opinions?

[SamuraiCatJB]

http://secure.serverlab.net/shop/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=9060&Category_Code=MultiMedia&Store_Code=T00107

it supports RAW like the nikon version does, plus other formats, multi-reader built in, digital playback/review, Zoom IN/Out -Rotate. Hard-drive is replaceable/upgradeable, battery replaceable/upgradeable.

Primarily for photo storage.... I use my iPod with photo attachement now, but it runs down on photo transfer with only 512mb.

[Gizmo]

Holy Cow, SamCat! :D That looks very interesting. I will be interested as well if anyone has any opinions of this. Have you found any sites that might have done a review on this thing?

Stay tuned. :)

[SamuraiCatJB]

no, but they just showed up at B&H in stock so I am trying to find out....

[kiteandcamera]

Very interesting device. The card reader, upgradable hard drive and AV out features are nifty. The specs look ok, but I am not at all familiar with this device. If you are looking primarily for photo storage and outstanding audio capabilities (mp3, flac, ogg,etc.), also look at the iAudio X5 60 GB unit (http://www.cowonamerica.com/). You can connect compatible digital cameras directly to the DAP and offload photos, though the 1.8" screen is a bit subpar.

[SamuraiCatJB]

primarily for photo storage, but needs to know RAW as well as JPEG. I would prefer a review capability, though it doesn't matter if it is external to TV or on device screen, it simply needs review capability so that I can review my work at the end of the day photographing, even if I am 1000 miles from home in a hotel.

[daver]

that device certainly looks promising. but i have heard that the audio quality isn't all that great. but since you really worry more about image storage and viewing, i guess that isn't much of an issue

as kiteandcamera mentioned, the x5 would be a two-fer: you'd get a storage device and an excellent mp3 player (just like the device you mentioned). also, the x5 can view JPGs, but i'm not sure about RAW format as i'm not very familiar with that format - i've only dealt with it a few times.

[SamuraiCatJB]

after mentioning this I ran across one that did not have a screen, but did not support RAW. It used TV as a review player, which is okay for me, but I don't want to drop back to JPEG, I take all my photos in RAW. RAW formats are, unfortunately, different for each camera, and they are proprietary licenses from each camera maker, so it is less common to find support. There is a group pushing an openRAW format, but manufacturers are not jumping on the bandwagon.

[SamuraiCatJB]

everything I have found agrees with the audio... ipod wins every time. I have an iPod, but this wins hands down in the photo business. There are some complaints on this particular one due to power draw on the screen. Don't review pictures on battery unless you can recharge soon. :)

The RAW is supported with a firmware upgrade after you buy to match your camera(s), not sure how that works... but I guess I will find out. I bought one. In another week you can either make fun of me, or congradulate me. :)

Using my iPod for photos was a good idea, but it only make sense when I am touring in the car, because the iPod has to be recharged after every 512mb, it just was not designed to write data while on the battery, reading is no problem.

So I guess I will play guinea pig... I found a few other photo forum members who bought them and enjoy them, and a few professionals who use it as a photo collector (but do not erase the cards until they are the computer -- the cards become the negative storage, this is the instant proof for the customer and storage collections until downloaded).

I haven't found anyone who takes them on hikes except for the previous generation models. They were happy with those, so I am hoping based on the good following for photographers on the previous generation, and no immeadiate problems with this generation that just was introduced that it will do the job.

Music is "okay" though better without any EQ settings, every review I heard said turn off the EQ that sound was actually improved. But for music I have the ipod which will now have the photo option unused and be strictly music where-as this model will not be used for sound and strictly movie-photogaphy.

I have an 80gig hopefully coming in a week plus.

[JackAxe]

Audio on the 5G iPods and Nanos are on par with all other players now days. I look forward to upgrading to a new one, especially before I go on vaction in June, because my 3G's sound is considered poor compared to these newer players.

I'll need to find the link again, I posted it in the music section, but they sell a small battery that plugs into the bottom of the 5G iPods and boosts their battery life up to 55 hours.

