Currently, I am using a Siig Expresscard to PCI Express in my HP Z800 PROVANTAGE: SIIG Inc. JJ-000082-S1 PCIe to ExpressCard Bay (http://www.provantage.com/siig-jj-000082-s1~7SIIG187.htm)

However, I really need that 5.25" bay for a hard drive enclosure (4 drives in 3 5.25" bays - "+getMessage("iPrintVerKit")+" (http://www.pc-pitstop.com/sas_cables_enclosures/jage34r40ms.asp) )

To open up that bay, I tried taking a 5.25" external enclosure (it had a DVD drive in it) and completely disassembled it so I can fit the Siig expresscard bay in it. I then ran the cable out of a hole designed for water cooling and was able to connect to the expresscard bay; however, the cable length was not sufficient for my needs. Everything worked but the logistics didn't work. I might try again if I can't find another way to download SxS cards.

I really love the speed but I think it might not be 100% compatible with my Z800 due to an issue I have been having. Since I am using Windows, I can use Device Manager to rescan the computer every time I swap a SxS card. However, after I take out the first SxS card and put in another, I have been having issues with ClipBrowser not showing the contents of the SxS card. It has happened 2 or 3 times in the last week and the only fix is rebooting with a SxS card installed.

So, what other devices are there that can offload SxS cards faster than USB? I already know of Sony's SxS USB reader which is way overpriced.

Can ClipBrowser or ShotPut Pro download from more than 1 card simultaneously? If so, using multiple USB readers wouldn't be so bad.

Thanks

If you think Sony's USB SxS card reader is expensive you are in for a rude surprise. It is the cheapest solution out there and it is one of the most flexible solutions.

Here's one but it costs 2 grand...

nanoFlash.net - Hard Drive Card Readers (http://www.nanoflash.net/portable_video_storage_devices)

I have seen a couple of threads a while back for PCIx cards that have Express Card slots in them but they were not (at the time) hot swapable meaning you will have to boot the machine down to take out the card and it takes up a slot in a desktop machine, something most video editors would not want to do.

I thought the USB SxS reader was a bit rich when I bought it a year and a half ago but now when I look at the usefulness of it and compare it to pretty much every other video related purchase I have made, it has been one of the cheapest and has given a huge return for the cost of the unit.

http://pro.sony.com/bbsccms/assets/files/mkt/recmedia/brochures/pxums240_specsheet.pdf

Warren's suggestion is $1350 at B&H:

Sony - PXU-MS240 Mobile Storage Unit - PXU-MS240 - B&H Photo


Good product if you are handing off stuff on a set and you have to unload things quickly or have a bit wrangler on hand and want a relatively fail safe way of transferring files and recycling cards during a shoot, as well you will often get paid on the spot in these kind of situations. Worth the investment in this instance.

Also there is this one too...
Nexto Video Storage pro NVS2500 - NextoDI NVS2500 (NVS-2500) Video Storage pro for Professional Video Cameras including the Sony SXS (http://www.nextodi.co.uk/uk/pro.html) ... video here... Mitcorp - Broadcast and professional solutions (http://www.mitcorp.com/public/cvp_videos.php?vID=62&quality=med)

With those kind of prices being tossed around my $500 laptop seems like a really cheap solution. It has it's own Express Card slot. I use Shotput Pro to import the files from the card and transfer them to an external hard drive that is connected to the laptop via firewire (or USB). Shotput Pro will transfer it to the laptop if I like as well for a backup. I could have used Clip Browser on the laptop instead of Shotput Pro for a free solution if I chose to.

Then I simply connect the External Hard drive to my editing computer and use Clip Browser to import it.

John