Sonnet - Qio E3: Pro SxS Media Reader/Writer Plus eSATA Host Controller for Mac & PCs

Qio E3 Connected to MacBook Pro SxS to the Power of Three

Sony’s popular XDCAM EX™ professional HD camcorders use high-performance SxS memory cards, which share the same interface and shape as ExpressCard/34 adapter cards. This shared form factor and connector make ingesting footage from your SxS media a simple task in ExpressCard slot-equipped notebook computers—insert the card and go. If your computer doesn't have an ExpressCard slot, you could just plug in the camera or a specialized USB 2.0 SxS reader, grab a cup of coffee and relax while all those gigabytes of data are transferred at around 30 MB/s. But what if you need faster transfers? Or want to ingest files from more than one card at a time? Sonnet's Qio E3 is the answer to all of these questions.

This Sonnet pro media reader distills the feature set of the award-winning original Qio universal media reader but designed specifically for use with SxS media cards. Providing a cost-effective, high-speed multi-slot alternative to stand-alone card readers for videographers and studios alike, Qio E3’s three SxS slots enable you to ingest files faster and more efficiently, with aggregate ingest speed up to 300 MB/sec., much faster than USB 2.0 adapters are capable.

Mac and Windows Compatible

Sonnet's latest professional media reader offers cross-platform compatibility, extending its usefulness on location and in the studio. Whether you're using a MacBook® Pro, HP Z800 or Mac Pro, Qio E3 fits seamlessly into your workflow.

Tempo SATA 6Gb/s PCIe 2.0 Host Controller Inside

Qio E3 incorporates two eSATA connectors on the back of Qio E3 enable you to connect two Sonnet Fusion™ F2QR portable 2-drive hardware RAID SATA storage systems, or other SATA storage to easily ingest files in the field.

Travel and Desktop Companion

This Sonnet pro media reader 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 the Fusion F2QR storage system, the case measures just 2.5cm (1") tall. It’s rugged, too—the robust aluminum case withstands heavy use. For desktop use, a universal 12V output AC power supply with wall plugs for US, Japan, Europe, UK and Australia use is included; it's capable of powering the Qio E3 plus an attached F2QR. For battery-powered operation, an optional XLR 4-pin adapter cable can route battery power to the Qio E3 plus one attached Fusion F2QR. This pro media reader even incorporates a Kensington® slot for to secure the device and deter theft.

Key Features

Slot Support—Support for Sony® SxS, and PCIe-based ExpressCard/34 cards

Fast—Uses PCI Express® 2.0 bus interface to deliver superior performance; aggregate available bandwidth of 400 MB/sec.

SxS Aggregate Ingest Speed (3 cards concurrently)—PCIe ExpressCard Interface for Fast Storage (not Qio-Connected): 300MB/s; ExpressCard/34 Interface for Fast Storage (not Qio-connected): 200MB/s; ExpressCard/34 Interface to Qio-connected SATA drives: 100MB/s

Mac and Windows Compatible—Qio E3 supports your workflow, regardless the platform you've chosen

Built-in SATA Connections—Integrated SATA host controller, based on Tempo SATA 6Gb/s PCIe 2.0 controller with two eSATA ports, supports two Fusion F2QR Hardware RAID SATA storage systems, or supports other compatible SATA drive enclosures.

Small and Rugged—Strong aluminum case measures just 5.9" x 6.2" x 1"

Security—Slot for Kensington and similar security locks to secure the device and deter theft

Package includes Qio E3, PCIe or ExpressCard/34 interface adapter, interface cable, universal power supply, carrying case, and user's guide

Qio E3 from Studio to On Location

Built for the Pro. Whether shooting out on location with your notebook or editing footage in the studio on your Mac Pro, Qio E3 conveniently connects to your system via an ExpressCard/34 or PCIe 2.0 interface card so your projects are always at hand.

