Sonnet Technologies (www.sonnettech.com) has announced its US$299, single-slot P2 memory card reader with a Thunderbolt interface. The Thunderbolt Pro P2 Card Reader is a pocket-size device for videographers using Panasonic P2 HD and P2 VariCam camcorders.

It can ingest footage from individual P2 memory cards at up to 70 MB/second, according to Robert Farnsworth, CEO of Sonnet Technologies. The Thunderbolt Pro P2 Card Reader connects to the computer through a single Thunderbolt cable. The device is powered over the same connection.

Measuring 3.6 inches wide by 1 inch high by 4.5 inches deep, the Thunderbolt Pro P2 Card Reader is the smallest P2 reader available, Farnsworth says. The reader's shell is made from extruded aluminum, making it lightweight yet rugged enough to be transported in an equipment bag without fear of cracking the case, he adds.

The Thunderbolt Pro P2 Card Reader includes a Thunderbolt cable for directly connecting the card reader to any Mac with a Thunderbolt port or at the end of a Thunderbolt device chain. Featuring 10 Gbps Thunderbolt technology, the device supports all P2 memory cards and frame rates at maximum speed and also reads microP2 cards with an optional adapter.