Best compact flash cards for Sony Z5 with MRC1K unit

Adam Gold · January 11th, 2010, 01:52 PM

I can only tell you my experiences, and as such a sample size of one is always of questionable projectability.

That being said, I always thought there was no point to 16GB cards, as they're only a little longer than a tape, and my whole reason for going tapeless (well, my main reason, anyway) was to be able to record for much longer, continuously, than a tape would allow me to. It seems like the only reliability problems are being reported on the larger cards, though, so there may be a difference. At this point the cost per GB seems about the same within each brand and category.

In terms of 32GB cards, I have one Transcend 133x, which has worked fine. I had seven Kingston 133x cards, of which five went belly-up within the first day or two. I was able to get refunds on four of them (thanks, Amazon!) and had Kingston RMA one and send a replacement. So far it and the other two still work fine. Finally, I bought nine Sandisk Extreme IIIs (with the rebate they were offering they came out to about the same price as the others) and so far all nine have tested good.

I've heard mixed things about RiData.

Rob Morse · January 12th, 2010, 08:08 PM

I think Adam was correct when he said it was about 200x. I decided to wait on the 32GB cards because they have some faster stuff coming out soon. I'm still somewhat skeptical about anything under 300x

Mario de Paruta · January 13th, 2010, 06:51 PM

Hi.
i am utilizing constantly 1 32gb and 1 8gb (as backup) 30 mb/b extreme III
on my MRC1K (PAL) never encountered problems ... important never format
CF card on a PC or MAC only on the MRC1K.
regards mario

Steve Renouf · January 14th, 2010, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mario de Paruta

Hi.
i am utilizing constantly 1 32gb and 1 8gb (as backup) 30 mb/b extreme III
on my MRC1K (PAL) never encountered problems ... important never format
CF card on a PC or MAC only on the MRC1K.
regards mario

2 x 32GB + 1 x 16GB Sandisc Extreme III 30Mb/s here too. Better still, never format them at all, unless they come up with some error REQUIRING a re-format! It's totally un-necessary - just delete the files!

Mark Abrams · January 27th, 2010, 05:59 PM

I used 32 Gb pretec card x233 . Had some problems 1 file that had split into 3 would not transfer.
I had backed up to a 32 Gb & 4 Gb( Sandisk extreme IV 45Ms/s )cards to Lacie Rugged Hard Drive, straight from the CF Card after the Job. Done this on 2 occasions. In The Log & Transfer window in FCP 6 & 7 with the correct sony plugin. Only the files from the 4 GB card where able to Transfer.
Has anyone else had these issues.

Adam Gold · April 20th, 2010, 12:44 PM

Update: I've now had a sixth (out of seven) Kingston Elite Pro 32GB 133x go belly up on me with the dreaded A:12 error. Kingston sent me a replacement but I have yet to test it.

So far, flawless performance from my nine Sandisks and one Transcend, all 32GB.

Darin Clifton · April 20th, 2010, 03:42 PM

Adam,

I have a 133x Transcend 32GB as well. While I have not had data loss so far,I have encountered a couple of strange issues.

- Once I had wierd recording dates show up on a couple of clips . I imported them to my hard drive - then when I replaced the card into the MRC1 it showed an error - I reformatted the card and the issue hasn't came up again.[ thankfully ]

- The ".dat" file shows strange random dates. The other day I recorded several clips, got ready to import them and noticed the year was 1980. The clips I recorded yesterday show " tracks.dat Dec 31,2007 11:00pm 384kb DAT file " This has not caused data loss and the clip time/date info is correct.

The only issue is that during playback from the MRC1 via HDMI on my TV - the clip will sometimes freeze, go to blue screen , and then continue later in the clip. When that same clip is imported - no problems - complete clips.

I'm scared that the cards will fail at the wrong time - any ideas on what's up ?

Thanks,
Darin

Adam Gold · April 20th, 2010, 03:56 PM

Puzzling. I'm wondering if these could be issues with your MRC rather than the card. Have you tested other cards?

Darin Clifton · April 20th, 2010, 04:08 PM

I only have one 16gb and one 32gb. Both Transcend 133x. I rarely use the 16gb - it's for back-up. I am strongly considering a faster card just in case that's the issue.
Under what circumstances should I reformat the card?

Rob Morse · April 20th, 2010, 04:36 PM

I reformat my cards after each time I use them. No issues whatsoever.

I've been trying to get a 32GB Lexar 300x card but they sell as fast as they come in. Of course, I don't know what kind of quantities they're receiving.

Adam Gold · April 20th, 2010, 07:30 PM

Based on advice I've seen here (well, actually in the MRC forum) I never re-format. I just do a "Delete All" before every shoot.

But if you do reformat, remember that you must do it in the MRC, not your PC.

James Strange · April 26th, 2010, 11:10 AM

I agree, never 'format, always 'delete all'

Ive been using 32gb transcend 133x for over a year, used them every weekend, never had any problems

James

Charlie Steiner · April 27th, 2010, 06:20 PM

why not format?
that's my SOP and it's fine

Jeff Mayne · May 1st, 2010, 09:41 PM

I just got my setup today and am using the z5u and the mrck1 recorder and it was recommended by B and H that I use nothing slower than 60mbps, so I bought two 32gb 60 mbps cards from them ran it with no tape and the footage was awesome... He said do not use anything less than 60mbps...

Chris Duczynski · May 5th, 2010, 01:55 AM

Sony dealers stock 16gb and 32gb Sandisk extreme 60mb/s cards - so have been using them and they work fine - have not missed a beat.

