Jay, if you have two Kensingtons in the EX at the same time and were to leave the Kensingtons in and only remove the SDHC cards, the EX can get confused on current memory slot assignment.

This is due to the EX is designed to have the entire expresscard (SxS) removed, not its internal memory.

BTW, you can still do this, but you need to make sure your on the correct memory slot.

Now, if you use two Kensingtons and eject the expresscard when removing (like you would with SxS) leaving the SDHC in the Kensington, they work just like the SxS cards.

The cost of the 16GB SanDisk Ultra II 15MB/s SDHC card and the Kensington 7-in-1 is little over $100 USD.
At this price you could buy TEN of these and throw them in your carry bag for the cost of ONE 16GB SxS card!

The SxS cards still have their use. You will need them for overcrank and for the times you can not have the EX1 memory door left open.
Also, the SxS cards should be fast enough for Sony's future 4:2:2 50mbps EX cameras.

I've followed this thread with interest especially since I've bought x1 32Gb and x2 16GB SxS cards at huge costs!

However I have one question to ask: would anyone be willing to record on these SDHC substitute cards a one off unrepeatable event such as weddings? My main line of work is weddings and I still cannot bring myself to use this substitutes in events that cannot be repeated and where the client might sue you if you fail to deliver the goods.

My event work is ALL non-repeatable. I ordered my SDHC and Kensingtons this week. Though I won't be sued if it fails, it's still a heavy burden. ALL of these mediums are subject to issues. Tapes were subject to issues with airport x-ray machines and magnets. We used to have to make sure our DATs never got too close to our near-field monitors which weren't shielded in the old days. Opticals get scratched. All these memory cards are subject to static discharge.

Personally, if I was betting my business on this, I'd go with something like the convergent which allows RAID or mirroring of the cards. That way you'd get real fault tolerance. But I am more than comfortable with the SDHC cards to "bet the farm" if you will on the footage being no more problematic than the SxS. This is one reason I am buying an adapter for every SDHC card and just using it like an SxS card.

Brian, I understand that concern and for those who already have the needed SxS cards for their projects, I would not use the SDHC/Kensington. In this case, there would be no need to use the SDHC combo.

I've been using the EX1 everyday for over a month with the Kensington/SDHC. It has not failed once!
The Kensington/Ultra II 15MB/s SDHC card can overcrank to 40FPS without an error.
This equates to sustaining over 8.3MB/s. HQ (35mbps) modes peak at 5MB/s and normally runs around (35/8) 4.3MB/s.

At 8.3MB/s this is decent headroom and explains why this combo works so well in HQ modes.

For wedding or special event footage, I centainly understand why someone may stick with the SxS. But, for anything else, it's certainly fine.

Having said that, the Kensington and SanDisk SDHC works so good I'm starting to believe it's safe for everything. Only time will tell, but one month and not one error it sure appears to work well.

I would agree, I'm shooting with 3 Ex1's next month with SDHC combo's in all, each camera has 2 Kensingtons and 4x 16gb cards, I'll be so happy not to have to download to my laptop during the shoot, as I used to with SxS - just because I now have more capacity than I could previously afford - I mean 12 16gb SxS cards is a lot a dough!

I may even use Transcends class 6 cards which I'm currently very happy with testing so far, and at £240 for 12 cards that I can give to the client, well it's a steal - cheaper than HDCam tape stock too!

I'm no more worried about data loss than I was with tapes and head problems/magnetic issues and physical transport problems on tape based cameras.

Paul

Brian I have shoot five wedding using the SDHC combo Transcend 16GB & 8GB cards, with no errors. Lost footage is not an issue for me because I always shoot Two to Three Camera angles. I also own (4) 16gb SXS cards and almost bought (2)32gb SXS now I going for the Sandisk 32gb SDHC, $300 vs $2798.00. With the money I have saved , I pre-ordered a Canon 5d Mark II. I aslo have a dislaimer in my contracts that covers me in the event of lost footage.

Thanks for the clarification, Steven. I would have never thought to remove only the SDHC card from the adaptor.

Now it all makes sense. Much appreciated!

Would be interested to hear how your set up goes - Im assuming you plan to use the 5dMkII footage to suppliment your EX1's. This was what I had in mind but not sure how well the canon footage at 30fps would integrate with the EX1 at? (do you shoot 24p?)

Nikon D90 does 720p24

I also do still Photography, not too interested in the video mode. I own (2) EX1's
most of my projects are 24p and 60p final product goes to Blu-Ray.

I've been following this thread and am ready to try the SDHC setup with my EX1. There are two things I'm not totally clear on :
1) Can you shoot 1080 60i HQ to the SDHC cards?
2) Does use of the Kensington/SDHC require the v 1.1 firmware, or will it work with the preceeding firmware (v 1.05??) as well.
Thanks

Yes I know the D90 does 720 at 24 but from what Ive seen and heard the codec is horrid so it would stand out like dogs danglers compared to the pristine EX1 shots.

I know the canon isnt out yet but supposedly its codec is much cleaner, it does 1080 and has many other polished features in video mode that would make it a better choice. Then again it costs way more than the D90 so you would hope this to be the case.

I just thought if footage from the canon could be intercut nicely with the EX1 (matching the frame rates) then you could cut in some amazing shallow DOF visuals with minimal fuss compared to using a letus rig or similar.

