P2 readers for Apple desktops??

D

Demangone

Member
Has anyone found an affordable solution for offloading footage from p2 cards to an Apple desktop? I've found a few express card pcie boards that, if used with the duel adapter, should work.

http://www.shopdigi.com/product.aspx?pf_id=PCIe101

That one specifically says that it will work with newer versions of os x. Has anyone tried this solution? I've been out of the loop for a while but I'm finally able to update my editing bay and this has been a nagging problem for me for a while. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

DJ
 
Hi Demangone,

I have an Amtron single slot reader working nicely on my Macpro under Leopard 10.5.5. you can read about that on my site.
certainly is much less outlay than the pana solution.
Just began testing on the latest Leopard 10.5.6 update.

Cheers
TomK
olinevideo.com.au
 
Tom:

Yours is a reader though and I think the referenced link is a slot reader for that works with a single p2 card out the back of the MacPro.

Isn't yours board and reader?
 
David S. said:
Tom:

Yours is a reader though and I think the referenced link is a slot reader for that works with a single p2 card out the back of the MacPro.

Isn't yours board and reader?
Click to expand...

Yes David, your correct, but he referred to an "affordable solution", that's why I posted, his link to Expresscard to PCIe card still needs the Duel Adapter or the Addonics adapter. In theory it should work, But, in practice I doubt it..Plus, you would have to insert the P2 card into the very crowded rear end of the Macpro, not happy thing to do I can assure you. it would also put "stress" on the logic board every time you inserted / removed the P2 card / adapters.

"If you have deep pockets get the Pana solution."

Cheers
Tom k
olinevideo.com.au
 
David S. said:
Ahhhhh.

I missed it completely.

I was hoping it referred to a cardbus PCE card.

Sorry.
Click to expand...

Hi David,
Cardbus to PCIe, No, I spent some time with Elan on their "proposed" E111 card--
http://www.elandigitalsystems.com/adapter/e111.php
Only issue is they don't make it, it's just a "Mock up" and are requesting an order of 1000 units or so ,prior to producing that product, and that's their right to do so..
I did some product tests to see if their "Chips" would work with the Macpro and Leopard OS ,at that stage they did not , they make Windows hardware normally.
that's when i tried the Amtron, their "Chip" works with Leopard OS, when using a "special driver" I spent many months sourcing.
Good feature of the Amtron is the reader (as my avatar shows) is that it is located in a easy to get to location, with out putting stress on the Macpro's logic board.
Most respondents I have spoken to re this Amtron reader solution all want a "Plug n Play" solution at "next to no cost", that is Impossible to say the least, (I estimate about $300US all up) and with this economic debacle going on it will be a long time away to achieve a "next to no cost / no effort" solution.
Cheers
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au
 
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David S. said:
Thanks for the update.

Interestingly, all this can be had for less than $300 USD.

Hint hint Panasonic
Click to expand...

Hi David,
I respect Panasonic have every right to charge what they like for their products, but they have done a lousy sales job in convincing us that their simple card reader is worth the investment.
For the 5 card reader,(PCD-20) if they added some small extra's like a eSATA's outputs for example, a LCD Preview screen, simple jog / shuttle controls, and made it perform as a VTR then it would be more of an investment at that price point. (Yes i'm aware of the yet even more expensive HPG-10 and the HPM-110 when saying this).
They sell their cameras at competitive prices, but their add-ons in my opinion are over the top, others will argue differently no doubt.
Macintosh support is another area they could make a bigger effort into as FCP and the Macpro's have taken over across the globe.

Cheers
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au
 
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Limited Mac support is pretty mystifying to me as well.

Barry has indicated many, many times the Mac based system used to make up the greater majority of HVX200 users, at least anecdotally at his seminars.

And I agree that if off the shelf components provide this solution for those willing to try it, why not sell a packaged reader branded Panasonic for about the same price.
 
Hi David,
Yes, I've often wondered why Pana even put the P2 cards into the smaller cams (HVX ect) then did not follow thru by offering a simple reader to satisfy that end of the market, the PCD-20 is clearly aimed at the top end user not the "shoot n run" users.

I suppose I'm placed somewhere in the middle, that's why i spent many many hours and some dollars to achieve my own solution.

Cheers and a peaceful christmas from downunder
:beer::beer::beer::beer::beer:
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au
 
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