peterm1
20th of August 2003 (Wed), 12:59
I have been looking into portable storage devices like the Digibin, Tripper, Flashtrax. etc., that I can also use as an mp3 player. There seem to be severe limitations to these devices, such as short battery life, no CF slot, bad user interface, etc.
However, it looks like the RCA LYRA RD2780 20GB unit may just fit the bill, and it is not much more than the photo-only devices. It is listed as $399 at Amazon and is scheduled to ship in October. It can record and play mp4 video, mp3 and wma files, store any other kinds of files, show jpegs, has a 3.5 inch screen, and a CF slot.
What I want to be able to do mainly is empty the RAW files I take on my Canon 10D into the unit, and be able to use the device as an mp3 player. The fact that the Lyra can also record and play video is a nice bonus too.
Since I don't have any major trips planned soon I am willing to wait until October. While many people are buying the new Archos AV340, a similar product, you have to buy an add-on card reader, which together with the unit will be over $600! Also, the battery life is only a few hours.
I don't work for RCA but thought people may want to be aware of this if they are looking for portable storage in the next few months as I am. I really like the new Rio mp3 players coming out, but the Rio 20GB device is the same price as the Lyra and it does so much less.
Of course, the actual product may not be great and we will have to wait for reviews, but this seems to be the only product that has all these features, at a reasonable price.
-Peterm
www.pbase.com/peterm1
However, it looks like the RCA LYRA RD2780 20GB unit may just fit the bill, and it is not much more than the photo-only devices. It is listed as $399 at Amazon and is scheduled to ship in October. It can record and play mp4 video, mp3 and wma files, store any other kinds of files, show jpegs, has a 3.5 inch screen, and a CF slot.
What I want to be able to do mainly is empty the RAW files I take on my Canon 10D into the unit, and be able to use the device as an mp3 player. The fact that the Lyra can also record and play video is a nice bonus too.
Since I don't have any major trips planned soon I am willing to wait until October. While many people are buying the new Archos AV340, a similar product, you have to buy an add-on card reader, which together with the unit will be over $600! Also, the battery life is only a few hours.
I don't work for RCA but thought people may want to be aware of this if they are looking for portable storage in the next few months as I am. I really like the new Rio mp3 players coming out, but the Rio 20GB device is the same price as the Lyra and it does so much less.
Of course, the actual product may not be great and we will have to wait for reviews, but this seems to be the only product that has all these features, at a reasonable price.
-Peterm
www.pbase.com/peterm1