Just one other concern with the SDHC option - what if sony decide to block this in a later firmware release? I know everyone would say simply dont upgrade the FW but what if its something you really need? Worse what if your camera breaks and needs to be serviced. Sony would be well within their right to refuse to service it unless the firmware was upgraded...? What if the upgrade was not reversible...?

I guess if you bought the EX1 budgeting in SxS before SDHC was an option then no biggie - but it your sole reason for buying was because SDHC suddenly made it an option then this would hurt big-time.

Not trying to be a negative nancy here, just trying to work through all the pro's and Con's

I think, rendition of images will be completely different, since lenses are different.

It does not seem to me canon will intercut seemlessly unless you use same lenses in front of EX1 (such as using 35mm adapter like LEX etc.) - which you seem to be trying to avoid...

I already own some great Nikon lenses, so I'll wait till Nikon comes up with the second generation of video-capturing cams, I guess :)

Yes, you can shoot ANY HQ mode.

No, you need version 1.11

Well, I guess at that point you will have to decide if the added benefits of a newer upgrade are better than the cheaper memory solution. Man, it would have to offer some serious gadgets to even make me consider, and even then...

You're right, if you send it in they may upgrade the software.

Having said that, they offered the USB over the expresscard slot to enable their new portable capture drive to work. If they disabled this access, they would render ALL of their PHU-60K drives already sold useless... not a smart move.

I REALLY believe this is GREAT news for Sony!
I've already spoke to several who are now considering buying the EX1 due to cheaper memory cards (SDHC). SxS easily raises the price a couple thousand dollars.

If I were Sony, I would be working on their own expresscard adapter. I'd be willing to spend a "bit" more to be able to have Sony approved expresscards and close the dang EX1 memory door! lol

Steven
Thanks for your reply.
RE: Sony- they may well be making much more profit from the sale of the SxS cards than they are from the camera. Hard to read their motives, but there is the iron law that memory always gets cheaper over time. They'll give in eventually.

Since SxS stands for Sony by Sandisk (at least what I've heard) and it's the latest technology, I'm not sure about the profit margin.

Blocking the use of SDHC would also probably block the use of the PHU-60. I don't think Sony would do that.

Spot on. I have now ordered 4 32Gb Ultra 11's with 4 Kensingtons. No need to touch the sdhc cards once they are in the kensingtons. Just leave them in there. That is more than ample for a full days wedding shoot. As soon as the cards arrive and I have done full testing, all buut one of my 16Gb and all my 8Gb SXS cards will be up for grabs on ebay.

You mean like the profit on ink cartridges after you buy a reasonably priced printer?

John

This is one of those moments I dread. Evidently, I've missed something in this overly long thread.

Am I to understand that using the Kensington adaptors with the SDHC cards prevents one from closing the door on card slots?

Correct

Paul.

It's no big deal, especially when you think about the cost.

I expect sony or sandisk will make a push/push adaptor soon.

Paul.

2mm and an open door to save around $800 for 16GB
some say that's not a bad trade off.

There must be money in someone designing a plastic moulding to go over the gap. With such savings on card costs a reasonable charge could be made with out causing pain.

I thought I heard it said you could close the door with the EX-3 Just not the EX-1?

Yes I read it too that the EX3 door does close.

Boy, I hope you guys are right! Guess I'll find out tomorrow when they arrive.

This has been previously discussed and confirmed that yes you can close the EX3 door:

See http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/944239-post340.html

Dang, Chris, do you have every post on this site memorized? ;o)

Thanks!

Warning
 

Based on a recommendation in this thread, I bought 4 Cables Unlimited Card Readers from Buy.com and 4 SanDisk UltraII 16GB SDHC cards from Amazon. The EX-1 will not recognize them at all. Doesn't even say "media error" or anything. I'm assuming the SanDisk cards are good but the camera does not see the reader. When I insert it in my laptop, it sees it but takes forever to load and gets confused. So - a $135 mistake. I have no trouble recording on Lexar SSD 8GB cards.

Firmware 1.11.

I guest you did not read my post stick with the Kensington reader

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/sony-xdca...tml#post950159

Ronn
No biggie, just send the adaptors back and get the Kensingtons.

I bought four from Buy.com as well, however I haven't opened them and I haven't purchased the Lexar SDHC cards, nor have I upgraded the firmware yet.

Alex said that he has to reinsert the Card readers a few times to get them to be recognized then he says he never has a problem. It was around $50 for the four of them and there is a $5 rebate. I was going to keep them, but now I am not sure it is worth it if in fact they do not work at all for you.

John

I tried reinserting them like 46 times. Finally it said "format?" I said yes, then it said "cannot format" and "unrecognizable media" or words to that effect. Tried several times after and nothing. Nada. Zilch.

I just take the bubble gum in my mouth and carefully mold it over the exposed innards on my EX1 when I can't close the door. Footage really wants to POP with this setup.
;o)

Nope. My secret lies in knowing how to use the "Search This Thread" function.

Any PC gurus out here? I am trying to update my camera, but am getting stuck trying to get the stupid USB driver to install.

Are you at the point you insert the USB cable?

If so, make sure your using the hidden USB port on the EX1. It's hidden under a cover held by two screws.