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    ProGrade announces its first CFexpress 4.0 Type B memory card & reader

    By 9 Comments3 Mins Read Industry News
    progradecfe4header 1536x518 - ProGrade announces its first CFexpress 4.0 Type B memory card & reader

    San Jose, CA September 5, 2023, 8:00 am ET — ProGrade Digital, Inc., founded with a mission to provide the highest quality professional grade digital memory cards and workflow solutions, announces the 3rd generation of its CFexpress™ Type B Cobalt-class memory card in a new 1.3TB capacity. This new generation features the same industry-leading quality of ProGrade current 2nd generation 325GB and 650GB capacity cards, but now leverages PCIe Gen 4 interconnect with NVMe 1.4c host controller interface. ProGrade Digital’s 3rd generation CFexpress Cobalt cards are fully compliant with the just released CFexpress 4.0 specification, and provide read speeds of up to 3,400MB/s, burst write speeds of up to 3,000MB/s, and sustained write speeds of up to 2,800MB/s – ideally suited for the highest-resolution cinema-grade video capture applications. As in past Cobalt-class memory card generations, the highest endurance and reliability memory technology is utilized – ensuring years of trouble-free, high-performance capture.

    “The introduction of our 3rd generation CFexpress Cobalt card at the 1.3TB capacity point provides the extra space and unparalleled performance needed for the very highest resolution video capture needs,” said Wes Brewer, Founder and CEO of ProGrade Digital. “Our inclusion of PCIe Gen 4 controller technology, coupled with upcoming USB 4.0 high-speed readers will allow offloading speeds 3x greater than previously possible, providing a dramatic reduction in workflow processing time.”

    ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type B 1.3TB Cobalt Memory Card: 

    • Maximum read speed up to 3,400MB/s
    • Burst write speed up to 3,000MB/s
    • Minimum sustained write speed up to 2,800MB/s
    • CFexpress 4.0
    • Capacity: 1.3TB
    • MSRP: $1,459.99

    CFexpress Type B 1.3TB Cobalt Delivers: 

    • Fully compliant with CompactFlash™ Association 4.0 specification and backward compatible with 2.0 specification
    • NVMe host interface with PCIe Gen4 X2 interconnect
    • Low standby power through NVMe PS0 – PS4 support enabling extended battery life
    • Metal enclosure for improved durability and heat dissipation
    • Thermal throttling protects the card from overheating
    • Laser etched unique serial numbering for the tracking of key components and manufacturing data for the highest quality control
    • Temperature ranges: operating 14°F to 158°F/ -10°C to 70°C; storage -4°F to 185°F/ -20°C to 85°C
    • Packaging: Biodegradable fiber tray 
    • Refresh Pro ready*
    • SLC (Single Level Cell) memory technology for the highest endurance and reliability
    • RED V-Raptor and Komodo X approved
    • X-ray proof and shock-proof
    • 3-year warranty

    ProGrade Digital USB 4.0 CFexpress Type B Single-Slot Card Reader Key Features:

    • Single-slot memory card reader for CFexpress 4.0 Type B cards
    • Backward compatible with CFexpress 2.0 Type B cards
    • Transfer rates of up to 40Gbps (5GBytes/sec)
    • USB 4.0 interface
    • Patented magnetic base and included adhesive metal plate
    • Heat sink for extra cooling capability
    • Refresh Pro™ enabled*
    • USB 4.0 certified cable included
    • MSRP $99.99

    ProGrade Digital products are available at B&H Photo and Amazon.

    Some of our articles may include affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

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    9 comments

    1. I’m very excited to see this technology mature so rapidly. That said, there currently isn’t any need to buy this memory card or reader as none of the cameras that I own can utilize them and none of my computers would benefit from a faster reader than my current CFExpress devices. Perhaps something down the line will take advantage of this theoretical speed? That would be a MONSTER of a camera.
    2. I really hope the Canon R1 utilizes this new 4.0 specification for some amazing buffer and write speeds with 45 MP sensor. With sustained write speed of 2800 MB/s in theory one could easily write 50 fps with a 45 MP sensor. WOW!!
    3. I really hope the Canon R1 utilizes this new 4.0 specification for some amazing buffer and write speeds with 45 MP sensor. With sustained write speed of 2800 MB/s in theory one could easily write 50 fps with a 45 MP sensor. WOW!!
      The R5 isn’t using even the ‘old’ standard to its limits, so anything above 500mbyte/s would already be an improvement for Canon bodies.

