External PCI adaptor VS. .NET

[LASERGUY]

Hey guys and gals,

I was researching if there is something out on the market to connect a PCI card externally..
There is such a thing but it is pretty pricey..

I found this device that cost $400! =O

http://www.startech.com/item/PEX2PCI...nsion-Box.aspx

The reason I am looking into this is because I may soon be purchasing both a Pro pangolin seat plus an additional intro card for a second projection channel. As we all know pangolin offers the .NET setup to control these cards with laptops or other networked computers....
But at $700 a card.. That’s a little pricy for just a little added versatility for me. I will move the studio computer around before I drop $1400.

Anyways, does anyone have any experience with these external PCI controllers.
I simply want to move this box between my studio computer and my rack mount system.

Do these really work well?
Any trade-offs?

Thanks!

LG

[mikkojay]

Hey LG,
I bought one of these on ebay, and since I needed a good laptop anyway, bought a used Dell D620 to match. The docking station is pretty easy to tote around. Its not nearly as nice as a .Net, but it beats lugging a PC around
-Mike

[LASERGUY]

Mike,

Thanks man!

Thats definately a simple and economical solution.

LG

[300EVIL]

Hey LG,
I bought one of these on ebay, and since I needed a good laptop anyway, bought a used Dell D620 to match. The docking station is pretty easy to tote around. Its not nearly as nice as a .Net, but it beats lugging a PC around
-Mike

I agree. That is what I currently use. Picked mine up brand new on ebay for $20. It didn't work with my D810 when I got it but all I had to do was update the bios and everything was fine.

[Banthai]

I have one of those Dell dockers also and they work well

but you can only put 1 pci card in those

i think Laserguy is looking for something for 2 Pango Pci cards


all the best ....

Karl

[LASERGUY]

Karl,

Thanks for confirming the number of cards....

Yes, I will need to have two pango pci cards =)

[300EVIL]

Karl,

Thanks for confirming the number of cards....

Yes, I will need to have two pango pci cards =)

In that case, I'd go with a mini ITX motherboard with two PCI slots. That'll give you what you need plus a full computer for a very competitive price compared to two .net boxes.

[heroic]

If you get a laptop with either a ExpressCard or CardBus slot, you can get an external PCI card cage that will attach and doesn't need software modification. The USB bridge devices are not quite so straightforward.


http://www.magma.com/products/pci/2PCI/index.html will work with all compliant PCI cards, including the Pangolin cards. The really nice thing with the Magma boxes is that they have both PCI and Cardbus host adaptor cards, and the cards are cheaper than the entire box + card, so you can move from a desktop to a laptop easily.

[mikkojay]

That's pretty cool- I wonder if this one makes toast?

[pelosh]

Am I blind from lasers already or does it say £390 and not $400?!!