Archived XxS News
24 Apr 09: Sounds like the new Transcend 32GB Class 6 SDHC
card is getting the thumbs up by all those using it so far. It
appears this is the 32GB SDHC card to get at the moment.
24 Apr 09: It appears the consensus is the new Sandisk Ultra II 32GB
Class 4 SDHC cards do not work properly (the 16's still work fine).
Best to avoid them and for now read the info above this entry.
11 Apr 09: Some concerning news coming through about the
latest version of the Sandisk Ultra II 32GB Class 4 SDHC card.
There are a few reports coming through they no longer work with any XxS
adaptor.
11 Apr 09: Fear not, the concern that only MxM would be left in the
split of MxR to MxM and MxR was unfounded. It appears both
products will remain firmly in the market along with the card also
branded under at least one other third party name.
10 Apr 09: Hoodman appears to be trying to get in the XxS
game releasing their own adaptor. Unfortunately for them it is
more expensive than all the others, and other than their word, they can
offer no evidence to show why it is any better. Read more towards the
bottom of this page.
16 Mar 09: My last Kensington adaptor is now on eBay, all
others have been sold.
Follow this link if you want to grab it.
28 Feb 09: A new name to an old adaptor. The
MxR adaptor is now also available as the "MxM"
card. Same adaptor, different label. Just a case of a few people not
getting along anymore creating competition in the marketplace. My advise,
if your going with this adaptor, buy which ever is the cheapest, the only real
difference is the sticker. It isn't quite clear but the MxM could be the
only adaptor available in the end. As long as there is a least one it
doesn't matter which one it is.
24 Feb 09: Fortunately it seems that
the fears of version 1.12 firmware for the EX1 would disable XxS support
were unfounded. There have been a few reports from people with
1.12 which report they can still use XxS, therefore it would appear you
can disregard the warning below from the 5 Feb 09.
5 Feb 09: Had a very interesting bit
of news come my way recently. I can't (and won't) say anything
more at the moment but I seriously recommend, for the moment at least,
if you are buying an EX1 or EX3 new you:
If you send in your camera for service, make sure you explicitly detail on the service documentation that the firmware not be upgraded on an EX3 or upgraded beyond 1.11 on the EX1 or you will not accept the unit back from service. This may be an over reaction but just in case, don't say I didn't warn you.
5 Feb 09: Due to too many people asking to reserve a
Kensington's but not finalising their orders, I am putting my last 6 on
eBay, one at a time. They will ship with a 16GB Ultra II card.
The first listing is
here. I have had to up the price a little to cover eBay and
PayPal costs. After these cards are sold, that's it for me, I'm
out of stock.
15 Jan 09: I have a small shipment of Kensington K33407 adaptor here for
anyone looking for one or two. I should have a few more in about a
week. This will be my last shipment. The K33407, in my
opinion, is still the best and most robust adaptor you can get,
especially for EX3 users. My preference is to ship to local buyers
in Australia but if you are overseas feel free to ask. All cards
have been tested in an EX1.
9 Jan 09: There has been news around about a new SD standard called
SDXC (SD Xtreme Capacity) with up to 2TB storage. Before you
go getting too excited consider this: First, 2TB cards are many years
away and SDXC may be well replaced before they become a reality anyway,
and second, the card specs details the use of the
exFAT file system which
our cameras will not recognise so without the addition of the
exFAT file system to
the EX cameras in a firmware update. The file system may not even be
recognised, let along the media itself. Maybe if you can format
SDXC to FAT32 and they have some backwards compatible mode we might get
64GB compatibility etc but as there is no 64GB SxS we don't even know if
the current firmware would support it anyway.
8 Jan 09: Verbatim confirmed by email their new Express Card SSDs are
not compatible with our EX cameras.
7 Jan 09: Verbatim have just announced a new PCI Express based Express
Card flash drive range basically the same as SxS but with write speed
somewhere between the Sandisk Ultra II & Extreme III SDHC cards.
Quoting a RRP of US$150 for 32GB and US$300 for 64GB it is a cheaper
solution than equivalent XxS at those capacities not requiring any
adaptor. The 16GB is more expensive than 16GB SDHC however they do
have much faster offload speed than SDHC. I don't believe it will
be compatible with the EX1/3 however it does make a clear statement to
the market of what capacities, performance and prices can be achieved in
product segment and Sony should be taking note and releasing a "SxS
Standard" with similar specs of these Verbatim cards at the same price.
Don't hold your breath though.
2 Jan 09: The first basic version of the video demonstrating an EX1
firmware upgrade is now up on Vimeo,
Check it out at here.
27 Dec 08: After seeing lots of new reports of the 32GB Sandisk Ultra II
15MBps Class 4 SDHC card working a treat in all adaptors I think we can
pretty much call this one a done deal. Currently they are
available in the US for about US$150 which is just shy of twice the
price of 2x16GB cards but still a small fraction of the 32GB SxS card.
