Alternative file storage?

Ah-ha. I suspected as much, since all RAW file formats are not exactly the same. I wonder how that would work with a RAW file that has no embedded JPG.

On a full-blown computer, there are DLL files that will allow you to view a Canon RAW file regardless of whether there is any JPEG. But these portable storage drives are not full-blown computers, so they have to leave out something.

So, your embedded JPEG has the custom settings included into it (e.g. color balance, sharpness, etc.). But the real RAW file does not have them. So, viewing your embedded JPEG shows you something different from the RAW file. Hmmm.

---Bob Gross---

---Bob Gross---

So, with the X-drive, you buy a unit, and then plug in a portable HD?
Do you need to install an Operating System, or just plug your Flash card in and transfer to the blank HD?

There are different models, originally made by Vosonics (Taiwan). I got the old VP-2030, and then there was the VP-2060, and then something else.

Originally, it was sold as a finished product. Then when they wanted to roll out the 2060, they dumped the 2030 units left. Computer Geeks sold the basic 2030 without any hard disk drive inside. Then they sold laptop-type hard disk drives also. No added OS necessary. Mine has an internal Lithium-ion rechargeable battery with a loose wall-wart to charge it.

It has several card slots on one side, indicators, and then a push button control to start it. A button marked "Copy" doesn't take too long to learn how to use.

---Bob Gross---

Very interesting. Now if I could only find one in Canada.

The Wolverine looks reasonably priced
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …REG&si=spec#got​o_itemInfo

If you check it, this Wolverine product has the same case as the old Vosonics product. What would you like to bet that it has the same guts in it with a different name badge?

---Bob Gross---

Has anyone tryed the VOSONIC X'S-DRIVE PRO VP300 ?

Pros vs Cons ?

Z

File storage only unless there is an embedded image.

Yep. Otherwise, it would be a laptop (palmtop )

I am not sure that I would really want to make a final determination on an image based upon the 3.5" LCD display of a handheld device regardless of the amount of functional color management involved. To confirm that the image(s) did indeed make it into the "box" or to do a quick review of the day's shoot for general content would seem to be the most natural use for the LCD and review function.

I bought a 20gig refirbished Image Tank form here:

http://www.jobodigital​.com …cts/digital_use​d_demo.htm

works great and for half the price.

I did some research on this and have one on order.

In short, it appears that it gets the job done. Its hard drive to PC Xfer rates are blistering with it's USB 2.0 port, but its CF to hard drive speeds are average. Battery power is on par for a digital wallet at about 2 hours tops. So, while it also has a built-in MP3 player, you're not going to be listening to tunes all day.
I've also heard that the audio quality is not that great, but that's not a big concern for me.

I would not expect much audio quality out of a 6 megapixel image file.

---Bob Gross---

I have yet to figure why the MP3 "feature" is given such a major role in the advertising. For someone wanting to use it for image storage, and given a limited battery life, why would you want to use it for MP3 play? Why not a stand alone MP3 player that you can clip to your belt and not worry about draining the HD battery mid-transfer?

I just must not understand.....

I've got a 40 GB iPOD. I've got about 4500 high quality songs on it. There is still more than 20 GB free space...

I recently bought a card reader that will connect to it. Whenever I go on vacation or away from home for several days and I know I will be shooting many pictures, I bring it along and transfer pictures as the memory card is getting full. (I saved money by only buying a 256 MB card with my camera. With the iPOD as backup, I don't need more than this one card.)

I will be going to the States (Washington DC) on a vacation soon and expect to fill up the iPOD with several GB of pictures. When I return to Norway, I'll be able to transfer them to my computer in a matter of minutes.

A great music device and great storage tank. Works for me!

Hall wrote:
A great music device and great storage tank. Works for me!

If the battery is up to the task, then I have no problem with it. It's where the total battery life is around 2hrs, when I wonder why risk losing the ability to transfer your CF files just to listen to MP3 files that can much more easily be listened to on a dedicated device.

When I am out trying to do serious photography, about the LAST thing I would want is some music playing in my ear.

---Bob Gross---