Can you help me?....external hard drive to take pics off memory disk?

[LauraAnn630]

I am looking for a way to take my pics and videos off my memory disk. So I can erase my memory disk and start out fresh the next day.

I did see something someone posted on the boards.

I will not have a pc with me in Disneyworld.

Is there some kind of external hard drive that you can put your pics and videos on. That you do not need a pc to use???

 

[bostran1]

If you or anyone you are traveling with has an iPod you could do it for relatively cheap with this.

I've never used it before though. I usually travel with my laptop.

 

[cpbjgc]

I too was considering getting a portable device for dumping cards, but after reading a few similar threads on this board, (like this thread or this one or this last one) I have instead invested in more memory cards for my camera. In my mind, I don't have all my eggs in one basket (but on four different cards) and don't need worry about hauling around another device with me.

 

[Lizziejane]

we recently purchased a portable thingy (I believe that's the technical name for it...) - it accommodates 5 different kinds of memory cards and lets you download up to 50 gigs. Works like a dream. Cost was $150 at Bestbuy or Futureshop, can't recall which. Small enough to slip into the camera bag.

 

[scejas]

If you or anyone you are traveling with has an iPod you could do it for relatively cheap with this.

I've never used it before though. I usually travel with my laptop.

The Belkin device sounds great on paper but has major draw backs in reality -- if you are working with raw files or 512mb or larger cards this is a 20 to 30 copying process and will drain most of the ipods battery.

Even though it list Firewire speed it actually uses USB 1.0 type speed.

Depending on your budget I would get a Wolverine -- you can check out there models on BH:

Click here

Prices start around 139.95 for 30gigs

 

[klmall]

One possibility I'm considering (but my situation is very different) is since our room will have a computer already in it I will hopefully be able to upload my pictures to a storage site online. Ill hopefully burn them to a cd also.

 

[Groucho]

There are a few such devices, I think I've seen one or two that cost under $40 and you add a 2.5" hard drive of your choice. (They start at maybe $50 or so.)

Remember that hard drives, especially 2.5" drives, are the least reliable way to store photos... ideally, if you're going to go this route, you should grab two, so you can store your photos on both.

Ultimately, you're probably looking at at least $100, plus the bother of doing it. Unless you're shooting RAW with a DSLR, or going on a very long vacation and planning to take many thousands of photos, I'd lean towards just picking up a few more memory cards... $100 will probably get you 4-5 2-gig cards, which is an awful lot of storage. They're not bulletproof but that're a lot more reliable than a hard drive, and if one does fail, you'll only lose those photos, not everything like with a hard drive.

 

[senecabeach]

I too was considering getting a portable device for dumping cards, but after reading a few similar threads on this board, (like this thread or this one or this last one) I have instead invested in more memory cards for my camera.

Ditto that !!

 

[SharonLowe]

One possibility I'm considering (but my situation is very different) is since our room will have a computer already in it I will hopefully be able to upload my pictures to a storage site online. Ill hopefully burn them to a cd also.

No CD burners in the computers at CR so don't count on that. Not even sure it has extra USB slots to connect with your camera. It is basically a monitor and a keyboard, no hard drive. You might want to ask over on the CR info thread on the Resorts board.

 

[SharonLowe]

The Belkin device sounds great on paper but has major draw backs in reality -- if you are working with raw files or 512mb or larger cards this is a 20 to 30 copying process and will drain most of the ipods battery.

I've done the IPod thing before. Yes, it does take a while but as long as you have it plugged in, it won't drain your battery. Works quite well actually and justifies those huge hard drives in them.

 

[SharonLowe]

I too was considering getting a portable device for dumping cards, but after reading a few similar threads on this board, (like this thread or this one or this last one) I have instead invested in more memory cards for my camera. In my mind, I don't have all my eggs in one basket (but on four different cards) and don't need worry about hauling around another device with me.

Memory cards fail and are expensive to recover if the recovery programs don't work. I had 2 fail on me on one trip (4 gig cards too so lots of photos!). Fortunately, I had already backed up most of the images to my laptop plus they were pro cards so the manufacturer recovered the photos for me at no cost and replaced the cards for free. Just took 2 months to do it.

 

[SharonLowe]

I am looking for a way to take my pics and videos off my memory disk. So I can erase my memory disk and start out fresh the next day.

I did see something someone posted on the boards.

