If this was truly for content creation professionals it would have CFExpress as most of the newer enthusiast and pro cameras have moved to that standard over the past five years or so. I have no clue why devices like this, which have TB and thus PCIe lanes, have not added CFE slots.
It's already $330 USD. How much would CFE add? Also I bet most people getting this won't even use the SD slot. They just want 4 monitors for whatever reason.
Sure, but the point is that it's not so useful for content creators without it. If I have to buy this *and* an $80 Prograde CFe reader then it's not all in one, especially since that will take yet another USB-C port. Should be integrated.
I see your point, however it seems to me that then the manufacturer would either have to offer both Type A (Sony users) _and_ Type B (everyone else) versions, or pick one version, leaving some group of users unsatisfied no matter what version they they choose.
I agree about the cost though - creators definitely will want CFE reader of one form or another which adds to the total cost. Of course many of us already have a USB version of reader at least.
FL Guy - Sony shooters are only around a third of the market. Type B at least catches most of the market. Ideally it would do both as well as UHS-II, but skipping Type A is reasonable.
First, there are a lot of "content creators" who are not pro photographers. Second, photographers may not be their target sector. By looking at the picture, stock traders might be a more important sector for such a product. Third, bandwidth might be limited. Most people would rather have an extra USB-C port than a CFE slot. Some other people would want 10 GigE. You can't have it all. The main purpose of this box is for those who wants 4 monitors with a single cable to a computer (usually a laptop).
Unclear what you mean dan. Content creators are mostly considered to be photographers and videographers. Stock traders are creating content and there are cheaper ways to add additional displays.
And yes, bandwidth is limited, it's just a TB connection ultimately regardless of how many devices you put on there. Typically a user isn't maxing out all functions at once, however, so it's not a big deal. Regardless, putting two sdcard slots and no CFe makes this a unserious attempt at the creator market they are claimed to be going for.
Streamers and other types of YouTube content creators aren't likely to need CFe, similarly animators, VFx, other visual or audio artists etc. are content creators and yet likely don't need CFe. Content creation is not one narrow band of meaning, it means different things to different people.
Most of the functions of this dock are basically useless for a streamer, honestly. There are better purpose built devices for that. I am aware there are other types but I'm also pointing out that this is essentially not that useful to one of the largest groups, which is basically anyone who owns a modern camera. Kinda a big miss there. Keeps ProGrade happy though.
"but the point is that it's not so useful for content creators without it." there is no truth to this. Most "content creators" don't even use CFe nor do those that do use 4 4k screens at least at their point of ingest.
“If I have to buy this *and* an $80 Prograde CFe reader then it's not all in one” lol
Again, my point is that the "content creator" part is silly. This is just a general purpose dock. Sure, that's something that some content creators are satisfied with. It's also fine for a stock broker. Or just a regular computer user. But without functions that are specifically useful to people who are content creators rather than generic ports that almost everyone could use, it's marketing fluff.
Content creators commonly need CFe. That's a fact. No not all of them, but many of them. Especially the Youtubers. Also videographers and photographers. This dock offers them nothing special.
This dock already has a lot going on, adding CFe will make it more complexed adding to the cost. The question is, how many potential buyers require it? let say you connect CFe reader, is it deal breaker it isn't a "pure AIO" ? also you could probably connect the CFe reader to one of the 10Gbit/s Type A port, saving the type C port. if you look at the picture you see the 4 monitors are showing financial information, and it's not by mistake - a lot of investors\brokers use sh!tload of displays - 4,5 and even 6 it makes a lot of sense to make a dock that geared towards this crowd, adding CFe reader might be too niche and expensive to justify such an addon.
"Content creation professionals" is a pretty vague category that could mean anything from some obese 35 year old trying to post copyrighted material on a monetized YouTube channel as his only attempt to generate income or could mean a member of a video editing and production crew so I think it's a bit unfair to state a specific capability's absence disqualifies it from what is already just a made-up marketing term that is intended to be interpreted by potential buyers in any number of different ways.
