OT: Transfers from EX3 vs. Card Reader

Jay Gladwell wrote on 10/12/2008, 1:46 PM

Excuse my ignorance, but is transferring files from a SxS card faster using a card reader as opposed to offloading directly from the camera? Going from the camera appears slower than real time.

SanDisk's site says: "Super fast transfer speeds of large video files from media to computer... Full 16GB card can be offloaded to PC in less than 3 minutes"

That ain't happening offloading using the camera!

Anyone here have any experience using the card reader?

Thanks!


Comments

farss wrote on 10/12/2008, 2:12 PM
I seem to have answered the same question at DVInfo.net!

Using the camera OR Sony's card reader means you're limited to the speed of USB 2. A direct Express Card connection is faster as from memory the Express card interface connection is via SATA. That assumes that the interface isn't using the UBS interface which some device use.

Bob.
Serena wrote on 10/12/2008, 2:41 PM
I didn't notice that thread on DVInfo and will have to look it up. My own experience is fast download from both camera and using the Sony USB card reader, but slower than 16GB in 3 minutes. The card reader is faster than the camera and much more convenient. I haven't made a comparison between the desktop-card-reader and my new laptop with built in reader, not expecting a significant difference.
Jay Gladwell wrote on 10/12/2008, 3:43 PM

Thank you, Bob and Serena. Looks like I'll be investing in a SxS card reader. Evidently Sony is the only one manufacturing one at this time (surprise, surprise).

farss wrote on 10/12/2008, 3:54 PM
From my experience using a beefy Dell laptop it's faster plugging the cards into the Express Card slot than using the reader. I do find getting the card into the slot to be a tad tricky though, not the thing I'd want to be doing in some of the venues I've had to shoot in.

Bob.
Jay Gladwell wrote on 10/12/2008, 4:57 PM

Then I'd have to transfer the files from the laptop to the desk top for editing. Seems a tad counter productive.


farss wrote on 10/12/2008, 5:26 PM
You can get Express Card adaptors for desktops.

However from reports from other they're only Hot Swap under Vista. I know Piotr (Megabit) has one and it's working just fine and fast.

Bob.
Serena wrote on 10/14/2008, 6:29 AM
I've done a rough timing for transfer of 16 mins of HQ.
On laptop card reader through Shotput Xpress:
1) 6 mins for medium data checking
2) 14 mins with thorough data checking

On desktop doing a straight copy of data files to HDD (not Shotput) using Sony card reader: 2 minutes

Obviously I should have tried "no checking" in Shotput, which would be faster. All these times show is that download is faster than shooting duration, but greatly influenced by the checking process employed.
Jay Gladwell wrote on 10/14/2008, 7:56 AM

Thanks, Serena!

Yesterday, I meant to post that it took me about 60 minutes to offload about about 115 minutes of HQ video going from the camera via the supplied UBS to the HDD.

Does the Sony card reader impliment any kind of data checking?


farss wrote on 10/14/2008, 1:25 PM
"Does the Sony card reader impliment any kind of data checking?"

Hard to imagine that it would, I've had no problems with data corruption from my EX1 and the other 2 EX1s and 2 EX3s that we rent haven't had a data corruption problem. I've not read of any data problems anywhere.

I just ordered an Express Card adaptor and 16GB card for under $200 based on the recommendations here. I'll report back once I get the bits and my camera back from hospital

In case you're not already aware, treat how you mount the EX1/3 to a tripod with great care. Already one of our EX1's attachment plates is starting to fail. Another rental company has had two EX3s sheer the plates out of the camera.

Bob.
Serena wrote on 10/14/2008, 3:02 PM
"how you mount the EX1/3 to a tripod with great care"

Guess that is in the DVInfo thread about X3 and tripod, which I haven't looked at. What is the mode of failure? I have the matte box on the camera and the tripod mounting plate on the rail plate.
farss wrote on 10/14/2008, 6:45 PM
"What is the mode of failure?"

In our case the diecast plate is coming out of the bottom of the camera a little, under 1mm, so far. I've tightened the 4x 2.5mm screws a bit. It's scary as they don't have much to screw into so there's a risk of stripping threads.
A lot of tripod release plates have hard rubber inserts that clear the camera's attachment plate. As you tighten the release plate onto the camera all the force is therefore borne by those 4 tiny screws.

Bob.
Serena wrote on 10/14/2008, 8:01 PM
When I got the camera I was a little surprised that by that small plate and the lack of a locating socket, but assumed that the small screws went into something solid. The screws will hold the load if the threads hold. I'd better check. Hard to see a fix.