Sonnet - Qio: Professional Universal Media Reader/Writer Plus Four eSATA Ports

Multiple Slots, Quick Input and Output

Sonnet’s Qio (pronounced Cue-Eye-Oh) is a multi-tasking marvel. Qio reads from and writes to just about any memory card—P2, SxS, CompactFlash®, SDHC—and SATA storage systems with an eSATA interface, all at high speed. Replacing multiple standalone card readers, Qio’s dual P2, SxS, and CF slots enable you to offload files more efficiently⁽¹⁾, and the included adapter handles SDHC cards. Qio copies files between any cards, attached drives or host computer with aggregate bandwidth up to 200MB/sec., much faster than FireWire® or USB adapters are capable.

Professional Universal Media Reader/Writer Plus Four eSATA Ports

Qio supports the connection of two Fusion™ F2 portable storage systems or up to 20 SATA drives in port multiplier or hardware RAID controller-equipped enclosures for quick drive-to-drive and memory card-to-drive file transfers.

E4P SATA Host Controller Inside

Qio contains the heart and circuitry of the acclaimed Sonnet Tempo™ SATA E4P SATA controller card. Four eSATA connectors on the back of Qio enable you to connect two Sonnet Fusion F2 portable 2-drive RAID SATA storage systems to easily copy files between them. Qio’s support of port multipliers and integrated hardware RAID controllers also enables you to connect four drive enclosures like Sonnet’s Fusion D400QR5 and Fusion D500P with access up to 20 drives!

ExpressCard/34 and
CardBus Adapter Compatibility

Qio’s SxS slots double as ExpressCard/34 slots, and the P2 slots are compatible with CardBus cards. If you’re a notebook user, this effectively sextuples the number of expansion card slots available to you. If you’re a desktop computer user, Qio enables you to swap adapter cards without cracking open the case. This added compatibility enables you to utilize WiFi, FireWire, USB, Gigabit Ethernet, and other adapters as well⁽¹⁾. How is this possible? Qio’s included interface card extends the PCIe bus outside your computer—Qio effectively adds expansion slots to your computer! Qio is available with either a PCIe adapter card for desktops or an ExpressCard/34 adapter for notebooks. Additional interface cards are available separately.

Key Features

Replaces Multiple Card Readers—Comprehensive memory card compatibility with support for Sony® SxS, Panasonic® P2, CompactFlash, and SDHC cards (with included adapter)

Built-In SATA Connections—Integrated, fast SATA host controller based on Tempo SATA E4P with four eSATA ports supports and powers two Fusion F2 SATA storage systems, or supports SATA drive enclosures with up to 20 drives⁽³⁾ total

Fast—Uses PCI Express® bus interface to deliver superior performance; aggregate bandwidth of 200MB/sec.

Small and Rugged—Strong aluminum case measures just 5.9” x 6.2” x 1.22”

Ships with either Sonnet PCIe Bus Extender PCIe or Sonnet Bus Extender ExpressCard/34 interface card

Package includes Qio, PCIe or ExpressCard/34 interface adapter, interface cable, SDHC card adapter, universal power supply, XLR 4-pin power adapter cable, software CD, carrying case

Security—Kensington® slot

Left to right: SxS card, P2 card, CompactFlash card, SDHC card

Travel and Desktop Companion

Qio is small—about the size of three stacked CD cases—and takes up so little space, you can use it just about anywhere. Sharing the same 15cm (5.9") by 16cm (6.2") footprint as Sonnet’s Fusion F2 storage system, the Qio measures just 3cm (1.2") tall. It’s rugged, too—its robust aluminum case withstands heavy use. For desktop use, a universal 12V output AC power supply that will power the Qio plus two attached F2s with wall plugs for US, Japan, Europe, UK and Australia use, is included. For battery-powered operation⁽²⁾, the included XLR 4-pin adapter cable can route battery power to the Qio plus attached Fusion F2’s. No matter where you use it, Qio will quickly become an essential tool in your workflow.

