Compact Flash Issues

[Andrew Patterson]

So, I just got my camera in and shot some initial test and now I can't get the footage into my computer. All the footage is on RED COMPACT FLASH 16GB Cards.

I am trying to send it into a laptop via the Lexar Firewire 800 Reader and Firewire 800 ExpressCard adapter.

This model: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._Professional_UDMA_FireWire_800.html#features

And this Model: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16839158024&cm_re=1394b-_-39-158-024-_-Product

The ExpressCard adapter has a Firewire 400 and Firewire 800 port. And I know the Firewire 400 side works -- as I'm able to plug in a DV camera and capture.

On the other hand, I have no other way to test the Firewire 800 side, expect with my Lexar Compact Flash Reader.

Simply put, nothing happens when I plug in the Lexar Card Reader or a Compact Flash Card.

Is this a configuration that is known not to work?

Is there a better option than a Card Reader, then a Card Adapter.

Does anyone know if this model would do the job?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...pact_flash_card_reader-_-20-270-006-_-Product

Thank you in advance for any help!

 

[Samuel Martin]

May be you have so much firewall, antivirus and software in your system that it is blocking the input of an external source. Have you tried checking your PC management settings and whether your system, although it doesn't show it in your desktop, does actually read the card?

 

[Mike Smith]

I think I know what your problem is. I had exactly the same problem with a SIIG PCMCIA card that has two Firewire 800 ports and one 400 port. I could attach an HDV camera to the Firewire 400 port and I could read in the footage no problem. But, even though the card came with software so that my PC would recognize Firewire 800 (Windows does not come standard with Firewire 800 support), it still wouldn't work. I ended up contacting SIIG's support, asking if the card perhaps needs external power for the 800 port to work. (The card has a 12V power socket on the side for which there was no supplied power adapter.) All they could say was "yes, perhaps it does"! So I went to Radio Shack and bought a suitable power supply, plugged it in and hey presto - I have a working Firewire 800 port and can download files from the Red flash cards.

I'm guessing that your card comes with an optional power inlet somewhere on it and that you also need to get a suitable adapter. I'd contact the manufacture for specs if such don't come with your card. (My card came with virtually no helpful instructions at all.)

I bought a Radio Shack Universal AC-to-DC power adapter (their catalog number 273-316) that's switchable between 3 and 12V simply because I do other electronics work and the extra voltages may have come in useful for other things if it didn't work on the Firewire card. It cost $20. But you'll only need one that matches your card's power socket voltage. (Again, see the specs for your card.) The nice thing about the RS part is that you can get different plug ends to match what you're plugging it into. Check for a symbol on your card's socket which will tell you what type you need. I think mine worked with the one that came standard with the adapter.

If you're not comfortable using an RS part, you should use one recommended by your card manufacturer. (Which may take longer to get than just going to a local Radio Shack.)

Hope that helps.