Now that high-quality cameras can be had for reasonable money, digital photography has turned out to be a truly marvellous application of personal technology. If you’re an enthusiast, you’ve probably bored your friends to death with tales of the cost savings and the convenience of pixels over film.
However, storing pictures as megabytes on little bits of plastic is fine until you run out of space. Unless you have a computer handy to offload your images and free up storage, you’ll need a pocketful of flash cards if you want to keep snapping. A day out at a wedding, for example, or a week on holiday are unlikely places for you to have your laptop with you.
The tech industry is onto it. Manufacturers like Belkin and Epson have released portable devices – effectively portable hard disks with some clever software and a display screen – which swallow the contents of your camera’s storage cards, storing your precious photos safely until you return to your laptop or PC.
The eFilm PicturePAD from Belkin Devices comes with a CompactFlash Card slot, a stamp-sized LCD screen and 20Gbyte of storage. Simply insert your camera card, follow the menu prompts and upload your images. Although the tiny screen offers no more than a visual reference, the unit comes with a video cable and a remote control that lets you connect to a TV and view a slideshow – handy if you’re on holiday. Depending on the size of your files, you could fully upload a 64Mbyte flash card 40 times or more before the unit is full. (Adaptors are available for other storage types). We used the PicturePAD easily without any reference to the manual, although following the menu prompts was fiddly on the small screen.
Epson’s PhotoPC P-1000 is a new device that does the same job (see full review in PC Live! December 2003). The main difference is its display: A cracking TFT screen about the size of your palm that offers sparkling colour quality. The Epson can also be used with a TV, and as a device to replace the ‘envelope of prints’ scenario, it’s just the job. Epson has integrated the P-1000 with its instant-print technology, so you can connect directly to a printer without the need for a PC (Belkin offers this as an extra). With a storage capacity of 10Gbyte, the P-1000 supports CompactFlash cards via its built-in slot, accepting other types via an adaptor.
Like the PicturePAD, we connected the Epson to a Mac via the supplied USB cable and transferred photos right away without any reference to manuals. Simplicity itself: Both units work with Mac and Windows, and come with a rechargeable battery. With its superb display, the Epson has the edge over the PicturePAD, although the latter offers larger storage options.
Lastly, if you’re an iPod user, then you’ve already got a hard disk in your pocket. So why not try the Belkin iPod Media Reader, a EUR129 device which takes the content of your camera cards and drops it onto your iPod. No screen, but a cost-effective option that extends the use of a gadget you may already have.
Live! Verdict
eFilm PicturePAD EUR665.50
Useful (if expensive) larger storage options, with good range of accessories. Stamp-sized screen for reference only: Not an option for passing photos round in the pub.
Contact: Data Micrographics Limited 01-4781888
Epson P-1000 Photo Viewer EUR763
Attractive design, with a superb screen. The ability to create pocket slideshows on the go gives the Epson the edge; also, it has the ability to print directly via a USB connection.
Contact: Compustore 01-4506255
Belkin iPod Media Reader EUR129
If you have an iPod already, this is a handy accessory. If not, could be the reason you need!
Contact: Sharptext 01-4087171
26/01/04
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