Atto Technology has introduced two Thunderbolt 5 adapters built to support uncompressed 8K video editing, high-speed media transfers, and multi-user post-production workflows.
The company unveiled ThunderLink TLFC-5642 and ThunderLink NS 5102 at NAB Show 2025 in Las Vegas. These adapters are crucial tools for studios in high-bandwidth post-production, real-time collaboration, and hybrid cloud media operations.
With Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, they double the bandwidth of their predecessors and are optimized for macOS environments, including Apple’s MacBook Pro and Mac Studio.
Thunderbolt 5 is available on select high-end Macs, including the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M4 Pro or M4 Max chips, the M4 Pro Mac mini, and the latest Mac Studio configurations featuring M4 Max or M3 Ultra chips. These models offer up to three Thunderbolt 5 ports, unlocking faster data transfers and higher display bandwidth for professional workflows.
Macs with standard M4 or older chips, such as the MacBook Air and base Mac mini, continue to use Thunderbolt 4.
ThunderLink TLFC-5642: Built for SAN-based 8K editing
The TLFC-5642 features dual 64Gb Fibre Channel ports, designed to handle uncompressed 8K video streaming across shared storage area networks (SANs). Atto says the adapter delivers ultra-low latency and stable throughput, enabling real-time editing without dropped frames — key for high-end film, TV, and VFX workflows.
For Mac users, the TLFC-5642 supports seamless integration with Atto’s MultiPath Director software, which provides load balancing and failover support on macOS. That makes it especially useful in production environments with redundant storage paths and demanding uptime requirements.
ThunderLink NS 5102: 100Gb Ethernet for cloud and IP workflows
The ThunderLink NS 5102, a dual 100Gb Ethernet adapter, delivers exceptional throughput for large media transfers. It supports RoCE, QSFP28 interfaces, and Atto’s 360 Intelligent Management system, ensuring low-latency performance in remote and cloud-based pipelines.
This configuration is especially relevant as studios increasingly move toward hybrid or cloud-native post-production. High-speed Ethernet ensures faster file movement between local storage and cloud workstations, reducing wait times and enabling smoother collaboration across locations.
Thunderbolt 5 compatibility & future-proofing
Both the TLFC-5642 and NS 5102 are built around Intel’s Thunderbolt 5 architecture, which supports up to 120Gbps of bi-directional bandwidth using Bandwidth Boost. These capabilities give creative professionals headroom for evolving media formats and multi-device setups.
The adapters also retain backward compatibility with Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 systems, ensuring flexibility across diverse studio environments. Although Apple has yet to ship Thunderbolt 5 hardware, support is expected in future iterations of the MacBook Pro and Mac Studio.
Pricing & availability
Pricing and availability for the ThunderLink TLFC-5642 and NS 5102 haven’t yet been announced. Additional details are likely to emerge following NAB Show 2025, where the products made their first public debut.
