CompactFlash
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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]
CFast CompactFlash cards now said to be coming in "18 to 24 months"
We've already heard a little bit about the new and improved CFast CompactFlash card standard developed by the CompactFlash Association, but it looks like things are now starting to firm up, including word as to when the cards might actually be available. As CNET's Underexposed blog reports, a Lexar rep says he "predicts" that the cards should start showing up in "18 to 24 months," and that companies will "want to start working on prototype samples as soon as the specification is finalized." The big advantage to the cards, as we've mentioned, is their use of an SATA interface, which not only boosts the transfer rate to a speedy 375MB/sec but, of course, also makes them incompatible with current CompactFlash-based cameras. And you thought that 55-in-1 memory card reader was future proof.
CompactFlash-based SSDs get tested
You know how much we love SSDs around here, but getting one the legit way currently involves poking a rather large hole in your wallet -- so we were pretty interested to see how a jury-rigged SSD built using that CompactFlash-to-SATA adapter we spotted a while back would hold up. While we probably would have sprung for something a little larger than the 4GB drives used in the test, the results are pretty encouraging: DIY SSD drives were overall faster than the 1.8-inch traditional drive found in the MacBook Air, and even a little faster than the VAIO TZ's 64GB SSD. The drives were bested by a 7200rpm 2.5-inch drive and a 128GB SATA SSD, as you'd expect, but what we weren't expecting was the negligible hit on power consumption -- it looks like SSDs really don't use less power, as the unchanged battery life of the SSD MacBook Air hinted. Still -- you know we want one. Check out all the results and a little howto action after the break.
Delkin's ImageRouters daisy chain to read twelve UDMA CF cards at once
Been looking for the perfect card reader to complement that ExpressCard-less MacBook Air of yours? Well here's exactly what you aren't looking for, the ImageRouter from Delkin. This thing is built for professional photographers who need to dump pictures in a hurry, and one of these $149 monstrosities can read up to four CompactFlash cards simultaneously over a USB 2.0 connection. But wait, there's more! You can plug up to three ImageRouters into each other for a total of 12 CompactFlash cards in UDMA transfer mode all at the same time, perfect for all those 25 megapixel shots you've been snapping, or that RAID array you've been meaning to build. Delkin's shipping this thing in March, and it also comes in a $249 version with some bundled BackupandBurn software. [Via SlashGear]
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]
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]
5G iPod mod trades the hard drive for CF storage
We've seen similar flash memory mods for various iterations of the iPod family, like Mark Hoekstra's CF swap, which spans generations one through four, but unfortunately we have yet to see anyone take on the 5G video iPods... until now. One apparently bored and crafty gentleman who goes by the name Tarkan Akdam has successfully replaced his untrustworthy, archaic, mechanical hard drive with a substantially smaller 4GB CF card (we suppose what it lacks in storage is made up for in peace of mind). Apparently, it's not so tough to find a compatible solution to go from the factory-installed Toshiba drive to an off-the-shelf chunk of flash memory -- as long as you have a custom circuit board made and don't mind soldering 0.5mm pitch connections. If you're reaching for your mini-screwdriver set right now, hit the read link and learn the whole process.[Thanks, Roberto]
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]
Play NES ROMs through official hardware with PowerPak
You young whippersnappers today have it so easy. Hard drives... downloadable content... power buttons right on your the wireless controller! Back in my day you actually had to get up and put a cartridge in the system when you wanted a new game. Of course, that's not so easy for me anymore, what with the rheumatism and all. And don't get me started on blowing in the dang things ...What's that? You say there's a new flash cart that lets you store multiple NES games on a single cartridge? You say you can put hundreds of ROMs on a standard CompactFlash card and play them through the standard NES hardware? You say my days of getting up to put in Clu Clu Land are over?We'll see about that. I'll just adjust the old InterWeb browser and ... $135! Do ya think, I'm made of money? Back in my day $135 would buy you a brand new Cadillac sedan with enough left over for a fancy dinner at Roxy's. Why even today I could use that money to buy 57 27 [update: us old folks make typos too] legally downloaded NES games for my Wii. Stop wasting my time.[Via insertcredit]
$5,000 SanDisk cards: Solid Gold but still can't dance
What could be better than sweet, NANDy flash? Precious metal versions of course. We're not talking faux, Thanko gold here folks, these cards are Marilyn McCoo baby, solid gold. The 150g CompactFlash card and 35g SDHC card are up for grabs in a SanDisk Hong Kong contest ending June 22nd. Winners of the CF card will be pocketing about $5,000 which we'd promptly flip for the biggest 2.5-inch, SATA SSD we could find. [Via Everything USB]
The CF-to-SATA hard drive adapter
While we've already seen that a four-barrel SD-to-SSD adapter will run you a stiff $258.50 sans flash cards, users who can't seem to find a good use for those CompactFlash cards that used to rule to roost in your recently replaced Nikon D70 finally have a solution. The much more reasonable CF-to-SATA hard drive adapter simply takes any CompactFlash I/II card and snaps it into the 2.5-inch SATA HDD slot on the bottom of most lappies. The device then allows the CF card to be recognized as an "ordinary hard drive" which can even be "configured as a boot device" without any additional drivers. Moreover, it supports DMA and Ultra DMA modes, and is said play nice with just about every flavor of Windows dating back to 3.1, Linux, and OS X operating systems. The best bit, however, is the attainable price, as we could certainly see ourselves forking over $35.99 just to see how a CF boot drive would really effect performance.
Add flash memory to your iPod
So let's say you've got an iPod with a dead hard drive. You could install a replacement hard drive,* sure, but the fun would be converting it to Compact Flash. However, you aren't up to hacking together your own solution, no matter how detailed the instructions are. This post is for you.Mark at GeekTechnique.org has created an adapter that will allow you to put a Compact Flash card - up to 128GB - into a 1st, 2nd, 3rd or fourth generation iPod, and he's selling them from his site. Of course, his solution eliminates the hard drive, which improves battery life. He doesn't mention how much he wants for one, so you'll have to send him an email. Still, it could be a fun weekend project.[Via Make]*For more on what you can do with a dead iPod, look here.
Add Compact Flash to almost any iPod
Remember that iPod mini maxed out with a Compact Flash card mod? Well, Mark Hoekstra is back with a new CF card modding picnic that works with any 1/2/3/4G iPod. The mod works (eventually, anyway) by installing a CF adapter of Hoekstra's design. No need to solder all 88 connections yourself! By removing the spinning hard disk, the mod also promises to extend your battery life. As Mark points out, he "won't go all Art Lebedev" on us; he'll produce the adapter for a reasonable cost and within a reasonable time. Good, cause high-density CF cards aren't cheap. Check the mod in full video action after the break. Hey, isn't that the effigy of Steve Jobs on that slice of toast?
iPod mini maxed out with CF card
It looks like iPod minis aren't obsolete just yet thanks to Mark Hoekstra's flash card mod, which entails switching out the original Microdrive with a 4GB flash card. iPod minis served a short term in Appledom, but come to think of it, they're a manageable size, have one of the more durable iPod casings, and they don't look half-bad either. After the modding is complete, a quick restore in iTunes reloads the card with Apple's firmware (you can also upload other software like Podzilla), then you're all set to jam out. So if you own a member of this dying breed (and have a steady hand), use this little proof-of-concept to extend your mini's lifespan while one-upping Apple at the same time.[Via digg]
