Portable Storage Suggestions

[Rob Larsen]

I'm looking for suggestions for a good portable storage device to offload CF cards to. Attributes I'm looking for are:

- 20GB+ drive
- Decent LCD viewing screen
- Ability to view EXIF data
- Ability to view RAW files (more then thumbnail preferred)
- Zoomable
- Video-out terminals
- USB 2.0 or Firewire preferred
- Decent battery life
- Smaller than a 420EX ;)

I've seen the Smartdisk Flashtrax and it looks appealing. I wish it had more RAW support though (only views thumbnails).

Any suggestions?

[dmalek]

i use the archos video AV 140 jukebox

you can view JPEGs only

and use it as MP3 player (amazing all my CDs use only 15 Gb over 40 Gb leaving enough space for 25 1Gb CFII cards to copy).

you need to buy the jukebox and the CF optional card reader but to me it's a must

[Rob Larsen]

Thanks for your feedback Mogwai. After doing a bit of research, I think I'm going to hold off for a while and just get another CF card for now. It seems most portable storage devices that support in-unit playback are very first generation with minimal RAW support. I'll wait until there is a reasonably priced unit that can meet all the listed requirements.

An interesting option I am exploring is getting a PocketPC (or future MS Media2Go) device and adding a PCMCIA storage bay to it. Might be able to build a multi-use storage device that sports a good screen. Price, software, and storage options still need to be explored.

[robertwgross]

Do you really need a screen on your portable storage drive? You already have a screen on your camera.

Running a color screen on such a device probably triples the battery consumption, as compared to one without the screen.

---Bob Gross---

[canonut]

The eFilm PicturePAD from Delkin is working great for me.

- 20GB+ drive

30GB

- Decent LCD viewing screen

Check

- Ability to view EXIF data

only gives file size and histogram presently

- Ability to view RAW files (more then thumbnail preferred)

Check

- Zoomable

Up to 8x

- Video-out terminals

Check

- USB 2.0 or Firewire preferred

USB standard, Firewire option

- Decent battery life

Never failed on a trip to Peru. I had to replace another unit when I lost power (and support).

- Smaller than a 420EX ;)

3" x 5.5" x 1"

Good luck.

Steve

[Rob Larsen]

robertwgross wrote:
Do you really need a screen on your portable storage drive? You already have a screen on your camera.

Running a color screen on such a device probably triples the battery consumption, as compared to one without the screen.

---Bob Gross---

Besides being a sucker for gadgets, a good, zoomable screen will allow me to mobily review a whole trips worth of pictures and I can avoid passing my camera around to family and friends who always want to see the pictures before we get home ;) . Actually seeing the images will also give me a warm fuzzy that that I've successfully transfered the files before formating my CF.

As long as I can find a unit that accepts spare batteries, I'll tolorate the power consumption issue.

[dmalek]

for the picture showing to the family try to plug your camera in the video of your TV and everybody is pleased :) i tried it, people were amazed

[Rob Larsen]

canonut wrote:
Ability to view RAW files (more then thumbnail preferred)

Check

- Zoomable

Up to 8x



Steve, thanks for the info!

Does the PicturePad view & zoom the RAW file or just the thumbnail? Also, does it work with the 10D RAW files? The 10D and 1Ds models with embedded JPG are excluded from the Delkin website as supported models.

[Longwatcher]

Rob Larsen wrote:


Does the PicturePad view & zoom the RAW file or just the thumbnail? Also, does it work with the 10D RAW files? The 10D and 1Ds models with embedded JPG are excluded from the Delkin website as supported models.

I also have the Picture Pad (30 gig version).
If you have latest firmwear yes you can view the 10D RAW images on the picture pad, including zooming. I had to send an e-mail to Delkin support to get the link to the firmwear upgrade. don't have it on hand or would include it.

Also, I highly recommend the battery pack option with the Picture Pad as the on-board battery does not last long enough for my taste, being able to swap AA batteries out instead of a unique battery was a big help on my most recent trip. I have had the PP for over a year now with no known loss of data.

