The Sonnet Technologies Qio answers one of the most significant questions posed by editors dealing with solid-state media: how do I copy the contents of the cards to my computer? And the Qio answers the question without any uncertainty.

Solid-state removable media primarily includes SxS, P2, CF and SDHC cards. Panasonic offers P2 solutions from a USB single-card reader to more sophisticated P2 editing gear. Sony markets a USB SxS reader and SxS cards can be read by the Express34 slot of any current notebook computer. There are a wide range of CF and SD card readers from bus to firewire to USB. But until the Qio was introduced, there was no universal solution that could accept any media.

The Qio (pronounced Que-Eye-Oh) is a compact device which interfaces to computer via either a PCIe card and cable or Express34 card and cable. Sonnet does not include both interfaces so choose your unit based upon your computer. Or buy extra interfaces so that you can transport the device between machines. The front panel sports two each of SxS (Express34), P2 (PC Card), and CF slots. An included Express34 adapter allows use of SDHC cards in the SxS slots.

Installation is straightforward. Just install the PCIe card in a free slot or plug the Express34 adapter into the slot on the notebook. Install the Qio drivers from included CD (personally, I always check manufacturer’s web sites before installing drivers just in case there happened to be an upgrade between the time the product shipped from factory and my installation). Install whatever drivers are appropriate to your media — Panasonic P2 or Sony SxS). You’re then read to roll. read more...