Hot Specials for March 2008

PCI Bus to PC Card and CardBus Read-Writer 2 Slot Internal Front R5C486

Note on Elan P-Series Controllers

The Elan P-Series card readers have switched CardBus controllers several times over the years. While they have used Texas Instruments and TI compatible controllers, the changes in specifics sometimes cause issues. While not completely chronologically accurate, the following rough timeline should be helpful. Elan P-Series devices prior to 2002 used the TI PCI-1420 for their two slot readers and either the TI PCI-1410 or PCI1211 (depending on availability at production) on their one slot readers. For a stretch of several years (roughly 2002-2006) Elan used ENE Technology Inc. CardBus controllers in place of TI. The CB1420 for two slot readers and the CB1410 for one slot readers. A reliable, and widely support TI PCI-14xx clone series, ENE's controllers actually fixed many of the errata from the chips they cloned. This, however, caused problems for systems coded around the problems with the original TI PCI-14xx series. Around the beginning of 2006 Elan switched back to TI PCI-1420 for their two slot readers and either the TI PCI-1410 on their one slot readers. However, there still is a lot of ENE based P-Series readers in inventory, and certain models of the P-Series will not be replaced with the TI based controllers until the existing stock of ENE devices are sold.

FarSite Device Replacement Guide

Possible Probe Source for Elan USB Test Equipment

Synchrotech isn't endorsing this vendor or products, but so many customers ask where they can purchase probes for the USBscope50, USBwave12, USBpulse100, and USBcount50, we decided to provide this link as a helpful starting point.

Terry White Puts Synchrotech's 13 Port Hub Through Its Paces

Terry White deploys Synchrotech's 13 Port USB 2.0 Hub and reviews it in: The mother of all USB hubs. Terry connects a wide variety of devices to the Hub. From Terry's review:

If you have two or more hubs that you would like to consolidate down to one, then I highly recommend the Synchrotech 13 port USB 2.0 Hub.

USB 2.0 Hub 13 Port Powered with Power Supply

Terry White Reviews CFFire800 Pro

Terry White tests, benchmarks, and reviews Synchrotech's CFFire800 Pro FireWire 800 to CompactFlash Drive Read-Writer (PCM-CR-FW81ECF-02) in a recent post: Super fast CF reader for your desktop. Terry times the CFFire800 Pro's read and write speeds with three different brands of UDMA enabled CompactFlash cards. He also includes the best time of a USB 2.0 based reader for comparison. From Terry's review:

The Synchrotech CFFire 800 Pro FireWire 800 to CompactFlash Drive Read-Writer goes for $59. If you have a FireWire 800 port and speed is important to you, then you can’t go wrong with this purchase.

CFFire800 Pro FireWire 800 to CompactFlash Drive Read-Writer

Benchmarks for CFExpressPro+ PCIe ExpressCard to UDMA CompactFlash

EVDOInfo.com Reviews the MicroU2E

EVDOInfo tests and reviews the MicroU2E and finds it works with the Kyocera KPC680 (Verizon), Novatel Wireless Merlin XU870, EX720 (Sprint), V740 (Verizon), V640 (Verizon), and the Sierra Wireless Air Card 597E (Sprint). Additionally, EVDOInfo tested the KPC680 with CradlePoint's CTR350 and PHS300 EVDO routers using Synchrotech's MicroU2E. MicroU2E enables the use of USB 2.0 based 3G/4G ExpressCards with a whole range of computers that don't include an ExpressCard slot including Desktop PCs, MacBooks, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac Pro, Notebook PCs, and more.

EVDOInfo and its online store are authorized resellers, and are selling both Synchrotech's MicroU2E and MicroU2E 'Y' Extender Cable. They are experts on deploying 3G/4G devices, and are sure to find many uses for Synchrotech's innovative MicroU2E technology. These items are available on EVDOInfo's 3gstore.com at the following links:

http://3gstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=691
http://3gstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=716

Elan USB T&M Devices CD-ROM for The Vista

The latest from Elan regarding their software for their USB Test and Measurement devices:

USBscope50 USB DSO Digital Storage Oscilloscope
Originally uploaded by Synchrotech

We have released a new installation CD for the test and measurement products.

There has been no change to the drivers themselves, but the CD has been changed to reduce installation problems that some customers encountered in Windows VISTA.

During the installation the INF files required to install the hardware are automatically placed into the Windows/INF folder. When the hardware is plugged in, selecting 'search automatically' for drivers should prompt the O/S to find them there. However VISTA (for some reason unknown to us) does not find the files in the INF folder all of the time, so sometimes the installation does not suceeed automatically and the user is them prompted to find the INF files 'by hand'. (Which can be a labourous process for a user who is not familiar with where they should be.)

