Digital Photo Storage

[Wally_lamma]

So I see that CompUSA has a thing called Digital Photo Library made by I/O Magic.
The I/O Magic page reads like this:

I/OMagic’s USB 20GB Hard Drive w/ Built-in 6-in-1 Card Reader is a portable palm-sized storage device that is a great solution for all of your digital data storage needs. Combining the high storage capacity with rechargeable battery, the drive allows users to transfer high-resolution photos or digital data from memory cards into the built-in HDD.
No longer need to carry your laptop PC around or purchase bunch of memory cards for your digital camera use and no need to worry about running low in memory card’s storage space anymore.

Web site info if you want to read it your self:

http://www.iomagic.com/Products/show_all_results.asp?ProdID=I6N1USB20GB

Anybody used one of these yet?? Sounds like it covers most media used by cameras. Only thing missing is Video output..

 

[Ruu]

Funnily enough I was saying that this would be a bloody good idea many moons ago. I was wondering how long it would be before a designer talked to a camera owner going on holiday and not wanting to take a laptop with them (ie me). The one I wanted someone to make would have a screen and enough of an OS to view / delete / organise images, as well as the video out as you say.

Dave

 

[ReyeR]

So I see that CompUSA has a thing called Digital Photo Library made by I/O Magic.

Ha ha. That's just a re-badge of the Vosonic X Drive 2*. I have one of thems with a 20gig HDD.
Pros:
- small and very easy to use - just charge the batter, plug the card in, turn it on and press 'Copy'
- HDD is upgradable with any 2.5 laptop HDD (it uses FAT32 - so I think the max capacity would be 40gig)
- can be used as a card reader when plugged into the computer
- inexpensive storage
Cons:
- 'blind faith copy' - no way of verifying that the files have copied OK. For safety I copy the files twice - it just creates another folder and copies them again.
- power button can be turned on easily by accident
- uses FAT32 only
- the USB connector is a littly 'dinky' - smaller than the ones on my camera (C5050)

Note: it doesn't support xD cards - you have to either use the CF adapter or if your camera has 2 drives copy across to the CF card.

*Edit: On closer inspection it looks like it's a rebadge of the X Drive (1).

 

[ReyeR]

Funnily enough I was saying that this would be a bloody good idea many moons ago. I was wondering how long it would be before a designer talked to a camera owner going on holiday and not wanting to take a laptop with them (ie me). The one I wanted someone to make would have a screen and enough of an OS to view / delete / organise images, as well as the video out as you say.

These devices already exist. The new ones will play mp3 music and mpeg movies for you: Cinema Disk

 

[Ruu]

Doesn't look like the cinema disk supports smartmedia, which is kind of important to me - it says just CF type I/II and microdrive. There may be some kind of adapter though - anyone aware? The other issue with this guy is that the larger models appear to be approaching the price of a refurbished laptop...

Dave

 

[Jonathan]

on the picture under "USB 2.0 Card Reader" looks like a media adapter - important for me too as I use memory stick.

Looks like an item for Santa....

 

[Ruu]

Another thing to consider is that while it does have a screen and will allow you to do some organisation / upload checking (which the I/O magic does not - it is simply copy and pray that it worked), you cannot actually view images on there. That is left to the TVout functionality, and you may not always have a TV on holiday in the wilds.

The picture you mention does appear to show the adaptation (adaption?) of every popular media card type except SM. Sucks to be me apparently.

Dave

 

[ReyeR]

Here's the list (again!). Some of them might be outdated/upgraded/discontinued. They all seem to support SM with an adapter.

Vosonic: X'S Drive II VP2060
http://www.xs-drive.com/xsdrive2/index.htm
Any capacity 2.5 HDD
USB 2.0
Built-in card readers: CF/Microdrive, Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro, SM, MM/SD
LCD panel (for operation only)
Can be used as a card reader from your computer
No verification function

Vosonic: V-MP3H
http://www.xs-drive.com/vmp3h/index.htm
Any capacity 2.5 HDD
USB 1.1
2.5" LCD picture viewer
Built-in card readers: CF/Microdrive + MMC/SD (needs optional adapters for others)
Plays MPEG, MP3
Views JPEG (only?)
TV out(PAL/NTSC)

Archos: Jukebox Multimedia 20
http://www.archos.com/products/prw_500282.html
20GB
USB 1.1 (2.0 optional)
Built-in viewing screen (237x234 pixels)
TV out (PAL/NTSC)
Plays MPEG-4, AVI, MP3
Views JPEG and BMP
Built-in card readers: None. Needs optional card readers (CF or Smartmedia)

Nixvue: Vista
http://www.nixvue.com/products/vista/index.html
10,20,30GB
USB 1.1
View RAW files (for some cameras)
View JPEG, TIFF(18MB) and BMP
Built-in card readers: CF/Microdrive reader. Needs adpters for others
1.8" LCD panel for viewing pics
TV out (PAL/NTSC)
IR remote
Displays EXIF + Histogram info

Nixvue: Digital Album II (also DA Lite available)
10, 20, 30, 40GB
Built-in card readers: CF/Microdrive. Other cards need adapters
USB 2.0
TV out (PAL/NTSC)
1.5" LCD panel for operation only
Displays EXIF + Histogram info
Copy and verify function
Copy back to memory card
View RAW files (for some cameras)
View (on TV) JPEG, TIFF and BMP
IR remote

Delkin: PicturePAD
http://www.delkin.com/products/picturepad/index.htm
20, 30GB
1.8" TFT LCD for viewing pics
USB 1.1 (2.0 optional)
TV out (PAL/NTSC)
Built-in card readers: CF/Microdrive (other card adapters optional)
IR remote

 

[Dee]

Flashtrax

A friend of mine has the Flashtrax and he has this to say about it...I'm pretty sure it take all media forms.

"Another storage/viewing option is the Flashtrax from SmartDisc. It's a 30GB storage device with a 3.5 inch LCD that makes viewing images (JPEG, not RAW) much easier than on the camera. You copy the images from the CF card to the Flashtrax, where you can view and manipulate the files. Also can connect to a TV for larger viewing. Once home, you attach it to your PC via USB and transfer the images for storage, processing, whatever. It's also an MP3 player, but has a very short battery life, so not practical for long trips."

Archos Jukebox

 

[Dee]

ReyeR....you beat me to it!