Since these SDHC threads are so long, it's worthwhile to read your digest. I see about four seconds in MxR adapter for either my Transcend 16 GB Green stripe or Sandisk Extreme III 30MB 16GB. I'm waiting for some new, faster SDHCs in hopes that they would relieve the errors caused by starting/stopping recording when the green light has not yet illuminated. Sandisk, we're wating for the 45 or 60 MB/sec editions.

Here is a reply from MxM to my questions submitted via email in December 2009.

"Is your MxM physically different from your original MxR design?" ... MxM
and MxR were the same up to about June/July 2009. From August we were
shipping a new design with a new IC chipset. We've had our card improved in
relation to 32GB memory card compatibility whereas the previous MxM and MxR
only worked with 16GB memory cards and Transcend 32GB class 6.

Yes it is now physically and electronically different to the original MxR.
We have tested the new lockable MxM and Hoodmans for months before the
release to ensure compatibility with different memory cards including 32GB.
The new IC chipset is able to see far more 32GB than before and a little
faster than the original MxR card <rest of line deleted by request of MxM>.


"One fellow stated that original MxR worked only with Transcend cards. Is
that true?" ... No. The original MxR worked with many 16GB memory cards,
SanDisk, ATP Pro, Silicon Power but not with 32GB (only Transcend 32GB).
Perhaps that's where the confusion starts.

As we do testing and production with the memory cards and adapters by hand,
we have been able to identify the best memory card for digital video such as
ATP Pro, where we could actually liaise with the manufacturer in Taipei, and
fine tune the firmware for Sony's EX/EX3 and now EX1R.

In regards to your error "The error is Media Restore, but the EX1 does not
complete a card format successfully." Unfortunately in this situation you
have to scenarios.
1. The memory card is faulty which can be easily checked by using a
different adapter. If this memory card works in another adapter, you know
then the memory card is fine.
2. The adapter has stopped working but check it with another memory
card.
Sometimes when the manufacturer of memory cards keep changing their
firmware, the camera will have issues reading and writing into the memory
card. Consequently the controller on the memory card will have a similar
issue.
Therefore, Sony has recognized these shortfalls and with the new memory
stick adapter, they will only recommend one type of memory stick. It is
easier for them to control the adapter and one memory sticking knowing the
firmware and the manufacturing will be consistent and they can trace the
problem easier if there are any present. But, this scenario will be costly
for the end user. At the moment we have the same situation where ATP Pro has
been the most reliable memory card, almost durability wise on level with SxS
Pro. I'm sure there will be more memory on the market with the same
manufacturing standards.

We done a lot of tests with different memory, adapters and so on, and we've
identified several reasons for memory cards to fail:
A. fragility of firmware;
B. manufacturing of memory cards with cheap components which do not
withstand the test of time;
C. user error and mishandling.

As well, we'd like to emphasize in our tests, we use SanDisk, ATP Pro,
Hoodman Raw, Transcend. Occasionally on cheaper memory, eg SanDisk class 4
and Transcend class 6 only at 32GB level, we get a media error but no cards
or adapter has ever failed on us, in our tests. The 2 major things I avoid
are:

* We don't use SxS Pro cards during testing; so the tests we've done
are on USB 2.0 based interface only.
* When we use SxS Pro we use the Slot A for SxS Pro cards (PCIe
interface) and Slot B for MxM cards (USB interface). So if we use SxS in
Slot B, then we will use MxM in Slot A (vice versa).
We have encountered problems when we use SxS and MxM with memory
cards in the same slot one after another.
They run on different voltage and they really confuse Sony's camera
logic.

"Also, I notice that SanDisk Extreme III 16GB 30MB/sec is pictured in the
group pictures of SDHC cards but is not included in your list of
approved/tested SDHC cards. Please tell." This is an omission by error. We
have tested these and they work fine. We will amend our website and thank
you for pointing this out to us.

We notice as well there are a lot of companies bringing new memory out in
the market where they claim improvement in HD recording. Hopefully, they
have recognized that the firmware for HD recording is not the same as the
firmware for still photography. Also the internal components will be of a
higher standard.

Please understand there is a reason why; for example, Transcend 16GB class 6
costs approx. US$30, and SanDisk Extreme III costs approx. US$80 - $100 and
ATP Pro costs US$60 - US$80, the reason being the components they use in the
manufacturing is for budget for memory cards and accordingly for
professional memory cards.

We hope this is of assistance and don't hesitate to contact us again for any
information.

Kind regards,
Marek and Maggie
MxM Express
(02) 9798 8986
0416 275 389 (cell)
info@mxmexpress.com
MxM Express

I have no doubt the newer MxM cards are a major improvement given the reports I'm reading but I'd point out that I'm using one of the earliest MxR cards (ordered in the first day of release or so) with a Sandisk 32GB Ultra II Class 2 (YES CLASS 2) purchased January '09 and have had no media restore issues.