I have just transitioned from Panasonic P2 back to SxS (PMW-350)and have been dismayed by the lack of progress in card readers for the latter. While the Panasonic 5 slot P2 card reader is extremely fast there appears to be no Sony counterpart. However, I am intrigued by the new Sonnet Qio-e34 and wonder if there are any SxS/SDHC users who have tried or own the device and what their experience has been in regards to transfer speed?

Thank you in advance.

Isn't that device $850? Also, when using Clipbrowser, I thought it can only import from one card at a time.

If you have a free PCI Express slot, you can get the Siig PCIe to Expresscard adapter Micro Center - SIIG PCIe to ExpressCard Bay (http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0260778)

This is what I use and the speed is great.

Hi and thank you for your suggestion. However, the alleged multi-format capability of the Sonnet (P2, SxS, SDHC, CF) is more along the lines of what I am searching for. After I remove my P2 card reader, I will have only one free slot in my Mac 8 core and I would like to maximize the use of that solitary availability.

Mine Qio it still standing on the shelf waiting for window drivers. Their homepage claims they will come soon / maybe I can give you an review in 2011.

Thank you for the offer.
I have reviewed the transfer rates listed on the Sonnet site ... disappointing, at best. The Sony SxS reader claims a considerably higher transfer rate and that's via USB-2. It's hard to comprehend why the Pcie version of the Sonnet should be so slow when, for example, the Panasonic PCD-35 is many, many times faster for P2. Even the Sony is not maxing out the capability of USB-2. That said, one has to wonder why Sony hasn't produced an SxS equivalent of the speedy Panasonic 5 slot reader unless, the release of their own SCHC adapter is suggestive of a future shift away from SxS.

Yes - it is strange that SONY do not have made a cardreader for the computer with SxS. Strange - because they make a lot of other cardreaders and memorycards. Maybe you are right that the just are waiting for the SDXC cards to be on the market (as they should be now) and are planing to make a card (SxS maybe) with two SDXC cards inside..... :) And the reason why they did not made the reader yet, was a quistion of developement for the future cards...

Bo,
excuse me if I have misunderstood your post, but it sounds like you may not be aware of Sony's SBAC-US10 reader? Just in case, here it is:

Sony | SBAC-US10 SxS Memory Card USB Reader/Writer | SBAC-US10




Ron,
Just how fast is the Panasonic reader?

I find the 4x to 5x speed I get with the SBAC-US10 to be more than fast enough for my purposes. I just got done importing 86 minutes of video from a shoot this morning in about 20 minutes. I wasn't watching the clock to see exaclty how fast it was, but the footage was ready to go long before I was ready to start editing.

Hi Doug:
I cannot give you exact specs off the top of my head but I can transfer 32gb of P2 with the Panny reader (PCD-35 Pcie) in what seems like a quarter of the time it takes for the Sony reader which, BTW, I do own, to transfer a 32 gb card. Admittedly, that may be an exaggerated perception but in reality it is considerably faster, and I suspect should be, given that it uses its own Pcie interface whereas the Sony is USB-2. However, my problem with the Sony reader is that it will not recognize Sony's own SDHC adapter loaded with their suggested Sandisk Extreme Class 10 32 gig SDHC card and I am searching for a faster transfer device. The off-the-shelf Sandisk reader that I have been using is as slow as molasses and if there is nothing better, then the SDHC approach has little value for me and my 350, other than as Sony suggests---emergency purposes.

Sorry - I do have the USB Sony Card reader. What I really thought of was that it is strange that they do not have a fast cardreader. SONY folks said that P2 was outdated when they anounced the SxS cards. The SxS cards could transfer data many times faster than the P2 cards - Only problem is that we have not seen it yet as they only make a USB2 card reader. What I mean is that it could not be a problem for a big company as SONY to make a SxS PCIe/esata/usb3 card reader that will blast out P2 card speeds - if it is correct that SxS is faster......

I agree. Unless there are technical issues that preclude such a device, there certainly are enough users to justify its design and production and as for cost, the Panasonic PCD-35 sells for almost $2000.00. I would gladly pay that much for something as fast and capable of dealing with the sxs cards ... even better if it was SDHC capable.

