BMCP4K not detecting Samsung T5 SSD on startup

Hey everyone,

It sounds like the Samsung T5 SSD line is fairly popular among Pocket 4k users, has anyone else experienced an bug where the camera does not detect the drive on startup? I have to disconnect and reconnect the USB cable, which does not seem like a safe long-term solution.

Both camera and drive are updated to latest firmware.

Thanks for the help.

[Kristian Lam]

Hi Russ,

This was an issue we fixed in the latest firmware.

Given that you're already on the latest firmware, have you tried another USB cable? We've seen some variations in the USB cable that was shipped with the T5 SSDs that I think could potentially cause this.

Thanks for the quick reply. You were correct, the problem was the USB-C cable, although in this case it was a faulty third party cable and the mfg supplied cable works fine.

Thanks.

I have this problem with the new 8.1 firmware on the BMPCC4K.
Two disks T5 (500GB and 1 TB) that used to work fine with my 4K now are not detected.
I tried all kind of formatting procedures, format in NTFS and then reformat in ExFat, HFS... the disks are detected correctly on my Mac and I can format them, and use them, and no errors are detected on disk itself. They are also detected on Windows.

I tried also changing the usb-c cable. Same behaviour.

I have two additional disks (another T5 500GB and a T7 Shield 1TB disks) that are perfectly detected by the camera.
Should I conclude that there is some electronic issues with my first 2 disks that used to work fine until yesterday?
Or am I missing something?

Thanks

V. Toscani

I have the same issue. I am using a 2TB SanDisk. Previously I used a 1TB with no issue. This one, however seems to lock up the camera. I connect it and nothing seems to work. If I tap on the drive indicator at the bottom of the screen, it shows NO DRIVE. If I tapon that, I see the size and name but if I tap Use Drive, nothing happens.

I have tried different cables. It is formatted as HFS+ Journaled. Previously it was ExFAT.

first thing to check is if the SSD brand and capacity (size) is on the list of recommended SSD’s. Then one might try to update the SSD firmware. Third option, as mentioned, is to use different cables. USB C cables, USB C ports, have a large variety. 5V, 9V, 12V, 19V, and current, it all depends on both ports, and the cable. In some cases it also depends on the sequence of attaching cables. USB measuring devices like the Fnirsi FNB58 have become almost necessary when working with USB C. The FNB58 can also measure the cable resistance.

first thing to check is if the SSD brand and capacity (size) is on the list of recommended SSD’s. Then one might try to update the SSD firmware. Third option, as mentioned, is to use different cables. USB C cables, USB C ports, have a large variety. 5V, 9V, 12V, 19V, and current, it all depends on both ports, and the cable. In some cases it also depends on the sequence of attaching cables. USB measuring devices like the Fnirsi FNB58 have become almost necessary when working with USB C. The FNB58 can also measure the cable resistance.

Thanks. I have found the issue. It is the cable. I tried four cables. All work fine attached to my Mac with the SSD. Only one works connected to the camera, even though it does see the drive and reports it name and drive capacity. My issue is the working cable is not long enough to reach my Smallrig SSD mount.

Does anyone know the correct spec for a working lead? My good one is unbranded with no writing on it. I am assuming 40Gbps and 240W, as that is the highest spec I can see. I know monitors need high spec USB-C. Why can't USB-C just be a single standard???

I only use Angelbird Cables.
You can get them in 50 cm or 1 m.
Never had any problems.

... I know monitors need high spec USB-C. Why can't USB-C just be a single standard???

I always wonder why USB-C specs completely ignore the consumer and force everyone to waste money until they find what they need. A simple solution would replace the single insignia for USB-C with variable insignia or package product descriptions that indicate the maximum data throughput and maximum electrical power they can transfer. Maybe the EU will eventually mandate descriptions or symbols as they seem to care about consumer experience.