Most Pro-level DSLRs already give us the option for automatic backup of images using dual card slots. However, Japanese company Amulet aims to resolve the backup issue for prosumer DSLRs as well. Amulet is set to release a CompactFlash card that allows images and video files to be backed up instantly using RAID-style 'mirroring'. While set in "mirroring mode," the card splits it's space into two partitions effectively becoming two storage devices. It then records images to both partitions simultaneously. So while originally a 64GB card, when split it offers 32GB of actual (redundant) storage space.
All too often a corrupted image (or card) can mean costly recovery efforts, a reshoot or even the loss of a project completely. Dual slots were implemented to resolve that but this new card from Wise aims to defeat the issue in one card. Which means that Pro bodies could actually have 3 complete backups along with their originals. This might seem like overkill but if you've ever dealt with severe data loss I think you'll agree that you can never be too thorough when safeguarding your images.
In its standard mode, the card offers 60/50MB/sec read/write speed, which drops to 30/25MB/s in mirroring mode, making it suitable for recording still images and HD video in both modes. The card can be switched between standard and mirroring mode whenever you like, but you will need to reformat it any time you switch it to a different mode. The 'Wise CF Card Duo' will be released on June 14th in 64GB (32GB mirroring) - price and availability have not been released yet to the best of my knowledge.
Via DPReview
this raid cf card post, seems redundant :)
finally someone listens. Amazing idea
Their target audience seems a bit strange to me. On one hand, most pro bodies use CF cards and have dual slots. On the other, most bodies that don't have dual slots usually use SD cards (with some exceptions such as the 50D).
While I think this is a great idea, it depends on how it's done - can it be compared to writing data to 2 separate cards or to writing data to 2 partitions on the same drive?
Even with 2 slots it's brillant.
1 slot for raw one for jpeg (to show a rough draft to a client). Both in raid.
Nikon D700 do not have dual slot, this is great solution for those shooters (myself included) who are not planning to go to D800 in near future.
And I know a lot of people who stick with good old D700.
"This might seem like overkill but if you’ve ever dealt with severe data loss I think you’ll agree that you can never be too thorough when safeguarding your images."
I am sorry but most of the time images are lost it is because of theft or loss. Therefore I don't see the point of this card. I got a backup, that's great, but when the card is gone, also the backup is gone. I rather have two cards instead.
It is not really RAID. If the card fails there is no real second source. A partition is virtual not a real RAID system.
You obviously don't understand the mechanics of flash memory. The card doesn't fail. There are no moving parts inside the card. The card fails when the data becomes corrupt in the card. Having 2 partitions is a genius idea. It is a RAID System.
John You're obviously drinking way too much
Enlighten me, then. I'd like to hear your rebuttal.
I can't right now I'm too busy drinking
"RAID is now used as an umbrella term for computer data storage schemes that can divide and replicate data among multiple physical drives"
(From <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAID" rel="nofollow">Wikipedia</a>)
I suppose the distinction is "physical drives", hence "Redundant Array of Independent Disks"
edit: Dual card slots would then be closer to RAID than this single card. It's still not technically RAID, since the disks/cards aren't seen as "one and the same" on the OS-level.
OK...Here we go. RAID (redundant array of independent disks) You would need 2 physical memory banks with a bus sending data to these memory banks. Having 1 memory bank and partitioning it does NOT qualify as true RAID System. If the card fails so do the partitions. I'm NOT saying this is a bad CF Card. I like the idea very much. Just saying is is NOT a true RAID system.
I was actually genuinely excited about this as a MK III user, how can this possibly be sold as a RAID array?
Shame, this would otherwise be an exceptional idea.
We don't really know enough about the card itself. It may in fact have 2 separate banks. It could be that when not in mirroring mode, it is actually in striping mode.
Agree!
Cards can fail for whatever reason. If they're using the same storage but split logically then it is probably a bad idea. If it's 2 distinct storage areas (different memory banks) then yes it's probably a good thing.
Right !
So when the card fails EVERYTHING IN BOTH PARTITIONS, is lost.
everything on the card, every every everything is lost.
This seems to be just a gimmick to fool people who don't know, into buying this card line.
How often do single images get corrupted, as opposed to the whole card? Anyone seen any numbers?
If the probability of a sector failing is <i>p</i>, then the probability of losing your data with "dual mode" is <i>1-p²</i>, which is <a href="http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=Plot%5B1-p%5E2%2C+1-p%2C+%7Bp%2C0%2... rel="nofollow">pretty damn good for small values of p</a>. I just don't know how small <i>p</i> is to begin with.
I've had single image corruptions on older medium format systems, and on older CF cards. As for the probability of it, I couldn't say. It does happen though.
I suppose failures <i>should</i> be random, but doesn't newer memory utilize bad block management (detecting and avoiding bad sectors before writing/on write)? This should detect faulty memory blocks, but if the controller fails...
Anyone have large-scale statistics that aren't user-reported?
Seem like a great idea, it will be interesting to see take up of this.
Hang on a sec.... that was my idea!
Well if the card fails then there will be no way to access any of the partition drive within the card. I really can't see this RAID CF card as a complete in-camera back-up solution.
this already existed..one with actual physical drives too..
http://techcrunch.com/2009/06/25/the-photofast-cr-7200-microsdhc-raid-0-...
Ya until the main part of the card fails and you loose both partitions.
This is a non-pro way to get redundancy – I would still rather have two cards (and two slots on-camera) so that I can store them in two different locations. If one gets wet, or stolen – you're safe with a second card. If this raid card gets wet or stolen, smashed etc, you sir, are in deep, deep trouble.