P2 Card Reader,4slot in Intel Macpro now testing

Tom 4

Tom 4

Well-known member
Hi Guys, FYI
I am now testing my 4 slot P2 card reader in my Early 08 "Intel 8core" Macpro ,the cards are mounted in an external case, cable connected to a PCIe controller card in one of the Macpro's PCIe slots, It ingests at the same speed as the USB port from my camera (SPX800) - that's roughly 4times realtime into FCP 6.0.3 via Log n Transfer (68mins of DV50 vision/4ch audio took 18mins).
Copying the "Contents" Folder to an internal HDD, 29gig took 16mins.
I have lots of tests to do and will test and report in few weeks. I am also shortly testing a (budget priced) single PCIe slot mounted card reader as well and will advise of the results.
The Macpro to date has shown no conflicts with any of my programs or video card, USB,Firewire ect , I know someone will ask, so this is my set up.
Intel Macpro 3ghz Early 08 with PCIe slots, 6gig Ram, Kona LSe , Sonnet Tempo Sata E4P, over 5TB raided HDD's, OS Leopard 10.5.2. FCP 6.0.3 QT 7.4.5
I have put a "Guest book" on my web site if anyone wants further info sent to them when all tests I can think of are concluded., but please be patient, I still have to make a living as you can appreciate.
This prototype unit cost much Less than the Panasonic reader about two thirds less, I will also report approximate costs to Build your own, or to supply a prebuilt set-up. The software/driver to get the OS "leopard" to recognize the card readers has taken many months to achieve. Mac's are a challenge.
I will test this on a earlier G5 Power Mac when time allows, but at this time the Current Macpro with PCIe is the target.

cheers
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au
 
Sorry Extreem,
Not as yet, I'm testing it make sure it's at least near 100% as possible with Mac's/Macpro, patience is a virtue. I've been on this since late late year, another few weeks is nothing. so far it's working great.
Cheers
Tom K
 
Update,
I have been testing and using my P2 card Reader into My (Intel Early 08) Macpro (OS 10.5.2)for the last few weeks with no Problems or Conflicts with any other programs or input / output devices or cards, on a clean Leoprad install HDD.
I will Post some Pics and More information on my web site in the next 10-14days. This solution will most likely be a DIY solution, ie source your own hardware (it's all available from many retail suppliers), and the instructions and required software files will be available from my web site.
I estimate a Total cost from $600 USD for a base unit with "one card reader installed" , With Up to Four card readers installed will cost you extra of course .
Every P2 user has varying requirements, most will get away with a single slot for starters.
Cheers
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au
 
Will it require Leopard or will it also do Tiger? My Dual adaptor pretty much catches dust as it only works well on Leopard and I use Tiger. Too many issues with Leopard and I reverted back to Tiger.

Please, make it Tiger compatible.

TIm Naylor DP
 
Tim Naylor said:
Will it require Leopard or will it also do Tiger? My Dual adaptor pretty much catches dust as it only works well on Leopard and I use Tiger. Too many issues with Leopard and I reverted back to Tiger.
Please, make it Tiger compatible.
TIm Naylor DP
Click to expand...

Hi Tim,
These two readers I am testing on Leopard, in Intel Macpro's (Desk Top Macpro's)not Macbook pro's (Laptops), I will test in a friends old PowerMac G5 and report on that as well in a few weeks. latest Leopard OS on the Intel Macpro is my priority at the moment, sorry.
Most FCP editors will be running the latest OS and hardware set up, these New Intel Macpro's are a huge improvement on the old G5 in my opinion.
Testing is good so far, have ingested many hours with no conflicts to date, BUT, that doesn't mean that there will not be any. there are many different set-ups out there and program / hardware conflicts are not unusual at times.
I have found though there are differences in "ingest speed" and OS recognition from a variety of PC card manufacturers . I will advise of the best card I've tested in my DIY Kit.
cheers
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au
 
Hi Tom
Great initiative seeing as it seems less likely to come from Panasonic any time soon.
I work a lot, amongst other rolls ,as a DIT (A.K.A Data Wrangler) my set up usually consists of a card reader normally a P2 store (as the dual adapter doesn't work well) a Macbookpro and HDDs. Looking for a good and LIGHT UPS to join the arsenal and a cheap/reliable card reader. I get the hire companies to add into the kit (if it doesn't come standard and it usually does) a P2 store. Would hate to spend $900+ on a P2 store much less $1900 on a FIVE CARD SLOT reader such as the AJ-PCD20.

Such a rig as this DIY reader tailored to my system would be an excellent solution to the reader problem. DIT is a roll on set that will only become more and more commonly filled until it is standard like a loader is on film sets. Most DITs will probably use a Macbookpro as their interface that would be a huge market for you top tap into. Needless to say I and many other DITs out there rite now would be very grateful if it were available for MAcbookpros as well. More than that single operator situations for news or doco work would love such a solution and they would most likely be carrying around laptops than Macpros...

Check out this link as a comparison to other desktop solutions:
http://www.amtron.com/reader/p2card_reader.htm

All be it not as strait forward for Macpros and professional edit suits as what you are proposing. But not far from it and I think the market in the portable reader solution for on set setups is far more lucrative and in desperate need of such a rig.
 
