Point Grey Research Knowledge Base

Article 322 - Can I use a PCMCIA-ExpressCard adapter with my camera?

Issue:
This article cautions against using a PCMCIA-ExpressCard adapter with Point Grey cameras.

Solution:

Many Point Grey camera kits provide an ExpressCard for connecting your camera to a notebook computer. If your notebook computer does not have an ExpressCard slot, we recommend against using a PCMCIA-ExpressCard adapter to connect your camera. To date, we have found no such adapter that provides reliable results for establishing a connection, providing external power, or both. This issue may be a result of differences in bandwidth between the two interfaces, or other design considerations. The ExpressCard interface provides a maximum throughput of 2 gigabits per second, while the PCMCIA card can transmit slightly more than 1 gigabit per second.

If your notebook computer is equipped only with a PCMCIA card slot, we recommend connecting the camera directly to a PCMCIA card for the slot. Alternatively, connect to a notebook computer that has a built-in ExpressCard slot.

Related Articles:
1.) Differences to consider when selecting an IEEE-1394 PCI / PCMCIA host adapter card.
2.) My laptop's IEEE-1394 port or PCMCIA card doesn’t supply power to my camera.


Article ID:
322
Published:
2/6/2009 3:50:50 PM
Last Modified:
2/6/2009 3:50:50 PM
Keywords:
ExpressCard, PCMCIA, adapter, notebook, laptop
Issue Type:
Configuration

Copyright © 2004 Point Grey Research Inc.