Expresscard not locking into slot on MacBookPro

jimmy · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 9

-- Late 2007 MacBookPro 17" (Model 2,1) Core 2 Duo 2.33 GHz

The MXO2 Expresscard seems very easy to pull from the /34 slot with only a slight tug on the device (or connected cable). It's clearly not fully latching to whatever capture mechanism is employed.

I don't know if this is a design flaw (the Expresscard or the Mac) or if perhaps something is broken on my MacBookPro - but it's giving me second thoughts on using this config out in the real world.

Any thoughts? If there's a redesign in the works, will there be a recall / trade-in / exchange program?

This card:

P/N 63039622001
S/N BJ75666

Thanks!
-jimmy

Matrox_Support_Peter · Site Admin Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 543

Hi Jimmy,

we have not heard of issues where the express cards are loose. Do you have another express card to try to see if the MacBook might be at fault? Would you have access to another Macbook to see if the same thing happens?

Regards

Peter

Matrox Video Technical Support

Andy Mees · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 1018

we have not heard of issues where the express cards are loose

Well thats actually quite surprising Peter, as it is a common complaint which Matrox are very definitely aware of. Have a quick gander at this recent review by Steve Douglas over on the Creative COW website:

http://www.lafcpug.org/reviews/review_mxo2.html

jimmy · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 9

Today I compared the MXO2 Express34 card with a couple of others - a Verizon broadband modem card (dont recall make) and a SanDisk SxS media card.

The lower locking "lip" on the very end of the Verizon and SanDisk cards is very "abrupt" in terms of taper - and allows the latching mechanism in the MacBookPro to catch the lip and lock firmly.

The lower lip of the MXO2's card - in relative terms - is more like a ramp... with a taper from front to back perhaps 6 to 8 times the length (end to front) as the other cards that properly lock.

It's that lengthy taper on the MXO2 that is preventing the MBP's locking mechanism from engaging - thus enabling the way-too-easy removal.

I didn't have a macro lens available to take a good closeup picture of the two, but if you can't figure out what I'm talking about I can draw a picture tomorrow.

thanks-
-jimmy

jimmy · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 9

jimmy · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 9

:
:

Cards shown "upside down" to highlight differences in locking tab shapes.

This should at least help visually clarify things a bit Smile

thanks-
-jimmy

Matrox_Support_Peter · Site Admin Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 543

Hi jimmy,

Thank you providing us with this information. I wanted to update you and let you know that we are currently investigating this and I will update this thread as soon we have more information.

Regards,

Peter

Matrox Video Technical Support

filmview · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 3

I've had the same issue from Day 1. Very annoying.
The card often pops out from my MBP (2.4 Core @ Duo).
All in all I'm disappointed with this box.
Matrox literature led me to believe I'd be able to capture HD @ ProRes to my MBP laptop. Haven't had any success with this at all without dropping frames and the latency issues with SD & HD capture are killing me when I capture live on commercial shoots.
I hope future updates reduce the latency issues and get rid of a lot of the bugs mentioned on these forums.
Yes, I am running the latest 1.3.1 driver.

jimmy · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 9

Andy Mees · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 1018

Matrox literature led me to believe I'd be able to capture HD @ ProRes to my MBP laptop

Filmview, I should think you would have grounds for serious complaint if you have any evidence of this misleading literature ... personally, other than the very very recent announcement of specific support for capture of 23.98 fps 720p @ to ProRes 422 with the MXO2 on a MBP, I've not seen anything that even remotely alludes towards capture of ProRes at HD resolutions being possible with the MXO2 on any dual core Mac. If this literature is online would you please post a link, or if its printed info maybe you could scan it and post it for us? I'm pretty sure we could get Matrox to change it if nothing else.

Matrox_Presales · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 889

Hello,

Matrox has an MXO2 FAQ section where it confirms that the MXO2 can capture to ProRes 422 and ProRes 422 HQ in realtime.
However, the answer to question 4 explains the MXO2's capture capacity with the MacBook Pro CPUs and ProRes 422 HQ (Quote from FAQ page):

tim@videoloungeproductions.com · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 2

Mine won't stay in at all and doesn't connect the MXO2, all other sxs cards etc, lock in fine

mvp · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 11

hope i'm not causing a firestorm posting in this old thread... i had this happen to me today when i moved my mbp and the cable going to the mxo2 was pinned down by, you guessed it, the mxo2 itself! and it ended up yanking out the card! i tried to put it back in but it wouldn't stay so i actually pushed it in and noticed this weird little spring action (guess this unlocked it) and the next time i went to push in the card it locked. after this happened i wanted to make sure it wouldn't keep happening so i tried pulling it out myself and it didn't come out too easily but it still did...

so i rigged up a 0.99$ fix and now even the hulk can't pull the card out! check it out!

and i have to agree with andy on the whole pro res capture on a mbp. all i've seen from matrox is what he mentioned. i'm sure if you dig through the matrox homepage they'll list required specs for working with pro res.

redcanary · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 1

Im having this same problem. The first two times I inserted the card - it stayed in fine. The third time, couldn't get it to stay locked in. I guess I'll try the velcro technique. This is my first Matrox product and I hope they can remedy this issue for us.

Todd

jimmy · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 9