By that definition I guess literally everyone is a content creator and we shouldn't care if they actually include a pretty important feature that a huge amount of people who make the best content in the space actually require....
Or, and buckle up for this because it's revolutionary and insane thinking, people could buy things based on the capabilities they want and whether a product can fulfill that want.
I guess it's a valid alternative to flip the proverbial lid in the comments section of an article for a single product that is missing a desired feature you have allocated as important to a meaninglessly silly marketing-created category of buyers that doesn't actually exist.
It's important to literally anyone using a modern camera, which is literally most of what people consider to be "content creators". You admit that when you state that the term is diluted, which...is my point. If it does not include the capabilities most content creators need in 2024 then the term is meaningless marketing in this case.
Which was my point. They are using the term for SEO but it's not actually a device for a serious content creator.
As expensive as these things are a few dollars for another internal hub to go from 7 to 10 total ports wouldn't cost much more and would give plenty of room both for legacy devices and forward looking expansion.
I'm guessing this already has 2 internal hubs for a total of 10 downstream ports. 6 USB A, 1 USBC, (other C port is upstream), and then USB network, audio, and card reader modules internally.
As is, I'd probably look for a model that was USB-C heavy; I've got lots of 4 port A hubs for manual daisy chaining.
Since going all in on a 8K 65” monitor i really see no need for more than a single display. I mean whats the point, surround myself in 4 of those? Might be nice, if only they had 90 degree curvature… Those multimonitor docks are a thing of the past, now that we have truly highres super big displays.
Must be really hard to make these. Apparently it's impossible for one to be made that has at least 4 usb c & usb a (that all offer at least 4.5W). However, lots pad their ports numbers with hdmi (just use a usb c DP & get an adaptor cable; active if you're using something older than 1.4 (iirc)), SD card, micro sd card, Ethernet and the all important Kensington for those sticky fingered home thieves!
Someone, sponsor a kid to get his ee so he can make the future better (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
Did I read the table right? Four 4K60 displays not supported on any TB3 computers; not on any Macs, not on any AMD USB4 computers; not on any Intel 11th Gen CPU; not on some Intel 12th and 13th Gen CPU Windows computers... Per tech specs: ”Some computer manufacturers, such as Dell, disable Display Stream Compression (DSC) on some of their models reducing overall video performance.”
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Reflex - Monday, March 18, 2024 - link
If this was truly for content creation professionals it would have CFExpress as most of the newer enthusiast and pro cameras have moved to that standard over the past five years or so. I have no clue why devices like this, which have TB and thus PCIe lanes, have not added CFE slots.danbob999 - Monday, March 18, 2024 - link
It's already $330 USD. How much would CFE add?Also I bet most people getting this won't even use the SD slot. They just want 4 monitors for whatever reason.
Reflex - Monday, March 18, 2024 - link
Sure, but the point is that it's not so useful for content creators without it. If I have to buy this *and* an $80 Prograde CFe reader then it's not all in one, especially since that will take yet another USB-C port. Should be integrated.FL Guy - Monday, March 18, 2024 - link
I see your point, however it seems to me that then the manufacturer would either have to offer both Type A (Sony users) _and_ Type B (everyone else) versions, or pick one version, leaving some group of users unsatisfied no matter what version they they choose.I agree about the cost though - creators definitely will want CFE reader of one form or another which adds to the total cost. Of course many of us already have a USB version of reader at least.
Reflex - Tuesday, March 19, 2024 - link
FL Guy - Sony shooters are only around a third of the market. Type B at least catches most of the market. Ideally it would do both as well as UHS-II, but skipping Type A is reasonable.danbob999 - Monday, March 18, 2024 - link
First, there are a lot of "content creators" who are not pro photographers.Second, photographers may not be their target sector. By looking at the picture, stock traders might be a more important sector for such a product.