January 11th, 2010, 01:52 PM	#16
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	I can only tell you my experiences, and as such a sample size of one is always of questionable projectability. That being said, I always thought there was no point to 16GB cards, as they're only a little longer than a tape, and my whole reason for going tapeless (well, my main reason, anyway) was to be able to record for much longer, continuously, than a tape would allow me to. It seems like the only reliability problems are being reported on the larger cards, though, so there may be a difference. At this point the cost per GB seems about the same within each brand and category. In terms of 32GB cards, I have one Transcend 133x, which has worked fine. I had seven Kingston 133x cards, of which five went belly-up within the first day or two. I was able to get refunds on four of them (thanks, Amazon!) and had Kingston RMA one and send a replacement. So far it and the other two still work fine. Finally, I bought nine Sandisk Extreme IIIs (with the rebate they were offering they came out to about the same price as the others) and so far all nine have tested good. I've heard mixed things about RiData. __________________ "It can only be attributable to human error... This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error."

January 27th, 2010, 05:59 PM	#20
Mark Abrams Tourist Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Manchester UK Posts: 1	Best Compact flash for sony z5 with MRC1K unit? I used 32 Gb pretec card x233 . Had some problems 1 file that had split into 3 would not transfer. I had backed up to a 32 Gb & 4 Gb( Sandisk extreme IV 45Ms/s )cards to Lacie Rugged Hard Drive, straight from the CF Card after the Job. Done this on 2 occasions. In The Log & Transfer window in FCP 6 & 7 with the correct sony plugin. Only the files from the 4 GB card where able to Transfer. Has anyone else had these issues.

April 20th, 2010, 12:44 PM	#21
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	Update: I've now had a sixth (out of seven) Kingston Elite Pro 32GB 133x go belly up on me with the dreaded A:12 error. Kingston sent me a replacement but I have yet to test it. So far, flawless performance from my nine Sandisks and one Transcend, all 32GB. __________________ "It can only be attributable to human error... This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error."

April 20th, 2010, 03:42 PM	#22
Darin Clifton Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sulligent, Alabama Posts: 132	Mystery Adam, I have a 133x Transcend 32GB as well. While I have not had data loss so far,I have encountered a couple of strange issues. - Once I had wierd recording dates show up on a couple of clips . I imported them to my hard drive - then when I replaced the card into the MRC1 it showed an error - I reformatted the card and the issue hasn't came up again.[ thankfully ] - The ".dat" file shows strange random dates. The other day I recorded several clips, got ready to import them and noticed the year was 1980. The clips I recorded yesterday show " tracks.dat Dec 31,2007 11:00pm 384kb DAT file " This has not caused data loss and the clip time/date info is correct. The only issue is that during playback from the MRC1 via HDMI on my TV - the clip will sometimes freeze, go to blue screen , and then continue later in the clip. When that same clip is imported - no problems - complete clips. I'm scared that the cards will fail at the wrong time - any ideas on what's up ? Thanks, Darin

April 20th, 2010, 03:56 PM	#23
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	Puzzling. I'm wondering if these could be issues with your MRC rather than the card. Have you tested other cards? __________________ "It can only be attributable to human error... This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error."

January 12th, 2010, 08:08 PM	#17
Rob Morse Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 427	I think Adam was correct when he said it was about 200x. I decided to wait on the 32GB cards because they have some faster stuff coming out soon. I'm still somewhat skeptical about anything under 300x

January 13th, 2010, 06:51 PM	#18
Mario de Paruta Tourist Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: ITALY Posts: 3	Hi. i am utilizing constantly 1 32gb and 1 8gb (as backup) 30 mb/b extreme III on my MRC1K (PAL) never encountered problems ... important never format CF card on a PC or MAC only on the MRC1K. regards mario

April 20th, 2010, 04:08 PM	#24
Darin Clifton Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sulligent, Alabama Posts: 132	I only have one 16gb and one 32gb. Both Transcend 133x. I rarely use the 16gb - it's for back-up. I am strongly considering a faster card just in case that's the issue. Under what circumstances should I reformat the card?

April 20th, 2010, 04:36 PM	#25
Rob Morse Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 427	I reformat my cards after each time I use them. No issues whatsoever. I've been trying to get a 32GB Lexar 300x card but they sell as fast as they come in. Of course, I don't know what kind of quantities they're receiving.

April 20th, 2010, 07:30 PM	#26
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	Based on advice I've seen here (well, actually in the MRC forum) I never re-format. I just do a "Delete All" before every shoot. But if you do reformat, remember that you must do it in the MRC, not your PC. __________________ "It can only be attributable to human error... This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error."

April 26th, 2010, 11:10 AM	#27
James Strange Major Player Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Glasgow, Scotland, UK Posts: 309	I agree, never 'format, always 'delete all' Ive been using 32gb transcend 133x for over a year, used them every weekend, never had any problems James

April 27th, 2010, 06:20 PM	#28
Charlie Steiner Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 66	why not format? that's my SOP and it's fine

May 1st, 2010, 09:41 PM	#29
Jeff Mayne Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Worthington, Iowa Posts: 191	I just got my setup today and am using the z5u and the mrck1 recorder and it was recommended by B and H that I use nothing slower than 60mbps, so I bought two 32gb 60 mbps cards from them ran it with no tape and the footage was awesome... He said do not use anything less than 60mbps... __________________ Jeff Mayne Gone Thinkin Outdoors

May 5th, 2010, 01:55 AM	#30
Chris Duczynski Major Player Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: sydney Posts: 304	Sony dealers stock 16gb and 32gb Sandisk extreme 60mb/s cards - so have been using them and they work fine - have not missed a beat.