For the Makers
HIGHLIGHTS
Compact Drive Express makes no compromises. Engineered with the same industry-benchmark performance and build quality as all CODEX capture media, but available at a lower price point for those who only wish to record in the Apple ProRes format.
Created for use with the ARRI ALEXA 35, it fits seamlessly with the CODEX Compact Drive ecosystem to make high-end filmmaking more accessible.
FAQS
Can I use Compact Drive Express in ALEXA Mini LF or ALEXA 265 camera systems?
No, Compact Drive Express is only compatible with the ALEXA 35 and requires SUP 4.0.0 or above.
What is the capacity of the Compact Drive Express?
The usable capacity of the CP08-1024 model is 960GB.
Can I put camera tape or other labels on a Compact Drive Express?
Thin labels or asset stickers can be applied to the plastic surface of the Compact Drive Express (that has the large CODEX logo). No tape or labels should be applied to the metal surfaces of the Compact Drive Express.
The bottom surface of the Compact Drive Express is made of black anodised metal and must be kept clean to ensure that it does not overheat during recording. This is because the metal surface makes direct contact with the camera’s cooling core.
We strongly recommend that camera or fabric tape should be avoided as it may impede the Compact Drive Express being loaded in the Reader or Adapter, and leave residue that could cause damage or prevent proper cooling.
I have accidentally reformatted a Compact Drive Express. Can the data be recovered?
When a Compact Drive Express is reformatted in the ALEXA 35 a secure erase operation is performed. This means that data is entirely deleted and recovery is not possible.
If a Compact Drive Express is reformatted or erased on a computer then recovery may be possible - please contact CODEX Support for assistance.
How long does it take to download a full Compact Drive Express?
Assuming that the Compact Drive Reader is connected via USB-C (to achieve ~1GB/s speeds), and that the backup storage is fast enough to write at ~1GB/s, the download time for 960GB of data would be around 16 minutes. If a copy application is used to perform a verification pass (recommended) then this will add some overhead to the process - depending on the type of checksum and verification method used it may double the overall download time.
Here are some approximate download times for a full 960GB Compact Drive Express along with the data rate that the backup storage would need to achieve them*:
*These tests were performed using a Mac Mini M2 Pro (2023).
No, Compact Drive Express is only compatible with the ALEXA 35 and requires SUP 4.0.0 or above.
What is the capacity of the Compact Drive Express?
The usable capacity of the CP08-1024 model is 960GB.
Can I put camera tape or other labels on a Compact Drive Express?
Thin labels or asset stickers can be applied to the plastic surface of the Compact Drive Express (that has the large CODEX logo). No tape or labels should be applied to the metal surfaces of the Compact Drive Express.
The bottom surface of the Compact Drive Express is made of black anodised metal and must be kept clean to ensure that it does not overheat during recording. This is because the metal surface makes direct contact with the camera’s cooling core.
We strongly recommend that camera or fabric tape should be avoided as it may impede the Compact Drive Express being loaded in the Reader or Adapter, and leave residue that could cause damage or prevent proper cooling.
I have accidentally reformatted a Compact Drive Express. Can the data be recovered?
When a Compact Drive Express is reformatted in the ALEXA 35 a secure erase operation is performed. This means that data is entirely deleted and recovery is not possible.
If a Compact Drive Express is reformatted or erased on a computer then recovery may be possible - please contact CODEX Support for assistance.
How long does it take to download a full Compact Drive Express?
Assuming that the Compact Drive Reader is connected via USB-C (to achieve ~1GB/s speeds), and that the backup storage is fast enough to write at ~1GB/s, the download time for 960GB of data would be around 16 minutes. If a copy application is used to perform a verification pass (recommended) then this will add some overhead to the process - depending on the type of checksum and verification method used it may double the overall download time.
Here are some approximate download times for a full 960GB Compact Drive Express along with the data rate that the backup storage would need to achieve them*:
| READERS | DOWNLOAD TIME (960GB) | DATA RATE |
|---|---|---|
| Compact Drive Reader via USB-C cable (0.9A from host, amber LED) | 89 minutes | 180 MB/s |
| Compact Drive Reader via USB-C cable (1.5A from host, green LED) | 29 minutes | 550 MB/s |
| Compact Drive Reader via USB-C cable (3.0A from host, blue LED) | 16 minutes | 1000 MB/s |
| Compact Drive Reader (Thunderbolt 3) | 8 minutes | 2200 MB/s |
*These tests were performed using a Mac Mini M2 Pro (2023).
SPECIFICATIONS
| Capacity | 1TB (960GB usable) |
| Interface | PCIe |
| Form Factor | CDX |
| Camera Compatibility | ALEXA 35 (SUP 4.0.0 and above) |
| Recording Format | Apple ProRes |
| Dimensions | 45 x 77 x 10mm (1.8” x 3” x 0.4” approx) |
| Weight | 85g |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C ~ 70°C (32°F ~ 158°F) |
| Storage Temperature | -40°C ~ 85°C (-40°F ~ 185°F) |
| Power Consumption | 6W (at 8GB/s) |
| Transfer Speed | Up to 20Gbps |
| Certified Recording Speed | 8Gbps |
| Insertion/Removal Durability | 10,000 actions |
| Shock Resistance | (1/2 sine pulse, 0.5ms) - 1500G |
| Vibration Resistance | (7~800Hz)- 3.08Grms |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty |
| Product Code | CX.0001090 |
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