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Synchrotech's CFMulti adapter brings Eye-Fi support to CF cameras
Been longing for Eye-Fi support in your Sony a350? Or any CompactFlash-lovin' camera, for that matter? Meet Synchrotech, your new best friend. The company famous for making incredibly useful adapters has just pumped out its latest stroke of genius, the CFMulti. As you'd expect, this card fits into traditional CF slots but enables Secure Digital cards to be read, including Eye-Fi's range of wireless SD cards. In addition to that, the device accepts standard SD / SDHC and MMC / MMC+ cards. You know you'd pay $28 for all that functionality in one tight package, right?[Via MacsimumNews, thanks Robert]
SanDisk ships 16GB 300x Extreme IV CompactFlash card
If you're jonesing for the quickest, most nimble CF card this planet has to offer, you'll be hard pressed to find one quicker and more nimble than this. Following up on Pretec's launch, SanDisk has started shipping its 16GB 300x (45MB/sec) Extreme IV CompactFlash card, which marks a 12.5% increase in speed and 50% boost in capacity compared to its predecessor. Oh, but then there's the $399.99 price tag. We know, right?
Pretec breaks records, banks with 100GB, 64GB, and ultra-fast 32GB CF cards
Remember the days when 64GB sounded huge for a CompactFlash card? Well, now you can pick up the world's largest CF: a 100GB Pretec 233x operating at a zippy 35MB/sec. And if that's not big enough for you, through some kind of crazy voodoo magic (aka Pretec Q-SATA) four 64GB cards can be transformed into a 256GB SATA drive -- assuming you have $1,596 burning a hole in your pocket. And if speed is your game, Pretec can outfit you with a 333x 32GB CF card running at a record-breaking 50MB/sec for merely $630 -- chump change, right? [Via Business Wire]
Nervian's CardReader Pro fits right in with PowerMac G5 / Mac Pro
As your never-ending quest to find peripherals specifically made to match beautifully with your PowerMac G5 / Mac Pro continues, we've one that'll surely shoot right to the top of your must-have list. Nervian's CardReader Pro slips just under the front handle of your tower, providing (almost) integrated card reader functionality without putting a damper on your rig's style. Better still, the USB 2.0 unit supports 52 different flavors of flash memory, ensuring that just about every card you toss in there will mount in short order. There's no word on how costly this will be when it ships in October, but those definitely interested can nab 15% off by signing up for details at the outfit's website.[Thanks, choco]
A-DATA unveils speedy Turbo Series 350X CompactFlash cards
A-DATA's latest CompactFlash cards were designed to be looked at longingly by even the most demanding photographer, and while the average joe probably won't have the kit to appreciate just how speedy these things are, we'll do our best to explain. The Turbo Series CF 350X memory card features a read speed of 52MB/sec and a write speed of 47MB/sec, whereas Delkin's "world's fastest" model packs a sustained read / write rate of 45MB/sec. Regrettably, A-DATA isn't handing out pricing details just yet, but we do know they'll soon be available in 8GB and 16GB editions.[Via Electronista]
SATA / CF / IDE to USB 2.0 Bridge Adapter is way handy
Though there are plenty of whatever-to-USB adapters out there, this critter just tickles our fancy with its extraordinary utility. The SATA / CF / IDE to USB 2.0 Bridge Adapter enables owners to connect CompactFlash cards, SATA drives and even IDE drives to any computer with a spare USB 2.0 port. Which is like, every computer made since forever ago. Usually, we'd suggest that practically every travel pack should possess one of these, but the cheapskate in us still feels the $22 price tag is a few notches too high.
