Topic: Transferring CF cards in the field

[johnw]

I was wondering if anyone has found a reliable device that copies 24bit wav files off a CF card to a HD in the field?

[flintstone]

The gadget you're talking about is called a "portable storage device" or PSD.  It's popular with photographers.   You can purchase a PSD with hard disc included, or as a shell that accepts a hard disc you already own.

There are lots of models, with different features.   The cheapest just have a button to push to initiate the file transfer. Many have the ability to show a thumbnail of photos you copy on a small LCD screen.  More expensive models have large LCD screens that let you watch video transferred from your PC. 

You can narrow down the choices by deciding if you need to listen to the tracks on the PSD after you transfer.  Very few PSDs can play WAV files you copy from Compactflash.

The heart of a PSD is a small hard disc.  When you are copying from the Compactflash to the hard disc, be careful not to bump or jar the PSD.  This can cause disc errors.  Once turned off, the PSD is pretty durable.

Today, the price of Compactflash cards is very cheap.  For the cost of one PSD and battery to run it, you can buy many, many CF cards.  So you may be able to get by with a handful of CF cards, no PSD required.

Flintstone

[johnw]

Thanks Flintstone! I am actually aware of PSDs. I am interested in what specific models people have had success with transferring large wav files without errors. Transferring a few MB .raw photography files is one thing and I'm sure they all do that relatively well, but my guess is that transferring several GB without any corruption is more challenging.

[Corbin]

http://www.hypershop.com/shop/

I've had no problems with the Hyperdrive Space..and I know a lot of people liked its predecessor the HD80.  You can find pretty in depth reviews on the photography websites.

[tfs8271]

Go with a Creative W. It will play wav. files you download (I think).........you can use it for other stuff (video & mp3). I have Inoi but it's only a hard drive.

http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=15752

http://www.inoi.com/English/index.asp

There is a lot of things much faster and more energy efficient than that Inoi. Think festivals!

[JasonSobel]

for the price of a portable harddrive to dump the CF card in the field, IMO, you are better off just buying more flash media.  you can get a 16 GB CF card for under $300 these days.  that's 8 hours of record time at 24/96, or 16 hours at 24/48.  I don't know how long you need to you record, but I'd say that's probably enough for most applications.

[johnw]

I was thinking for festivals. I have a 40GB 2.5" drive already sitting around and some of these cases are only around $50.

[johnw]

Go with a Creative W. It will play wav. files you download (I think).........you can use it for other stuff (video & mp3). I have Inoi but it's only a hard drive.

http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=15752

http://www.inoi.com/English/index.asp

There is a lot of things much faster and more energy efficient than that Inoi. Think festivals!

I'm doubting that the W plays 24/96 or 24/48 files.

[tfs8271]

Go with a Creative W. It will play wav. files you download (I think).........you can use it for other stuff (video & mp3). I have Inoi but it's only a hard drive.

http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=15752

http://www.inoi.com/English/index.asp

There is a lot of things much faster and more energy efficient than that Inoi. Think festivals!

I'm doubting that the W plays 24/96 or 24/48 files.

Not sure? Almost bought one last month.....I guess I need to see.

[hammerhorror]

I have one of these with a 60gb hard drive.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEXTO-CF-OTG-ND-2300-PORTABLE-STORAGE-UNIT_W0QQitemZ290096422921QQihZ019QQcategoryZ15215QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I absolutely love it. Transfer times are really fast and the rechargeable battery lasts a long time. I have used this at 3-4 day festivals and have never drained the battery. The company also offers a optional external battery in case you need longer run times, but so far I have never needed an extra battery. Since you already have a hard drive this would be perfect for you. You simply put the CF card in the slot and hit the "copy" button. When you get home you just plug it in to your computer via USB and there are all of your files ready to transfer. It is also built pretty solid too. Has a nice beefy feel to it.

[tfs8271]

Wow it's camouflaged to look like a microphone. Now that is cool.....actually like that mic.

[hammerhorror]

Wow it's camouflaged to look like a microphone. Now that is cool.....actually like that mic.

I updated the link, sorry about that. It should work fine now.

[tfs8271]

Give me -T....................420

[guysonic]

I was wondering if anyone has found a reliable device that copies 24bit wav files off a CF card to a HD in the field?

Extensive thread with links about various flash field backup devices at: http://taperssection.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=dc5cb19c3eae03a2a98a47d2a8b6b290&topic=65298.0;all

[johnw]

Thanks guysonic!