This new CD image includes the INF files directly in a folder on the installation CD, as it appears that the new hardware wizard in VISTA will search the CD for the driver files. Please see link below:

http://www.elandigitalsystems.com/eng/software/usbtestandmeasurement/

Now offering Ratoc U2SCX-LVD USB to Ultra Wide SCSI

EVDOInfo Tests MicroU2E with CradlePoint EVDO Routers

In an article on Kyocera's new KPC680 EVDO Rev-A ExpressCard, EVDOInfo.com tests the KPC680 with CradlePoint's CTR350 and PHS300 EVDO routers using Synchrotech's MicroU2E. The same article also states the MicroU2E allows the KPC680 to work with any supported computer with a USB 2.0 port.

EVDOInfo and its online store are authorized resellers, and are selling both Synchrotech's MicroU2E and MicroU2E 'Y' Extender Cable. They are experts on deploying 3G/4G devices, and are sure to find many uses for Synchrotech's innovative MicroU2E technology. These items are available on EVDOInfo's 3gstore.com at the following links:

http://3gstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=691
http://3gstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=716

Specialized Optional 'Y' Extender Cables Now Available for MicroU2E

Synchrotech has released the CAB-USB2-AAFA-0020C USB 2.0 A + A (Power only) to A (Female) 'Y' Extender Cable 19cm/.62F. Highly shielded, the CAB-USB2-AAFA-0020C is a 19cm extender cable (A to A-female) for the MicroU2E USB to ExpressCard Adapter, allowing MicroU2E use a short distance distance from a host's USB port. The 'Y' extender cable eliminates problems with the MicroU2E blocking adjacent USB ports, and provides better wireless device reception through increasing the MicroU2E's distance from a host computer and providing more flexible device placement. The 'Y' extender cable also features a second male A host connector clearly labeled with the international icon for power. This secondary upstream connection allows the MicroU2E to draw supplementary current for powering many 3G/4G wireless mobile broadband ExpressCards. Using both upstream ports not only improves wireless reception for many 3G/4G ExpressCards, but often eliminates many intermittent problems altogether.

Allowing the use of USB 2.0 Mode ExpressCard devices on USB 2.0 ports, the MicroU2E USB 2.0 to USB 2.0 Mode ExpressCard 34 | 54 Host Adapter separates itself from similar products by its diminutive size. Slightly bigger than a book of matches, the adapter accepts USB 2.0 based ExpressCards in both 34 and 54 form factors. Supported USB mode ExpressCards include: Kyocera's KPC680 EV-DO Rev. A ExpressCard, Novatel Wireless Merlin ExpressCards (XU870, EX720, V740), storage media ExpressCards like Datafab's expSSD, simple minded RS-232 host adapters like Synchrotech's EXP34-RS232-01, most ExpressCard to memory card media adapters like Synchrotech's EXP34-ADP-CF2-01, and several others. The device will not work with any ExpressCard using the PCI Express (PCIe) portion of the ExpressCard standard. A cross-platform device, the MicroU2E adapter allows deployment of USB based ExpressCards like the latest generation of 3G wireless devices on slotless Apple MacBooks and PC notebooks.

Elan Releases New USB Test and Measurement Device CD-ROM

USBscope50 USB DSO Digital Storage Oscilloscope
Originally uploaded by Synchrotech

Dear Stockist:

We have released a new version of the test and measurement CD, including an update to the USBwave12 software.

The download links (which have not changed) are as follows:

Software (for USBwave12 only)
http://www.elandigitalsystems.com/eng/software/usbwave12/usbwave12setup.exe

Readme Notes
http://www.elandigitalsystems.com/eng/software/usbwave12/usbwave12rn.txt

Software source code (for USBwave12 only)
http://www.elandigitalsystems.com/eng/software/usbwave12/usbwave12source.zip

These links are accessible from here:
http://www.elandigitalsystems.com/measurement/usbwave12.php

If anyone should require the latest CD image it can be obtained here

http://www.elandigitalsystems.com/eng/software/\
usbtestandmeasurement/usbtminstallcd.iso

http://www.elandigitalsystems.com/eng/software/\
usbtestandmeasurement/usbtminstallcd.zip

SxS PRO Device Drivers

We have not tested any of our PCIe to ExpressCard readers with Sony/Sandisk's SxS Pro ExpressCards, but we understand that drivers are required on both The Windows and Mac OS X platforms in order to use the SxS Pro ExpressCards.