26 Dec 08: The new domain appears to be in full swing and operational so
this site will now be referenced though it, although all old links will
either continue to function or simply redirect you to the new URL in
time. Here is the new URL for this site:
http://www.xdcamexinfo.com/sdassxs.
Anyone who has web sites that link here, it would be appreciated to
change the links to this new one. Thanks.
24 Dec 08: Coming soon, this site will have move to a completely new
site dedicated to EX shooters!
www.xdcamexinfo.com coming
soon. The old URL will continue to work and will redirect all
those links out there to the new site for this page
http://www.xdcamexinfo.com/sdassxs.
24 Dec 08: First reports of receipt by a user of the generic
Chinese adaptor modified for flush mount SD has already indicate similar
probability of receiving a faulty adaptor. 1 out of 4 failed.
Its not like this hasn't happened with all the other adaptors as well
though, including the Kensingtons.
24 Dec 08: While it is taking a little longer than I had hoped to get
some more Kensingtons out of Europe the good news is a few more than I
was expecting might make there way here. I'm not talking a lot here, so
please don't flood me with international requests for them, they will be
for locals (Australian's only) and with the number of requests already
received they are most likely already allocated anyway...
23 Dec 08: First reports of a positive compatibility between the new
Sandisk 32GB SDHC Ultra II 15Mbps cards and the Kensington adaptor have
appeared. That's an early Merry Christmas to all, ho ho ho.
These cards should be available in Australia during Jan 09.
22 Dec 08: Well, Expansys seem to have removed the Kensington adaptor
from their web site. Looks like no second order for them and we
are back to this adaptor not appearing again...
22 Dec 08: I am now in the process of making a little video tutorial on
how to update your EX1 to firmware 1.11, hopefully to be released before
the new year.15 Dec 08: I got a call from the Australian distributor of Kensington (Expansys)
telling me their shipment of K33407US readers had come in. I was
able to pass on my order to allow someone else to get it as I have
enough of my own but it is interesting to note that they have received
stock now, after the rumours of the card being discontinued appeared
true. They even anticipate another shipment early next year.
If Sony had anything to do with the stopping of manufacturing of this
card, one would hope with the discovery of other options out there
(especially the cheap generic Chinese ones etc) there was little point
in trying to stop KxS any more (try dropping prices of SxS, that will do
it). Time will tell.
11 Dec 08: After a good chat with Delkin I have to say it is not
looking promising for the re-introduction of the old eFilm adaptor.
This is most definitely not through a lack of trying on Delkin's part and
they have other developments they hope will also be of benefit to our
community in the future, but at least for now don't hold your breath for
the sudden re-introduction of the old adaptor.
10 Dec 08: There have been an occasional report of problems with
some of the Delkins people are sourcing out of the box (but also with
many more very happy owners without problems), like with all the adaptors so far,
problems seem to be only out of the box, not developing after a period of
good use. This is something I have let Delkin know about.
9 Dec 08: It appears I will have another small shipment of Kensington's
arriving soon. Due to the limited numbers they will only be
available to local purchasers (Australians). If you are looking
for Kensington readers, there still seems to be stock available in some
European countries. They are the K33407EU which work the same as the US
model and appear to be the same card anyway. On both the US and EU
the cards they are marked just as K33407 without either the US or EU
notation.
9 Dec 08: I have seen online a test card similar to the Delkin
(but with some diff's) that is meant to be released soon. It is
based of one the generic Chinese card designs with a push to eject load
mechanism. I can't post any details as they have not been provided
to me.
6 Dec 08: Received an email from Delkin reassuring us that they are
still working on getting the eFilm adaptor into production again, more
news expected fairly soon.
5 Dec 08: Finally the shipment of Kensington readers has arrived.
I will get them out on Monday. No new news on the Delkins yet.
4 Dec 08: A few updates to the compatibility list. More
updates to come soon too. No news on the Delkins yet.
2 Dec 08: I have just discussed with Delkin their different cards and
the various versions on the market, it appears I got the cards the wrong
way around in release dates. Here is the official report:
The compatible card with the eFilm logo that allows the card to mount
flush is the OLD model. The non compatible version with the 'DD'
Delkin Device logo that the SD card sticks well out of is the NEW model.
The new model has only been on the market for about 1-2months which
explains why there is still a lot of the old model around. Delkin
are investigating the possibility of resurrecting the old model for our
purposes. I should have an update from Delkin by about Wed/Thur
about this card so please hang in their for a little while. To
date Delkin have been excellent to liase with and they seem to fully
appreciate what these cards mean to us as EX shooters. As soon as
I know more, you will too. Please confirm which card you are
getting if you are ordering online and can't physically see it yourself.
If you have received the 'new' card, Delkin have said "return to where
they bought or go to our website under customer service".
29 Nov 08: Updated to show an accurate image of the latest and tested
Delkin card as the image from Delkin's web site appears to be of their
previous model. Make sure your Delkin card looks like the one in
this page. I will have a chat with Delkin next week to find out
which stickers are on which cards, just be careful which one you order
for now.
