New firmware for the Nexto Video Storage Pro (NVS2500) was recently released, which adds several new features to the product. These updates include preview support of AVCHD clips, preview support of the new Canon XF300/305 video format, and greatly improved data protection and backup options. One of the new backup options includes the ability to copy data back to Compact Flash and SDHC cards. It may seem a bit odd to backup video footage shot on one memory card to another, but there are some advantages. Compact Flash and SDHC memory are relatively inexpensive, easy to find, and fast to download. So if you are working with P2 or SxS cards, the Nexto can copy them to its internal drive, and then to another card for delivery or storage. Or if you are working with CF or SDHC, the Nexto can be used to make a copy. Why walk away from set with one memory card when you can walk away with two? Because the Nexto is not capturing video in real time, you could even utilize cheaper cards with slower read/write speeds as backups. Download the latest firmware here, and make sure to read Nexto’s workflow document to learn about their new data protection and recovery options.

Sony recently announced the MEAD-MS01, a memory stick adapter that works in the EX line of cameras. This is a low-cost alternative to the SxS card and is really handy when in a bind. For sometime now, there have been different SDHC card adapters that work with the EX cameras including the MxR and SxSxSDHC card adapters. Now Sony has come out with their own version – the MEAD-SD01. This will work in very much the same way as those other adapters, but it’s nice to see one officially sanctioned by Sony. The EX1 original and EX3 will require a firmware upgrade to work with the MEAD-MS01 and MEAD-SD01 adapters. Additionally Sony has announced that Class 10 SDHC cards will be supported with their adapter, but ALL EX cameras (EX1, EX1R, EX3, PMW350) will require a firmware upgrade to use Class 10 cards. The SD adapter will be available in mid-March, and you can look for this firmware upgrade earlier that month. Sony has officially tested and sanctioned the following SanDisk Class 10 cards – DSDX3-032G-A31A for 32GB, SDSDX3-016G-A31A for 16GB, SDSDX3-008G-A31A for 8GB.

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We just received the Nexto Video Storage Pro and I’m very impressed with this little box. We are selling the 500 GB version, and the 128GB Solid State version will be available in the future. Check out the video blog and see what it can do.

The Video Storage Pro has low res playback of many different formats. Here is a list of supported formats:

• Panasonic – AVC-Intra 100/50, DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO 50, DVCPRO
  (Note: AVC Intra playback is not yet 100%, this will improve with the next firmware.)
• Sony – XDCAM EX (HQ/SP)
• JVC – XDCAM EX (MP4 format), Quicktime Format in later release
• Convergent Design – XDCAM HD formats (MXF)
• RED – R3D – Next Firmware
• AVCHD – Sony/Canon/Panasonic Flavor – Next Firmware

Look for a firmware release in Quarter 4 of this year.

Update: I tested Red CF Card download speeds and was able to download a 16 GB card in just under 11minutes.

Transcend just started delivering their 32GB Class 6 SDHC cards, and of course our first question was: Will it work with the EX1 and EX3 cameras? For those of you that don’t know, the EX1 and EX3 will accept some ExpressCard 34 to SDHC adapters and allow you to record directly to high-speed (class 6) SDHC cards. This is very popular because of the reduced cost compared to SxS cards. The first adapter that was known to work well was the Kensington 7-in-1 Media reader, but stock soon fell short and Kensington stopped producing them. Recently an Australian company (E-Films) started producing an adapter called the MxR ExpressCard/34 Reader, which was guaranteed to work for this application and fit nicely in both EX1 and EX3 cameras. Now Hoodman has taken over the US reselling of that product, which they are now calling a SxSxSDHC adapter. These adapters have proven to work well and many of our clients have them. However, not all SDHC cards work with the adapter in the EX1/3. I’ve successfully tested both the 16 GB SanDisk Extreme III Class 6 cards and the 16GB Transcend Class 6 SDHC cards, and those are the cards we recommend to our clients. So of course I was looking forward to testing the 32GB version as well. Well finally the good news. The Transcend 32 GB card has tested out the same as the 16GB version. I was able to write at 1080p 24/30/60i with no problem. At 720P I was able to write at up to 41fps, which is about the same as the 16GB version. I’m looking forward to testing the SanDisk version and Hoodman’s RAW SDHC card, which promises to handle even higher frames per second in 720p.