Alternatives to using a laptop in the field? at DVinfo.net

Marc Myers · April 3rd, 2009, 12:18 PM

Sorry if there’s a better place to post on this site, but are there any options to a laptop computer if I want to offload my SxS cards to a device in the field?

Paul Kellett · April 3rd, 2009, 12:24 PM

I doubt that there's many EX1/3 users that offload in the field any more, most of use are using the cheap sdhc cards, at £25 for a 16gb card it's easier to buy a handfull of them and offload at home without the pressure of offloading in the field, and without the need to lug a laptop around.

Paul.

George Thompson · April 3rd, 2009, 01:29 PM

I've used one of these for years for DSLR backup.
HyperDrive - The World's Fastest Memory Card Backup Device
Woops, I see you said SXS cards.... Sorry.

Serena Steuart · April 4th, 2009, 12:26 AM

This device is attractive. Records 4:2:2 via HD-SDI. http://www.convergent-design.com/CD_...s_FlashXDR.htm

Vincent Oliver · April 4th, 2009, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serena Steuart

This device is attractive. Records 4:2:2 via HD-SDI. Convergent Design, experts in HDMI, SD, HD, and HDV

The device is attractive but the price isn't :-(

David Heath · April 4th, 2009, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Kellett

.......... using the cheap sdhc cards, at £25 for a 16gb card it's easier to buy a handfull of them and offload at home without the pressure of offloading in the field, and without the need to lug a laptop around.

You said it. And without the risk of the laptop getting stolen, or the risk of finding you omitted to transfer some clips before formatting the card. The material can even stay on the cards as backup until you're well into the edit.

Mitchell Lewis · April 4th, 2009, 07:34 AM

Here's an alternative to a laptop: NextoDI

Also, some of the $300 netbooks are now coming with Express Card slots: Netbooks get serious: three ExpressCard-packing portables for the road warrior

Even better yet, with a hack, you can install the latest Mac OS on them:
http://cultofmac.com/get-a-slick-mac...of-course/2703

Serena Steuart · April 4th, 2009, 05:03 PM

Although the NextoDI says it will back up an SxS card "without an interrupt of filming", the instructions are that data from the cards must be downloaded via the USB cable. Using media mode does interrupt filming. Different with SDHC cards.

Brian Luce · April 4th, 2009, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitchell Lewis

Even better yet, with a hack, you can install the latest Mac OS on them:
Get a Slick Mac NetBook For Less Than $600 (Not Strictly Legal, Of Course) | Cult of Mac

According to the article though, audio is disabled.

Bruce Rawlings · April 5th, 2009, 11:01 AM

I attended a Sony EX awareness presentation a couple of weeks ago. Amongst the topics discussed was the downloading of cards. There was a strong hint from the Sony EX product manager that a download device maybe on the way.

Ned Soltz · April 5th, 2009, 07:33 PM

At DV Expo last Dec, Sony had a hard-drive based device for SxS download sitting under glass. Price being thrown around was about $2K. I have not heard a thing about it since. I would shoot to SDHC cards and consider a NextoDI to offload the cards. I've reviewed it and have been using one for a few months. Very solid device.

Or, the SDHC cards themselves are so inexpensive that for the price of the Nexto you could buy a ton of SDHC cards, label them and just offload the cards to the computer at some later point.

April 3rd, 2009, 12:18 PM	#1
Marc Myers Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Long Island, NY and Northeast PA Posts: 132	Alternatives to using a laptop in the field? Sorry if there’s a better place to post on this site, but are there any options to a laptop computer if I want to offload my SxS cards to a device in the field?

April 3rd, 2009, 12:24 PM	#2
Paul Kellett Trustee Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bristol UK Posts: 1,273	I doubt that there's many EX1/3 users that offload in the field any more, most of use are using the cheap sdhc cards, at £25 for a 16gb card it's easier to buy a handfull of them and offload at home without the pressure of offloading in the field, and without the need to lug a laptop around. Paul. __________________ Round 2 GH5,FZ2000

April 4th, 2009, 07:34 AM	#7
Mitchell Lewis Trustee Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 1,124	Here's an alternative to a laptop: NextoDI Also, some of the $300 netbooks are now coming with Express Card slots: Netbooks get serious: three ExpressCard-packing portables for the road warrior Even better yet, with a hack, you can install the latest Mac OS on them: http://cultofmac.com/get-a-slick-mac...of-course/2703 __________________ Sony EX3, Canon 5D MkII, Chrosziel Matte Box, Sachtler tripod, Steadicam Flyer, Mac Pro, Apple/Adobe software - 20 years as a local videographer/editor

April 3rd, 2009, 01:29 PM	#3
George Thompson New Boot Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cortlandt Manor, NY Posts: 10	I've used one of these for years for DSLR backup. HyperDrive - The World's Fastest Memory Card Backup Device Woops, I see you said SXS cards.... Sorry.

April 4th, 2009, 12:26 AM	#4
Serena Steuart Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Studio Alnitak, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Posts: 640 Images: 3	This device is attractive. Records 4:2:2 via HD-SDI. http://www.convergent-design.com/CD_...s_FlashXDR.htm

April 4th, 2009, 05:03 PM	#8
Serena Steuart Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Studio Alnitak, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Posts: 640 Images: 3	Although the NextoDI says it will back up an SxS card "without an interrupt of filming", the instructions are that data from the cards must be downloaded via the USB cable. Using media mode does interrupt filming. Different with SDHC cards.

April 5th, 2009, 11:01 AM	#10
Bruce Rawlings Major Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cardiff, Wales, UK Posts: 410	I attended a Sony EX awareness presentation a couple of weeks ago. Amongst the topics discussed was the downloading of cards. There was a strong hint from the Sony EX product manager that a download device maybe on the way.

April 5th, 2009, 07:33 PM	#11
Ned Soltz Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Teaneck, NJ Posts: 659	At DV Expo last Dec, Sony had a hard-drive based device for SxS download sitting under glass. Price being thrown around was about $2K. I have not heard a thing about it since. I would shoot to SDHC cards and consider a NextoDI to offload the cards. I've reviewed it and have been using one for a few months. Very solid device. Or, the SDHC cards themselves are so inexpensive that for the price of the Nexto you could buy a ton of SDHC cards, label them and just offload the cards to the computer at some later point.