The brand new Angelbird Efficiency Card Reader CFexpress B delivers unprecedented learn and write speeds of three Gigabytes per second, making it quick sufficient to switch conventional transportable enhancing SSDs. We put this USB 4.0 powerhouse by way of its paces and in addition in contrast it to different CFexpress B readers and a quick SSD.
As filmmakers, we all know that quick storage is essential – each in cameras and enhancing setups. Sooner reminiscence playing cards don’t simply allow high-resolution recording; they dramatically scale back offloading time on the finish of exhausting taking pictures days when everybody must recharge. Nonetheless, many content material creators focus totally on reminiscence card speeds whereas overlooking the equally necessary efficiency of their card readers.
The Angelbird Efficiency Card Reader CFexpress B. Picture credit score: CineD
USB 4.0 makes the distinction
The arrival of USB 4.0 in storage media (v4 SD, CFexpress A and B playing cards) and cables represents a major leap ahead, offered all parts within the chain help the usual. Angelbird’s new AV Professional SE CFExpress v4 Sort B playing cards (our information report right here), out there in 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities, boast sticker speeds of as much as 3,700MB/s. To unlock this full potential, you want an equally succesful reader – enter the Efficiency Card Reader CFexpress B.
Vary of recent Angelbird AV Professional SE CFexpress B v4 playing cards. Picture credit score: CineD
Conforming to USB-C 4.0 requirements, each the brand new playing cards and reader help switch speeds as much as 40 Gb/s – double the velocity of Angelbird’s current PKT CFexpress B reader. A useful LED indicator reveals connection standing: white for lively USB 4.0 connections, blue for USB 3.2 (restricted to 20Gb/s), indicating both a slower card or cable within the chain.
Quick even when not used to learn simply reminiscence playing cards, but additionally for enhancing: The Angelbird Efficiency Card Reader CFexpress Sort B. Picture credit score: CineD
Construct high quality and design of the Angelbird Efficiency Card Reader CFexpress B
The Efficiency reader ships with a USB-C Strong Flex cable that includes comfortable, versatile building with braided cloth safety. Like different Angelbird readers, it incorporates a recessed connection level referred to as Strong Join, which successfully prevents unintended unplugging and reduces put on and tear on the connector. The housing itself is somewhat thicker than older Angelbird CFexpress Sort B readers, however that’s all the way down to the truth that their “Strong Cool” air flow system wants some house – it’s a small fan on the backside that retains the cardboard cooler to keep away from thermal throttling, and kicks in when wanted (extra on that beneath).
Actual-world efficiency testing vs. different readers
We examined the Efficiency reader in opposition to a number of rivals in our studio: the SanDisk Skilled Professional, two totally different OWC readers, and an older Angelbird CFexpress B reader. Utilizing Thunderbolt-4 suitable cables on legacy readers and the equipped USB-4 cable with the brand new Angelbird unit ensured cables weren’t the bottleneck.
We put a number of CFexpress Sort B readers head-to-head with Angelbird’s new Efficiency reader. Picture credit score: CineD
Direct enhancing efficiency, subjective impressions
Utilizing a 2TB AV Professional SE CFexpress v4 Sort B card within the Efficiency reader as a direct enhancing drive revealed spectacular outcomes. Whereas we wouldn’t suggest enhancing unique digital camera footage straight from a card if it’s your solely copy, cameras with twin CFexpress B slots make this viable for quick turnaround conditions utilizing the backup copy.
The enhancing expertise felt remarkably snappy – eliminating the acquainted split-second delays when scrubbing by way of 4K timelines. Playback appeared instantaneous all through testing.
Benchmark outcomes
Blackmagic Disk Pace Take a look at revealed extraordinary efficiency figures we’ve by no means seen from any card/reader mixture. The Angelbird Efficiency Card Reader CFexpress B with the 2TB AV Professional SE CFexpress v4 Sort B card constantly achieved roughly 3,000 MB/s for each learn and write speeds – that’s a sustained 3 Gigabytes per second in each instructions.