      I know Asmedia introduced an PCIe4 to TB4/USB4 controller recently, that would allow us to have those 3gbyte/s read speeds for getting the photos and videos onto our computers.
    4. I’m very excited to see this technology mature so rapidly. That said, there currently isn’t any need to buy this memory card or reader as none of the cameras that I own can utilize them and none of my computers would benefit from a faster reader than my current CFExpress devices. Perhaps something down the line will take advantage of this theoretical speed? That would be a MONSTER of a camera.
      Your R6 II and R7 don't have CF Express.
      However, the buffer would be much improved on your R5.
      Your R3 would benefit the most since it can go up to 195 FPS.
      The current buffer is only 1/2 second for 50 FPS and above.

      In regards to your computer, if it does not have USB 4 or the ability to install an internal drive then you might not see much of a difference.
    5. Quite interesting, hopefully, this will make prices on current generation cards go further down.

      And the big question is how hot will those new cards run? And perhaps they will run cooler at current gent speeds in eg a Canon R5?

      My PC actually has two Thunderbolt4/usb4 40Gbps ports. And since my current wise card reader (G1) is a bit unstable I might buy the new card reader, in order to be a little futureproof and also get slightly better offloading speeds on my current cards.
    6. Your R6 II and R7 don't have CF Express.
      However, the buffer would be much improved on your R5.
      Your R3 would benefit the most since it can go up to 195 FPS.
      The current buffer is only 1/2 second for 50 FPS and above.

      In regards to your computer, if it does not have USB 4 or the ability to install an internal drive then you might not see much of a difference.
      I believe the limitation of the R3 is the internal buffer writing to cards peaks at 408 MB/s. No matter how fast the CFExpress card is, it doesn't appear that the camera will ever write quicker than that. So putting a card with theoretical 4,000 MB/s write speed would still perform identical to a CFExpress card that peaks at a sustained speed 1/4 of it like my ProGrade Cobalt cards.

      I don't know what the R5 peaks out at, but I doubt it would be quicker than the R3.
    7. I believe the limitation of the R3 is the internal buffer writing to cards peaks at 408 MB/s. No matter how fast the CFExpress card is, it doesn't appear that the camera will ever write quicker than that. So putting a card with theoretical 4,000 MB/s write speed would still perform identical to a CFExpress card that peaks at a sustained speed 1/4 of it like my ProGrade Cobalt cards.

      I don't know what the R5 peaks out at, but I doubt it would be quicker than the R3.
      A very similar speed judging by my non-scientific tests with my R5.
      So we can get a 3-4x improvement with the ‘old’ PCIe3 cards in future bodies if Canon decides to use full speed CFe :)
    8. I believe the limitation of the R3 is the internal buffer writing to cards peaks at 408 MB/s. No matter how fast the CFExpress card is, it doesn't appear that the camera will ever write quicker than that. So putting a card with theoretical 4,000 MB/s write speed would still perform identical to a CFExpress card that peaks at a sustained speed 1/4 of it like my ProGrade Cobalt cards.

      I don't know what the R5 peaks out at, but I doubt it would be quicker than the R3.
      That is the highest sustained rate assured by the current standard.
      VPG400:
      shuttermuse.com

      CFexpress Cards Explained

      CFexpress Cards are the new standard memory card format. Here's everything you need to know about Cfexpress Type A and Type B.
      shuttermuse.com shuttermuse.com
      It is smart of Canon not to assume any higher.
      It would be pointless to have a faster CF Express standard without also having an increase in the standard for sustained write speeds as well.
      I am assuming that there will be a corresponding VPG 800.
      I don't see Canon upgrading existing cameras via firmware but I am hoping for that with the R1, R5 II, and R3 II.
    9. That is the highest sustained rate assured by the current standard.
      VPG400:
      shuttermuse.com

      CFexpress Cards Explained

      CFexpress Cards are the new standard memory card format. Here's everything you need to know about Cfexpress Type A and Type B.
      shuttermuse.com shuttermuse.com
      It is smart of Canon not to assume any higher.
      It would be pointless to have a faster CF Express standard without also having an increase in the standard for sustained write speeds as well.
      I am assuming that there will be a corresponding VPG 800.
      I don't see Canon upgrading existing cameras via firmware but I am hoping for that with the R1, R5 II, and R3 II.
      Nikon already supports the full CFe bandwidth for writing files on the Z9 (and likely Z8), people report a much better burst speed when using cards that handle >1gbyte/s sustained writes.

      And don't tell people what the 'V' in VPG stands for, they might faint after realizing that a body without any video related feature will have severely hampered still capabilities ;)

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