Sonnet Technologies has recently expanded its lineup of Thunderbolt to PCI Express (PCIe) card expansion systems with the introduction of four new products: Echo™ II DV Desktop, Echo II DV Rackmount, Echo II DV Module, and xMac™ Studio/Echo II DV.
These additions are designed to enhance the performance capabilities of computers equipped with Thunderbolt ports, offering significant improvements in bandwidth and performance for professional video and audio workflows.
Enhanced Bandwidth and Performance
The new Echo II DV series enables the simultaneous use of two high-performance PCIe cards, providing up to 2,880 MB/s of PCIe bandwidth per card. This marks a significant advancement over previous multislot PCIe card expansion chassis, effectively doubling the bandwidth available for high-bandwidth applications.
Versatile Product Offerings
The product range includes the Echo II DV Desktop, a full-size chassis for desktop use; the Echo II DV Rackmount, a 2U rack-mountable enclosure for professional setups; the Echo II DV Module, an upgrade option for modular desktop and rackmount enclosures; and the xMac Studio/Echo II DV, a preconfigured system specifically designed for Mac Studio® computers. Each product supports full-height, full-length, single-width PCIe cards, addressing the needs of various user setups.
Technical Specifications and Connectivity
At the core of the Echo II DV lineup is the Echo II DV Module, which houses two x16 PCIe 3.1 slots each connected to its own Thunderbolt interface. This module allows for the connection of up to full-height, full-length PCIe cards to computers without PCIe slots. It also includes a 400W power supply and two 75W auxiliary power connectors for power-intensive non-GPU cards. The module, as well as the other products in the series, connects to computers via Thunderbolt (40Gbps) cables, ensuring high-speed data transfer and performance.
Addressing Professional Needs
The Echo II DV series is tailored for professionals in video and audio production who require additional ports and capabilities not available on standard computers. This includes laptops, mini desktops, and all-in-one computers like the MacBook Pro®, Mac Studio, and iMac®, which often lack the necessary internal expansion options. By using these expansion systems, professionals can significantly enhance their workflow efficiency and performance, leveraging the full potential of their PCIe cards through a Thunderbolt connection.
Compatibility and Use Cases
These systems are compatible with M series Mac computers and some Thunderbolt 4 PCs, both of which offer the necessary Thunderbolt ports to maximize the 2,880 MB/s PCIe bandwidth per card. This allows for the full utilization of two PCIe cards’ capabilities simultaneously, catering to high-bandwidth requirements across various applications, including DV I/O, NVMe SSD storage, and high-speed Ethernet adapters. This development represents a significant step forward in connectivity solutions, offering professionals more flexibility and power in their workflows.
News source: https://www.sonnettech.com/home.html
