Anyone used a Phototainer?

[psk4363]

Hi all,

At my camera club tonight, a couple of the members produced a Phototainer storage/viewing device - looks like a mini DVD player. The basic model stores up to 20GB of images (and other media) direct from memory cards, including the Microdrive.

I can get my hands on one here in the UK for about GBP 243.

Anyone any thoughts, opinions, experiences as they would be very appreciated.

Cheers,
Barry

[Ferdinand]

I only have one question. Does it read RAW from Canon, or is there a firmware built in that we can update whenever a new RAW format comes on the market. OK maybe 2 questions.


Regards,
Ferdinand.

[psk4363]

Hi Ferdinand,

From what I have found on the internet it can read RAW images but as yet cannot display them - but this may be answered by a future firmware upgrade.

http://macuser.pcpro.co.uk/MacReviewZone/reviews/reviews_story.php?id=41946

Cheers,
Barry

[robertwgross]

... - but this may be answered by a future firmware upgrade.


That phrase may be translated like "... and the check is in the mail."

---Bob Gross---

[Paul Jordan]

Although I do not have a Phototainer myself a friend has one and I have had a chance of using it and trying it out. It is a very impressive piece of kit.

One thing I did try was Canon RAW and it does read and display the RAW files on the screen. I was amazed but very pleased. The machine has not had its firmware upgraded, still the original that it came with over a year ago.

What is not clear is whether it is reading the imbedded JPEG image within the RAW, that I am unable to answer.

Hope this helps.

[chris.bailey]

I have one except it has Flashtrax written on the front. It does display Canon Raw but I do suspect it is only the thumbnails. On my last holiday I stored some 1800 pictures on it and my 30GB version had loads of space.

It chews through the re-chargeable batteries so if you are using it as an image tank for holidays you do need to take the mains unit with you.

I dont regret buying mine one bit though it is not particulalry robust and the screen quality is not brilliant

[iwatkins]

Great device but I think the screen lets it down somewhat, i.e. it isn't that good.

The FlashTrax guys (UK) at the Focus show know it is a limitation as is battery life and they are working on both.

I'm still waiting for the perfect device and I think it will happen this year:

Great screen (available on Epson P-1000)
Fast Copy (FlashTrax/Phototainer)
USB 2.0 (FlashTrax/Phototainer/XDrive Pro etc.)
Fast processing/display (None)
Rugged (None)

Cheers

Ian

[psk4363]

Thanks for all the replies and opinions - think I'll give this device a miss.

Barry