You can use the Sony Mobile Storage Unit (PXU-MS240) as a card reader by plugging it in to a computer via eSata and then select "Connect to SxS" on the unit. It then acts as a very fast card reader, all be it an expensive one! I can off load a 16Gb SxS card in around 3-4 mins.

Thank you, Alister.

It is a good idea, but I already have a Nexto NVS 2500 which is also quite speedy. Furthermore, it would require an external eSata port on the host computer, something I doubt my 8core MacPro has. I am just trying to reduce the steps and time involved in transferring media and using either introduces yet another step in the process. The one thing that I have not yet compared,however, is the transfer time of SDHC to Nexto as compared to a reader. If there is a significant difference in favor of the Nexto then the extra step may be justifiable.

In the field, however, either of the two devices would prove indespensable.

I tried the Nexto with a class 10 Sandisk Extreme SDHC ... compared to a standard SDHC reader, the Nexto is lightening fast!!! Looks like the Nexto is the quickest way to get the job done, even with the extra step required to transfer from Nexto to desktop and may even be a more expeditious means of transferring data from SxS cards as well.

Just remember that any time you use SD or MS cards with an adapter, you are only using the USB interface; so, your speeds will be limited.

"Just remember that any time you use SD or MS cards with an adapter, you are only using the USB interface; so, your speeds will be limited."

Not sure I follow. Are you referring to the USB limitation in re data transfer? If so, the Nexto mentioned in my most recent post is capable of data transfer via USB-2, Firewire or eSata. Or are you referring to record speed capability of the SDHC card itself? Furthermore, in regards to the former, the SDHC card must be removed from the adapter for data transfer to the Nexto which does not recognize the adapter in much the same way the Sony SxS reader refuses to acknowledge its presence.

There are a couple of un-used eSata ports on the motherboard of the MacPros that can be connected to a low cost external eSata back-plane adapter, or you can add a PCI adapter to give you a couple of external eSata ports.

If you use the PXU-MS240 you can copy directly from the SxS card to the computer, you don't have to copy to the device first.

My need are a cardreader that can hold more than one SxS card. When I record a footballgame or handball with 2 or 3 cameras - I often have between a half and a hole hour before I shall deliver a final program. I cannot use the time with tranferring data to a disk - I must edit directly from the cards. Today I can use my SDHC adapters and take the SD cards out and place them in small USB2 converters - its just a lot of messing around with the small cards. The panasonic solution with the PCD-10/20/35 just do that job with P2 cards. We need one for SxS with lightning speed - I hoped for the Sonnet with use of at least 2 SxS cards - but no driver for windows yet - not even a beta.....

If you use the cameras you can access 2 cards in each camera. There's no reason why you can't connect multiple cameras.

I cannot lock my cameras to the editing system - Of course I can buy an extra camera as a cardreader - but still just two slots.

There are a couple of un-used eSata ports on the motherboard of the MacPros that can be connected to a low cost external eSata back-plane adapter, or you can add a PCI adapter to give you a couple of external eSata ports.

If you use the PXU-MS240 you can copy directly from the SxS card to the computer, you don't have to copy to the device first.

Yes, I am aware of their existence and in fact, some time ago I purchased an extension or externalization kit but have been reluctant to dismantle the computer to accomplish the installation. BTW, the nexto allows for copying to itself and computer simultaneously via USB, firewire or eSata and has ports for SDHC and CF, a feature that the Sony lacks, although I am not certain that one can copy SDHC simultaneously to drive and computer via eSata. Therefore, if I were to make the decision to install the eSata kit there would be little justification to spend another $1300 for the Sony device. As for a Pci adapter, there is no more room at the inn—all slots taken.

That said, doesn't it seem a tad odd, that in this day of technological innovation, high end camcorders and the assumed desire of manufacturers such as the Sony corporation to increase their market base, that we are still faced with Rube Goldberg—makeshift—solutions to something as basic as data transfer? Leaving us to struggle with consumer grade data transfer devices for our professional grade cameras. From my perspective, it's analogous to building a Formula one racing car without the availability of high speed tires—it makes little sense from any viewpoint. While I have recently transitioned away from Panasonic cameras, I must admit that they deserve credit for anticipating the aforementioned missing link with the release of their high speed, multi-card, albeit costly, P2 readers.

