Anyone have a portable viewer?

cap624

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I was thinking that having a portable photo viewer would be a great combo; I'd love to view my photos on a larger screen before leaving an area where I've been photographing, and I'd also like to be able to show the photos at a family gathering - like a picture frame with batteries.

So, CF card slot is mandatory, as is a long-ish battery life. I don't want to download the photos to its internal memory - just want it to read my card directly.

Can anyone recommend one? Thanks. (Or does this question belong in the Storage forum?)
--
Carol.
 
If you have a television available, you can view the pictures on the televsion via your camera - I'm assuming a 7d or A700. I've done that in the past and it works well. Especiaaly useful when you need to delete a few pictures due to limited CF space.

Another option is a laptop - which while expensive is something you might have with you for other reasons.
--
Shawn
 
Only if your TV is HDMI or memory card acceptable. and then you need a long cord to view your images while in the woods...

I have done some research into this very thing and found that most of these playes that are bigger than my 3 in display in my A700 are in the 400 to 700 dollar range.

I small laptop bought used with a tune up could be a much better viewer. Stopbuy a used computer store and tell them what you want and they can make it for you.. the flip side is buying a new lap top , Low end for 599 dollars..

you wont find a 5 in. plus viewer any cheaper. Atleast I havent been able to find one.
--
Bill
Capturing memories, one at a time.



Please visit my galleries at
http://evil-twin.smugmug.com/
 
I was really trying to keep it very portable (and fast) - I see reasonably priced 7 or 8 inch picture frames that have batteries and memory card slots, but don't see any with a CF slot. The ones that do have a CF slot have a 4 inch screen, while bigger than my 7D's preview screen, it's still on the small side. Thanks for the info!
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Carol.
 
I was really trying to keep it very portable (and fast) - I see
reasonably priced 7 or 8 inch picture frames that have batteries and
memory card slots, but don't see any with a CF slot. The ones that
do have a CF slot have a 4 inch screen, while bigger than my 7D's
preview screen, it's still on the small side. Thanks for the info!
--
Carol.
Hi,

My son was given a ASUS eeepc with a 7inch screen and I think its just what you need.

Replacing the original OS (a Taiwanese Linux OS) with WinXP and running Faststone Image Viewer which can handle Sony's and Minolta RAW files it works like a dream.

It doesn't have a built-in CF slot and I am using external card reader with one of its two USB ports.

The current price of the eeepc over here is about RM900 (less than USD300) and dropping fast as there other options is soon available.

I am replying this thread with it by the way :)

chTan
 
I contacted Sony about their Sony FX 820 which only cost 179 dollars, designed to play DVD movies and view JPEG on disc... I asked them if anything was in the pipeline like this but with a CF and SD card slot... I told them that I have an A700 and would like something larger than 3 " LCD to view my photos in the field...

I think the FX820 is fast enough, all they need to do is add a couple of card slots.

I have a Delkin Multi card reader and if this player had a USB slot I could hook it up.. I have not heard back from them as yet..

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665368411
--
Bill
Capturing memories, one at a time.



Please visit my galleries at
http://evil-twin.smugmug.com/
 
I would have recommended the Creative Labs Zen Vision W. I got mine last Christmas. It has a CF slot to upload pictures or data. I also use it to show off pictures to friends and family. It has a 4" display and 30GB of memory.

Creative does not offer it anymore, so you may want to try similar devices by Wolverine or Epson. I believe that they are both very good devices.

Regards,
--
Damon P. Yancy
 
I would have recommended the Creative Labs Zen Vision W. I got mine
last Christmas. It has a CF slot to upload pictures or data. I also
use it to show off pictures to friends and family. It has a 4"
display and 30GB of memory.

Creative does not offer it anymore, so you may want to try similar
devices by Wolverine or Epson. I believe that they are both very good
devices.

Regards,
--
Damon P. Yancy
--AS far as Epson goes, they have a P-5000 model which is very nice, the P1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 have been discontinued and the P-5000 is 639 dollars... you can buy a laptop for that price.I also question why all of the previous models have been discontinued.

The Sony FX 820 has an 8 inch diplay, and its only 179 dollars.
Bill
Capturing memories, one at a time.



Please visit my galleries at
http://evil-twin.smugmug.com/
 
--AS far as Epson goes, they have a P-5000 model which is very nice,
the P1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 have been discontinued and the P-5000
is 639 dollars...
The P-3000 is still available from Epson at their online store and is in stock at B&H for $410.
you can buy a laptop for that price.
Not that fits in your coat pocket or small camera bag to take into the field, except for the new Asus micro units and their brethren.
I also question
why all of the previous models have been discontinued.
The same reason all models are eventually discontinued. They are replaced with newer units with more features, just like cameras, computers, etc. Specifically, the earlier Epson portable storage units had smaller screens and less storage. The P-3000 and the P-5000 are being replaced in October by the P-6000 (80 GB) and the P-7000 (160 GB) which both have improved displays and faster transfer speeds. Except for periods of overlap when new models are introduced, Epson only keeps two models on the market at a time, with the only difference being storage capacity.
 
If the Sony DVD player had a USB port or CF card slot, and a little less hefty price tag, it'd be just the thing I'm looking for. Surely we're not the only people looking for this kind of functionality. Thanks for the info.
--
Carol.
 
Hmm, it's intriguing, but expensive, as I'm looking for just the viewer aspect, as opposed to the storage capacity. Perhaps a P-3000 Lite version...

And with only a 4" screen, it's just a wee bit too small. It's a good idea, though, for vacationers.