Coldpizza said:
Hi Tom
Great initiative seeing as it seems less likely to come from Panasonic any time soon.
Check out this link as a comparison to other desktop solutions:
http://www.amtron.com/reader/p2card_reader.htm
All be it not as strait forward for Macpros and professional edit suits as what you are proposing. But not far from it and I think the market in the portable reader solution for on set setups is far more lucrative and in desperate need of such a rig.
Click to expand...
Hi Coldpizza,
Yes I have the Amtron working in my old G4 and soon it will also feature in the Macpro, laptops are another animal, I have given my seed funds and time towards the Macpro, most lappies users are either on Windows or Macbooks ect. that can use the duel adapter or built in PC slots. ( I have a windows IBM myself for field usage with 200gig internal drive).
I could suggest as an alterative an "Expresscard version" of my current 4slot reader that uses a PCIe card to be used on a laptop.(same as the new pana solution coming soon).
the issue is not the hardware , it's the Leopard OS recognising the old PCMCIA reader, that has been the problem.
Cheers
Tom K
 
No laptop. Please, make that your priority. Everything's fine when you get home. It's on set downloading that Panasonic has dropped the ball. Despite all their praise, they really let me down with their lousy mac support and absurdly priced readers. Just did my first EX 1 job and their Express 34 cards are way ahead of Panasonic.

I use my P2 Store as a card reader or the Dual when it's Leopard based. Don't ignore Tiger. I stayed with Tiger because despite all the updates, Leopard is not stable.

Like most P2 users, we download to laptops on set.
 
Tim Naylor said:
No laptop. Please, make that your priority. Everything's fine when you get home. It's on set downloading that Panasonic has dropped the ball. Despite all their praise, they really let me down with their lousy mac support and absurdly priced readers.
I use my P2 Store as a card reader or the Dual when it's Leopard based. Don't ignore Tiger. I stayed with Tiger because despite all the updates, Leopard is not stable.
Like most P2 users, we download to laptops on set.
Click to expand...

Hi Tim,
I have got this working to suit my situation on my Macpro and will part with the info when I have some testing now being done by a colleague on his set up.
yes, Leopard can be a *#@** I also can't believe that OS's are changing every few months, seems stupid to the common man. Imagine a new car being rolled off the line every few months.
I believe the best/cost effective solution would be a USB2 to PCMCIA device that would suit just abut every computer and may stay current for at least a year ?.
and built at a price point that you could chain up as many units to USB inputs you have on your lappy/Desktop.
Or Pana make theirs cheaper ? I would buy one tomorrow if it were Priced under $1000 AUD, But it's as expensive as four or five S/H beta SP VTR's.
Cheers
Tom K
 
Searching for a way of offload on G4 and Mac Pro using a PCMIA reader, I found your posts here.

The Amtron is off, since we want to move the reader to an upcoming Mac Pro, and they only seems to have PCIe?

Have you been able to test your DIY on both G4 and Mac Pro yet?
 
Ciderboy said:
Searching for a way of offload on G4 and Mac Pro using a PCMIA reader, I found your posts here.
The Amtron is off, since we want to move the reader to an upcoming Mac Pro, and they only seems to have PCIe?
Have you been able to test your DIY on both G4 and Mac Pro yet?[/quote

Hi Ciderboy,
I have an Amtron in my Old Dual G4, works great. It have tested it in the Macpro and it works there too. you need to Add a small piece of hardware and some software and it's away as a single slot reader. I'm testing that on some other Macpro's and will report soon on those tests. This maybe the ultimate "Budget" solution. A real "cheap fix" is what most users want by the responses I've had to date.
Cheers
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au
Click to expand...
 
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Tom
I wonder how you are getting around the specs of this card reader. The last page of the manual says
"However, most of the newer Mac desktop computers do not have PCI expansion slot on motherboard. If your Mac only has PCI Express (PCIe) expansion slot, please do not purchase this PCI-interface card reader."
Did you just decide to try it and see what happens? I hope all works out, because I am purchasing a new Mac Pro Quad-Core Intel Xeon (8 core) at the first of next year and hope this reader can do the job. Thanks for all the hard work! BTW, left a message on your guestbook, acted like it didn't take - oh well, keep us informed of the tests results - Very interested.
Cheers,
Hogg
 
Hoggman23 said:
Tom
I wonder how you are getting around the specs of this card reader. The last page of the manual says
"However, most of the newer Mac desktop computers do not have PCI expansion slot on motherboard. If your Mac only has PCI Express (PCIe) expansion slot, please do not purchase this PCI-interface card reader."
keep us informed of the tests results - Very interested.
Cheers,
Hogg
Click to expand...

There is a piece of hardware now out there that will convert the PCIe to PCI , so the Amtron can be used in the Macpro, we should know in a few days if it does work in other Macpro's besides mine, then i will report our findings and the set up that was used . it's pointless at this stage to say much more.
Can I say these new Macpros are very very fast indeed you won't be dissapointed with one. "Guestbook", must be gremlins? or the ISP.
Cheers
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au
 
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Hi guys,
I have the Amtron .single slot reader working well now on my Macpro 3ghz OS 10.5.4. (FCP 6.0.4 - QT 7.5 KONA LSe video card ) with only a couple os small things to avoid. Tests on some other Macpro's are now going ahead , they are using Blackmagic video cards, and I hope to be able to report the availability of the DIY kit soon.

Cheers
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au
 
Update,
My tests on a second Intel Macpro with the Amtron card single slot reader is very positive, there was only one issue with Kernel Panics when playing a clip longer than 2 mins in the Log n transfer window, That has now been rectified by downgranding the Macpro's ram to 2 gig , ( yes i know it's stange) Kernel Panic reports pointed to the Cardbuss driver having a limit of two gig. the Macpro still works OK with the reduced ammount of ram.
Pic on my site of the Amtron reader Set-up on the Intel Macpro OS 10.5.5 FCP 6.0.4. QT 7.5.5
there will be one more test done on another Intel Macpro and a report will follow to the release of the DIY kit, i estimate it will cost "all up" in the vicinity of $300 US.
thats for the Amtron reader , a PCIe to PCI adapter, a Molex extension cable
and the Install instructions and Software files.
Testing of the Four slot has been put on hold...for the time being..
Cheers
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au
 
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