Sonnet - Qio E3 SxS Media Reader/Writer with eSATA Host Controller

SxS to the Power of Three

Sony’s popular XDCAM EX™ and Arri Alexa 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 and is 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.

Choice of Interface

Qio E3 is available with your choice of a PCIe interface card for desktops, an ExpressCard/34 interface for notebooks, or a Thunderbolt interface adapter (with included Thunderbolt cable) for any Mac with a Thunderbolt™ port. With the purchase of an additional Qio E3 PCIe adapter card, ExpressCard/34 card, or Thunderbolt adapter, 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.

Mac and Windows® Compatible

Sonnet's Qio E3 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®, or any Mac with a Thunderbolt port, the Qio fits seamlessly into your workflow.

SATA 6 Gb/s PCIe 2.0 SATA Host Controller Inside

Qio E3 includes two 6 Gb/s eSATA ports, perfect for connecting media readers with an eSATA interface, such as the RED STATION REDMAG 1.8" and 2.5".

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. It's rugged, too—the robust aluminum case easily 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. For battery-powered operation, an optional XLR 4-pin adapter cable can route battery power to the Qio E3. This pro media reader even incorporates a Kensington® slot for to secure the device and deter theft.

Media cards shown in photos for illustration purposes; not included

Key Features

Versatile 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.

Choice of Interface—Qio E3 package includes your choice of interface: PCI Express 2.0 card for desktops, ExpressCard/34 for notebooks, or Thunderbolt for any Mac with a Thunderbolt port

SxS Aggregate Media 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—Connect external media readers with an eSATA interface

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

Qio E3 from Studio to On Location

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

Part No.
QIO-E3-E34	Qio E3 (with PCIe 2.0 bus extender ExpressCard/34 for notebook computers and Sonnet Echo ExpressCard Thunderbolt Adapters)
QIO-E3-PCIE	Qio E3 (with PCIe 2.0 bus extender card for desktop computers and Sonnet Echo Express Series Thunderbolt™ Expansion Chassis)
QIO-E3-TB	Qio E3 (with Thunderbolt interface adapter (for any Mac computer with a Thunderbolt port)
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
External Connectors (PCIe and ExpressCard Adapter Cards)	External PCIe x1 - 18
External Connectors (Thunderbolt Adapter)	Thunderbolt PCI Express x4 (SFF-8088)
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 @ 1.25A input 12V @ 0.5A output to support Sonnet Fusion F2QR
Absolute Maximum Input Voltage	20V
RoHS Compliant	Yes
Universal Package Contents	Qio E3 professional CompactFlash media reader Universal 12V power supply with 10-foot cable 1-meter external PCIe x1 interface cable Carrying case User’s Guide
Package Contents (QIO-E3-E34)	PCIe 2.0 bus extender ExpressCard/34
Package Contents (QIO-E3-PCIE)	PCIe 2.0 bus extender card
Package Contents (QIO-E3-TB)	Thunderbolt interface adapter 0.5-meter Thunderbolt cable

Mac Compatibility

OS X® Version 10.6.8-10.8.3

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

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

Any Mac with Thunderbolt port
(Order Part No. QIO-E3-TB)

Windows Compatibility

Windows 8

Windows 7

Windows Vista®

Windows Server 2008 R2

Windows Server 2008

PC Compatibility

For up-to-date PC compatibility see our Qio Family PC Compatibility Chart

Technical Notes

Supports only cards and devices compatible with Echo ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt Adapter.

Simultaneous Ingest Aggregate Speed

System	Mac Pro / HP Z800	Thunderbolt Mac	17" MacBook Pro	HP Laptop
Qio Interface	PCIe Card	Thunderbolt	ExpressCard/34	ExpressCard/34
Destination Storage	Fast External Storage	Fast External Thunderbolt Storage	Fast External Thunderbolt Storage	Motherboard eSATA or USB 3.0 Connected Storage
1 x SxS Card	150 MB/sec	150 MB/sec	150 MB/sec	150 MB/sec
2 x SxS Cards	300 MB/sec	250 MB/sec	200 MB/sec	200 MB/sec
3 x SxS Cards	380 MB/sec	300 MB/sec	200 MB/sec	200 MB/sec

Qio E3 Accessories		Part No.	Description
	FireWire 400-to-3.5mm Power Cable	CABLE-PWR-P200S	1-meter FireWire 400 to 3.5mm power connector cable
	PCIe 2.0 Bus Extender ExpressCard/34	PCIE-E34	Spare ExpressCard/34 interface
	PCIe 2.0 Bus Extender Card	PCIE-E2	Spare PCIe interface card
	Qio Thunderbolt Interface Kit Adapter Kit	QTB-IFK	Thunderbolt interface adapter with PCIe and Thunderbolt cables

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...