Amazon SDHC cards fail
 

Last spring I bought 8 Transcend 16gb SDHC cards from Amazon. They all work great. They all have a red stripe.
I've read the comments that Transcend red stripe cards have changed and are not good enough, that you need green stripe Transcend cards.
The amazon website depicts the Transcend 16gb SDHC cards as having green stripes. I ordered 4.
The 4 cards came today. All 4 cards have RED stripe. All 4 failed multiple times. I formatted and re formatted and re re formatted them. All 4 cards quit recording after about 5 minutes with media error.
These were ordered directly from amazon, not a reseller.

This is the first I've heard of Transcend 16gb failing straight out of the box. At least you had warning, I suspect many people are sitting on potential timebombs.

You need ATP Pro Max cards or certain types of Sandisk.

I fear your story is going to become a reoccurring tale over the next few months as there is so much out of date information out there.

One problem is that e-films MXR maker is still listing Transcend 16GB and 32GB as tested and passed.

FAQ - MxR Expresscard Reader

What type of SDHC cards have you tested?
16GB
Pass:
Transcend
32GB
Pass:
Transcend

As does MXM but they do have a warning about 32GB Transcend

MxM Express Tips – memory cards

Transcend 16GB class 6
This is the slowest so far but still fast enough to be used with Sony EX1/EX3 cameras.

Transcend 32GB class 6
It has been tested to work with MxM and Hoodman adapters but we also have had reports from various users about inconsistency of manufacturing. Please do your own tests prior to commercial use to check for usability in your production.

_____
Both really need to do a new round of testing.

I think there are 2 different red stripe transcend 16gb sdhc cards out there. the old ones work but the new ones apparently do not. I do not know how to tell the difference. And apparently the new green stripe ones work too but I can't find any.

Where do I buy the ATP Pro Max cards in the US?

Unfortunately it seems not carried by DVInfo sponsors.

ATP 32GB 150x Class 6 ProMax SDHC Card ATP 32GB ProMAX SDHC Card Detail Page

ATP ProMax SDHC 2.0 Class 6 Secure Digital SD Cards, Synchrotech

MxM Express International Orders

A 3rd red stripe transcend?
 

16GB Transcend SDHC (High-Capacity) HD Video Card, Class 6 (SD) / TS16GSDHC6V

This is a new card from transcend. Folks at Abel Cine told me this card is faster. Transcend labels it for hi def video.

Take a look at the specs...is this really better?


Features:

Please check SDHC compatibility chart before you purchase

Class 6 specification

Original NAND Flash Chips

Supports Error Correcting Code (ECC) to detect and correct errors

Mechanical Write Protection Switch

Lifetime Warranty

Specification:
Size: 32mm x 24mm x 2.1mm (L x W x H)
Op. Voltage: 2.7V~3.6V
Op. Temperature: -25C (-13F) to 85C (185F)
Durability: 10,000 insertion/removal cycles
Weight: 2g
Transfer Speed (4GB): Approx. 19MB/sec Read; 7MB/sec Write*
Transfer Speed (8GB): Approx. 19MB/sec Read; 13MB/sec Write*
Transfer Speed (16GB): Approx. 19MB/sec Read; 8MB/sec Write*
*Note: Speed test based on Transcend internal testing
Chipset: MLC

this one would seem to top them all
 

High Speed SDHC Card - SanDisk Extreme® SDHC? Cards | SanDisk


Class 10 with 30mbps speed. Next best I can find is the ATP at 22mbps

Why wouldn't this be the best choice in sdhc??

Retail price is about $80

i started a thread a week or so ago. i had a "red" stripe Transcend 16GB, from Amazon.com, fail on me as well. i returned it for what appears to be a "green" stripe card that's listed on their site. hopefully the "green" stripe card shows up at my doorstep and not another "red" stripe. also, where can you find a Sandisk Extreme card for $80. i assume you're referring to the 16GB card.

SanDisk has a promotion on their Extreme cards: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-xdc...ml#post1464753

16GB $95 after rebate (as Michael notes).
SanDisk | 16GB Extreme III - 30MB/s Editi | SDSDX3-016G-A31

32GB $279 no rebate listed.
SanDisk | 32GB Extreme III - 30MB/s Editi | SDSDX3-032G-A31

well, if you buy 2 16GB cards =$90 each
buy 3= $85 each

that's pretty competitive with the price of the ATP ProMax cards.

Sorry if I was a little off in the price.

The real issue is the 30mbps. That is significantly faster than the atp or any other card. atp says about 22 and most are less than 20.

Is this really significantly better than any other card? (except sxs)

That's what I fell for. The add showed a green stripe card and I got the 4 failed red stripe cards. Amazon tried to get me to go to transcend for remedy. I refused that solution and they then offered a refund.

The thing is you need to be confident that the card is not just fast but reliable. Past a certain speed there is no benefit anyway as the limitation is the USB connection used by the cameras.

An ATP and MxM lockable are good to fill a card at 48fps which is plenty of headroom for normal shooting. I guess the only way to see if these Sandisks appear faster to the camera is to try the same overcranking test.

I'll run that test sometime next week. I ordered 4 of the class 10 sandisk cards.

Wonderful!!! i'm still waiting for mine since i choose the FREE Super Saver Shipping. Ordered on the 21st, expected delivery is 1/4/10. had no idea shipping would take that long. live and learn i guess.

i'm patiently awaiting your results. i have a feeling i'm gonna need to purchase some of these SanDisk cards. hopefully, you have your results posted before the promo ends on 1/2/10.

Happy New Year!