Third, bandwidth might be limited. Most people would rather have an extra USB-C port than a CFE slot. Some other people would want 10 GigE. You can't have it all. The main purpose of this box is for those who wants 4 monitors with a single cable to a computer (usually a laptop).
[email protected] - Monday, March 18, 2024 - link
OWC produces something close to the spec out you just providedReflex - Tuesday, March 19, 2024 - link
Unclear what you mean dan. Content creators are mostly considered to be photographers and videographers. Stock traders are creating content and there are cheaper ways to add additional displays.And yes, bandwidth is limited, it's just a TB connection ultimately regardless of how many devices you put on there. Typically a user isn't maxing out all functions at once, however, so it's not a big deal. Regardless, putting two sdcard slots and no CFe makes this a unserious attempt at the creator market they are claimed to be going for.
richardnpaul - Wednesday, March 20, 2024 - link
Streamers and other types of YouTube content creators aren't likely to need CFe, similarly animators, VFx, other visual or audio artists etc. are content creators and yet likely don't need CFe. Content creation is not one narrow band of meaning, it means different things to different people.Reflex - Wednesday, March 20, 2024 - link
Most of the functions of this dock are basically useless for a streamer, honestly. There are better purpose built devices for that. I am aware there are other types but I'm also pointing out that this is essentially not that useful to one of the largest groups, which is basically anyone who owns a modern camera. Kinda a big miss there. Keeps ProGrade happy though.Reflex - Tuesday, March 19, 2024 - link
Stock traders are *not* creating content, lol, my kingdom for an edit button.Skeptical123 - Wednesday, March 20, 2024 - link
"but the point is that it's not so useful for content creators without it." there is no truth to this. Most "content creators" don't even use CFe nor do those that do use 4 4k screens at least at their point of ingest.“If I have to buy this *and* an $80 Prograde CFe reader then it's not all in one” lol
Reflex - Thursday, March 21, 2024 - link
Again, my point is that the "content creator" part is silly. This is just a general purpose dock. Sure, that's something that some content creators are satisfied with. It's also fine for a stock broker. Or just a regular computer user. But without functions that are specifically useful to people who are content creators rather than generic ports that almost everyone could use, it's marketing fluff.Content creators commonly need CFe. That's a fact. No not all of them, but many of them. Especially the Youtubers. Also videographers and photographers. This dock offers them nothing special.
Eliadbu - Tuesday, March 26, 2024 - link
This dock already has a lot going on, adding CFe will make it more complexed adding to the cost. The question is, how many potential buyers require it? let say you connect CFe reader, is it deal breaker it isn't a "pure AIO" ? also you could probably connect the CFe reader to one of the 10Gbit/s Type A port, saving the type C port.if you look at the picture you see the 4 monitors are showing financial information, and it's not by mistake - a lot of investors\brokers use sh!tload of displays - 4,5 and even 6
it makes a lot of sense to make a dock that geared towards this crowd, adding CFe reader might be too niche and expensive to justify such an addon.
PeachNCream - Monday, March 18, 2024 - link
"Content creation professionals" is a pretty vague category that could mean anything from some obese 35 year old trying to post copyrighted material on a monetized YouTube channel as his only attempt to generate income or could mean a member of a video editing and production crew so I think it's a bit unfair to state a specific capability's absence disqualifies it from what is already just a made-up marketing term that is intended to be interpreted by potential buyers in any number of different ways.Reflex - Tuesday, March 19, 2024 - link
By that definition I guess literally everyone is a content creator and we shouldn't care if they actually include a pretty important feature that a huge amount of people who make the best content in the space actually require....PeachNCream - Tuesday, March 19, 2024 - link
Or, and buckle up for this because it's revolutionary and insane thinking, people could buy things based on the capabilities they want and whether a product can fulfill that want.I guess it's a valid alternative to flip the proverbial lid in the comments section of an article for a single product that is missing a desired feature you have allocated as important to a meaninglessly silly marketing-created category of buyers that doesn't actually exist.
