Portable Multimedia Storage Gadgets

[ErnestM]

Of the Epson P-4000 type variety


I was considering it, but then read some reviews about it renaming files and having issues with folder names.

So, over to you. What do the PH photo gurus think? Which ones are best (primarily for storing of photos off of cards "in the field" and so that my wife can carry photos of the kids to show off - so dual purpose. Video playback would be a bonus, but not necessary).

ErnestM

[406tm]

The Archos AV420 is a 40 gig device with a CF card reader, video playback and music file playback. The battery lasts for ages and a spare is available from Ebay for not a lot of money. I have had mine for about a year and it has never let me down.

Link to UK site for specs

www.blokesstuff.com/Product.aspx?Product=Archos_AV420_Pocket_AV_Recorder_&_Player&ProductID=8

HTH

Dave

406TM

[hansgerd]

What about the Creative Zen Vision.

www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=210&subcategory=211&product=12985

This thing is pretty small with a very crisp display. It also includes a radio. CF download times seem not too bad. I think I'm going to buy this.

[ErnestM]

I have also looked at the Zen Vision. Anybody have one already?

ErnestM

[ehasler]

I've not had any issues with my P-2000, and I still reckon it's the best out there.

[theboyfold]

ErnestM said:

I have also looked at the Zen Vision. Anybody have one already? ErnestM

Just picked one up on a recent trip to the States, very happy with it initially. Not very good for renaming pictures etc, but it has a CF card reader, good screen and plays video and mp3s. Initial impressions are very good..

[ErnestM]

ehasler said:

I've not had any issues with my P-2000, and I still reckon it's the best out there.

Ed, does the Epson unit change the name of the pictures when it reads/loads them? Does it make any other changes to the files?

ErnestM

[ehasler]

ErnestM said:

ehasler said: I've not had any issues with my P-2000, and I still reckon it's the best out there. Ed, does the Epson unit change the name of the pictures when it reads/loads them? Does it make any other changes to the files? ErnestM

Not in my experience.

[rhubarb]

I have a P2000 as well, and not had any issues with it at all, in fact it's great

[ErnestM]

Well, if the 2000 is good, maybe the 4000 is worth an extra look...

Thanks all!

ErnestM

[white_van_man]

iv been looking at these, which ones can store/display Raw files specifically .NEF files

[pmanson]

Not sure if you can still get them but i've got a 20gig iRiver H320 which is very good. It was £200.

Colour screen, does video and mp3's etc. Also has a usb port on which you can connect a memory card reader or digital camera.

Battery lasts ages as well!

[HankScorpio]

Epson does raws but you can't zoom them (that's the 2000, not sure about the 4).
If you import the files to albums, there is some renaming goes on (can't remember how much) but if you do base copy without the import, a folder is created for the date/session and the card is copied as is.

Although the specs aren't official yet, the LG PM70 is alledgedly going to be a very fine piece of kit.

[spenny_b]

Another vote for the Archos AV4xx range....I've got the AV440 with the (guess what...) 40GB HDD, however, this doesn't have the removable battery like the 420 does. On the plus side, it has a marginally bigger screen than the 420.

Took mine to Sth Africa on honeymoon, really is great, can watch movies on plane, use as a USB HDD on a PC, bung the CF card into the end and offload the images, no renaming issues as far as I could see, although havent tried changing them once in the Archos....Also use it all the time on train into London. Battery life with video is about 3-3.5hrs, not bad, just about long enough for my commute. Never had enough time to drain a battery listening to MP3's, so more than happy with that.

The other reason that persuaded me with this unit is the ability to plug in my bullet-cam and record directly to it (I havent got video-in on my camcorder) for in-car footage; all this needs is an adapter cable that presents 3xPhono connections, available from Archos.

[ledaig]

Yet another vote for Archos - Gmini 400 here.

Superb small bit of kit, cf port in the end makes downloading a breeze. It will download raw files, but will not allow a preview (jpegs are fine though). No issue with file or folder names or anything really, I've had this for just over a year now and it has not let me down once.

Steve

[Bee_Jay]

Vote for P2000 here - love it, amazing screen...

No problems with filenames, and can view my RAW files (but not zoom as previously mentioned).

[F1sh]

I have the 40GB Vosonix VP2260. OK so it doesnt play the pictures, but it copies all forms of card wihtout problems.

Fish

[nick francis]

I got the Archos AV400 (100 mb version)

Its a good unit and reasonably user friendly but it would be nice if could display RAW files as images. I do have some concerns about the compact flash connector. Last week in Spain I needed to empty my CF card onto it. The message came the card was not compatible. I looked inside the unit and found several of the CF connections had bent to the side and the CF card was not locating. This is the second Archos I have had and the first was replaced by Archos for a similar problem

[Colin Blues2]

I've just picked up the Archos AV560 - very happy with it. Similar to the AV400 with a slightly bigger screen and a 60gb hard drive.

It has a USB host port so I can attach any camera USB cable to it directly and not have to worry about memory card formats. Also doubles as a digital video recorder and came with all the connections to attach it to my TV and cable box - great package.

Colin

[beano500]

nick francis said:

... it would be nice if could display RAW files as images.

I've been thinking (I know I shouldn't) about this problem.

Surely there must be an answer to this - some sort of firmware upgrade?

After all Microshite Viewer can now read RAW (well my NEF anyway) files.


Any ideas?