Thanks for the info, Robert.
--
Carol.
 
--AS far as Epson goes, they have a P-5000 model which is very nice,
the P1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 have been discontinued and the P-5000
is 639 dollars...
The P-3000 is still available from Epson at their online store and is
in stock at B&H for $410.
If the P-4000 is a better model ( Newer) why is it discontinued???
you can buy a laptop for that price.
Not that fits in your coat pocket or small camera bag to take into
the field, except for the new Asus micro units and their brethren.
I already have a viewer that fits in my camera bag , its called an A700 with a 3 " LCD..
My concern is how much better can a viewer with a total physical foot print of

Dimensions: 3.5” (88.7 mm) x 5.9” (150 mm) x 1.3” (31.1 mm) Weight with battery: Approx. 1.0 lb
Epson P-5000 at a cost of 599 dollars with rebate reg price 699.00

The Sony viewer is 8"LCD which is perfect for my application..
Dimensions (Approx.) : 8.9"(W) x 6.5"(D) x 1.8"(H) with battery;
I also question
why all of the previous models have been discontinued.
The same reason all models are eventually discontinued. They are
replaced with newer units with more features, just like cameras,
computers, etc. Specifically, the earlier Epson portable storage
units had smaller screens and less storage. The P-3000 and the
P-5000 are being replaced in October by the P-6000 (80 GB) and the
P-7000 (160 GB) which both have improved displays and faster transfer
speeds. Except for periods of overlap when new models are
introduced, Epson only keeps two models on the market at a time, with
the only difference being storage capacity.
AS you can see people are looking for a simple viewer ( less than 179.00 dollars ) not a P- 7000 for 799 dollars

--
Bill
Capturing memories, one at a time.



Please visit my galleries at
http://evil-twin.smugmug.com/
 
Carol,

This was something I was looking at a year or so ago. I wanted something small that I could use as a hard drive, that I could view photos on (bigger than 3in), that I could also carry lots of music on, and so on. I looked at the Zen W and was going to get it but it was discontinued. So I asked this same question and a guy from Australia responded. I went back to find his response and the post is gone. I think this is the one he used and said he loved it and it supported Minolta RAW files. I ended up not getting anything am throwing the idea around again. Heres a link. Looks interesting. http://www.vosonic.com/product.php?PA=feature&kind=1&id_1=9
--
Rich

As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never be pointing the wrong direction



http://richunland.zenfolio.com
 
Cant seem to find this in the US. But eastern gear Singapore has them... 599 SPD

that converts to 421 dollars USD. It looks very nice the screen is 4.3 in diag. Price is good for what it is, but is way more than a viewer...
--
Bill
Capturing memories, one at a time.



Please visit my galleries at
http://evil-twin.smugmug.com/
 
If the P-4000 is a better model ( Newer) why is it discontinued???
Better and newer than what? The P-4000 is better than what it replaced, but is isn't a "newer" model. The P-3000 and the P-5000 (which replaced the P-4000) are both newer than the P-4000. They have slightly larger screens that support a much larger color depth (24-bit truecolor) as well as software improvements. The P-2000 and P-4000 were Epson's second generation of storage viewers that adopted the current form factor and replaced the original P-1000. They differed from each other only in storage capacity (40 vs. 80 GB), just as the third generation P-3000 (40 GB) and P-5000 (80 GB) and the upcoming P-6000 (80 GB) and P-7000 (160 GB) (fourth generation with faster transfer speeds) differ from each other only by capacity. You'll have to ask Epson why they named them out of order.
My concern is how much better can a viewer with a total physical foot
print of
Unfortunately, the market is for out-of-camera storage with viewing capabilities, or storage without any viewer at all. There isn't as much demand for a large photo viewer that doesn't have any storage options. People would be less inclined to carry the bulk for the reduced functionality.
The Sony viewer is 8"LCD which is perfect for my application..
It would be if it read CF cards.

Keep in mind that your FX 820 is a nice portable DVD player that just happens to read JPEGs (an open format) burned to disk because that functionality has been included in DVD chip sets for years. It is essentially free functionality that most buyers of the unit won't ever use. It won't display raw images, which would be a major turn off to many buyers looking for a portable photo viewer for use in the field.
AS you can see people are looking for a simple viewer ( less than
179.00 dollars ) not a P- 7000 for 799 dollars
I am aware of the OP's desired price range. I was simply addressing your statements and question about the Epson line.
 
I have not looked at this vendor so am not saying this is the place to get it but I did find it here.

http://www.mydigitaldiscount.com/CategoryProductList.jsp?cat=Browse+By+Brand:Vosonic:Vosonic+VP8860+Multimedia+Viewer+Recorder

359 for 120GB. Was looking around on Dpreview at what people had to say about it. Again, didn't do a very complete search and didn't read everything, but saw nothing negative and some very nice thing said about it. And it does support 7D and A700 RAW files. Worth a look I think. Not a bad price either IMO.
--
Rich

As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never be pointing the wrong direction



http://richunland.zenfolio.com
 
I sent an email to Sony yesterday saying we A700 users could use something like the F820 but with card slots. IM still waiting.... 179 is a good price
--
Bill
Capturing memories, one at a time.



Please visit my galleries at
http://evil-twin.smugmug.com/
 
I think I need to look at this a little closer. The Vosonic might be what I'v been wanting. Very portable and I can carry all my music with me as well. (Got to have my Boston)
Thanks Carol for bringing this up again. I might get myself a new toy.
--
Rich

As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never be pointing the wrong direction



http://richunland.zenfolio.com
 

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