2.5" SSDs in cameras

GuyB

GuyB

Well-known member
You think we will ever see manufacturers offer an option to insert bad boys like this onto out cameras?
http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/12/corsairs-speedy-p256-256gb-solid-state-drive-now-shipping/

In that article they are complaining about a 256GB solid state drive with 200MBps write (thats writing 1.6x faster than SxS max read speed) costing US$700.

Seriously, compared to SxS, thats a down right steal...

This one could store 340hours of 100Mbps footage. For reliability you would probably at least add error correction to the recording droping it down to 300 hours....

The mind boggles at what these could do for you in cameras. Now the reality bites that Sony and Panasonic arn't about to loose huge the profits on P2 & SxS.
 
Yea, that is the way to go. Plus I like the size of P2's and these would be about the same size, different but not too small and with large capacity. Red has a module coming out that will do just that. Well not exactly sure what SSD's but they look to be the smaller ones.

http://www.redgrabs.com/up/1240334798.jpg
 
While it can't be mounted inside the camera, it can be used with sata case and usb adaptor. you wouldn't get full overcrank frame rate but at least it will be shock proof.
 
Guy, nice one! I also saw this morning. The 128GB version is currently $299 from TigerDirect. Getting awfully tempting to replace that USB drive.

If only Sony would open up the XDCAM codec on our EX cameras with higher data rates. An ExpressCard adapter with an eSATA cable out would also be helpful. All this of course would require some new firmware updates. However, it seems Sony is so embattled by the Global recession that they probably laid-off/fired the engineers who could make it happen.

What is more possible and greatly desired is that Convergent Design will provide an eSATA output from their Flash XDR and Nano Flash units. I'm not convinced that Compact Flash cards are the way I want to go with a unit of this capability and price. Now if they provide an option to drop the Compact Flash cards and provide an eSATA output then that would be the way I'd go. Such a unit would be mind Boggling indeed :-) Cheers!
 
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golf_bht said:
While it can't be mounted inside the camera, it can be used with sata case and usb adaptor. you wouldn't get full overcrank frame rate but at least it will be shock proof.
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Indeed but there are some implementation difficulties with this at the moment. Its a bit on the messy side with cables and power sources, and it is limited to 84GB as well.

I agree with Barry in that Sony should offer a firmware upgrade that enables more third party solutions & increase the capacity of the partition the camera can use significnatly (a TB wouldn't be unreasonable). As Sony wouldn't actually make these other solutions, they wouldn't have to wear the mess if there were problems in the field (just like with XxS).

Also, if there was a SDK avaliable for developers to enable them to tap into the PCI Express interface (rather than USB) it would be more reliable for users and allow full camera features such as overcranking etc

Unfortunately I don't think the EX1/3 can be upgraded much (if any) with codec options by firmware. Mike (Convergant Design) has commented before that the system requires 2 compression processors to achieve the 4:2:2 50Mbps of the PDW700/800 however the EX1/3 only have a single processor implementation. However, why does the brand new PDW800 have no SxS capability and not offer the 100Mbps mode the hardware in camera is obviously capable of?

With Panasonic releasing their HPX300 with AVCIntra 100 at around the EX3 price range, codec wise, Sony just can't compete in camera at the moment (not to mention the bevy of other codec options including SD DVCPro 50). If the 300 was 1/2" Sony EX sales would be in a lot more trouble, but as 1/3" it will still be passed over by many (justified or not). The saving grace for Sony is that no longer are we forced into SxS, but even that isn't something they can market...

Sony need to release an EX5, with a real ENG form factor (or smaller like JVC as no tape or optical disc needed), supporting 2x SxS slots and one 2.5" SATA slot (up to a few TB supported with mirrored recording to SxS & SSD), XDCAM HD support (at least 100Mbps 4:2:2 all the way down to SP mode), also with in built DV & SD IMX codec & a quality DV 1394 output, it also needs all the standard functions such as Genlock, SDI etc. This needs to still be under $12K with lens (current lens is fine as stock). I bet they won't though... (not much of a bet really though).
 
A Little Off Topic: I was listening to a podcast the other day where the host was talking about how he swapped out his MacBook Pro's internal hard drive for a solid-state drive. He said the biggest thing he noticed was:

1. When he would power up the computer, it would just come up almost instantly. Faster than if it had simply been asleep.

2. When he would launch a program they also would just pop up.

3. SSD's also make video compression much faster because of the faster read/write times.

I want one! (drool!)

EDIT: Maybe this is the solid-state media Canon is working on for their pro-cameras? They always seem to be the last one to the party, but maybe this time it will pay off for them.
 
Wow! $1 billion. Sometimes I think Sony spends too much time trying to squeeze every last dollar out of their customers, and not enough time innovating.

I've always felt that if you spend enough time/money on R&D and actually bring innovative products to the market, the money will follow.

Okay, back on topic. How long do you think it will take before we see a camera with a SSD inside?
 
MitchLewis said:
Okay, back on topic. How long do you think it will take before we see a camera with a SSD inside?
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Here is where I think RED ONE is leading the way in "meeting customer demands." They are simply providing an eSATAII cable and firmware updates "to the customer" so that "the customer" can choose the storage device. Power and mounting for SSD's is not rocket science.

If Sony Broadcast can ever make the paradigm shift to this sort of "customer feature focus" they may survive to see another day.
 
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