How do I insert the SDHC card into the e-LCR?

The e-LCR accepts an SDHC card label side up. It is designed to be a snug fit for the card, so that it does not disengage accidentally.

How lockable is the Lockable Card Reader?

There are two approved methods to remove the SDHC card from the e-LCR.

1. Use your fingernail.
   The "No tools" approach is to use your fingernail. holding the e-LCR in the left hand face up and SDHC end to right. (I'm right handed though, so you may need to reverse of course). Then insert your right middle finger's fingernail between the top opening of the e-LCR and the top of the SDHC card. There is a slight indentation in the SDHC card which allows your fingernail to "catch" the SDHC card and remove it.
2. Using a tool
   Same method as above but using a tiny flathead screwdriver in place of your fingernail.

Which firmware should I have to use E-LCR cards?

An E-LCR card will only work with firmware 1.11_0531 on EX1. All cameras produced post August 2008, (including the EX3), come with this update. To work out which version of the firmware is in your camera, press the Cancel + Select + Menu buttons at the same time, and you will enter the service menu. Navigate down to IF and you will see the current firmware version. If your camera does not have this update you will have to go back to Sony to have the firmware updated. There are links on the internet which show you how to update manually, but we highly recommend you use a Sony repair centre to complete it.

Does the e-LCR record at Full 35Mb/s HD?

Yes. With the Sandisk or Transcend cards, the E-LCR will record 1920x1080 35Mb/s HD in the same way as the SxS card. The reason why we talk about overcranking under 720p, is to see how much headroom a particular SDHC card has during overcranking, ie how many frames above 25 (PAL) or 30 (NTSC) does it do.

How reliable is a E-LCR card?

We’ve done extensive testing on the cards with selected memory cards by recording hundreds of hours and there wasn’t a single failure of a card while we were reading or writing to it. During our QC testing, we found a failure rate of less than 2 in 500. Any card that arrives DOA (Dead on Arrival) will be promptly replaced. Just give us proof your card has been dispatched back to us. We need any DOA card to find out why this has happened, and to change manufacturing procedures. Our goal is 100% function right out of the box. We know how frustrating it is to receive a shiny new product and it's DOA. If it happens to you promise to get you up and running as soon as we can.

Is a e-LCR card stable enough to use in a professional environment?

You can use your camera in any environment eg documentary, broadcast, weddings, indie film, as the imagery is recorded in the same way as if you were recording on Sony SxS cards. We would suggest purchasing the highest quality SDHC cards that your budget will stretch to.

Can I use the overcranking feature with e-LCR cards?

You can happily overcrank up to 720p/48 fps, but will not work at 720p/50-60 fps. The overcrank limitation is not from either the e-LCR or the SDHC cards, but is rather the result of the Sony's USB 2 implementation on their cameras.

Why should I use a e-LCR card instead of Sony SxS card?

The biggest consideration to use the e-LCR cards is the price. To be able to record using a modestly priced adapter, onto commodity priced SDHC cards has dropped the cost per hour of footage to between 1/6th and 1/8th of SxS. This has led producers to be able to complete shoots without the need to offload to Laptop. Some producers are completing several days of shooting and downloading when they return to the studio. Others are handing over the SDHC cards at the end of the shoot, in the same way they did with tape.

Why do I get a media restore error?

This message occurs when the camera has not completed writing the TOC (Table of Contents) for the file it has just written. This error has two main causes:

1. Ejection of the card before it completes writing the TOC, ie before the slot light turn green from red.
2. The writing speed of the SDHC or SSD is too slow for the camera.

What type of SDHC cards have you tested?

16GB Pass: ATP Pro Max Class 6 Transcend Class 10 Sandisk Extreme Class 10 Silicon Power Class 10

32GB Pass: ATP Pro Max Class 6 Transcend Class 6 Sandisk Extreme Class 10 Silicon Power Class 10

Where do I buy SDHC memory?

We will be soon offering our own brand of memory on our site, in response to many requests.

If you choose to purchase elsewhere, no problem, but please check the return policy if there are any problems with the card.

Ebay buyers have been caught by some sites passing of counterfeit Sandisk and Transcend memory as the real thing.

What makes a e-LCR card any different from other USB 2.0 base express card adapters?

Other brand adapters were designed to be used in a computer, and were later found to work in with EX1/EX3. The e-LCR card adapter was specifically designed and engineered with Sony EX1/EX3 cameras. We chose to design a card with the idea that it should work on a Sony camera firstly and a pc secondly. This meant that the SDHC memory card should be fully inserted in our e-LCR card, and not sticking out.

Does the e-LCR card work in the Sony EX-30 deck.

Yes we have tested it in the deck, and it behaves in the same manner as the SxS. We also have many customers who are happily using the e-LCR with their EX-30, and not reported one issue to date.

Does the e-LCR work with the Sony SxS Express Card Reader SBAC-US10?

No. The e-LCR card is based on a USB interface, the SxS on a PCIe interface. The SBAC-US10 will ONLY read PCIe card readers not USB.
Is that the end of the story? Well not quite, there are many other much cheaper options available than the SBAC-US10 which we will be bringing out in the very near future.