ipod Photo as portable hdd

[Jim G]

One of my friends has picked up a 30gig Ipod Photo and he says that he bought it with a connector with it that allows him to download his files to it on the move, same as an external HDD (which it is, when it comes down to it)... Does anyone here use an ipod for saving their data when they're not near a computer? Any comments on reliability or incompatabilities?

J

[Todd Jacobsen]

I use my 60GB IPOD. I have not purchased another storage device since I already one the IPOD. It is not the PERFECT storage device but works.

Some negatives

1) IPOD has a slow transfer rate
Recommend that you have 2-3 CF cards so you can continue to take photos while transfer is being conducted on 1st card.

2) Camera Connector (Apple device) requires specific powered USB devices to conduct the transfer. This could be direct connect to the camera (for which the device is named), or other powered USB devices. Apple has not published a list of devices (outside of cameras) that work. Many do not. Unpowered CF Reader devices, in general, do not work. Using your camera to direct connect to IPOD can be inhibiting, particularly if you want to continue to take photos.

3) Belkin IPOD devices (powered USB device) work but chew up batteries quickly. Belkin devices work with other 4G (4th generation) IPODs, to include Non-photo IPODs. Now that Apple is only making the IPOD Photo line (they consolidated the line in ~26 June 2005). Do not know if the Belkin devices work with the smaller Mini-IPODs.

4). Do not attempt more than 2GB transfers. IPOD battery will not support longer transfer rates.

With that said, the IPOD works. Rarely, in fact never, have I taken photos at a pace that my second CF card is full before the IPOD transfer (of my first card) is complete. The limitation of IPOD battery time impacts it's (IPOD) utilization on field trips (hikes).

QUESTION: Would I buy the IPOD for the purpose of photo storage?
ANSWER: No. I bought it for audio purposes (music/audiobooks).

The IPOD has the ADDED BENEFIT, of being not only a photo storage device but a Photo Collection tool as well. We (my wife and I) use it at parties to display photos on the TV while it plays music through the stereo.

[Jim G]

Thankyou SO much for that wealth of information regarding this. Much appreciated :) I was going to buy one for music anyway and this looks like an added benefit :)

Jim

[Angel_LCD]

I use my 60GB IPOD. I have not purchased another storage device since I already one the IPOD. It is not the PERFECT storage device but works.


Does it support RAW files ? Probably a dumb question but I've wondered about it a little.

[Camo 757]

yes

[jazt]

Does it support RAW files ? Probably a dumb question but I've wondered about it a little. It allows you to off-load RAW, but will not generate a thumbnail to allow preview after download.

[Angel_LCD]

Ok :) Thanks :)