Qio E3 is available with either a PCIe 2.0 adapter card for desktops or an ExpressCard/34 adapter for notebooks. With the purchase of an additional PCIe 2.0 interface card or ExpressCard/34 interface card, you can move your Qio E3 from suite to suite, and then to location and back again without breaking a sweat. No matter where you use it, Qio E3 will quickly become an essential tool in your workflow.

Part No.
QIO-E3-E34	Qio E3 with Sonnet PCIe 2.0 Bus Extender ExpressCard/34 adapter for notebook computers and for Sonnet Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt Adapter
QIO-E3-PCIE	Qio E3 with Sonnet PCIe 2.0 Bus Extender adapter for desktop computers
Hardware
Warranty	2-year
External Connectors (Qio E3 Enclosure)	Three ExpressCard/34 (SxS) Two eSATA 6GB/s External PCIe 2.0 x1 18-pin Two 12V power
Bus Interface	PCI Express 2.0 x1
Supported Media	SxS; SxS Pro™; SxS-1™
Supported ExpressCard/34 Cards	All Sonnet ExpressCard/34 cards and most third-party ExpressCard/34 cards and devices
Thunderbolt Expansion	Expands Sonnet Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt Adapter to three ExpressCard/34 slots⁽¹⁾
Drives Supported	Two (each of which can be hardware RAIDs of multiple drives)
Drives Type Supported	Serial ATA
Firmware	Flash-ROM upgradeable to latest firmware version
Hot Plug Qio E3	Supported in MacBook Pro
Dimensions WxDxH:	5.9 x 6.2 x 1 in. (14.9 x 15.7 x 2.5 cm)
Power	12V @ 3A input 12V @ 0.5A output to support Sonnet Fusion F2QR
Absolute Maximum Input Voltage	20V
RoHS Compliant	Yes
Package Contents (QIO-E34)	Qio E3 professional SxS media reader Sonnet PCIe Bus Extender ExpressCard/34 adapter Universal power supply with 10-foot cable 1-meter external PCIe x1 interface cable Carrying case User’s Guide
Package Contents (QIO-PCIE)	Qio E3 professional SxS media reader Sonnet Bus Extender PCIe 2.0 adapter Universal power supply with 10-foot cable 1-meter external PCIe x1 interface cable Carrying case User’s Guide

Mac Compatibility

Mac OS X Version 10.6.8+

Mac OS X Lion compatible

MacBook Pro with ExpressCard/34 slot (Part No. QIO-E3-E34)

Mac Pro (Part No. QIO-E3-PCIE)

Windows Compatibility

Windows 7

Windows Vista®

Windows Server 2008 R2

Windows Server 2008

PC Compatibility
Known Compatible Computers

Dell Dimension 9100

HP Z400⁽³⁾

HP Z600⁽³⁾

HP Z800⁽³⁾

HP WJ992ET

HP XW4200

HP XW8400⁽⁴⁾

HP XW8600

Known Compatible Motherboards

Asus P6T7, Sabertooth X58

Gigabyte GA-P55-UD3L

Known Incompatible Computers and Motherboards

Dell XPS400

Dell T5500

SuperMicro X8DTH-6F

Technical Notes

Supports only cards and devices compatible with Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt Adapter.
Use slot 2.
Use slot 3.
Error message may appear on restarts, but does not affect operation
Requires BIOS version 12 or later.

SxS Card Nominal Aggreage Ingest Rates

	ExpressCard/34 Interface	ExpressCard/34 Interface	PCIe 2.0 Card Interface	PCIe 2.0 Card Interface
	Storage Connected to Qio eSATA port	Storage Not Connected to Qio eSATA port	Storage Connected to Qio eSATA port	Storage Not Connected to Qio eSATA port
1 SxS Card	100MB/sec	100MB/sec	100MB/sec	100MB/sec
2 SxS Card	100MB/sec	200MB/sec	180MB/sec	200MB/sec
3 SxS Card	100MB/sec	200MB/sec	180MB/sec	300MB/sec