27 Nov 08: If you are interested in pre-ordering (no payment required)
the replacement for the Kensington reader please email me at
glasseye@glasseye.com.au
with your name and how many you would like. These readers will be
a little more than the Kensington's to start with (probably $10-$15
more). As they are a push to insert/push to eject reader they
accept the SD cards all the way in so allow the EX1's door to close.
This offer is for Australian's only at the moment, for users in other countries you
should be able to order it
locally. I shot my first job on it last night without any problems
(in HQ) and so far it is at least matching the performance of the
Kensington including overcranking.
26 Nov 08: Supplies of the K33407US seem to be drying up, it is
not looking good. On the other hand there are some very
interesting developments happening in the background that 'may' make
everyone very happy again. More news soon.
26 Nov 08: That tiny shipment of readers from the US arrived and have
already been allocated. Hopefully there are some more coming very
soon but not enough for the demand I already have sorry. I don't
expect any more in after that.
25 Nov 08: I am getting multiple reports of Kensington telling
people the reader is discontinued and is no long available even by
calling their customer service. I am trying to get to the bottom
of this at least to know where we stand.
22 Nov 08: In the topsy turvy rumour mill of availability of the
Kensington readers B&H recently changed it to 'discontinued' and Kensington removed the buy it option from their own web
site, however an email from their technical support states that "We
would like to inform that you can always buy 7-in-1 Media Reader for
ExpressCard® slot model number 33407 by contacting our customer service.
Please call our customer support toll-free number 1-800-235-6708 from
Monday through Friday anytime, between 7:30am and 4:30pm Pacific Time
for more help". Seriously, who knows what is really happening.
20 Nov 08: Today I received an email with a comment from Kensington
about their K33407US. In summary, their technical support response
quite specifically says this reader is not discontinued, they have no
plans to discontinue it, and it is one of their best selling products!
So assuming this technician has passed on accurate information, just be
patient sourcing your readers, while I might have a limited number on
the way it also sounds like
Expansys will
have shipments for down under very soon although for the importer, they
are quite expensive (only a few dollars less than I could do importing a
few at a time from full retail purchases...)
19 Nov 08: So while we are at it trying to save money on SxS media buy
using KxS, why not save a bundle on a remote lens controller while you
are at it (if you already have a professional lens controller that is).
Read about it here.
19 Nov 08: I am receiving more and more unofficial reports that
Kensington have now discontinued the reader (including from my supplier
who was trying to send me my shipment). This is unconfirmed,
however, if true, the hunt will be on for a replacement! These
readers are certainly out of stock nearly everywhere I can see at the
moment.
19 Nov 08: :-( Of the two anticipated shipments only 5 units
will be delivered. Our supplier has let us down and I will be
looking for an alternative source just like everyone else... If
you live in the US and can help with forward shipping readers to
Australia please let me know.
19 Nov 08: Added: New page:
SHAVING KxS, this is a must read for all EX1 KxS
users but read ALL the warnings carefully!
19 Nov 08: Still awaiting update from supplier, check back here in
a day or two, hopefully I will know more by then.
15 Nov 08: In a set back the first shipment arrived at its
mid destination however only 1/5 of the units were received. The
supplier has explained that the remaining units were shipped to someone
else instead (even after sending multiple payment requests and receiving
my payment) leaving us high and dry (is this common for US online
department stores?!). The previously anticipated second shipment
is now looking like at best it will be the missing part of the first
shipment. Any further shipments will likely be at increased cost
as they will have to be shipped directly to my from the US at the shops
high international prices. This is why no pre payments were asked
for. Nothing paid, nothing guaranteed!
12 Nov 08: For Aussies buyers it is looking good for an
at least and additional 20 units arriving about 1-2 weeks after the
first shipment arrives (the first shipment has started to make its way
to me but has a two stop delivery from the US). So far about 25%
of this second shipment has already been pre-allocated so please don't
hold back waiting, this could be the last opportunity I get to get them
in at this price. After this they will probably have to ship to me
directly and that will probably add at least $15 per unit.
10 Nov 08:
All cards from my first shipment are
now allocated however please let me know if you want one (Aussies that
is). I am hopeful of securing a second shipment but only if I have
the demand so your 'backorders' are vital. There is no financial
commitment up front, just an email to me
(glasseye@glasseye.com.au).
8 Nov 08: Only one card from the initial shipment
remains unallocated however please let me know if you want these cards
(and how many) as I am hopeful of the opportunity for a second batch,
but only if I see the local demand. I am still hoping the price
will be AU$85 inc GST.
6 Nov 08: Great New for Aussies, I have secured a
shipment of Kensington K33407US readers which should arrive in about 2
weeks. Email me at
glasseye@glasseye.com.au if you would like to secure some of these
units (please specify how many you want). There are limited number so
please be quick.