SanDisk intros 8GB, 16GB ExpressCards for camcorders

ExpressCard-based camcorders are still a pretty rare breed, but SanDisk looks set to keep them supplied with storage, today announcing the first product in its new SanDisk Express line. Dubbed simply the SanDisk ExpressCard, it'll be available in both 8GB and 16GB varieties, letting you record 30 or 60 minutes of high definition video, respectively. In the case of Sony's upcoming XDCAM EX, however, you'll be able to double up on storage thanks to the cam's dual ExpressCard slots. That will be a fairly expensive proposition though, with the cards set to demand $500 for the 8GB and $900 for the 16GB when they're released in November.

[Baby-G @ Sep 13th 2007 11:24AM]

hey a soloution for that aiptek camcorder after all... lmao

[esoterica @ Sep 13th 2007 11:32AM]

Why wouldn't someone just use a $70 8GB SDHC card in a $30 ExpressCard SD card reader?

[LondonConsultant @ Sep 13th 2007 1:08PM]

Well, because the bandwidth wouldn't be sufficient for the intended applications (such as XDCAM video) using SDHC, unless you put those SDHC chips in a RAID array in the ExpressCard. Actually, Panasonic did that (a RAID 0 array of PCMCIA cards) to create the P2 cards for their news gathering camcorders - and that's a stop-gap solution...

[Jon Bendtsen @ Sep 13th 2007 2:05PM]

Maybe because a SD card + an expresscard reader is not fast enough?

[chris fredette @ Sep 13th 2007 12:14PM]

Is this some special high reliable ram or something. I find it funny that Sandisk just released the "view" MP3 player with 16GB for $200 msrp. That obviously has way more electronics, headphones, a screen... for 1/5 the price?? This hurts my head

[Sixxtwo @ Sep 13th 2007 12:00PM]

Seriously, Who are they fooling.

I understand that there may be more manufacturing processes due to the express-card interface and speed, but I am sure there are plenty of those interfaces on the market. Just slapping a few chips behind that is in now way that exspensive. Plus, there is no shortage of space in that chassis compared to a 16GB SDHC, so you know it isnt one single chip.

I think when they hit the market they will be priced around $350 and $650, and w/ that much cash I could do a 'Scrooge McDuck money dive' in to the pile of SD cards and converters I would have.

=D try again!
6

[tomboys @ Sep 13th 2007 12:10PM]

I still like to go old school... I much prefer tape.

http://www.metacafe.com/channels/tomboys/

[kenneth durril @ Sep 14th 2007 9:37AM]

This price sounds obscene if you compare it to standard flash memory, but this will transfer HD video at around 124MBps based on Sony's current HD formats.
The competeing standard from Panasonic, The P2 Card, costs $850 for a 16GB card and it only transfers data at half the speed. It is priced for businesses who will expense the cost, not truely the general public.
I would guess that SSDs will become more and more like this.
I would assume that an eSATA II hhd would be a cheaper solution despite the comprimise in max throughput.

[Cash @ Sep 13th 2007 1:07PM]

Yeah, I gotta call BS on this pricing scheme. $900 bucks for 32 gigs I could understand, but for 16gigs? Who the hell are you kidding Samsung? I could rig up a portable 2.5" HDD enclosure with an express card eSATA adapter and tape it to the side of the camera, giving me 5-6 times the storage for a third the price you're asking for this thing. It might not look as slick or pretty as your config, but for $600 bucks less I'll deal with it.

[dj-kenpo @ Sep 13th 2007 3:39PM]

acctually you couldn't. unless you hacked the camera as they are designed to foil attempts at doing just that. also, you wouldn't be running around shooting film on a harddrive unless it was little tommy riding his bike. these are more for the semi pro that atleast enters film festivals but still isn't hollywood millions.

[Cash @ Sep 13th 2007 5:34PM]

Don't know where you've been lately, but HardDrives have gotten pretty shock resistant in the last decade or so champ. When you're dealing with thousands of dollars worth of video equipment, you tend to treat it gently as well. Also, with this steep of a price delta, I'm fairly sure there is already a healthy hacker camp that has solved or will shortly solve any lockdowns the camera's might use.

[david @ Sep 13th 2007 1:35PM]

Since when does 16 GB = 1 hour? I thought it was more like 10 GB = 1 hour?

[LondonConsultant @ Sep 14th 2007 5:21AM]

HDV records at 25Mbps, but the new PMW-EX1 camcorder (Sony's first XDCAM camcorder to use of these cards) records at 35Mpbs...

[RT671 @ Sep 13th 2007 2:54PM]

:: Pricing ::
The iPod Touch with 16 GB will retail for $399. That's with a bunch of other costs added - hardware, software, design, licenses, etc.

The 16 GB ExpressCard is essentially the same type of memory with a controller and a thin metal casing.

Maybe the lack of customers is driving the prices up.


:: Other Uses ::

I'd love to get my hands on one of these... preferably something in the 32 GB and above range. It would be the shared media drive on my MBP so I have access to the same files when I run Windows. I'd store music, photos, videos, and documents on it.

Anyone happen to know if the ExpressCard slot can be booted from on a MBP?

[dj-kenpo @ Sep 13th 2007 3:42PM]

can these then be used isntead of panasonics p2 cards? they seem a bit cheaper.

as for the people commenting on size/price. these are faster, and not meant for your lappy or $300 camcorder. they're for use in $4000 hd cams.

[Mike Lynch @ Sep 13th 2007 7:30PM]

This is a funny story. Not funny like in humour... but funny as in Sony said these cards would cost around 60 to 80 dollars Australian. They made this claim while pimping their upcoming XDCAM EX at SMPTE, and how stated how affordable the memory would be. What a load of crap!!

[goldcd @ Sep 15th 2007 7:57PM]

A slightly more useful erm use for these would be to shove in your laptop and use as scratch drive.