EX1/3: How to record on USB-Hardrives!!!
 

I don't know if there is any thread about this topic on dvinfo.net.

But here a Link to a german forum with pictures.

slashCAM Forum :: Thema anzeigen - PMW EX1/3 mit billigen USB-Festplatten bis 168Gbytes nutzbar!

If there is interest, i will translate.

Best regards!

Please do translate!

are the pictures in german too? i can't see any ;)

You can see the pictures only when you are logged in. I don't want to copy them out, because of copyright issues. But I will invite Deti to come to dvinfo.net.

Deti from the slashcam.de - Forum writes the following (only a short, quick translation):

"Today I built an adapter from ExpressCard to USB. How it works? Very simple: On the Expresscard-Slot the USB-Datasignal are on PIN 2 und 3. Ground on PIN 1 is also needed. Unfortunately there are no 5V for powering the USB-Harddrive.


I solded a USB-cable on the pins of a cheap SDHC-reader. I took only the plugs of this Reader.

If you Plug in a USB-device to the Camera in that way, the camera has access to it!

- Hubs are recognised as "Unknown Media"
- 4 out of 5 USB-Cardreaders work fine with SDHC or CF-Cards (probably also MemoryStick,...)
- USB-Stick work direkt
- Harddrives (via IDE or SATA-Adapter) are working fine!

All USB-devices need at least 8.3Mbytes/sec write, due to the XDCAMEX-technique.

The camera firmware has a limitation of 84Gbyte. (308 minutes@35Mbit)

As soon as you plug in a harddrive/USB-Stick, the camera formats the disk as a 84Gbyte disk an is able to write on it."

BTW: Thank you, Deti, great work!!!!!!!

Pix
 

Trevor, pix are here:
Externe USB-Medien an Sony EX1/EX3 anschließen

Best P.

cool - so in a matter of weeks we'll have a proper device that can accept 64gb usb sticks

Time to get out the soldering iron and give this a go.

Why wouldn't an expresscard to usb adapter work?

like this?

Startech.com 2 Port USB 2.0 ExpressCard Adapter - EC230USB - Buy.com

I guess by looking at it it seems like it might not fit in the EX slot?

Why? if I understand another related thread right, such adapters are PCIe-based and require a driver to record on a USB HD.

Here's detailed info in english and pictures:

PMW EX1/3: Use cheap USB Hard Disk Drives up 168GB! - DVXuser.com -- The online community for filmmaking

Vfat32
 

Can someone suggest a utility to formate the hard drive to VFAT32 for the 160GB capacity?

Last night I opened a card reader and unsoldered the main SDHC logic board from the ExpressCard plugin daugtherboard. Much simpler that I expected. Removing main logic board eliminates any USB protocol restrictions that will prevent the camera from formating. In other words, this approach provides direct access to the camera's USB signals and enables direct dialog with the USB storage device.

It is as Deti describes, the USB traces to pins 1,2 & 3 are easily identified. The pin numbers on ExpressCard daugtherboard are even labeled. If get time today after work, I will add the USB cable and proceed to testing it with a hard drive.

Barry, please take detailed pictures, and list the components you are using.
Thanks!

Barry, is this right?

1.) The ground wire from the USB socket (and shield) are soldered to pin 1 on the SDHC side of the express card adapter, after removal of the motherboard?

2.) The ground wire from the USB connector splices into that same ground wire from 1. (above).

3.) The +5V wire from the USB connector connects to the same wire on USB socket.

4.) The +5V wire does not go to the express card adapter.

If I have that right...

Does the polarity of the data wires 2 and 3 at the express card side matter?

I'm thinking it does from the connector specifications:

PCI ExpressCard: Pin 2 =usb d- Pin 3 =usb d+

USB Connector: