RME HDSPe Express Card en_hdspe_expresscard.pdf

HDSPe ExpressCard

Expresscard/34 for mobile computers

Overview

In the year 2001 RME started a revolution in mobile audio recording by introducing the HDSP System, consisting of a

CardBus card plus an external I/O-box. The world’s first professional multitrack system for laptops was born.

While other products loose their right to exist already after a few years, continuing firmware and driver updates

ensured the HDSP system to remain a cutting-edge product, still offering un-beaten performance and great

popularity among the users. With the HDSPe ExpressCard the HDSP system is still at its best - and compatible to all

newer laptops with ExpressCard slots.

The HDPe ExpressCard uses RME’s own audio bus, already known from the PCI version, operating in combination

with Multiface II, Multiface, Digiface and the RPM DJ interface. This way RME offers a seamless upgrade path to the

faster PCI Express computers. Current RME interface owners will not loose all the money formerly invested in audio

hardware.

PCIe and ExpressCard are simply the best interfaces for professional audio - no other solution can keep up regarding

low Latency and lowest CPU load. Also in regards of competition RME’s HDSP system is still unsurpassed. No other

manufacturer offers such a flexible, robust, performing and expandable solution.

Features

ExpressCard/34

Connection of:

Multiface II

Multiface

Digiface

HDSP RPM

Engineered and Made in Germany

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Features

RME’s HDSPe Express Card is not based on a PCI to PCI Express bridge, which would simply add PCIe to existing PCI technology. It is a newly developed genuine PCI Express solution,
which consequently takes full advantage of the new format, achieving significant performance gains in multitrack audio. Thanks to RME’s flash update technology, future firmware
improvements, adjustments, and bugfixes can be installed easily at any time. Furthermore, the Secure BIOS Technology ensures that the card stays fully functional even when the
flash process fails.

The ExpressCard is based on the PCI Express Base Specification v 1.1. It represents a 1-Lane PCI Express endpoint device and supports 2.5 Gbps line speed. Thanks to the packet-based
full duplex communication, the card provides a transfer rate of up to 500 MB/s - 250 MB/s in each direction.

The connection between ExpressCard and I/O box is established using ordinary firewire cable (IEEE 1394, 6-pin). The data transfer does not use FireWire protocol, but RME’s own
proprietary bus protocol. The supplied cable is 4 m (12 ft.) long. The ExpressCard does not provide power to the attached I/O-box.

Therefore a compact and light-weight hi-tech switch-mode power supply is included.

Tech Specs

ExpressCard, 34 mm standard

1-Lane PCI Express endpoint device

250 MB/s transfer rate per direction

Secure BIOS Technology: card stays fully functional even when the flash process fails

Output: IEEE 1394 connector, RME bus protocol

Package contents: ExpressCard, cable 4 meter (12 ft) IEEE 1394a, switch-mode power supply 100 V-240 V/12 V - 1.25 A, car cable, battery cable

Worldwide Distribution

Am Pfanderling 60 . 85778 Haimhausen . Germany

Tel.: [phone] Fax: [phone]

www.rme-audio.de

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