SxS field backup solution?

[davidcheok]

Has anyone tried this for a lower cost solution for field backups and extending the life of the SxS instead of the adapters/SDHC method?

NEXTO Extreme 2725 + 320GB HDD
Sony SBACUS10
Battery pack (2x 6v DC) required to power reader/LiPo 3.7V 2200mAH single cell for 2725

My issue was this.. I have 3 Sandisk 16gb SxS and the Sony 8GB SxS. To extend the possibility of working in remote locations e.g. deep in the rainforests for a couple of weeks away from civilisation and power, i needed a relatively low volume and weight solution to increase recording capacity within a affordable budget. I researched long and wide into viable solutions and this is what I came up with. Lets look at the alternatives first.

A few SxS cards + Laptop
Pros -
Full feature set
Field Review/Edit

Cons-
Big footprint/weight
High Cost per GB
Batteries for laptop not practical

Loads of SxS cards
Not affordable

MxS/KxS/PCI-e adapters with SDHC
Pros -
Relatively low cost
Small footprint
Cost per gb = low

Cons -
Reduced feature set for overcrank
Not thoroughly proven yet

And the NEXTO 2725 + Adapter solution
Pros -
Full feature set
Re-use existing SxS
Cost per GB - lowest e.g. for 1k budget
Low battery weight/cost
16gb transfer time approx 20 mins (EX)/11 mins (P2)
Field replaceable HDD and transfer i.e. HDD2HDD backup possible
Field capacity limited to number of 2.5" HDD we can carry

Cons -
We have to get the ridiculously expensive SBACUS10
Footprint not as small as the PCI-34/SDHC solutions
HDD not as robust as SDHC

Let me have your thoughts on this or if anyone has tried this solution.. please share your experiences...

PS.. i have considered the MXF + Nexto but for myself, I feel the need to have full overcrank possibilities at all times.

Links:
http://www.nextodi.com/en/

[GuyB]

I am in the process of reviewing this Nexto video storage. The key to it is also the Dolgin battery adaptor which powers both the Nextto via the supplied card cigarette adaptor and the SBAC all from a single Sony U30 battery.

[nsoltz]

Nexto is terrific. I have one here for review and I think there have been other comments on the boards.

My only misgiving is trusting hard drives.

[davidcheok]

I am in the process of reviewing this Nexto video storage. The key to it is also the Dolgin battery adaptor which powers both the Nextto via the supplied card cigarette adaptor and the SBAC all from a single Sony U30 battery.

Hmm.. I think i prefer an alternate power source.. I need all the U30/60s i can get. I'm currently looking at single cell lipo (for the NEXTO) from RC Heli but not sure if the discharge level is too high.

[davidcheok]

My only misgiving is trusting hard drives.

Yeah.. ive had one too many fail on me.. unfortunately, they are the most cost effective solutions we have at the moment for large capacity storage. I'm a bit reluctant on deleting/formating the cards before uploading them at home but in certain situations, this is probably inevitable.

[GuyB]

Hmm.. I think i prefer an alternate power source.. I need all the U30/60s i can get. I'm currently looking at single cell lipo (for the NEXTO) from RC Heli but not sure if the discharge level is too high.

Those U30s don't do much on the camera though, pretty limited life but you got one anyway and powering these things from one isn't going to cuck much jiuce from them anyway. It does however mean you only have to carry one type of battery for your whole solution.

[davidcheok]

Those U30s don't do much on the camera though, pretty limited life but you got one anyway and powering these things from one isn't going to cuck much jiuce from them anyway. It does however mean you only have to carry one type of battery for your whole solution.

Hmm I suppose that does offer an advantage but the advantages of the single cells are that they are cheap and extremely light (flat too). I think I'd be able to carry 5 cells for the volume and weight of one U30.