I will not have a pc with me in Disneyworld.

Is there some kind of external hard drive that you can put your pics and videos on. That you do not need a pc to use???

I believe you can get CDs/DVDs made at the photo stores at each of the parks. No idea how much they charge.

 

[manning]

Groucho is right. Hard drives can crash at anytime. It's not a matter of if, but when. All will crash at some time.

I had a hard drive crash after one month of use, and it did not receive heavy use.

Memory cards can go south on you, but would be the most dependable because they don't have moving parts.

If you have a laptop with you burn them on a CD.

 

[Gdad]

I too was considering getting a portable device for dumping cards, but after reading a few similar threads on this board, (like this thread or this one or this last one) I have instead invested in more memory cards for my camera. In my mind, I don't have all my eggs in one basket (but on four different cards) and don't need worry about hauling around another device with me.

Good advice- My new theory for any shoot is...

• Take plenty of cards (they are relatively inexpensive now- watch for sales)
• Try to eliminate culls as you go to preserve card space (I use to just-shoot and sort them out later)
• back up cards whenever I can (I use a laptop but portable devices are fine too)
• Do not reformat any card until I get home and download/backup files (unless it is an emergency of course)
• I labeled all my 2GB cards 'A' thru 'J' (up to now I think?) for quick changing and less chance for an accident

 

[gokenin]

ok now I am curious just what is the average number of photos do you take when you are at Disney? I know most of you shot RAW so it uses up more space than a JPEG but was just wondering I am planning on bringing my laptop and a few dvds to burn them on and have 4 2gb cards between my two cameras and I think that i may have enough ability since the s3 only does jpegs but was just curious whats your average picture numbers? apologize for going off topic with this one

 

[Groucho]

Good advice- My new theory for any shoot is...

• Take plenty of cards (they are relatively inexpensive now- watch for sales)
• Try to eliminate culls as you go to preserve card space (I use to just-shoot and sort them out later)
• back up cards whenever I can (I use a laptop but portable devices are fine too)
• Do not reformat any card until I get home and download/backup files (unless it is an emergency of course)
• I labeled all my 2GB cards 'A' thru 'J' (up to now I think?) for quick changing and less chance for an accident

I agree about the labeling of the cards (I do exactly the same but with a LOT less cards!) but I'd try to minimize image culling unless you're really desperate to clear off space. LCDs, even when you zoom in on the photo, are not a great way to judge your photos... especially with the post-processing that can be done.

There are times where you don't have a choice, though...

gokenin, I took about 2,500 shots on my last 10-day WDW trip, and that was with me feeling very sick the first few days. In the later days, I think I was doing maybe 300-400 shots a day. I wouldn't be surprised if I top that at Disneyland.

The number does go up if you're shooting fireworks with a tripod and remote shutter release, though... since the camera is all aimed and ready, all you need to do is press the button on the remote; I usually took 2-3 dozen shots during the fireworks.

 

[undertheseas]

Last time I downloaded them to the laptop every night. HOwever we've had to reformat the laptop twice since then so I'm a little leary of depending solely on it. I'll bring some memory thumb drives too and try not to format the cards until I have to. Last trip I took 3,000 pics in the large and fine format so it filled a DVD! I had DH get me a 4GB memory card this time to go with my 2 GB card. Hopefully those will be enough this trip!

 

[scoolover]

I believe you can get CDs/DVDs made at the photo stores at each of the parks. No idea how much they charge.

I transfered about 250 pics on to two disks and it cost me less than $20. I dropped it off in the morning and picked it up before lunch. I even got to double check them on the kiosk to make sure they transfered correctly before erasing my card.
Scott

 

[manning]

Maybe this might fit your needs.

Just be sure you have a TV nearby to review to make sure you burned them. It appears it doesn't have a viewer.

http://www.delkin.com/products/burnaway/index.html

 

[LauraAnn630]

A few years back we got our pics and movies burned on cd at that little place in Epcot right as you walk in on the right. They made my DH stay there the whole time, like an hour while they burned them.

When we got home and put our 3 cds in our pc we found 2 of them were the same!

We lost a lot of pics and video!!



So the following year we rented a car and drove to walmart. We had all our pics printed out and got a cd.

This year I was hoping to get some kind of portable drive that you do not need a pc to download them on the drive.

I dunno what to do????????????

Guess Ill buy more memory??????

Scott, Where did ya do that?