Microdia beats Samsung to market with world's first 64GB CF card
At long last and a full year and a half after Samsung first touted a 64GB Compact Flash card, Microdia steps onto the scene with the world's first product. Almost. By the end of June, Microdia will begin shipping its 64GB XTRA ELITE CF card to the photog masses. The UDMA card brings a sustained read / write speed of 300x or 45MBps making it perfectly suited to high-burst rate DSLRs. Now if only we had a price to calculate the cost of our new 192GB SSD. Full press release after the break.[Via PC Authority]
Sans Digital's CS1T and CR2T turn CF cards into 2.5-inch enclosures
We've seen CF-SATA converters before, but what if you were to create a SATA shaped, sized, and interfaced enclosure and allow users to throw Compact Flash cards in there to make their own SSDs for more standard installs? Sans Digital's CS1T is a single-card Compact Flash CF to 2.5" SATA enclosure and the CR2T is a dual-card enclosure that uses RAID to support up to 64GB. Both utilize IDE and, when closed, look and act just like 2.5-inch HDDs for your various installation needs.
Video: Century's Compact Flash SSD SATA adapter reviewed
Akihabara News managed to snap up Century's 3x Compact Flash adapter for review. As expected, the do-it-yourself SATA adapter aggregates a trio of CF cards and presents them as a single solid state disk to your computer in either RAID 0 (better capacity) or RAID 5 (better integrity) modes. The one caveat is this: the speed of the SSD is determined by the slowest CF in the mix. Regardless, this is without a doubt the most inexpensive way to create a quick and dirty SSD at about half the cost of an off-the-shelf, retail model. Check the action after the break.
Century's SATA adapter supports 3 CF cards: cheap SSDs for all
While we patiently wait 18 to 24 months for the CFast CompactFlash cards to arrive, there's always this: the DIY Century Compact Flash to SATA adapter. We've seen these adapters before of course, but this is the first we recall supporting 3x cards. That's a quickie 96GB SSD for about $450 (plus $192.57 for the adapter plus shipping) given current on-line prices. Not bad when you consider the $1,000+ price tag for a smaller 64GB SSD. Better yet, performance should be rock solid based on earlier reviews. In stock with RAID 0 / 5 support starting May 1st.[Via Akihabara News]
CompactFlash Association showing off CF card with SATA interface
Well, wouldn't you know it. Nearly half a year after we first heard that CompactFlash SATA cards were in the works, we're finally getting some confirmation. The CompactFlash Association will be showing off a CFast connector and package at CES 2008, and the SATA interface included will purportedly provide interface data rates up to 3Gb/sec -- quite a bit swifter than the 133MB/sec that PATA serves up now. According to Mr. Shigeto Kanda, the CFA chairman of the board, the "development of a CompactFlash card with a SATA interface" will enable CF to "maintain dominance in the non-consumer (embedded systems, single board computers, data recorder, etc.) markets" as well as in those fancy DSLRs / camcorders. Per usual, there's no word on when this stuff should make the leap from show floor to store shelf.
RIDATA reveals self-monitoring SMART Compact Flash cards
Looking for a new Compact Flash card, are you? Good news, as RIDATA is fixing to unveil a new line of SMART CF cards at CES. Reportedly, the rugged new cards will be available in two series: the Supreme 150X (up to 8GB capacity-SLC format) and Lightning (up to 16GB MLC format). What differentiates these buggers from the crowd is their ability to self-monitor and report, giving owners the option of checking on the unit's status whenever they please. It also sports embedded Error Correction Code and has been tested for 100,000 program / erase cycles, but unfortunately, we've no idea how much the cards will run you when they land.[Thanks, Mark]
Delkin's "world's fastest" 16GB UDMA CF Pro card: so much faster, you won't even notice
Here you go champ, the "world's fastest" 16GB UDMA CompactFlash PRO card from Delkin. Best suited for use in your UDMA capable Canon 1Ds Mark III or D300 and D3x from Nikon, the $400 CF Pro card busts a 305x read/write speed (45MB/sec sustained). For those keeping track, that's a non-noticeable bump from the previous 300x record -- but so it goes in the diffident world of the product marketeer. The cards work with non-UDMA shooters too, and make for lickity-quick RAW image transfers to your PC when using UDMA-capable card readers. Available now, as in today. [Via Digital Media Thoughts]
Teac's HD-R1 recorder stores audio on CompactFlash
Scouting a 1U, rackmountable two-channel audio recorder? What about a solid state version? If you just so happened to answer yes to the previous questions, Teac's got you covered. The outfit's HD-R1 Recorder relies on CompactFlash cards to store up to 24-bit / 48kHz PCM or MP3 files and can be controlled remotely via LAN or RS-232C. Additionally, the unit touts a USB port, mic preamps, phantom power, RCA, XLR, Euroblock and S/PDIF inputs, and the blue-backlit display is a nice touch, too. Teac has apparently been busy showing its new toy off at Inter BEE 2007, but those tempted by the above specs can secure their own for around $1,100.[Image courtesy of Sweetwater]
Alienware's Area-51 ALX CF the first to use 45nm processors
Well, that didn't take long -- just a few hours after Intel confirmed that those hot new 45nm Penryn processors are shipping, Alienware blasted out a press release announcing the Area-51 ALX CF, the first machine to use the new chips. The QX9650-equipped machines can be ordered overclocked up to 4.0GHz, and Alienware also bumped the graphics to dual CrossFire ATI Radeon HD 3870 cards. All that power won't come cheap, though -- the CF line starts at $5499.