I wonder if the e-MCR readers work with the Sony SD adapter. E-Films | e-MCR High Speed Multi USB Card Reader | 1501 | B&H

I guess they would since both use USB 2.0 as their interface.

About my SD speed comment: I was referring to offloading data from the adapter, which only uses USB 2.0 - and that limits the xfer speed.

"About my SD speed comment: I was referring to offloading data from the adapter, which only uses USB 2.0 - and that limits the xfer speed."

Thank you for the clarification. But it would seem that the point is moot, since I haven't found a reader that will recognize the Sony SDHC adapter ... unless I missed one in my search.

Bo,
excuse me if I have misunderstood your post, but it sounds like you may not be aware of Sony's SBAC-US10 reader? Just in case, here it is:

Sony | SBAC-US10 SxS Memory Card USB Reader/Writer | SBAC-US10 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/526430-REG/Sony_SBAC_US10_SBAC_US10_SxS_Memory_Card.html)




Ron,
Just how fast is the Panasonic reader?

I find the 4x to 5x speed I get with the SBAC-US10 to be more than fast enough for my purposes. I just got done importing 86 minutes of video from a shoot this morning in about 20 minutes. I wasn't watching the clock to see exaclty how fast it was, but the footage was ready to go long before I was ready to start editing.
Hi Doug:

I found this article that addresses the above question and more in regards to the Sonnet Qio, here is the link:
Varicam in Los Angeles - The P2 Blog - Sonnet QIO ? Not SoFast (http://www.varicaminla.com/blog/2010/4/7/sonnet-qio-not-so-fast.html)

I hope the delay in the windows driver is because they want it to work faster than the mac combination....

Hi Doug:I found this article that addresses the above question and more in regards to the Sonnet Qio, here is the link:
Varicam in Los Angeles - The P2 Blog - Sonnet QIO ? Not SoFast (http://www.varicaminla.com/blog/2010/4/7/sonnet-qio-not-so-fast.html)

Thanks. That was interesting reading.
Fortunately I find the SxS workflow fast enough for my needs, but I have to agree that faster is always better. What I wish for is a faster way to ingest XDCAM optical without spending $20K on a deck that has a bunch of features I don't need. The PDW-U1 is convenient, but it's slow.

I had my computer out of the rack to install my new GTX 470 card and at the same time I put my PCIe extension card in it for my Sonnet QIO . Now I tried to put both an SxS adapter with SD card and a P2 card in the Sonnet reader and they both works !!!! But just one P2 slot. The controller for the extra esata drives dont work. Installed P2 drivers with P2 cards in both slot and SxS drivers from SONY site - made the SxS card working too. Sonnet reader works in Windows 7-64 bit.....

Nice to hear that you've got the Sonnet working and with the SxS adapter no less. Did you get a feel for the transfer speed with, what I assume was as SDHC card in the SxS adapter, as compared to the usual desktop SD card reader?

Have not mesured time exactly but it seems to be the same speed as USB2 card readers.........

That is disappointing, but thank you for your reply.

I guess I will continue to use the SxS cards exclusively, retaining the Sony adapters and SDHC cards for absolute emergencies as suggested by Sony. Between the Sony adapters and the Sandisk Extreme 32 gb class 10 SDHC cards, a lot of money was spent unnecessarily and would have been better spent on one extra SxS card ... well, at least the SDHC cards don't expire.

On another note, I have noticed that the ingestion of data from the aforementioned SDHC cards is extremely fast when plugged into the Nexto NVS2500, which represents an optional alternative. However, it does not recognize the Sony adapters and the SDHC card must be removed from the adapter for use with the Nexto.

SD card ingest on the Nexto is fast, but still not as fast as SxS.

QUOTE: "SD card ingest on the Nexto is fast, but still not as fast as SxS."

True, which is why I will be using primarily using SxS.

But that said, it remains hard to comprehend why some leading edge manufacturer hasn't seized the opportunity to develop a high speed transfer device for SDHC, particularly, given its ubiquity in the marketplace and tendency for its inclusion with more and more video and still camera offerings.