Sony Support Site Download: SxS PRO Device Driver

Holiday Sales Specials

ExpressCard 34 to USB 2.0 and FireWire 400 Combo Host Adapter 1+2 Ports

Utilizing the powerful PCI-Express capabilities of ExpressCard, the multi-platform ExpressCard 34 to USB 2.0 and FireWire 400 Combo Host Adapter is a single card solution for adding or supplementing FireWire and USB 2.0. The ExpressCard provides full 480Mbps throughput for versatile USB 2.0 peripherals and 400Mbps throughput for high performance FireWire 400 peripherals. The ExpressCard adapter provides one external USB 2.0 port and two external FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394a) ports. The ExpressCard is fully backward compatible with existing USB 1.1 devices, and connects with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 based devices. Easy USB installation makes adding new hardware a breeze, with no complex configuration, confusing plug-ins, or IRQs. Connect up to 127 USB products to PCs. The FireWire portion of the card interfaces FireWire peripherals including Digital Video Camcorders, digital still image cameras, CompactFlash Readers and other mass storage devices. Use with multiple peripherals or with a hub for daisy chaining and/or hierarchical (tree) bus configurations. Ready for use with self-powered FireWire devices, or purchase the optional power adapter for devices requiring bus power. Mac OS X and Windows compatible.

Synchrotech ships 13-port USB 2.0 hub

Synchrotech in the News!

Posts that contain Synchrotech per day for the last 30 days.

Get your own chart!

The fastest card!

Terry White on the CFExpressPro+ PCIe

In this world of Faster, Faster, Faster, the Synchrotech ExpressCard Reader ($65) will become a permanent addition to my camera/computer bag. If you have a notebook with an ExpressCard slot, I highly recommend this reader. It kicks the crap out of USB 2.0 readers.

Pretty glowing reviews, and with pre-UDMA enabled CompactFlash cards at that. Initial review: True Express Card PCIe Speed for Photographers. Second look: What a difference a card makes.

CFExpressPro+ PCIe ExpressCard to CompactFlash Memory Card Adapter 2.5Gbps

Price Reductions on Entire PCIe to ExpressCard Drive Line

Full Throughput Front Loading PCIe to ExpressCard Drive

The EXP54-CR-PCEIF1 PCIe to ExpressCard Drive Read-Writer Front enables PCIe based desktop computers to utilize ExpressCard applications. Unlike many competing devices, EXP54-CR-PCEIF1 specially manufactured highly shielded internal cable allows for true PCIe ExpressCard 2.5Gbps operations! The specially shielded cable is unique to this device. The PCIe 1X configuration allows for the full 250MB/s (megabytes in unidirectional mode) throughput for PCIe based ExpressCards, while the USB 2.0 configuration allows USB 2.0 ExpressCards to operate at their 60MB/s speed. This industrial grade PCIe to ExpressCard Drive accepts both ExpressCard 34 and 54 cards, and is completely transparent to any card inserted. Plug the included USB cable into an available port (preferably internal header type), plug the reader into an open PCIe slot, install the 3.5inch drive bay enclosure, and installation is complete! The PCIe to ExpressCard Drive itself needs no drivers. The 3.5" drive bay enclosure provides an axtra USB 2.0 port.

Important Notice: CFExpressPro+ PCIe and Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard

Please DO NOT install the provided drivers for the CFExpressPro+ PCIe ExpressCard to CompactFlash Memory Card Adapter 2.5Gbps with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. Drivers for 10.5 are in development, we will post them as soon as they are available.

Synchrotech's Big November Sale!

• EXP34-DA-001 10% off EXP34-DA-001 ExpressCard 34 to PCMCIA PC Card and CardBus Read-Writer DuelAdapter 1 Slot


• EXP34-ADP-CF2-01 29% off EXP34-ADP-CF2-01 CFExpressPro ExpressCard 34 to CompactFlash Memory Card Adapter (EX-HC-34)


• PCIE-ESATA2-03 23% off PCIE-ESATA2-03 PCI Express to Serial ATA (eSATA II/300) 2/2 Port +PATA Host Adapter w/RAID A-350


• PCM-CR-PC2IC2 22% off PCM-CR-PC2IC2 PCI Bus to PC Card and CardBus Read-Writer 2 Slot Internal Rear


• PCM-CR-PC1ICL 32% off PCM-CR-PC1ICL Bus to PC CardBus Read-Writer 1 Slot Internal Rear Low Profile


• PCM-CR-U1ESMS 25¢ for PCM-CR-U1ESMS USB to Sony Memory Stick Read-Writer 1 Slot Mini


• PCM-CR-MP-B $5.95 for 3.5 to 5.25 Inch Drive Bays Black Mounting Kit expires 07/31/2007 while supplies last