As of Christmas Day I'll have 3 digital video capable devices, so I'm looking for a way to avoid keeping up with so many media cards (CF, SM, and SD) and accessories (PCMCIA adapters and USB readers). This looks interesting, but early user reports were horrific, so existing stock is being sold at under-$200 firesale prices. Why would I consider it? Because the Linux-based firmware has had on-going updates and should be pretty stable/compatible by now (8/03).

Uh, shouldn't it?

Look at alternatives...

Check www.powerinnumbers.com.au for decent prices - with or without HD for all the models they carry.

Bruno

/Burns

Exxxcellent!

/me

US$77-$110 w/o HDD and then use any laptop drive I can find. Sweet!

Uhm, dumb question. What is it? What does it do? (The Catalog Entry didn't give much of 'It's used for...' info..)

Me.

Primarily these devices are portable hard drives (battery powered) that can read various flash media and transfer their contents to itself. So if you have limited amount of flash memory for your digital camera, you can still shoot gigabytes of pictures while away on vacation or even just out for the day if you're a shooting demon.

Secondary, some of these units also play back MP3 and/or other media, including the ability to view the images on a TV. They'll usually have some type of directory functions to sort files and delete files. They should also have some type of AC power ability.

Belkin also makes a device I long ago invented* (yes, I thought of it first). An attachment for the iPod which allows you to read CF cards and transfer their contents to the iPod's own HD.

Bruno

*I just obviously don't like making money or I would have constructed a prototype and sold the idea and design.

Damn. That's a smart idea. I'm assuming that once charged, you CAN turn it completely off as to not waste batteries..

Not a bad idea. I could use one.. I may look into them..

Thanks!
Mike.