Secure erase function using Inferno firmware update 8.31

[Lee Flippin]

So, I downloaded the very latest available Atomos firmware for my Shogun Inferno. Says so right on the Inferno's Info page when I look to make sure it was correctly updated.

I'm using a San Disk Extreme Pro 480 GB card and I can easliy fill it over a couple days of shooting at 240 fps in 2KRAW--was hoping that v. 8.31 was going to reveal a new button or two that would allow me to erase unwanted clips from the SSD with the Inferno.

As it is, anything that I want to erase must await plugging the SSD into my editing computer, which is very often not nearby.

Anyone have some advice about this?

[Gary Huff]

If the functionality doesn't exist, then it simply does not exist.

[Lee Flippin]

Thanks for that insight, Gary.

Does anyone else here who owns and uses a Shogun Inferno have any understanding of the Secure Erase function that is alleged by Atomos to be a new upgrade in firmware update 8.31 ????

[Gary Huff]

Secure Erase means you can wipe the drive and the content can't be recovered.

[Jack Zhang]

It zeros all the bits on the flash chips at once. Where old methods are limited by the transfer speed of the interface, this straight up sends a voltage to all the flash chip cells to reset to 0.

[Lee Flippin]

Thanks to those who replied.

Here is a bit of follow-up from an Atomos rep, who basically confirms the point that Gary and Jack made, i.e., "Secure Erase" wipes the entire SSD. Unfortunately (in my view) the Atomos firmware does not allow a user to selectively erase individual clips from an SSD while it is still mounted on the Inferno:
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Hi Lee,

The Secure Erase function is an alternative way of formatting the SSD. This option should be available in the Shogun Inferno's "Format Media" menu when using a compatible drive.

There is currently no way to erase individual clips on the SSD using the Shogun Inferno.

Regards,

Randel

[Dave Sperling]

My guess would be that while erasing single clips would obviously free up some space, manufacturers may be reluctant to provide that feature because it could limit the write (recording) speed of the SSD. If you check the specs of the SSD, you'll probably find that the 'Sequential Write' speed would be higher than a 'Random Access Write' speed. Anything that potentially limits the write speed could have a negative impact on data write reliability. By forcing you to eliminate everything on the SSD, they can ensure that it will be written to sequentially (and most reliably.)

[Colin McDonald]

I notice that there is no way to erase single clips on other recorders I have used - BlackMagic Video Assist 4K being the one I use most - and the suggestion above seems plausible to me.

[Lee Flippin]

As Colin said, Dave's point makes a lot of sense. Thanks for responding everyone.

[Jack Zhang]

Originally Posted by Dave Sperling

My guess would be that while erasing single clips would obviously free up some space, manufacturers may be reluctant to provide that feature because it could limit the write (recording) speed of the SSD. If you check the specs of the SSD, you'll probably find that the 'Sequential Write' speed would be higher than a 'Random Access Write' speed. Anything that potentially limits the write speed could have a negative impact on data write reliability. By forcing you to eliminate everything on the SSD, they can ensure that it will be written to sequentially (and most reliably.)

You hit the nail on the head. Selectively deleting clips introduces fragmentation, and by setting everything to zeroes all at once, you can more reliably guarantee the sequential write speed advertised by the drive.