Problems with 32Gb SD cards

Brian Rhodes · November 27th, 2009, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig Seeman

I've been using 32GB Sandisk Ultra 2 Class 2 (Yes, CLASS TWO) since January 2009 and never had a media restore. I shoot many "yakaty yak" events (panel discussions, presentations with dignitary after dignitary going on for hours) so I'm often running 3-4 or more straight.

I've heard the Sandisk Ultra 2 Class 4 have been problematic and Transcend recently became problematic too. If the cards tested reliable on 4 straight hour records and are now stopping at 57 minutes, it's time to test them again. I'd reformat them first before testing though in case you haven't reformatted for a while.

I have the 32GB SanDisk Ultra 2 CLASS 2 also do problems so for, I wish they were still available for purchase. I also have 2 Transcend 32gb cards class 6 one both cards were working good and now one of the cards gets a restore after 20min of recording tested the card with three different adapters. I also had problem with a 16GB ScanDisk Ultra 2 the one with the see through case went to LA for an event put the card in was DOA an I did test the card before my trip, I had 6 cards with me for back up. The lesson here is to preceed with extreme caution on a paying job when using the SDHC cards unless you have more than one camera angle. I usually shoot with two or three cams so it’s no worries for me.

Ian Semmens · November 27th, 2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Durham

If you are going to use 32gb you might want to buy one of the new lockable MxR cards that have been tested with 32gb cards.

Marcus, The eLCR, which I have as noted above, is a new lockable version of the MxR and is modified to take Sandisk 32Gb Cards. The MxR also has been approved for the Transcend 32Gb cards. So I have done everthing right according to the e-Films website. I did check all this out before I bought the cards and the reader. However, I am using the new Sandisk 32Gb Ultra ( Not the old Ultra II) Class 4. It is a repackaging of the old Ultra II according to Sandisk's website. The model no. is SDSDRH-032G-P36.
Ian

Marcus Durham · November 27th, 2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Semmens

Marcus, The eLCR, which I have as noted above, is a new lockable version of the MxR and is modified to take Sandisk 32Gb Cards. The MxR also has been approved for the Transcend 32Gb cards. So I have done everthing right according to the e-Films website. I did check all this out before I bought the cards and the reader. However, I am using the new Sandisk 32Gb Ultra ( Not the old Ultra II) Class 4. It is a repackaging of the old Ultra II according to Sandisk's website. The model no. is SDSDRH-032G-P36.
Ian

I think you need to speak to e-Films to see if the card is compatible. Just because Sandisk say it is the same, doesn't mean it is. As I seem to have found with the Transcend cards, there can be a subtle change in the cards that others users won't notice but which seems to throw our kit.

Even swapping manufacturing plants could affect the cards, we just don't know.

But the important thing is to test the cards 2 or 3 times before you use them for "real".

Meanwhile I'll stick with 16gb ATP cards until we know what the Sony firmware upgrade will bring. Not to say I won't get a 32gb card in, but I'd need to be pretty confident in it before using it for real.

Ian Semmens · November 27th, 2009, 10:31 PM

Marcus,
Yes, there can be subtle changes to the cards that make them un-useable or unsuitable for us.
I recall some early 16Gb Sandisk cards class 2 I think, were OK but the later verions were not.
I sent an email to e-films regarding this problem before I posted this message, but I am not hopeful to recieve a reply as my previous email was not answered.
Ian

Marcus Durham · November 28th, 2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Semmens

Marcus,
Yes, there can be subtle changes to the cards that make them un-useable or unsuitable for us.
I recall some early 16Gb Sandisk cards class 2 I think, were OK but the later verions were not.
I sent an email to e-films regarding this problem before I posted this message, but I am not hopeful to recieve a reply as my previous email was not answered.
Ian

I was on the MxM website earlier today and noticed that they specify the Transcend cards have become unreliable of late and also that only very recommend very specific Sandisk cards as the others have become erratic.

They are also selling their adaptors and the ATP cards as bundles. I believe these are the same adaptor cards as the Hoodmans.

Have ordered a couple of cards up. Will be interesting to get them on the bench and see if there is any real world difference between them and the MxR.

