Sonnet Qio eSata P2/SxS/CF reader

Dammit, I don't need something like this. I just need a simple 1 slot p2 reader that is USB based like the Sony one for sxs cards. I don't care if it's a slower method it's what I need in the field and would be good to go with a rental too. I'd pay 250 for that, why won't anyone make such a simple thing? The macbook I'm using does not have express card and I don't want a laptop that large or strong, what I've got is more than good enough for dumping footage.
 
P2 has been out a long time. I would say that for some reason, a low cost single slot reader is not a large priority for Panasonic, the development costs may be too high and perhaps they don't think it would be profitable?

There is already the Duel Adapter for laptop users and I guess the thinking is that tower users can use a camera to offload.

It would be nice but I don't see it happening.

Dan
 
Not all laptops have expresscard, my 13" aluminum MacBook doesn't even though it's more than good enough to offload footage. People are still using G4 PowerBooks to dump footage with, and my MacBook is several times stronger than that. Why should I be left in the cold because people claim it's consumer machine? I chose to get a MacBook because of size I didn't get it because I couldn't afford a MacBook pro. That said the duel adapted is a pos anyway with numerous problems, I just want a simple one like the Sony piece.
 
why don't just get a PC laptop cheap as chips, IBM lenovo still has a PCMCIA slot then just network it to your mac later, or FAT32 drive
 
Because I already own a machine better than both of those. The solution of "there's no way under $1000 to offload P2 through usb so just buy yet another computer" is crazy. Don't you guys think that's a little extreme. Something like this ( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/526430-REG/Sony_SBAC_US10_SBAC_US10_SxS_Memory_Card.html )is all it takes and frankly even that is overpriced when you think about it.

I'm gonna keep shouting from the mountain tops that panasonic should make a simple single slot USB p2 reader. I don't care if it's slower than other methods, it's needed. I'm not even trying to transfer it into my nle, I just want to copy it to my computer's internal drive so I can move it at a later date. As it is I use USB out of the camera to transfer to my macs most of the time anyways and I've got no problem taking it right into final cut. All I'm asking is to for panasonic to let me give them another 200-300 dollars for the simplest of items. Just make it Panasonic, just make it.
 
Hey ecking I'm in the same boat in a few month. I want to go tapeless with P2 and the HPX170 and I have a Macbook which I really like because of the formfactor and leopard.
I also want to see a solution for this problem or I go with the HMC150 :) but now with the better price of P2 the HPX170 is the better choice.
 
$1,000.00 for a card reader? I don't think so. I am so glad that I am one of the few, the proud, the Duel owners who have had ZERO trouble with the Duel.

Dan
 
mikkowilson said:
The thing is, all P2 card readers ARE computers.

(Adapters to Expresscard don't count)

- Mikko
Click to expand...

I don't understand what you mean by that. I'm looking to connect a p2 card to the computer I already have, not replace the computer in this equation. P2 cards haven't been just for expensive cameras for a long time, it doesn't make sense to buy a $2000 (or more) piece to offload from a $5000 camera. Among the 200 and 170 users a simple card reader like the one I want would arguably have a higher attach rate than any existing card reader they or a third party sell. I doubt there are people who were gonna get the $2000 multi slot, multi connection piece are gonna instead opt for the $250 card reader.
 
EVERYONE wants a simple reader. It doesn't exist.

Well, it does exist, but only to ExpressCard. You can't go PCMCIA to USB cheaply with the P2 cards. There needs to be intelligent electronics on the other side that can translate the P2 information to the USB bus. You can do it with the Sony because the Expresscard standard supports both PCI Express and USB technologies inherently.

If it was easy, someone would have done it five years ago.
 
No offense Barry but things change all the time. I've been in debates on this board with you and others about cf cards vs p2 cards and cf chips vs the chips used in p2 cards. I was constantly told no, told those chips weren't good enough, cheaper p2 cards could not be a reality, etc, etc. Check my post history and see for yourself. But here we are years later and that's all changed. In the realm of p2 to pc transfer it can too, it just takes enough effort.

I'm not asking for it to not have "intelligent electronics" if that's what's needed, go ahead and put them in, make the piece cost $400, I'd still buy it, other people would too (but it wouldn't have to cost that much). I've used and sold the AJ-PCD20 to people. In fact I've sold a lot of p2 products to a lot of people working for a big pro video/film reseller here in Canada. The AJ-PCD10 before that only had USB as it's external computer connection. You're giving these pieces way too much credit, they aren't that complicated and a single p2 slot non-internal usb only one would only serve to simplify it's design, electronics and manufacture.

If they can make 16gb p2 cards (which are supposed to be complicated pieces in themselves) how can they not have the technology, or the profit margin to make an external only, single slot, usb reader for under $400 ($399) with all the r&d they've put into the p2 product line, since what now 2003?

The only reason they don't is they get away with not having to. If there was no competition and people weren't asking for cheaper p2 cards, why make an alternative and why change pricing? If there is one thing we've pretty much proven it is that we get listened too and we get results when we yell what we want to the companies we support.

And I am yelling.
 
ecking said:
And I am yelling.
Click to expand...

Yes. And you're yelling about something which has been yelled about for years.

If it were as easy as you say, someone would have done it.

Look, you bought an inappropriate computer for the use you want to put it toward. That's not on anyone else.
 
The product doesn't exist. We wish it did, but it doesn't. There are USB readers available, but they cost $2,000. If it could be done cheaply, it would be done cheaply. I'd contract some manufacturer and start making and selling them right now. But it can't be done, not at a price point that makes it practical.

The Qio drops the price of entry to $1,000 and adds eSATA. That's a big step in the right direction.

Now, if you actually want a workable solution that will work today, right now, and is far less than $400, go with what ullanta posted. That works. It's cheap, and it works, and it's much faster than USB ever would be.
 
ifs its just for offloading, unless your cutting in the field, why do you care you've got 1k to spend, by an 800 dollar laptop
 
As I understand it from my tests, a simple USB reader as this--
http://www.elandigitalsystems.com/usb/u142.php
it could be a reader of P2 cards "IF" drivers were written and chip set recognized by the host, BUT, even if they did write drivers it would be so slow (at best about 10mbs) it would have you screaming for your money back....
the Sonnet Qio is on my list when it hits the market, it will Make my Amtron on my Macpro a second back-up unit.

If you want the cheapest thrill get the Duel...or an old lappy as posted earlier...or use your camera..

Cheers
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au
 
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