Shooting video with the R3: SD card recording not available error

[Bill_Biles]

When switching to video mode it says on screen "When 4k-U59.94 All-1 is set SD cared rec. not available". I am assuming its the card. I am using SanDisk Extreme Pro 128gb read 1700 write 1200 CF Expree card. If it is the card what should I use, or is there a setting I need to set. It will shoot video it will shoot in FHD mode only. 

Any suggestions will be appriciated!

[p4pictures · Accepted solution]

Are you actually recording to the SD card? 

Some video modes have too high data rate for SD cards to be used. The message you saw mentions SD card so it seems that you are trying to record to the SD card. 4K 60 ALL-I would definitely need the speed of the CF Express card. 

If you have an SD card in the camera remove it and see if the camera records to the CF express card without problems. 

[p4pictures · Accepted solution]

Are you actually recording to the SD card? 

Some video modes have too high data rate for SD cards to be used. The message you saw mentions SD card so it seems that you are trying to record to the SD card. 4K 60 ALL-I would definitely need the speed of the CF Express card. 

If you have an SD card in the camera remove it and see if the camera records to the CF express card without problems. 

[AtticusLake · Accepted solution]

So the error message is telling us that your selected movie mode is 4k, at a frame rate of 59.94 FPS, all-intra.  The data rate in that mode is simply too high for SD cards, so the camera won't record to an SD card.  That's what the message is telling you.

It's not an issue with the specific make and model of SD card; SD cards in general are just too slow.  The highest speed rating for SD cards is v90, which is 90 MB/s (mega-bytes per second), which is 720 Mb/s (mega-bits per second).  Do not pay attention to the speed numbers printed on the card, they are totally bogius for video recording.  I made a video explaining this: https://moonblink.info/MudLake/tech#Cards

You need to either switch to a lower video mode, or get a CF Express type B card.  For the latter, a card wiith the VPG 400 logo is recommended.

All this is detailed in the Advanced User Guide; see page 362, "Cards That Can Record Movies".