The Angelbird Efficiency Card Reader CFexpress B delivers spectacular benchmark outcomes. Screenshot from Blackmagic Disk Pace Take a look at app.
As a sensible instance, transferring 24 Gigabytes to the cardboard took lower than 5 seconds.
Comparability with different readers
Utilizing the identical v4 card throughout totally different readers highlighted the Efficiency reader’s benefit. Legacy readers (USB 3.2) with out USB-4 help delivered predictably slower outcomes:
- Older Angelbird Sort B reader: Write: 986 MB/s, Learn: 911 MB/s
- SanDisk Skilled reader: Write: 992 MB/s, Learn: 922 MB/s
- Older OWC reader: Write: 939 MB/s, Learn: 821 MB/s
- Compact OWC reader: Write: 344 MB/s, Learn: 1547 MB/s
These outcomes signify simply one-third of the Efficiency reader’s functionality with the identical card.
OWC Atlas FXR Thunderbolt CFexpress Sort B Card Reader gave weirdly blended outcomes studying the Angelbird AV Professional SE CFexpress v4 card. Screenshot from Blackmagic Disk Pace Take a look at app.
Competing with cellular SSDs
I additionally examined in opposition to the quickest cellular SSD out there in our studio – a G-Drive Professional SSD from SanDisk Skilled (Thunderbolt 3 system) linked through Thunderbolt 4. Outcomes confirmed 2,000 MB/s write and a pair of,500 MB/s learn speeds – quick, however nonetheless significantly beneath the Angelbird mixture’s 3,000 MB/s bidirectional efficiency.
Don’t fear, we didn’t take a look at them each on the identical time – however the Efficiency reader positively outperformed the G-Drive Professional SSD. Picture credit score: CineDThe San Disk Skilled G-Drive Professional SSD (Thunderbolt 3) nonetheless delivered respectable outcomes, however the brand new USB 4.0 reader/card mixture from Angelbird remained superior. Screenshot from Blackmagic Disk Pace Take a look at app.
Thermal administration
Throughout prolonged use as an enhancing drive, the Efficiency reader’s lively cooling system turns into obvious. A small built-in fan prompts when the cardboard temperature rises, stopping overheating and thermal throttling that will compromise efficiency. Angelbird calls this method Strong Cool, guaranteeing constant efficiency below heavy workloads. Whereas the fan noise is noticeable, it’s not disturbing and represents an inexpensive compromise for sustaining peak speeds.
Pricing and availability
This distinctive efficiency instructions premium pricing. The 1TB AV Professional SE CFexpress B card presently prices round $300/€300 plus tax, whereas the Efficiency CFexpress B reader provides roughly $250/€250 plus tax. Nonetheless, the time financial savings each on set and in post-production by way of dramatically sooner knowledge entry and switch speeds can justify the funding for skilled workflows. The Efficiency reader and the brand new playing cards can be found now.
Angebird’s CFexpress B v4 reader and playing cards appear to be a dependable and quick workhorse combo. Picture credit score: CineD
Conclusion
The Angelbird Efficiency Card Reader CFexpress B has turn out to be my new transportable enhancing answer, and I’ll now use conventional SSDs for on-the-go backup since they sometimes ship decrease learn and write speeds. The mixture of v4 CFexpress playing cards with the v4 Efficiency reader makes it clear that theoretical USB 4.0 speeds even have a real-life affect in post-production. I’m impressed.
So if you wish to prioritize velocity and effectivity in your digital camera storage workflow (it saves a lot time whereas offloading after the shoot!!!), this Angelbird mixture represents a major step ahead, in case you might be keen to pay the premium value for the Angelbird Efficiency Card Reader CFexpress B.
What’s your take, have you ever checked out your card reader velocity earlier than? Tell us within the feedback beneath.