<]=)

[SamuraiCatJB]

Well, I got the unit in. It is a little larger than an ipod with media readers on both sides of the unit which is a primary reason for the size difference. The reviews are correct, the equalizer makes the sound sound much worse, don't bother with it. :)

I decided to check all of the functionality. The unit I got is 80gb because it was the same price as the 60gig unit from elsewhere, so I paid the same price regardless. It is already set up with the correct ROM to read Nikon, so I didn't need to update it. Canon users might not be so lucky.

It reads the photos and displays the photos, it has a bit of a problem because of the dynamic range of RAW, however, I am using that low/high end display issues as my histogram reference and that actually works well. I can interpret just how much of the image is on the low/high end of the RAW due to color compression artifacts. The rest looks pretty decent. I am still trying options, there are a lot.

Anyone have any tests they want me to try?

It plays shakira good enough... mmmmm ;)

Anyhow, it is not going to be used as a audio device I will leave that for the iPod4G, which does have a good equalizer and better battery life for playback. This will be my photo storage which will be significant. I can fill up my camera pack 80 times. I may be copying older images back onto CF cards to "simulate" live use and see how many times it can copy the card on a single charge.

I also bought the 12v power source adapter, and 4AA battery charger, it will actually charge from 4AA batteries not just run off them. The input source is 5v, so the 6v of 4AA NiMh cells will charge the unit between runs. That will be another test after I see how much copying I get out of a single charge, how much of a recharge I get out of dumping 4AA cells into it. I have LOTS of rechargeable AA cells.

[JackAxe]

Going by the pictures, it looks like the unit is about the same size as my external 2.5" drive. Which is probably what it's using, since 1.8" drives only go up to 60 GiB at this time. So in theory, you could probably pull out the current drive and put in a 120 GiB.

How be the screen's viewing angle and daylight viewing? And what be its resolution?

That's really cool that is can play all the different media formats. I had only glanced prior, so didn't notice.

<]=)

[SamuraiCatJB]

the screen angle is poor, pretty near direct on or there is noticeable color distortion (seems to allow only 15 degrees vertical tilt, but does seem to be good for about 45 degrees horizontal, go figure).... to be honest, that was the color problem before, once I found out the angle had to be head-on only, the colors look good. The screen is not mentioned as far as physical pixels, but based on the playback of a 320x240 video which was tiny... it looks to be about 640x480 in resolution, 2.5" LCD brightness looks good and I have not had a problem with it so far.

The hard-drive options do go up to 120gig, and they say the hard drive is 2.5" and user upgradeable. There are instructions for upgrading/replacing the battery and hard-drive, but they are minimal (open this door, remove that screw, replace, reverse).

I downloaded an Ipod video, and it even plays iPod video formats as well as audio! Dang, is there nothing this does not do? okay... yeah, equalizer. ;)

It allows copying to and from CF cards, so it looks like while everyone else is struggling with laptops in the class, I will copy the color reference images from the instructor's card, copy them to my card, and put it back in the camera and use them. beats lugging a 10lb laptop along with the camera bag!!

[JackAxe]

Great deal, especially for a 640x480 screen. Can it play back H.264 at that resolution? That would look really tight. I would buy one of these for wrong reasons. :)

Your notebook weighs 10lbs? :D

<]=)

[SamuraiCat]

it plays it back at 15fps, only 320x240 can be played at 30fps. :(

[JackAxe]

Bummer, :( but not important for a portable photo viewer. :)

<]=)

[JackAxe]

I just noticed you dropped the JB in your name. :)

<]=)

[SamuraiCatJB]

I just noticed you dropped the JB in your name. :)

<]=)

no... I signed in on the ID brought in from the combining of the two sites.... :o

[JackAxe]

All lies, you just wanted to confuse me. :)

<]=)

[SamuraiCatJB]

All lies, you just wanted to confuse me. :)

<]=)

Just trying to spice up your life... :p

[JackAxe]

Thanks, I needed a bit of Taco Seasoning in my life. Ok, that doesn't make sense, but it sounds funny. :)

<]=)