iPod / Camera Adaptor & RAW

I nearly got an ipod nano (but too small at 4gb), now the new ipods are out (4th gen?) and noticed the camera adaptor. Does anyone know if you can view the RAW embedded jpg preview on the ipod? In other words, if I use the ipod as a storage device on the go, can I see a thumbnail?
Also, I have heard stories of the transfers eating the batteries for breakfast (1Gb transfer uses full charge) - any truth?
Cheers!

IPOD transfers on my 60GB Photo took the charge down to zero with about 2.5GB of photo transfers.

IPOD cannot view raw, just standard formats (jpeg, tiff, etc). RAW is not STANDARD as of yet (every camera maker has their own) so don't expect the IPOD to be able to do it until there is a standard (like Adobe has attempted to create with DNG).

Even with the IPODs limitations, it has come in handy plenty of times for me, particularly on camping/hiking trips. After getting back to the truck, I can download the day's captures and look forward to the next day. As long as you have a charge source nearby, the IPOD battery drain is only an inconvenience.

If you are looking for an HD transfer device, I would not choose the IPOD.

If you are wanting to see if your IPOD, an already purchased product, CAN do the job, the answer is yes.

Because I own multiple IPODS (wife and me), I have delayed my purchase of an HD transfer product (like EPSON's P2000). Between my laptop and IPOD, I can't see the rationale behind the P2000.

Thanks for the info. I wasn't really expecting the ipod to view the RAW file, but it would have been nice if they had done what the P2000 does, and views the embedded jpeg. I know apple have tested 20D RAW's with the ipod/adaptor, but only as far as transfer goes.
At the moment I borrow my old man's P2000 & was going to get my own, but then i fancied an ipod (for music etc.) and thought I may be able to kill two birds with one stone. It looks like I'll only kill one bird and greviously harm the other as things stand with the ipod!

Dew,

With the iPod Photo, you can't view RAW files, but you can store them. When I shoot RAW, I shoot JPEG+RAW. Since you already have the RAW files, you can shoot the smallest JPEG and use these as your proofs. You CAN review the JPEGs on the iPod--though the screen is pretty small. You can't display the recently imported photos as a slideshow on a TV monitor, however. The only slideshows that you can see on the TV are ones that you have downloaded from your PC (Mac) to the iPod.

++ Peter

I own an ipod, a nano, and have owned the Epson P2000. The Epson really was resourced and made for the photographer. I think the ipod photo was a couple of megapixel consumer thought. The Epson piece if you spend the money, is the end all do all!

Can you transfer the photos to the ipod while it is plugged into the mains socket? I'm looking for a portable storage solution for when I go on holiday (i.e. away from my computer), but the P-2000 is too expensive. I doubt I'd transfer the photos on the move as such, more so I'd transfer them while back at the villa after a days 'work'.