[Canuck]

Hi!
I have a question for you...Have you looked at the CF to CDR/CDRW option from EZPNP Inc? This bit of kit will burn from CF to CDR/CDRW disks and allow you to wipe CF clean and go again. I'm looking at it for the sheer ablility to do just this. It is small, 5.9x1.4x6.6 inches, and 1.25 lbs (w/o batteries) and runs on batteries/or AC. The www site says it will run on 120VAC 60HZ, or 240VAC 50HZ. The site is www.digimagic.com and runs about $300. I'm thinking it will prove useful in CDRWs, and that could be my next purchase, especially if I start shooting almost exclusively RAW. I have 2x 512MB CF cards, and there is nothing more frustrating than running out of room.

I recon it supports all major flash card types.

Just an idea...

Cheers,
Canuck

[Rob Larsen]

[Canuck wrote:
I have a question for you...Have you looked at the CF to CDR/CDRW option from EZPNP Inc?

Cunuck, I had seen that unit while doing my research, but did not consider it for a few reasons. First, I use 1GB cards and I could not backup to one disk. Second, I'm looking for something with more built-in playback features. And third, I'd prefer not to have any external media to carry, loose, damage, or clutter my desk any worse that it already is!

This unit looks like a good deal for folks that are remotely distributing pictures. I'm sure many soccer moms would love to come home from the game with a CD full of pictures of thier kids.

Thank you for the suggestion.

[Canuck]

Rob,
That's cool. I can understand that. It was only a suggestion. Something like the Nixvue Vista, or EFilm Pic Pad might be better for you. I just wish they would come up w/ a DVD +/- R/RW to accomodate the larger CF cards and have a 3.5 in viewing screen. Speaking of which, I can't remember for the life of me but there is one out there that has a 3.5 in viewing screen and I recon 30GB storage. That might be an option...

Cheers,
Canuck

[bfaust]

I think it is the SmartDisc FlashTrax, mentioned at the top.

[Rob Larsen]

longwatcher wrote:
I also have the Picture Pad (30 gig version).


Tim, it's good to hear that the unit supports 10D RAW now. That definately makes it a contender. Biggest issues I see are it's price once you get the Firewire and spare battery packs. Something I'll need to gnaw on...

How is the peformance viewing RAW files? I typically shoot with a small/fine JPG emedded.

[jimmyd]

I purchased a SmartDisk FlashTrax. It's about the size of a PDA.

30gb hd
3.5 color LCD viewing monitor
MP3 player
Video Player
USB2.0
Battery or AC operated

The cool thing... it works with 10d RAW images and allows viewing before converting.

http://www.smartdisk.com/Products/DigitalMultimedia/FlashTrax.asp

[Longwatcher]

Rob Larsen wrote:

How is the peformance viewing RAW files? I typically shoot with a small/fine JPG emedded.

It takes about 20-30 seconds to display a RAW file and another 20-30 seconds to do what ever it needs to to play with the enlargement factors. This can be an annoying long time. If actually shooting small Jpegs, these will display pretty fast.

It also takes awhile to create the thumbnail images if using that mode.

Note though that once the thumbnails are created, it will display them quickly in the future, since it creates a thumbnail file ('yub' folder if I remember right) when it firsts creates the thumbnail listing.

Note sure if the pictures comes up faster once done for first time as I usually only look at them once in awhile (like when I am paranoid the good shots made it intact or not).

My favorite feature of the Picture Pad is the ability to copy back onto a CF card (however, it won't be readable by the camera anymore). This allows me to move either the best pictures back onto a CF card during travel security or as usual to be able to reload my music for playing on my iPaq during the flight.

Hope that helped

[kabell]

Rob Larsen wrote:
[Canuck wrote:
I have a question for you...Have you looked at the CF to CDR/CDRW option from EZPNP Inc?

Cunuck, I had seen that unit while doing my research, but did not consider it for a few reasons. First, I use 1GB cards and I could not backup to one disk. Second, I'm looking for something with more built-in playback features. And third, I'd prefer not to have any external media to carry, loose, damage, or clutter my desk any worse that it already is!

This unit looks like a good deal for folks that are remotely distributing pictures. I'm sure many soccer moms would love to come home from the game with a CD full of pictures of thier kids.

Thank you for the suggestion.

I'm sure it's great for soccer moms :-) but I also think it's great for travel, especially longer trips, as you can burn your pics to cd and send them home via snail-mail. In that way you will not loose youre pics even though your camera gets stolen or your transportable harddrive suddenly crashes or something like that.

I have looked at buying this one:
http://www.jobodigital.com/products/disc_steno_cp100.htm

- Jeppe