This has been a long time coming.....  Respectable transfer times are evident

A Great Blog for more info on the AJ-PCD2, Thanks to Helmut Kobler

Panasonic Pressroom link.   

Panasonic announces AJ-PCD2 single-slot P2 solid-state memory card drive for fast, reliable video offloads

Low-Cost P2 Drive Comes with Two USB 2.0 Cables for Data and Power Connections

Secaucus, NJ, 12^th February, 2010: Panasonic Broadcast has introduced a single-slot P2 solid-state memory card drive, the AJ-PCD2.  Joining the company's growing line of P2 workflow tools, the PCD2, with two USB 2.0 cables supplied, requires no separate power supply for file transfers and offers total compatibility with Mac and Windows desktop and laptop computers.

In contrast to other single-slot offerings, the PCD2 will afford complete flexibility and reliability in addition to being a low-cost solution. Because the PCD2 supports all P2 card sizes, P2 formats and frame rates in HD and SD, storage capacity and compatibility are non-issues, unlike many fixed format systems such as optical disc and tape. With a 64GB P2 card inserted, the PCD2 can offer immediate access to more than four hours of DVCPRO, two hours of DVCPRO50 or AVC-Intra 50, or more than an hour of DVCPRO HD or AVC-Intra 100 content.

 The PCD2 is compatible with Windows XP, Vista and Mac OS X operating systems.

 The PCD2 will be available in April with a tentative RRP of $315US.

Helmut's Kobler's comments below,

I was a little disappointed to hear that the PCD2 uses a slow USB2 connection, but the goal is to create a device that everyone can use. FireWire 400? It’s not available on most new computers, including Macs. FireWire 800? It’s not available on many Windows laptops. eSATA? It’s available on ever fewer machines, and usually requires buying some kind of extra adapter. So USB2 is the common denominator. In fact, I think the only computer on the planet that can’t work with the PCD2 is my Macbook Air, since the Air only has one USB2 port!

Anyway, I used the PCD2 to copy a full 8GB R series P2 card (with about 7.2GB of data) to a Mac Pro’s internal hard drive. I used a simple Finder copy, and did it in 3 minutes and 26 seconds. That’s not too bad. It’s not quite at USB’s theoretical 400mbps data throughput (roughly 75% of maximum), but I think many people who need a single card reader will find it tolerable. That means, you can expect a 32GB card to copy in about 15 minutes, which is 5 minutes faster than Sonnet’s $1000 QIO can copy a 32GB card to an eSATA drive!