Part No.
QIO-E34	Qio with Sonnet PCIe Bus Extender ExpressCard/34 adapter for notebook computers
QIO-PCIE	Qio with Sonnet Bus Extender PCIe adapter for desktop computers
Hardware
Warranty	2-year
External Connectors (Qio Enclosure)	2 x CompactFlash 2 x CardBus (P2) 2 x ExpressCard/34 (SxS) 4 x eSATA external PCIe x1 - 18 3 power
External Connectors (Adapter Card)	external PCIe x1 - 18
Data Transfer Speed	Up to 200 MB/s aggregate
Bus Interface	PCI Express x1
Supported Media, CompactFlash Slots	Type I CompactFlash
Supported Media, CardBus Slots	P2, P2 E-series
Supported Media, ExpressCard/34 Slots	SxS; SxS Pro; SDHC using included adapter
Drives Supported	Up to 20⁽³⁾
Drives Type Supported	Serial ATA I & II
Firmware	Flash-ROM upgradeable to latest firmware version
Bootability	Not Supported
Dimensions (Qio Enclosure) WxDxH:	5.9 x 6.2 x 1.2 in. (14.9 x 15.7 x 3 cm)
RoHS Compliant	Yes
Power	12V@3A input 2 X 12V@ 0.5A output Absolute Maximum input voltage 14V
Package Contents (QIO-E34)	Qio universal professional media reader/writer Sonnet PCIe Bus Extender ExpressCard/34 adapter SDHC card adapter Universal 12V power supply with 10-foot cable 1-meter external PCIe x1 interface cable 1-meter XLR 4-pin power adapter cable Carrying case Software CD User’s Guide
Package Contents (QIO-PCIE)	Qio universal professional media reader/writer Sonnet Bus Extender PCIe adapter SDHC card adapter Universal 12V power supply with 10-foot cable 1-meter external PCIe x1 interface cable 1-meter XLR 4-pin power adapter cable Carrying case Software CD User’s Guide

OS Compatibility

QIO-E34 – MacBook Pro (15" and 17", with ExpressCard/34 slot)

QIO-PCIE – Mac Pro

Mac OS X⁽⁴⁾ Version 10.5+

Snow Leopard tested⁽⁵⁾

Windows Compatibility - Coming Soon

Technical Notes

Many devices and some memory cards require additional drivers to operate or have full functionality. Software should be included with the device or card, or available to download from the manufacturer’s Web site.
Battery-powered operation requires a third party external battery, not included.
Support for up to 20 drives requires the use of drive enclosures employing either an FIS-based port multiplier (like Sonnet's Fusion D500P) or a hardware RAID controller (like Sonnet's Fusion D400QR5 or R400QR5).

Sonnet Tempo cards are compatible with most external SATA storage. However, external hard drives with USB 2.0/eSATA dual interface based on the Oxford Semiconductor OXU931DS storage controller chip may not be compatible with Mac OS X when connected via SATA. Known issues are kernel panics occurring when the drive is connected, or the drive not being recognized by the operating system.

Summary of external SATA storage

• Storage with eSATA alone	Compatible
• Storage with triple interfaces	Compatible
• Storage with quad interfaces	Compatible
• Storage with eSATA plus Firewire 400 and/or 800	Compatible
• Storage with port multiplier support (multiple drives)	Compatible
• Storage with RAID 0, 1, or 5 (multiple drives)	Compatible
• Storage with eSATA plus USB (based on JMicron 20366)	Compatible
These compatible drives include, but are not limited to: - OWC Mercury On-the-Go USB 2.0/eSATA 2.5" portable
• Storage with eSATA plus USB (based on Oxford OXU931DS)	Not compatible
These incompatible drives include, but are not limited to: - Western Digital My Book™ Premium ES Edition™ - Seagate Technology FreeAgent™ Pro

Advanced users note that Qio is not compatible in full 64-bit kernel boot. Snow Leopard default boots in 32-bit kernel, except in an Xserve.
Tests were performed in a Mac Pro with Mac OS X 10.6. Card read speeds are independent up to the 250MB/sec aggregate transfer capacity, which is also shared with connected SATA drives.
Lexar Professional 600X CF Card.

Qio Read Performance⁽⁶⁾

P2 Card	25 MB/sec
CF Card ⁽⁷⁾	85 MB/sec
2X CF Card	170 MB/sec
SxS Card	90 MB/sec
2X SxS Card	180 MB/sec

Product image	Product Name	Part No.	Description
	Sonnet PCIe Bus Extender ExpressCard/34 Adapter	PCIE-E34	Spare ExpressCard/34 interface adapter card for Qio
	Sonnet Bus Extender PCIe Adapter	PCIE-E	Spare PCIe interface card for Qio