What is my best/cheapest solution for SXS cards?
- Thread starter Honker
- Start date
PerroneFord
Deals in Lead
I've been very pleased with my SDHC solution, BUT, if I were shooting what YOU are shooting, I'd buy a Convergent Nanoflash.
Redundant system, writes to more robust compactflash, and you can use inexpensive ($35/hr) SDHC) in the camera as a backup.
The Nanoflash has the advantage of recording from the SDI port, so you bypass the native compression and get a MUCH better image. If you can afford it, get it's big brother the XDR. Similar technology, but holds 4 cards at a time instead of 2.
Redundant system, writes to more robust compactflash, and you can use inexpensive ($35/hr) SDHC) in the camera as a backup.
The Nanoflash has the advantage of recording from the SDI port, so you bypass the native compression and get a MUCH better image. If you can afford it, get it's big brother the XDR. Similar technology, but holds 4 cards at a time instead of 2.
DavidChia
Well-known member
Haven't you heard about the down side of cheap 3rd parties cards? If you are a professional and this is a paying gig. You sure you want to risk your footage not being able 100% to go through?
read this and learn from the pain someone else had to go through: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=182867
So if you still want to risk having to fly back to Africa to reshoot. you can get third parties card on Ebay,
read this and learn from the pain someone else had to go through: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=182867
So if you still want to risk having to fly back to Africa to reshoot. you can get third parties card on Ebay,
PerroneFord
Deals in Lead
LOL, haven't I heard the downside... yes, I've read the stories.
I've read the stories of people having tapes fail and losing critical data. I've read the stories of people having P2 cards fail. I've read the stories of people having SxS cards fail. I've read the stories of people having opticals fail. And I've read stories of people having CompactFlash fail. I've even heard of people having hard drives fail whether in their laptop, desktop, or Firestore.
So, the one constant here is that I would not rely on ANY single media PERIOD. This is why I advocate recording to more than one media any time you are recording an event that cannot be repeated. The Nanoflash lets you record both in the camera and offboard. The XDR lets you record in camera, and allows you to RAID your recording offboard for even more redundancy.
As for my own use, I am using Sandisk Ultra 2 SDHC cards in the camera. These have proven reliable over time. I still would not trust them alone, but I do shoot with them every time I use my camera.
I've read the stories of people having tapes fail and losing critical data. I've read the stories of people having P2 cards fail. I've read the stories of people having SxS cards fail. I've read the stories of people having opticals fail. And I've read stories of people having CompactFlash fail. I've even heard of people having hard drives fail whether in their laptop, desktop, or Firestore.
So, the one constant here is that I would not rely on ANY single media PERIOD. This is why I advocate recording to more than one media any time you are recording an event that cannot be repeated. The Nanoflash lets you record both in the camera and offboard. The XDR lets you record in camera, and allows you to RAID your recording offboard for even more redundancy.
As for my own use, I am using Sandisk Ultra 2 SDHC cards in the camera. These have proven reliable over time. I still would not trust them alone, but I do shoot with them every time I use my camera.
adamr316
Well-known member
I haven't had any problems with my Hoodman SxSxSDHC adaptor/card combo. $140 at http://hoodmanusa.com/products.asp?dept=1063 .
If you absolutely need SxS you could always check eBay. But I mean really man you bought yourself (or are renting) an $8K+ camera. That's the cost of a cheap car. So if you didn't do enough research to know the big cards cost a decent amount then don't complain now.
Keep this in mind: Your *best* solution isn't the cheapest solution.
If you absolutely need SxS you could always check eBay. But I mean really man you bought yourself (or are renting) an $8K+ camera. That's the cost of a cheap car. So if you didn't do enough research to know the big cards cost a decent amount then don't complain now.
Keep this in mind: Your *best* solution isn't the cheapest solution.
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Bassman2003
Veteran
That is the truth.
Bubble-gumming a solution to save a few bucks so often is the mantra of these video forums.
We have all done this/researched this. But I have found in the long run, it is usually better to pay up and do it right. You often can get more from your investment as you are treating yourself like a professional.
