Specifications: Voodoo?
Is there any voodoo at work in the Magic Bridge? Let's take a look at the key specs to see if the dark arts are listed:
| Magic Bridge | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bridge | USB to IDE | eSATA to SATA |
| Host interface | USB 2.0 | eSATA |
| Device interface | ATA/ATAPI/IDE | SATA |
| Bridge Chipset | Myson CS8818 | Pass through |
| Power supply | 2A DC adapter or 5A DC adapter 4-pin Molex-to-IDE drive SATA power to SATA drive |
|
| Size | 110 x 67.6 x 24.5 mm | |
| Weight | 90g | |
| Bundle | 1m eSATA cable 1m USB-A-to-mini-USB cable 10cm 4-pin Molex 40-pin IDE-to-44-pin laptop drive converter 2A DC adapter Win 98 Driver/manual CD |
|
No magic here, just a CS8818 USB 2.0-to-IDE bridge and a power supply. The SATA-to-eSATA interface doesn't require any bridging, although it does need power for the drive. This makes the SATA-to-eSATA side of the Magic Bridge little more than a compliance point.
The above specification suggests that USB/IDE and eSATA interfaces are separate. This is indeed so. This introduces both positives and negatives. For example, a SATA drive will not connect over USB. However, both IDE and SATA components of the Magic Bridge can be used simultaneously, power supply permitting. Making an 'all-in-one' version of the Magic Bridge would increase design and manufacture complexity and while we're sure it's possible, it would no doubt increase costs.
