IBC2023: Sonnet Unveiling Systems, Docking Stations, PCIe Card Expansion for Pro Digital Video Market

The current lineup of expansion systems from Sonnet Technologies, Inc. features 1– and 3-slot PCIe card systems, which connect to a single Thunderbolt port on a computer.

Echo II DV module

The 2-slot PCIe card models to be shown at IBC2023 – Echo II DV Module and xMac Mini Server DV – are designed to support the increasing bandwidth demands of contemporary video I/O cards used in digital video systems and to leverage the Apple Mac Studio and Mac mini computers equipped with M-series processors. These computers feature Thunderbolt ports supported by independent busses, providing up to 2,880MB/s of PCIe bandwidth to each port. Each PCIe card slot in the company’s systems connects to its own Thunderbolt port on the computer – to support pro video capture and transcoding cards with as much bandwidth as Thunderbolt can offer.

Xmac Mini Server DV

Pro Rackmount and Thunderbolt to PCIe card expansion systems for Mac Studio computers
At the IBC2023, the company will showcase its RackMac Studio and xMac Studio professional rackmount systems for Apple Mac Studio computers. Both products are 3U in height, fit in 19-inch equipment racks, and provide open access to the computers’ SD card slots and front and back ports.

RackMac Studio and xMac Studio Pro rackmount and Thunderbolt to PCIe card expansion solutions

The RackMac Studio is a compact rackmount enclosure to install and secure 1 or 2 Mac Studio computers. With its 9.5-inch mounting depth – plus firm rubber cushions that securely hold the computers in place during transport – it is for use in shallow molded rack cases, fly racks, or almost any travel rack. It provides space beneath each computer to house compact, portable Thunderbolt or USB SSDs (sold separately) behind access panels and secure them with supplied adhesive-backed magnets.

Designed for professional workflow expansion, the xMac Studio consists of a 16.5-inch-deep rackmount enclosure, which securely holds a single Mac Studio plus a Thunderbolt to PCIe card expansion module that adds PCIe card slots to the computer, connecting them via a Thunderbolt cable. Available with 1, 2, or 3-slot expansion module, it enables users to connect to their Mac Studio, the pro audio I/O and DSP cards, pro video capture, and transcoding cards, and other high-performance PCIe cards required for their workflows. It includes adjustable extension rails to support its installation into racks 16 to 24 inches deep, and like the RackMac Studio, provides space beneath the computer to house SSDs (sold separately) behind an access panel and secure them with supplied adhesive-backed magnets.

Docking stations

Visitors to at IBC2023 will see the company’s 3 new docking stations, which offer more capabilities and connectivity options than before. The Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock offers a record number of connectivity options plus an internal slot for installing an M.2 NVMe SSD. The 2nd new model – Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 HDMI Dock – upgrades the company’s original Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock design to add HDMI 2.1 display and 2.5GbE connectivity, while the 3rd new dock – Echo 13 Triple 4K Display Dock – supports connecting three 4K@60Hz HDMI and/or DisplayPort displays to most modern computers, even Apple M1 and M2 series computers. The firm’s docks enable users to connect multiple peripherals to their laptop, mini, and all-in-one computers through a single cable connected between the dock and computer.

25GbE networking products with macOS compatibility

At IBC2023, the company will also feature its low-priced 25GbE networking solutions: the Twin25G dual-port 25GbE Thunderbolt adapter for computers with Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 3 ports, plus the Twin25G PCIe Card dual-port 25GbE PCIe 3.0 adapter card.

The firm’s 25GbE solutions set an affordability benchmark and enable users to connect their computers via optical cables to high-speed network infrastructure and storage systems using the 25GbE standard. Both products include SFP28 transceivers and are Mac, Windows, and Linux compatible.