PerroneFord
Deals in Lead
Other people have had issues with this combo. It's not bulletproof. Not saying it's not viable as it is. And I haven't had a moments trouble with my SDHC solution either. But I wouldn't trust it alone for a documentary shoot.
Harsh, but true. Can you rent SxS media from anywhere? Maybe that's the solution. 32GB cards get you to $422/hr of renewable media. 7 hours worth is the break even point for buying a NanoFlash. So if you need to shoot a full 8-hour day, the NanoFlash becomes cheaper than SxS. Shoot 10 hours without offloading, and the Nanoflash becomes cheaper even when taking in the cost of the new media and the backup media that goes in the camera.
As has been clearly pointed out here. Sony REALLY needs to get on the ball, and allow us to write to both slots at once. With 32GB cards out there, rolling for a continuous 2 hours will accomodate most people, and having an instant backup would be VERY welcome.
Thanks everyone!
I am a student who purchased the camera this summer, and will be shooting my thesis documentary on it. (I have made half the money back shooting small events/ and editing jobs.. but still need to pay back about $2,400.)
I purchased 2 of the older http://mxmexpress.com/ cards this summer, 16gb, that seem to work fine, (for shooting the events, and student films,) but idk, MxM say they have a newer model out now, and now im not sure what the differences are between their companies, and the other companies you guys posted for me!
Im not really that technical when it comes to deciphering what will give me the best image between these other 3rd party models.
Has anyone else ever used the MxM cards?
Could someone help explain to me what the downside is of using SDHC versus the actual SxS card is? I understand that you cannot do slow and fast motion, but is there anything else?
Thank you all so much!
I am a student who purchased the camera this summer, and will be shooting my thesis documentary on it. (I have made half the money back shooting small events/ and editing jobs.. but still need to pay back about $2,400.)
I purchased 2 of the older http://mxmexpress.com/ cards this summer, 16gb, that seem to work fine, (for shooting the events, and student films,) but idk, MxM say they have a newer model out now, and now im not sure what the differences are between their companies, and the other companies you guys posted for me!
Im not really that technical when it comes to deciphering what will give me the best image between these other 3rd party models.
Has anyone else ever used the MxM cards?
Could someone help explain to me what the downside is of using SDHC versus the actual SxS card is? I understand that you cannot do slow and fast motion, but is there anything else?
Thank you all so much!
Chadfish
Veteran
I too have the same Hoodman adapter with it's 16gig RAW card that Adam has. It hasn't failed me yet. It's important to stress that we're using a 100.00 SDHC card designed for this use, not some Sandisc from Costco. With the adapters you are already cheaping out by not using the SXS cards, so to cheap out even further and use an inexpensive, made for the masses SDHC is really risking your work.
I'm not however endorsing adapters for serious work. I just have one because that's all I could afford. I try to get my work done on my 8 gig SxS and have the Hoodman for backup. I will get a 32 gig SxS asap and save the adapter for emergencys.
I'm not however endorsing adapters for serious work. I just have one because that's all I could afford. I try to get my work done on my 8 gig SxS and have the Hoodman for backup. I will get a 32 gig SxS asap and save the adapter for emergencys.
PerroneFord
Deals in Lead
Ok, sorry but this really chaps me....
First, those "Sandisks from Costco" were trusted and used by COUNTLESS pro photographers long before the EX1/EX3 were every conceived. And their data rates dwarf ours.
Second, the Hoodman solution wasn't even on the drawing board when some of us adopted our el cheapo Sandisk solutions
Third, your Hoodman solution (with documented evidence of failure already) has the SAME technology in it that the Sandisk does.
Lastly, the Hoodman solution wouldn't even friggin' exist had the adapter+Sandisk/Transcend solution not been sussed out by early adopters of the technology. So slamming people who chose that route (before the Hoodman was even on the market) just smacks of arrogance and ignorance.
