USB P2 reader?

TwistedLincoln said:
Does the PCD20 require P2 drivers to be installed on the PC, or does it work in the same way that using the camera to offload does (shows the P2 card as a Universal Mass Storage Device like any normal flash media)?
Click to expand...
Um... hmmm... well, the HVX200 has a driver, and the PCD20 has a driver, but the HVX200's USB port is indeed MSC compliant. Not sure about the PCD20.
 
I never realized anyone wanted a solution this cheap....personally I like having the extra laptop, but....

If anyone is looking for something below $100 for their studio, you can get a FIC Samba 1845:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mobile/display/fic-samba1845.html

That's a review and look inside this computer system...it's a tad on the old side, but I use one on occasion...has USB 2.0, 2 PCMCIA slots, one or two free PCI slots, generally comes with everything you need to get up and running(mine didn't have a hard drive, but a spare 40gig laying around fixed that) , and works just fine...mine cost a grand total of $71.99 with shipping.

They even usually come with an XP or win2k sticker with product key...although you'll usually have to find your own OS install disc.
 
Tom 4 said:
Hi Barry,

Would one of these - http://www.abelcine.com/store/product.php?productid=1000416
Sony Card readers work, (Has anyone tried this combo)
with an Addonics Express card to PCMCIA adapter -
http://www.addonics.com/products/host_controller/adexc34cb.asp
and if it did work with all desktops / lappies USB, it may be a contender for the masses of P2 Budget conscious users.

Cheers
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au
Click to expand...

Even using the Duel, something tells me that putting two adapters together would only spell trouble. Even if it "worked" I'm not sure how comfortable I would feel using it. You just doubled the chances of something not working right. Too much of a risk.
 
Hi Jester,

Not always the case, Two adapters is just like using a Power Double adapter or a power board. eg, I have a generic PCIe to PCI adapter card working very well in my Macpro, the Leopard OS recognizes the Card not a problem, it's the software drivers for these cards that can be the issue, But, if the hardware is built to a (eg PCI or PCMCIA)"standard spec" then it's a Goer by all systems.
Duel adapter I believe suffers from being built to a price.

Cheers for the input
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au
 
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Tom 4 said:
Hi Jester,

Not always the case, Two adapters is just like using a Power Double adapter or a power board. eg, I have a generic PCIe to PCI adapter card working very well in my Macpro, the Leopard OS recognizes the Card not a problem, it's the software drivers for these cards that can be the issue, But, if the hardware is built to a (eg PCI or PCMCIA)"standard spec" then it's a Goer by all systems.
Duel adapter I believe suffers from being built to a price.

Cheers for the input
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au
Click to expand...

Would you trust your PANASONIC footage going through a SONY adapter? :evil:
 
Tom 4 said:
Hi Barry,

Would one of these - http://www.abelcine.com/store/product.php?productid=1000416
Sony Card readers work, (Has anyone tried this combo)
with an Addonics Express card to PCMCIA adapter -
http://www.addonics.com/products/host_controller/adexc34cb.asp
and if it did work with all desktops / lappies USB, it may be a contender for the masses of P2 Budget conscious users.

Cheers
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au
Click to expand...

I suspect that would work fine - but all we need is someone to test the theory. Anyone got a friend at BH who might be willing to do so?
 
Hi Jester,
Yes, i would trust it, just as I trust having Vinten sticks under my Pana camera with a Sony Camera plate, they are all just products.

Yes Noel, I suspect that if someone at abelcine or B&H sees this thread and sees the opportunity to sell product, they will get hold of a addonics adapter and test it with a P2 card.
If it works well, they will sell very very well indeed, and being USB will be universal as well, hot swap too I bet.
Sad that it's not an expensive item in the US, but, it's dammed expensive here in OZ.
maybe someone could find the manufacturer in China or Taiwan and import direct ?.

cheers
TomK
olinevideo.com.au
 
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Tom 4 said:
Hi Jester,
Yes, i would trust it, just as I trust having Vinten sticks under my Pana camera with a Sony Camera plate, they are all just products.

cheers
TomK
olinevideo.com.au
Click to expand...

Apples and oranges my friend. You can't really compare strictly mechanical products to electronic/software solutions. There are too many variables that may or may not affect the functionality. Too many unknowns.

Bottom line, I wouldn't trust client footage on a hack. Do I want a USB reader, sure. But until someone makes one specifically designed for the purpose, I won't be interested.
 
JesterJJZ said:
Apples and oranges my friend. You can't really compare strictly mechanical products to electronic/software solutions. There are too many variables that may or may not affect the functionality. Too many unknowns.
Bottom line, I wouldn't trust client footage on a hack. Do I want a USB reader, sure. But until someone makes one specifically designed for the purpose, I won't be interested.
Click to expand...

Hi Jester,
card readers are dumb mechanical products, they are built to a strict Protocol, they either work or they don't.
Example, my Macpro has a AJA card, a Sonnet card, and a PCIe to PCI adapter installed and a Pioneer DVD writer, all non mac, but they work.

I have spent many hours and dollars in R&D to achieve success with my Single slot Amtron reader in my Intel Macpro, everyone said it was impossible, but it is possible and I am currently testing this on OS Leopard 10.5.6 / FCP 6.0.5 all is good to date, but more testing is mandatory prior to any release.
If you have the money just get a Pana card 5 slot reader, or P2 gear, they work great, if your a bargain hunter/low end producer that can't justify the cost of the pana reader etc, then you'll have to do your own homework, don't wait for someone else to do it.

Cheers
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au
 
Tom 4 said:
Hi Jester,
card readers are dumb mechanical products, they are built to a strict Protocol, they either work or they don't.
Click to expand...

Love to agree with you on this one Tom.

But so many of us have had such inconsistent performance with the EC/34 to Cardus II duel adapter.

Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't.
 
I don't think it's going to work. ExpressCard is a dual interface standard; it supports USB and PCIe both. There are USB-based SSDs out there, for example, which plug in via ExpressCard, and run quite a bit slower.

So, it's possible it'll work, but I would wager that it's drawing on the USB portion of the ExpressCard and therefore there's no actual PCIe->USB translation going on in there.

But hey, anyone with one of those adapters, please try it and report back.
 
David S. said:
Love to agree with you on this one Tom.
But so many of us have had such inconsistent performance with the EC/34 to Cardus II duel adapter.
Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't.
Click to expand...

Yes I've heard varying reports about the duel too, but most have been fixed by a replacement unit, so , one would assume that the adapter was faulty, I believe that they tried to manufacture them just "too cheap".
Interesting side note from my tests to date with my Amtron reader on the Intel Macpro, all works well with my 32 gig card tests, but the 8 gig P2 cards are problematic, they cause hangs, there's something going on with the cards Firmware I'm speculating at this point. maybe Jan will shed some light on this ?

cheers
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au
 
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