EX SxS Cards in Mac Pro ExpressCard/34 slot?

[Don Greening]

[Bob Douglas] “Has anyone used the EX SxS Cards in a Mac Pro ExpressCard/34 slot yet? “

Yes. A Mac Pro is a desktop and doesn’t have an Express 34 slot. A Macbook Pro is a laptop and does have the slot.

[Bob Douglas] “Did it just mount on the Desktop or is software required? “

It won’t mount on the desktop without the software driver from Sony which is free.

[Bob Douglas] “Are the Video files QuickTime’s or do they have to be converted, if so is it time consuming?”

You need the XDCAM Transfer software to transfer the the files, which is also free from Sony. The files are in an .mp4 wrapper and the transfer software will convert them to QT .mov files during the transfer. The above software comes included on a disc with shipping PMW EX1 cameras and is also available from the Sony web site as a free download.

[Bob Douglas] “What kind of transfer speeds are you seeing?”

Around 9 times real time.

https://forums.creativecow.net/readpost/142/856240

– Don

[Bob Douglas]

Yes, I meant MacBook Pro, thanks for the correction!

So does the Sony Transfer Software do the Conversion to Quicktime while moving the files off the flash cards at 9X? Or, do you have to move them first, then do the conversion? I’m just curious as to how much extra time the QT conversion adds to the process?

Bob

Bob Douglas
FX Productions
http://www.fxpro.net

[Don Greening]

[Bob Douglas] “So does the Sony Transfer Software do the Conversion to Quicktime while moving the files off the flash cards at 9X?”

That’s correct. There is no extra time added for conversion during the transfer because the actual file is not being re-written, the .mp4 wrapper is simply being removed.

– Don

[Mark Palmos]

yeah, as don says, when you are importing the stuff to you macbook, the conversion process is invisible and the transfer is extremely fast… I think its about than twice as fast as doing it from the camera to computer via USB.
mark.

[Don Greening]

[Mark Palmos] ” think its about than twice as fast as doing it from the camera to computer via USB.”

It’s reportedly up to 9 times faster than real time, Mark.

– Don

[Mark Palmos]

hey don
yeah, 9x real time, but i think the usb is about 4x real time… hence my maths 😉
catcha later mate
mark.

[Don Greening]

Understood.

– Don

[Craig Seeman]

I’m only getting 1.3x via USB to my G5 Dual desktop. Yes it’s a USB2 port. Yes the hard drive is 7200rpm of course. I was hoping for something close to 3x. I’ll get a MacBookPro laptop eventually as well as MacPro.

I’d really hope someone comes out with a PCIe card with Express port or, hope against hope, Apple announces that they’re including such ports (even as a build to order) in their next round of MacPro updates.

[Mark Palmos]

[Craig Seeman] ”
I’m only getting 1.3x via USB to my G5 Dual desktop. Yes it’s a USB2 port.”

Hi Craig
there must be something wrong here mate!
ive just plugged the camera with the sony clip software and drivers installed into my 6 year old PC with xp and timed the import of a HQ (35mbps) 2minute41 second clip… 35 seconds. So it should definitely be a little faster than 4x with USB2.

I dont know what to suggest, i know on PC’s sometimes you have to remove the usb drivers then restart windows to have it able to see usb2 for the fist time (“enhanced usb”) – perhaps some mac fundi can help you out there.
Mark.

[Craig Seeman]

Mark, an EX1 user on another Forum with an Intel Mac Quad 2.66GHz told me they’re only getting 2x.

Can others post their USB transfer speeds and computer used? I’m wondering if there’s a Mac USB issue or maybe some sort of Mac specific driver issue.