P2 storage devices - life expectancy

[khmuse]

Has it been established that the P2 format utilizes EEPROM internally? The reason I bring this up is that there is a limited number of write/rewrite cycles for EEPROM devices. Depending upon the technology and density, it is typically 10,000 - 100,000 cycles. They don't abruptly fail; just a few 'cells' get stuck at either logic low or high. Since the P2 format use them in a pseudo raid configuration, there may fault tolerance built in to the P2 format, so it may take a fair number of bad 'cells' before the card exhibits problems (it may just have slightly reduced capacity under these conditions).

We use EEPROM (both standalone and embedded) in a number of products that my company manufacturers and I can assure you that they do eventually exhibit this problem.

I must say that I am really looking forward to the HVX200 and have been going tapeless for a while already with the DVX and DV-Rack, so life expectancy issues or not, it won't change my interest level (at least for the HVX).

 

[PanasonicNZ]

P2 is using SD cards, consumer type. They are selected for speed, only the top 5% are used. Life expectancy is guaranteed 100,000 rewrites and the PCMCIA connectors are guaranteed for 30,000 inserts/removals. In other words, if you insert/remove your card 8 times a day, after 10 years you will need a new one. If you leave the card inside the camera and you re-write it 10 times a day, you will need a new one after 27 years. Not bad, eh?

 

[Jarred Land]

you will need a new one after 27 years. Not bad, eh?

oh crap. I was planning on having a 30 year anniversary party for my HVX and using a mirror to tape itself in bed since it will have serious arthritis by that time and wont be very mobile. Kiss those plans goodbye. Damn.