CFFire800 Pro FireWire to CompactFlash Read/Write Benchmarks

Document with benchmark results under Windows XP and Mac OS X (10.4.9), with a range of popular CompactFlash Cards. The UDMA 6 capable reader boast phenomenal speeds when used with the latest technology CF Cards. The CFFire800 Pro FireWire 800 to CompactFlash Drive Read-Writer takes full advantage of whatever a CompactFlash memory card's best throughput is.

ExpressCard Technology Host Adapters Information

ExpressCard Technology Information for ExpressCard 34 and 54 Slots and Devices

Synchrotech Now Offering Two FireWire 800 Repeater Hubs

In response to the surging demand for FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394b) products, Synchrotech is now carrying two high quality FireWire repeater hubs. These performance oriented FireWire 800 repeater hubs offer unique capabilities and meet port capacity requirements for a range of FireWire 800 users.

The first, the NitroAV 8 Port Repeater Hub, is a rugged, robust, and very high performance FireWire 800 repeater hub with a generous array of 8 FireWire 800 ports. NitroAV comes with a power supply and also supports alternate power connections for rack-mount applications. It's metal casing is ideal for studio and production environments.

For less demanding or portable applications, Unibrain's FireRepeater 800 FireWire IEEE 1394b Repeater Hub is a lightweight 3 Port hub. FireRepeater 800 works out of the box with FireWire 800 bus power applications, or usable with purchase of an optional power supply.

Both FireWire 800 Repeater hubs are usable in FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394b) and FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394a/iLink) work-flows. See our FireWire 400 and FireWire 800 Cables and IEEE 1394 Connectors page for appropriate cables and converters to mix and match existing FireWire products. Repeater hubs provide bus flexibility in that they allow for daisy chaining and/or hierarchical (tree) bus configurations. Repeater hubs also provide a means to lengthen the distance between devices when 1394's cable length of 4.5 meters is inadequate. Simply daisy chain repeaters between cables to extend your reach to 110m.

Elan announces tentative support for U111 under Windows The Vista

Elan has posted a page with instructions and downloads for deploying the U111 with The Vista. They have tentative support for the Sierra Wireless Air Cards 850 and 860. This configuration is unsupported by Synchrotech.

Datasheet for FarSync Flex USB X.25 Synchronous Adapter

Farsite's PDF datasheet for the FarSync Flex USB Sync/Async/X.25 Adapter with Linux and Windows X.25 SDK and Drivers. The F-FS6100 provides X.25 Networking via a USB connection to the host computer. Synchrotech's W3 page for this device.

All Things FireWire Repeater Hubs

Wireless Gateway/Routers for WWAN 3G/4G to WiFi/Ethernet Networks

As mentioned in Synchrotech's extensive 3G Wireless FAQ, an excellent way of providing Wireless Mobile Broadband (WWAN) for a fixed location is a wireless gateway/router. Harnessing 3G or 4G mobile data networks (AKA cellular data networks), wireless gateway/routers handle the connectivity with mobile carriers like T-Mobile, Vodaphone, Sprint, AT&T (Cingular), Verizon, and many others. Wireless gateway/routers typically accept mobile broadband connectivity devices including 3G/4G PCMCIA PC Cards and USB devices. These wireless gateway/routers are extremely versatile, offering support for mobile (cellular) broadband data network devices ranging from the older style EDGE and CDMA to the lastest EVDO Rev. A and HSDPA cards.

Wireless gateway/routers then provide an internet connection (WAN) to individual computers or local are networks (LAN) via WiFi (802.11*) or wired Ethernet just as a gateway or router plugged into DSL, T-1, or other wired WAN options do. Share a single mobile (cellular) broadband data account throughout a household, business or branch office. Connect existing wired networks to wireless gateway/router, or take advantage of built in WiFi to enable roaming connections. Perfect for rural locations, wireless gateway/routers provide a cost effective and easy to administer solution for broadband connectivity. Synchrotech has created a compatibility matrix to aid in determining wireless gateway/router compatibility with individual mobile (cellular) broadband data networking devices.

DuelAdapter Unsupported Systems List

Synchrotech has obtained a more comprehensive list of systems with ExpressCard firmware issues and are known not to work with the DuelAdapter. Some other ExpressCard equipped computers may also have compatibility issues, this list is by no means comprehensive. This list of unsupported systems represents a very small fraction of ExpressCard capable computers, most systems on the market work exceedingly well with the DuelAdapter.

CFExpressPro Printable Data Sheet

CFExpressPro's performance and affordability have made it a favorite among pro-photographers. Being in an ExpressCard 34 form factor has made it a top pick with MacBook Pro owners. As reseller and distribution inquires have increased, Synchrotech has placed a printable data-sheet online for easy printing and distribution for channels. CFExpressPro supports CompactFlash PIO though Mode 6 and DMA through Mode 4, allowing it to take full advantage of newer UDMA4 CompactFlash Cards like SanDisk Extreme IV.

All Things CompactFlash

ExpressCard capability for desktop Macs?

If the idea of sharing ExpressCards between a MacBook Pro and a Mac desktop is appealing, then check to see if your Mac features open PCI Express (PCIe) slots. Several desktop Macintosh models (Power Mac G5 (Late 2005), Mac Pro, and several Xserve models) featuring PCIe slots are able to take full advantage of Synchrotech's PCI Express to ExpressCard Drives. Installing the PCIe to ExpressCard reader enables use of the entire range of ExpressCard devices, including high performance FireWire 800 and SATA host adapters. Being able to swap ExpressCards between MacBook Pro and a Mac desktop is also economical, preventing additional purchases of PCIe host adapters to duplicate the same functionality of an ExpressCard.

For Desktop Macs without PCIe, or any USB 2.0 capable Macintosh without PCIe slots, the MicroU2E USB to ExpressCard adapter is a viable solution, so long as the ExpressCards are based on the USB 2.0 portion of the ExpressCard standard.

August ExpressCard and PC Card Reader Sale

Synchrotech's August specials feature an array of deeply discounted offers on PCI to PC Card readers and PCIe to ExpressCard readers for desktop computers. Among the PC Card readers, two are low profile (MD-1) PCI devices. Additionally, a USB 2.0 to SD, MMC, and Memory stick reader for just $5. To learn more about the sale and products offered, follow the links below for more information and pricing.

• PCM-CR-PC2IC2 37% off PCM-CR-PC2IC2 PCI Bus to PC Card and CardBus Read-Writer 2 Slot Internal Rear


• PCM-CR-PC1ICL 33% off PCM-CR-PC1ICL PCI Bus to PC CardBus Read-Writer 1 Slot Internal Rear Low Profile


• PCM-CR-PC1ICFL 33% off PCM-CR-PC1ICFL PCI Bus to CompactFlash Type I-II Read-Writer Internal Rear Low Profile


• PCM-CR-U1ESDSMS $5 for PCM-CR-U1ESDSMS USB 2.0 to Secure Digital, MMC and Memory Stick Read-Writer 1 Slot Mini


• EXP54-CR-PCEIR1 44% off EXP54-CR-PCEIR1 PCI Express to ExpressCard 34|54 Drive Read-Writer I-300


• EXP54-CR-PCEIR1-2 46% off EXP54-CR-PCEIR1-2 PCI Express to ExpressCard 34|54 Drive Read-Writer PC/Mac