Ian Semmens · November 29th, 2009, 06:32 AM

A clarification/correction to my original posting. Upon checking I have now found that the 32 Gb cards are stopping recording at ANY time. I first thought that they were failing at about the 55-57 minute point which is the supposed 16 gb layer size change over point. This was because one failed at about this time. I have filmed 4 events this week and have had cards fail at 3 events! One at 14 minutes, another at 75 minutes another at 83 minutes so that clearly disproves the layer-change theory.
I am at a loss to find a solution to this. Surely there must be other who have 32Gb cards and they failing too? Has anyone found a solution yet? Share your experience.
Ian

Damian Heffernan · November 29th, 2009, 06:53 AM

The 32GB cards/adapters issues I'd read about scared me so I went and bought the 16GB e-lcr adapaters instead. Not sure what SD cards are inside.

Did you check the version of your camera's firmware? as the older one's couldn't handle the 32GB cards.

Bruce Rawlings · November 29th, 2009, 06:55 AM

I think for those without the 'old' Transcend cards the most reliable answer has to be ATP. If you are relying on 32gb cards for so many jobs perhaps the new 'cheap' Sony SxS cards are what you need for peace of mind.

Damian Heffernan · November 30th, 2009, 01:58 AM

Theorectically the new (cheap) 5 year life SxS cards will bring the price of used SxS cards down too? Maybe. I'd certainly buy the 5 year lifespan ones as 5 years of daily use will be plenty.

Damian Heffernan · November 30th, 2009, 02:05 AM

I need to buy a new SD card and am hesitant to go the 32GB route since there seems to be issues around.

But going for a 16GB I found that my e-LCR cards have Sandisk 16GB Ultra II cards in them but looking at the specs the Ultra II are only class 4 - i.e. # SanDisk part number: SDSDRH-016G-P36 High Performance: 15MB/second (100X) read speed, 15MB/second (100X) write speed.

Is this fast enough? I mean my other cards are working fine. Or do I need to go for Class 6 with: Extreme Performance: 30MB/second (200X) read speed, 30MB/second (200X) write speed.

It's triple the cost!

November 27th, 2009, 10:31 PM	#19
Ian Semmens Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 27	Marcus, Yes, there can be subtle changes to the cards that make them un-useable or unsuitable for us. I recall some early 16Gb Sandisk cards class 2 I think, were OK but the later verions were not. I sent an email to e-films regarding this problem before I posted this message, but I am not hopeful to recieve a reply as my previous email was not answered. Ian

November 29th, 2009, 06:32 AM	#21
Ian Semmens Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 27	A clarification/correction to my original posting. Upon checking I have now found that the 32 Gb cards are stopping recording at ANY time. I first thought that they were failing at about the 55-57 minute point which is the supposed 16 gb layer size change over point. This was because one failed at about this time. I have filmed 4 events this week and have had cards fail at 3 events! One at 14 minutes, another at 75 minutes another at 83 minutes so that clearly disproves the layer-change theory. I am at a loss to find a solution to this. Surely there must be other who have 32Gb cards and they failing too? Has anyone found a solution yet? Share your experience. Ian

November 29th, 2009, 06:53 AM	#22
Damian Heffernan Major Player Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: c Australia Posts: 234	The 32GB cards/adapters issues I'd read about scared me so I went and bought the 16GB e-lcr adapaters instead. Not sure what SD cards are inside. Did you check the version of your camera's firmware? as the older one's couldn't handle the 32GB cards.

November 29th, 2009, 06:55 AM	#23
Bruce Rawlings Major Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cardiff, Wales, UK Posts: 410	I think for those without the 'old' Transcend cards the most reliable answer has to be ATP. If you are relying on 32gb cards for so many jobs perhaps the new 'cheap' Sony SxS cards are what you need for peace of mind.

November 30th, 2009, 01:58 AM	#24
Damian Heffernan Major Player Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: c Australia Posts: 234	Theorectically the new (cheap) 5 year life SxS cards will bring the price of used SxS cards down too? Maybe. I'd certainly buy the 5 year lifespan ones as 5 years of daily use will be plenty.

November 30th, 2009, 02:05 AM	#25
Damian Heffernan Major Player Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: c Australia Posts: 234	I need to buy a new SD card and am hesitant to go the 32GB route since there seems to be issues around. But going for a 16GB I found that my e-LCR cards have Sandisk 16GB Ultra II cards in them but looking at the specs the Ultra II are only class 4 - i.e. # SanDisk part number: SDSDRH-016G-P36 High Performance: 15MB/second (100X) read speed, 15MB/second (100X) write speed. Is this fast enough? I mean my other cards are working fine. Or do I need to go for Class 6 with: Extreme Performance: 30MB/second (200X) read speed, 30MB/second (200X) write speed. It's triple the cost!