Qio E3 Accessories		Part No.	Description
	Sonnet PCIe Bus Extender ExpressCard/34 Adapter	PCIE-E34	Spare ExpressCard/34 interface adapter card for Qio E3
	Sonnet Bus Extender PCIe Adapter	PCIE-E2	Spare PCIe interface card for Qio E3

Reviews
	Sonnet Qio Review. Very, Very, Fast Offloads. "I had heard about the QIO some time ago, so I approached Sonnet to see if I could borrow a unit to review. I was given the loan of a Sonnet QIO at NAB. I have been playing with it since then and you know what, it’s a great device. So what exactly is it? Well it is an extension box that allows you to connect a range of peripherals and flash memory cards to your computer via the PCI bus. The reason I wanted to borrow one was because the QIO is one of the few devices (the only device?) that allows you to connect SxS, Compact Flash and P2 cards to a computer using the high speed PCI bus with hot-swappable functionality… This is one fast device. If you have lots of media to off-load and backup it’s going to save you a lot of time. If you are a production company that works with large volumes of solid state media it will pay for itself very quickly in saved man-hours. If your working in the field with a MacBook Pro the ability to connect both the media and eSATA devices at the same time makes the QIO a very interesting proposition. It is well constructed, simple to install and use, what more could you ask for." Read more...
	In Review: Sonnet Technologies Qio "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… Who needs the Qio? Any editor who deals with a variety of solid-state media. Nothing is worse than having a client drop off a P2 card and you have no way to read it. “Er, can I plug your camera into my computer so I can copy the contents of the card?” Or, “I know I have that little USB CF card reader somewhere around here…” And it’s not just for editors needing multiple formats. A solid piece of equipment to me is far preferable to an inexpensive card reader which might be slow and much more subject to failure when you need it most. The Qio is most useful to anyone who needs to extend the bus capability of their computer to additional storage and other compatible card-based devices. The Qio represents the only product of its kind on the market and I am pleased to recommend it with great enthusiasm." Read more...
	Fast Enough? Data-Driven Broadcast Infrastructure "…The single most impressive ingest product that I saw was the Sonnet Technologies Qio, pronounced Cue-Eye-Oh. Using a single PCIe slot, it gives you two P2 readers, two Sony SxS readers, and two CF Card readers. My first reaction was, "It takes up another card slot?!? What if you need a slot for a SATA card?" The Sonnet Qio also incorporates the well known E4P eSATA card - built right into the Qio! So in addition to everything else, you get four eSATA ports, all of which support port multiplication for your eSATA drives. Amazing!" Read more...
	Review: Sonnet Qio "As a solid-state card reader, the Qio accepts every kind of card your cameraman may hand you: P2 cards from Panasonic cameras, CompactFlash cards from digital SLRs or Red cameras, SxS cards from Sony, JVC cameras or Arri cameras, and SDHC cards (via an adapter) from everything else. This versatility is a big deal. As many folks move from tape to solid-state, they can buy one convenient reader that handles it all. Not only does the Qio work with all of these card formats, but it accepts two of each card at a time — two P2 cards, two SxS cards, and so on. It’s like the Noah’s Arc of card readers, and that’s helpful if you’re shooting a lot of cards during the day, and want to copy two at a time. With two cards mounted, you don’t have to hover around your computer as it copies, waiting to slip in the next card. It’s a nice convenience, and no other card reader gives you dual-slotted options for so many media formats. …[its] a great option for production houses, editors and DITs who have to make their way in this world of endless media formats." Read more...

Awards & Case Studies


See what reviewers and customers have to say about other Sonnet products in our News section under Product Reviews and Case Studies.
Bandwagon Media Inc. Case Study Making at premiere splash at the 2010 Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF), Sonnet's Qio™ took front and center stage as it provided high-speed transfers and flawless performance for the Ingest of festival footage from seven HD cameras… Read more...