Reflex - Tuesday, March 19, 2024 - link
It's important to literally anyone using a modern camera, which is literally most of what people consider to be "content creators". You admit that when you state that the term is diluted, which...is my point. If it does not include the capabilities most content creators need in 2024 then the term is meaningless marketing in this case.Which was my point. They are using the term for SEO but it's not actually a device for a serious content creator.
kirsch - Monday, March 18, 2024 - link
The one thing all these new Thunderbolt docks seem to be short on is Thunderbolt and USB-C ports!Reflex - Monday, March 18, 2024 - link
Yup, I'm struggling to find a good USB-C hub like the many 7+ port USB-A hubs I've owned.meacupla - Thursday, March 21, 2024 - link
Other World Computing (OWC) might have something you are looking for.Reflex - Thursday, March 21, 2024 - link
Very nice callout, this Thunderbolt Pro Dock is actually damn close to what I would call a pro level content creator dock: https://www.owc.com/solutions/thunderbolt-pro-dock10GbE
CFexpress Type B
SD 4.0
2xTB4
If I have any complaint it's that it's a bit light on USB-C, but beggars can't be choosers and this ticks most of the boxes. Great find!
FL Guy - Monday, March 18, 2024 - link
+1. It seems like most Thunderbolt hubs have several non-USB-C/TB ports, or USB-C/TB ports, but generally not both.For the price that TB4 hubs sell for, it would be really nice to have multiple of both types of ports imho.
DanNeely - Tuesday, March 19, 2024 - link
As expensive as these things are a few dollars for another internal hub to go from 7 to 10 total ports wouldn't cost much more and would give plenty of room both for legacy devices and forward looking expansion.I'm guessing this already has 2 internal hubs for a total of 10 downstream ports. 6 USB A, 1 USBC, (other C port is upstream), and then USB network, audio, and card reader modules internally.
As is, I'd probably look for a model that was USB-C heavy; I've got lots of 4 port A hubs for manual daisy chaining.
Reflex - Wednesday, March 20, 2024 - link
This. I don't get the dearth of ports on modern USB-C hubs/docks/etc.watersb - Monday, March 18, 2024 - link
I had thought that Thunderbolt 4 specifically required TB4 docks to support daisy-chaining to another Thunderbolt 4 dock.It's all eventually sharing 40Gbps to the host computer, of course.
bernstein - Monday, March 18, 2024 - link
Since going all in on a 8K 65” monitor i really see no need for more than a single display.I mean whats the point, surround myself in 4 of those? Might be nice, if only they had 90 degree curvature…
Those multimonitor docks are a thing of the past, now that we have truly highres super big displays.
meacupla - Monday, March 18, 2024 - link
Yes, you can solve almost anything by throwing money at it.8K 65" costs what? $4000~$5000?
4K 28" or 32" monitors only cost around $400~$800 a piece.
tuxRoller - Monday, March 18, 2024 - link
Must be really hard to make these.Apparently it's impossible for one to be made that has at least 4 usb c & usb a (that all offer at least 4.5W).
However, lots pad their ports numbers with hdmi (just use a usb c DP & get an adaptor cable; active if you're using something older than 1.4 (iirc)), SD card, micro sd card, Ethernet and the all important Kensington for those sticky fingered home thieves!
Someone, sponsor a kid to get his ee so he can make the future better (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
TechnoRobert - Wednesday, March 20, 2024 - link
Did I read the table right? Four 4K60 displays not supported on any TB3 computers; not on any Macs, not on any AMD USB4 computers; not on any Intel 11th Gen CPU; not on some Intel 12th and 13th Gen CPU Windows computers... Per tech specs: ”Some computer manufacturers, such as Dell, disable Display Stream Compression (DSC) on some of their models reducing overall video performance.”HideOut - Sunday, March 24, 2024 - link
I think the M1 chart might be wrong. I thought M1 only supported 2 displays thru docks, and thats only if the primary clamshell display is closed?