Front loading P2 Card Readers for Vista 64 bit?

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Filmkid2003

Well-known member
Hey everyone. I'm trying to find a front loading PCMCIA card reader that can read P2 cards (32 bit PC cards) and is ALSO compatible with Vista 64 bit! I know there are many out there that are compatible with Vista 32 bit but, I'm running Vista 64 bit. Anyone come across any? If so, can you please paste the links? I came across a bunch of PCMCIA card readers at www.shopdigi.com I've posted the links to these card readers below. Anyone have any experience with any of these PCMCIA card readers and do you know if they're compatible with Vista 64 bit (do they come with Vista 64 bit drivers)? Thanks.



http://www.shopdigi.com/product.aspx...RP220CS&rurl=8
http://www.shopdigi.com/product.aspx?pf_id=P2PCI
http://www.shopdigi.com/product.aspx?pf_id=PCE10
http://www.shopdigi.com/product.aspx...110CS-B&rurl=5
http://www.shopdigi.com/product.aspx?pf_id=PCIDEXIS
http://www.shopdigi.com/product.aspx?pf_id=DEPCI
http://www.shopdigi.com/product.aspx?pf_id=PCD-RP220CS

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820128003
 
Did a fair amount of research 3 months ago on this when I purchased the HPX170, Edius 5, HDspark card and a new editing computer. I wanted to run Vista 64 and somewhat"future proof" my system, but all P2 readers I came across worked only on 32 bit operating system. So I had a decission to make and decided to use the Amtron P2 card reader http://www.amtron.com/reader/p2card_reader.htm . I had my computer builder install 3GB of fast 1600mhz RAM, i7 motherboard, 920 processor and Vista 32 home premium. Frankly this is fast enough for me. I will add that the P2 card reader and workflow is a joy to use. I guess if you don't go P2 card reader because you want to run Vista 64, you could connect camera and computer via USB cable. It kind of s**ks that to my knowlege P2 won't operate on 64 bit systems.
 
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You could always just run dual computers....one older, perhaps used desktop(or a laptop) with the P2 reader in it....link the two computers VIA gigabit ethernet. Then you can have your cake, and transfer it to :)

For example:
E-bay link

I know eventually that link will expire, so I'll say what it is. "Dell Latitude C600 P3 1Ghz 256mb ram"

Total cost is $125, it has a built in gigabit ethernet card, and has two PCMCIA slots.

Connect with a gigabit router or a piece of crossover ethernet cable, and you have yourself a cheap, effective, 2 P2 card reader.

By doing this you can also take advantage of a 64-bit Operating System on your editing/ingestion/whatever box.
 
Thanks for the replies, guys. Nick, I actually do have a laptop that runs on Vista 32 with a PCMCIA slot built right into it but, when I insert the P2 card (after downloading all the necessary P2 drivers and P2 Viewer, of course) Windows says that it found new hardware and searches for the driver for my PCMCIA card reader but can't find any drivers for it. I tried looking online for the driver but, the one I found didn't make a difference after I installed it. The laptop is an Acer Aspire 5610z. Anyone know where I can download the correct driver for the PCMCIA slot? Or am I just out of luck?
 
Alphacam, are you running the 64 bit version of Windows 7 or the 32 bit version? Also, can you send me the link of the exact P2 card reader you bought? Thanks.
 
the specs for that specifically say it doesnt work on win 7 64 bit - are you sure that is the OS you are using it on?
 
Panasonic seem to have shot themselves in the foot by selecting the PCMCIA card which was even then nearing its EOL (end of life). I fear that things will only get worse as PCMCIA completely fades from view in the computer world.
 
that statement has been debated ad naseum here on this site. I dont think things are getting any worse for panny - they are doing just fine
 
Richard Crowley said:
Panasonic seem to have shot themselves in the foot by selecting the PCMCIA card which was even then nearing its EOL (end of life). I fear that things will only get worse as PCMCIA completely fades from view in the computer world.
Click to expand...

Hi Richard,
You may well be correct, but I believe P2 will evolve into a specialized niche format as the computer industry goes forward away form PCMCIA , it's still a strong and robust connection, to me that is a good reason for it's longevity... But, I may be wrong... hope not, I as many have invested heavily in P2.

And yes, this has been debated to death in the past.

Cheers
Tomk
olinevideo.com.au
 
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Tom 4 said:
Hi Richard,
You may well be correct, but I believe P2 will evolve into a specialized niche format as the computer industry goes forward away form PCMCIA
Click to expand...
Every video format, in the history of video, has been a "specialized niche format". Tape decks were not standardized computer hardware. Even if the rest of the computer industry stopped using PCMCIA equipment entirely, you'd still have the ability to connect to any computer through the USB or firewire port on your camera, and if you had to buy a dedicated "deck", at least it's a $2,000 PCD20 or PCD35, instead of a $25,000 DVCPRO-HD deck.
 
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