Slow Delkin Card? at DVinfo.net

John Cummings · December 3rd, 2010, 08:33 PM

I've been using the Nano for a few months with zero issues, until today. Inserted and formatted one of my usual 64gig UDMA6 Delkin cards, punched record and a few seconds later got the warning "card too slow." The unit then locked up when I hit stop. Re-formatted the card again and had the same issue. I then replaced the card with another pair of identical Delkins with no problems for the rest of the day. I'm recording QT at 100mb.

So, did my card go bad? The only thing I noticed was the Nano seemed a little warm with the problem card inserted. By the way, I'm curious about the fifo test I've seen mentioned here...is there a way to test the card in the Nano?

Thanks for any insights or ideas...

Dan Keaton · December 4th, 2010, 05:39 AM

Dear John,

Delkin is a very good company and can examine and replace your card if necessary.

Here are the keystrokes to enable the on-screen display of our FIFO buffer levels.

You must use the record button as the trigger (System|Trigger|Record Button), then simultaneously hit the record and left arrow to display the FIFO meter.

You will notice that the FIFO (First In, First Out) Buffer level will jump at times.

This is when we are simultaneously recording the video, while going back to close out the previous clip.
Or it could jump when a card is doing "Wear Leveling".

After this "Double Duty" is finished, the FIFO level will tend to go back down if the card is fast.

But, it may just jump to a new level and stay there until we have to close a new file.

But, if it jumps up to a new level and stays there, it is still ok, as long as it does not reach 100% before the end of the recording or both cards are filled.

Watching the FIFO levels gives one insight into what is happening internally, and allows one to evaluate their CompactFlash cards' performance levels.

Thus, you can use this as a tool to compare the possibly defective card with your other cards.

Another thing to try would be to attempt to format the card in a PC or MAC (Use FAT-32, 32K Cluster or Allocation Unit size)

The attempt to format it in the nanoFlash again.

Please feel free to send me a Private Message, then I will send you my phone numbers, and I will be happy to assist.

Mark Job · December 4th, 2010, 09:53 AM

Hi Dan:
Can this test also be performed on the Flash XDR ?

Dan Keaton · December 5th, 2010, 05:47 AM

Dear Mark,

Both of my Flash XDR's are on assignment, so I can not test it.

I feel that this feature is in the Public Beta version for the Flash XDR.

Andy Mangrum · December 6th, 2010, 10:00 AM

Hello Mark,

The FiFO Buffer Overflow Function is nanoFlash and nano3D only,

Best Regards

John Cummings · December 6th, 2010, 04:56 PM

Dan- Do I need to be feeding the Nano video during the test or is it an internal-only test?

Andy Mangrum · December 6th, 2010, 05:13 PM

Hello John,

To perform the test you will need video fed to the nanoFlash via SDI or HDMI,

Imagine it as if you were doing a normal record except when you are ready to record, hold the left arrow when you press the record button.

And the nanoFlash will be recording while the buffer is being displayed.

Best Regards

December 3rd, 2010, 08:33 PM	#1
John Cummings Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Pepper Pike OH Posts: 49	Slow Delkin Card? I've been using the Nano for a few months with zero issues, until today. Inserted and formatted one of my usual 64gig UDMA6 Delkin cards, punched record and a few seconds later got the warning "card too slow." The unit then locked up when I hit stop. Re-formatted the card again and had the same issue. I then replaced the card with another pair of identical Delkins with no problems for the rest of the day. I'm recording QT at 100mb. So, did my card go bad? The only thing I noticed was the Nano seemed a little warm with the problem card inserted. By the way, I'm curious about the fifo test I've seen mentioned here...is there a way to test the card in the Nano? Thanks for any insights or ideas...

December 4th, 2010, 05:39 AM	#2
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	Dear John, Delkin is a very good company and can examine and replace your card if necessary. Here are the keystrokes to enable the on-screen display of our FIFO buffer levels. You must use the record button as the trigger (System\|Trigger\|Record Button), then simultaneously hit the record and left arrow to display the FIFO meter. You will notice that the FIFO (First In, First Out) Buffer level will jump at times. This is when we are simultaneously recording the video, while going back to close out the previous clip. Or it could jump when a card is doing "Wear Leveling". After this "Double Duty" is finished, the FIFO level will tend to go back down if the card is fast. But, it may just jump to a new level and stay there until we have to close a new file. But, if it jumps up to a new level and stays there, it is still ok, as long as it does not reach 100% before the end of the recording or both cards are filled. Watching the FIFO levels gives one insight into what is happening internally, and allows one to evaluate their CompactFlash cards' performance levels. Thus, you can use this as a tool to compare the possibly defective card with your other cards. Another thing to try would be to attempt to format the card in a PC or MAC (Use FAT-32, 32K Cluster or Allocation Unit size) The attempt to format it in the nanoFlash again. Please feel free to send me a Private Message, then I will send you my phone numbers, and I will be happy to assist. __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

December 4th, 2010, 09:53 AM	#3
Mark Job Trustee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Posts: 1,138	Fifo Testing on the Flash XDR Hi Dan: Can this test also be performed on the Flash XDR ?

December 5th, 2010, 05:47 AM	#4
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	Dear Mark, Both of my Flash XDR's are on assignment, so I can not test it. I feel that this feature is in the Public Beta version for the Flash XDR. __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

December 6th, 2010, 10:00 AM	#5
Andy Mangrum Sponsor: Convergent Design Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Colorado Springs Colorado Posts: 166	Flash XDR FiFO Buffer Hello Mark, The FiFO Buffer Overflow Function is nanoFlash and nano3D only, Best Regards __________________ Andy Mangrum, Tech Support Convergent Design, Inc

December 6th, 2010, 04:56 PM	#6
John Cummings Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Pepper Pike OH Posts: 49	Dan- Do I need to be feeding the Nano video during the test or is it an internal-only test?

December 6th, 2010, 05:13 PM	#7
Andy Mangrum Sponsor: Convergent Design Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Colorado Springs Colorado Posts: 166	FiFo Buffer Test Hello John, To perform the test you will need video fed to the nanoFlash via SDI or HDMI, Imagine it as if you were doing a normal record except when you are ready to record, hold the left arrow when you press the record button. And the nanoFlash will be recording while the buffer is being displayed. Best Regards __________________ Andy Mangrum, Tech Support Convergent Design, Inc