A-DATA unveils 16GB SDHC Class 6 flash card, amongst others
16GB SDHC cards aren't all that atypical these days, but A-DATA is claiming to have the "world's first 16GB SDHC Class 6" iteration ready to roll. Additionally, the firm is introducing an 8GB Super SDHC Duo (saywha?) card of the Class 4 variety, and for those still scouting a new CompactFlash card, it's cranking out a 32GB version for you. Regrettably, we've no idea how soon A-DATA plans to get these on the market (nor how much it plans to charge), but it shouldn't be long before we all find out.[Via ITNewsOnline]
Kingston intros 266x CompactFlash Ultimate cards
We've seen more capacious, more glitzy, and more valuable CompactFlash cards before, but Kingston's latest lineup of CF Ultimate cards are noticeably quick on their feet. The devices, which are available in 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB sizes, sport write speeds of up to 266x, which Kingston claims is "twice the minimum sustained write speed previously available in the Ultimate line." Additionally, users can look forward to the included MediaRECOVER software that comes bundled in, and the lifetime warranty should allow heavy clickers to rest a bit easier. Only catch? These bad boys will run you $83, $144, or $280 depending on size, so unless you're desperate for the speed, we'd suggest looking elsewhere for your CF needs.
CompactFlash SATA cards on the horizon
As the evolution of flash memory (and CompactFlash in particular) continues on, it looks like the CompactFlash Association is gearing up to create a CF card with a SATA interface. Reportedly, the CFA has assembled a working group to "develop a specification for a CompactFlash card with a Serial ATA interface," as it looks to broaden the market appeal of CompactFlash and exceed the current 133MB/second interface data rate. Regrettably, we've no idea when these newfangled devices are slated to go commercial, but we'd recommend that you start saving right about now anyway.[Thanks, Mark]
Silicon Power's 8GB UDMA 300x Compact Flash card
Sure, there still aren't any DSLRs available to handle it, but at least now you have choice in your unsupported UDMA CF media. Meet the UDMA 300x Compact Flash card from Silicon Power. Available in 2, 4, or 8GB capacities, these cards feature an Ultra Direct Memory Access 45MBps transfer rate making them the ideal choice for rapid firing, professional DSLRs -- you know, when they actually start supporting UDMA sometime later this year. On sale in Japan in the next few days for prices which should top-out at around $200 for 8GB. [Via Impress]
Sony's Network Camera CF WiFi card hits the FCC
Here's an interesting find. Upon initial inspection, the SNCA-CFW5 CompactFlash wireless card (uncovered after the jump) doesn't seem all that special, but after perusing the owner's manual a bit, it's evident that this here 802.11b/g card has some very specific intentions. Apparently designed to operate exclusively in "Sony Network Cameras" (presumably of the surveillance variety), this unit has found its way into the FCC and looks to be green lit for operation on the 2.4GHz band. Moreover, the SNCA-AN1 external antenna can be added on to extend the range even further. Unsurprisingly, there's no hints of whether or not this here device will eventually be tweaked for use in other wares, but it's only a matter of time before someone shoves this thing in a laptop or digicam and tests lady luck.
