x PLUS cards have been rock solid in our Nano's/XDR's and my 7D......

This does not mean the 533x cards out there in Nano's will fail..I just had one fail to be recognised as a Cf card when reinserted into a Nano after downloading the files...so we stopped using them altogether and have since only used the PLUS cards, along with our Sandisks and Delkins.The card is restorable, just have not around to it yet.

The service issue mentioned re Photofast cards was to do with one distributor(and one only...not NZ or OZ) and not a reseller, though the distributors lack of service may have reflected on the reseller. Fortunately the reseller is a nice guy, has a great reputation and hopefully his customers are smart enough to work out he is cool.

Disclaimer: I own 50% of a rental company that sells Photofast cards (in New Zealand).

kind regards
David Paul
cinematographer
New Zealand

Hello Everyone,
I have recently noticed that some of my NanoFlash CF files QT 50Mbps no longer display an icon and do not play back using quicktime on the Mac desktop. The same files play out fine in the Nanoflash and import and play in FCP.

Anyone got any ideas?

Dear Lance,

Please upgrade to our 1.6.29 firmware if you have not done so already.

The problem you are reporting sounds like a problem that was fixed in 1.6.29.

Hello Dan,
No I have not upgraded to 1.6.29 firmware because when I first installed the upgrade I was on a live job and noticed dropped frames when the NanoFlash was used feeding the Tricaster. I then reverted back to the previous fimware for stability. Now I am back at base and have more time I can investigate the two issues Thoroughly.

Thanks Dan