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Adapter SD Card Media problems …again..a painful lesson in production
I thought I’d share this with everyone. First, I haven’t had a chance to update my firmware in the EX-1 because I’m booked solid through the end of the month, but it’ll be going to Sony next month for the update.
I’m using the SD card adapter with Transcend class 6 cards. On a recent shoot (with 3 cams) I was in the final minute shooting a sunset scene on the beach (no oil yet) and the battery went dead. The next day I loaded the card and it needed the media restored since the camera wasn’t shut down properly. I restored the media and it wiped out EVERYTHING on the card. This is the 2nd time Restore Media has actually deleted my clips.
I’m using two different recovery software programs. I was only able to recover snippits of the clips. Some clips may have been 30 second to 2 minutes and I have maybe 5 seconds with no audio.
In other shoot, I bought the latest SandDisc class 10 card that has been recommended and I received restore media within the first 3 minutes of shooting. I returned the card.
So, after getting a spanking twice, I’ve finally shelled out the $800 for the 32 Gig SxS card and my camera will get updated next month. I’ll still use the adapter after the update for the B-roll shots and other non-critical shoots.
Just thought I’d vent and share another painful lesson in the production blog. …maybe I should have stayed with tape.
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15 Replies
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I hear ya. I got a couple of MxR readers and some Class 6 cards to play with, but ultimately it’s too much of a gamble. I guess over the years I’ve just come to fear the word “adapter” the same way I get a nervous twitch when someone says “barrel.”
When we got our EX1 and EX3, 16GB cards were $1100 or so. Now we just bought some 32GB cards for $800. We have a bunch of 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB cards in service that have traveled the USA and Canada for up to a year and a half without a single issue. They’re worth the money not “saved” trying to go with SD cards as far as I’m concerned. The nature of what we shoot doesn’t allow for second chances, so why risk losing it for a few hundred dollars?
I’ve seen guys on the forums mildly chide new users for not wanting to spend the money on a full-fledged edit program or upgrade in order to take advantage of XDCAM EX footage, but nobody’s saying the same thing about people willing to roll the dice on SD cards. If a good tripod and good software are part of the cost of doing business with an $8,000 camera, why isn’t robust media?
Cf
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Dec 2007 to May 2010 using SDHC and I’ve never lost a clip. There’s no dice role here. You follow proper procedures and buy media that’s been tested and then run your own tests and it works.
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Hi, Brent,
You did not mention, what adapter you were using, also, recent Transcend class 6 cards were reported as having inconsistent quality… The latest MxM / Hoodman lockable and e-LCR lockable (from E-Films) adapters combined with high quality cards, like ATP Promax or Sandisc class 10, have great reliability and are mostly recommended.
The most important thing is to upgrade to the latest firmware version, and, I am sure, you will forget about any kind of media errors…
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I have heard of some terrible stories about firm ware updates. My EX-3 needs updating how would you recommed updating it? Send back to Sony or try it myself….I just can’t part with it right now…. busy for a change…
Thanks
Ronnie Martin
https://www.ramtv.tvRonnie Martin
Kato Video Productions
http://www.dirtracingvideo.com -
After long hesitations I ‘bit a bullet’ and did it myself… Just read and follow the instructions carefully. It is recommended to power the camera from AC and have battery attached also. I did it with a desktop PC. Others recommend using a laptop both with a battery, and AC adapter. Just don’t rush!..
Good Luck!
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[Clint Fleckenstein] “We have a bunch of 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB cards in service that have traveled the USA and Canada for up to a year and a half without a single issue.”
You’ve been to Canada within the last 16 months and you haven’t called me? No cards. No letters. I’m sorta crushed. I would have cooked dinner and stuff.
– Don
Don Greening
Reeltime Videoworks
http://www.reeltimevideoworks.com -
Wasn’t me. It was one of our guys 🙂 I live two hours from the border and have never been more than a hundred feet (30.5m) into Canada! Someday…
Cf
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I used the Hoodman MxR adaptor. I also purchased the new recommeded Class 10 Sand disc SD card. I only used it for one hour and had 3 restor media messages. I returned the card.
I’m thinking maybe my camera might not like these cards. As mentioned I am planning on sending the camera to sony next month for the updates, which should fix most of the problems…I hope.
Brent Dunn
Owner / Director / Editor
DunnRight Video.comSony EX-1, V1U
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 7D
Mac Pro Tower, Quad Core,
with Final Cut StudioHP i7 Quad laptop
w/ Adobe CS-4 Production Suite, After Effects
& CS-5 Production Suite. Window’s 7Manfrotto Tripod’s & Heads
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Ronnie:
I would definetly send it to Sony. I think it’ll be around $130 for the update. I’m also slammed this month….maybe the economy is finally turing for the better. yes, if you update it yourself and don’t follow exactly what is recommended, it might “brick” your camera. If sony screw’s it up, they will back it up with a fix. If you screw it up, it might cost you well over $1,000 in repairs.
Brent Dunn
Owner / Director / Editor
DunnRight Video.comSony EX-1, V1U
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 7D
Mac Pro Tower, Quad Core,
with Final Cut StudioHP i7 Quad laptop
w/ Adobe CS-4 Production Suite, After Effects
& CS-5 Production Suite. Window’s 7Manfrotto Tripod’s & Heads
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Hey Craig:
Yea, I understand your success with the media cards. I’m using what was recommended, but unfortunately I didn’t have the same luck as you. I just think cameras as well as cards manufactured at different times have slightly different operating variance.
I’m sure getting the update done will help, but after loosing the footage on 2 cards after a media restore has shaken my confidence. I’m going into a shoot praying I don’t loose footage. Not a good way to do business.
Luckily I will be able to re-shoot the last card and I have a very understanding client. But, it’s embarrassing to tell a client your media card failed and we need to re-shoot something. It will only turn out better, since I have other ideas for a better shoot anyway.
Brent Dunn
Owner / Director / Editor
DunnRight Video.comSony EX-1, V1U
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 7D
Mac Pro Tower, Quad Core,
with Final Cut StudioHP i7 Quad laptop
w/ Adobe CS-4 Production Suite, After Effects
& CS-5 Production Suite. Window’s 7Manfrotto Tripod’s & Heads
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