And if you think that buying SxS is somehow a panacea that won't fail just like the adaptors will, you're living in a dream world. THEY ALL fail and we have the evidence to support it. The only intelligent solution for recording non-repeatable events is redundancy of media, camera, and anything else that could possibly fail. Plan for it and it won't be an issue. Put your eggs in one basket, no matter what logo is on it, or how much more money you spent on it, and you WILL have issues at some point.
Chadfish
Veteran
Sorry to chap you PF.
I was not arguing with you or denying any of your claims. My issue with sandisk is that it is produced on a much larger scale, and has a higher acceptable dud percentage by the manufacturer than the RAW card does. And the "Pro Photograpers" weren't using an EX1, but DSLR cameras. I'm not saying anything is perfect, but I think it's safe to say that SxS is more reliable than SDHC. Of course I would love a nonaflash, and eventually I'll get one of those too. But I stand by my statement that the RAW cards have a better track record than Sandisk. RAW cards were designed for use in SxS adapters. The sandisks weren't. There are levels of compromise, and all I am saying is to not go the cheapest rout at every turn. It's not like I'm some SDHC fanboy protecting my choice to use a risky medium here. I'm doing what I can afford knowing there is always a risk of data loss.
Redundancy = good.
I was not arguing with you or denying any of your claims. My issue with sandisk is that it is produced on a much larger scale, and has a higher acceptable dud percentage by the manufacturer than the RAW card does. And the "Pro Photograpers" weren't using an EX1, but DSLR cameras. I'm not saying anything is perfect, but I think it's safe to say that SxS is more reliable than SDHC. Of course I would love a nonaflash, and eventually I'll get one of those too. But I stand by my statement that the RAW cards have a better track record than Sandisk. RAW cards were designed for use in SxS adapters. The sandisks weren't. There are levels of compromise, and all I am saying is to not go the cheapest rout at every turn. It's not like I'm some SDHC fanboy protecting my choice to use a risky medium here. I'm doing what I can afford knowing there is always a risk of data loss.
Redundancy = good.
PerroneFord
Deals in Lead
I agree that SxS is likely more reliable than SDHC... I *might* buy the premise that Hoodman RAW cards are somewhat more reliable than Sandisk SDHC, but I wouldn't bet the change in my pocket on it. What I would bet is that if you are recording to two different cards, the risks of using the Sandisk or the Hoodman drop to near nil.
I certainly agree that the cheapest solution isn't necessarily the best. And yes, redundancy = good.
I certainly agree that the cheapest solution isn't necessarily the best. And yes, redundancy = good.
There are very few manufacturers of flash chips. Panasonic makes own chips, Toshiba, Intel, Micron, Samsung probably? Definitely not Hoodman. SanDisk makes its own chips, actually they sold part of their fabrication business to Toshiba. Most "manufacturers" just buy chips and package them into plastic casing.
I guess my final question is:
If I shoot in HQ 1080p / 24f on my SxS card will that footage be the same, if i shoot on the exact same settings one of my SDHC 3rd party cards? No overcranking or anything. Will that footage be exactly the same quality when I transfer it into my computer into final cut pro, and if not, how much worse would it really be?
If I shoot in HQ 1080p / 24f on my SxS card will that footage be the same, if i shoot on the exact same settings one of my SDHC 3rd party cards? No overcranking or anything. Will that footage be exactly the same quality when I transfer it into my computer into final cut pro, and if not, how much worse would it really be?
A file is a file.
PerroneFord
Deals in Lead
Yes, it will be identical.
Chadfish
Veteran
Who makes Hoodman RAW cards?
Here's all they say:
Hoodman RAW CompactFlash memory cards yielded ZERO FAILURES WORLDWIDE for 2 years and counting. Raw speed is what you get from Hoodman. SPEED Class 6, 16GB SDHC cards, 8GB SDHC cards, 4GB SDHC cards and 150X 2GB SD cards. Building SD cards in the USA gives Hoodman the ability to optimize performance levels resulting in fast and remarkably reliable SD cards. Lifetime Warranty.
ZERO FAILURES sounds nice.