CInema Disk - any users out there

[simon edmunds]

I'm shortly off to Europe for three weeks with my Nikon D100. Will need storage with the following capabilites:

20GB+ storage
LCD screen to view/delete pictures
USB 2.0
Ability to work from car charger as camping for whole trip
Reliable

Has any one used the Cinema Disk (currently £300 in UK) and can give me a review? Is there a better option - remembering that as well as the above the Cinema Disk plays MP3, movies, has remote and can play back through TV.

As a side point, is 20GB enough? Probably have 1,500 - 2,000 high-quality images by end of trip. How big is each one? (I don't know this as D100 yet to arrive)

Thanks - Simon.

 

[Vasa Carapic]

Hi Simon,

Cinema Disk is great unit - very fast and very reliable. And there is Car Charger available for downloading as well as for charging the batteries.

But, you will not be able to view pictures on LCD screen (only on TV and only JPG's) - you will also not be able to delete pictures without connection to PC.

You can view all folders and files on LCD to verify that images have been recorded.

Vasa
[email protected]

I'm shortly off to Europe for three weeks with my Nikon D100. Will
need storage with the following capabilites:

20GB+ storage
LCD screen to view/delete pictures
USB 2.0
Ability to work from car charger as camping for whole trip
Reliable

Has any one used the Cinema Disk (currently £300 in UK) and can
give me a review? Is there a better option - remembering that as
well as the above the Cinema Disk plays MP3, movies, has remote and
can play back through TV.

As a side point, is 20GB enough? Probably have 1,500 - 2,000
high-quality images by end of trip. How big is each one? (I don't
know this as D100 yet to arrive)

Thanks - Simon.
--

--
[email protected]

 

[simon edmunds]

Hi Simon,

Cinema Disk is great unit - very fast and very reliable. And there
is Car Charger available for downloading as well as for charging
the batteries.

But, you will not be able to view pictures on LCD screen (only on
TV and only JPG's) - you will also not be able to delete pictures
without connection to PC.

You can view all folders and files on LCD to verify that images
have been recorded.

Vasa
[email protected]

Thanks Vasa,

So it's thumbnail, zoom, rotate functions etc. are only applicable through a TV/monitor and not on the unit itself?

I'm shortly off to Europe for three weeks with my Nikon D100. Will
need storage with the following capabilites:

20GB+ storage
LCD screen to view/delete pictures
USB 2.0
Ability to work from car charger as camping for whole trip
Reliable

Has any one used the Cinema Disk (currently £300 in UK) and can
give me a review? Is there a better option - remembering that as
well as the above the Cinema Disk plays MP3, movies, has remote and
can play back through TV.

As a side point, is 20GB enough? Probably have 1,500 - 2,000
high-quality images by end of trip. How big is each one? (I don't
know this as D100 yet to arrive)

Thanks - Simon.
--

--
[email protected]

 

[Vasa Carapic]

Yes this statement is correct.

Vasa
[email protected]

So it's thumbnail, zoom, rotate functions etc. are only applicable
through a TV/monitor and not on the unit itself?

 

[simon edmunds]

Vasa
[email protected]

So it's thumbnail, zoom, rotate functions etc. are only applicable
through a TV/monitor and not on the unit itself?

Vasa,

Thanks. I should have read you first reply as the answer is obvious. Do you know of any products that meet my specification. How about the Phototainer?

Simon.

 

[Vasa Carapic]

Read experience of Phottainer here:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1023&message=4565890

Vasa
[email protected]

Vasa
[email protected]

So it's thumbnail, zoom, rotate functions etc. are only applicable
through a TV/monitor and not on the unit itself?

Vasa,

Thanks. I should have read you first reply as the answer is
obvious. Do you know of any products that meet my specification.
How about the Phototainer?

Simon.

--

--
[email protected]

 

[JoeMA]

of the jpegs. It seems the Cinema Display has a DVD type resolution, which may mean it can really show off a photo on a digital high definition TV -- is this correct? How about reolution and sharpness on a regular TV?

One other question that confuses me: does the Cinema Display come with Firewire connection? If so, can this be used for a connection to a High Def. Tv as well as a computer?

Thanks

I know that my G2 did not do a good job with display on a regulat TV.
--
Regards,
JoeMA
http://www.pbase.com/joema/

 

[Vasa Carapic]

Picture quality is nothing but Perfect. Sharp and crisp and all pros that have viewed demos here - have just said the best they have ever seen. I had it connected with RCA cable (not S-Video yet - even it has this function.)

No, unfortunately no Firewire connection on this model.
No HD just S-Video.

Vasa
[email protected]

of the jpegs. It seems the Cinema Display has a DVD type
resolution, which may mean it can really show off a photo on a
digital high definition TV -- is this correct? How about reolution
and sharpness on a regular TV?

One other question that confuses me: does the Cinema Display come
with Firewire connection? If so, can this be used for a connection
to a High Def. Tv as well as a computer?

Thanks

I know that my G2 did not do a good job with display on a regulat TV.
--
Regards,
JoeMA
http://www.pbase.com/joema/

--
[email protected]

 

[chaim145552]

any IDEA if the battery life is any good??? can u attach an external battery to it? if so which battery? is it possibel to write with the cinemadisk on cf?

if anyone knows where u can buy it (someone said u can get if for 330$ - if so where - i only saw it on insidecomputer for 399$- a bit pricey...
u can buy a 40GB superdigibin for 100$ less...

• even it has this function.)

No, unfortunately no Firewire connection on this model.
No HD just S-Video.

Vasa
[email protected]

of the jpegs. It seems the Cinema Display has a DVD type
resolution, which may mean it can really show off a photo on a
digital high definition TV -- is this correct? How about reolution
and sharpness on a regular TV?

One other question that confuses me: does the Cinema Display come
with Firewire connection? If so, can this be used for a connection
to a High Def. Tv as well as a computer?

Thanks

I know that my G2 did not do a good job with display on a regulat TV.
--
Regards,
JoeMA
http://www.pbase.com/joema/

--
[email protected]

 

[JoeMA]

• even it has this function.)

No, unfortunately no Firewire connection on this model.
No HD just S-Video.

Vasa
[email protected]

of the jpegs. It seems the Cinema Display has a DVD type
resolution, which may mean it can really show off a photo on a
digital high definition TV -- is this correct? How about reolution
and sharpness on a regular TV?

One other question that confuses me: does the Cinema Display come
with Firewire connection? If so, can this be used for a connection
to a High Def. Tv as well as a computer?

Thanks

I know that my G2 did not do a good job with display on a regulat TV.
--
Regards,
JoeMA
http://www.pbase.com/joema/

--
[email protected]

--
Regards,
JoeMA
http://www.pbase.com/joema/

 

[Matt Barlage]

I was looking at the Cinema Disk, but decided to pass based off of few areas that it feel short on.

1. No transfer progress indicator. The manual states the it will show a transferring screen until the copy is over. It doesn't say what file it is on or how many are copied, how do you know if it is hung up?

2. No verify function. I don't care what anyone says, looking at a directory for file names doesn't mean verified.

3. Only displays files that can be shown on a screen. So, if you shoot in RAW format, which the devices can not view, they will not show up in the directory on the disk.

4. Support, what support?? I don't know how many e-mails I sent to Vasa and Deltron asking about firmware upgrades, power, etc. No one answered me yet.

The device shows alot of promise and maybe the next rev will cover my ares of concern. I decided to go with the eFilm PicturePad, but only because I was leaving for vacation in a few weeks. If you can wait until April or May you should have a selection of new devices to choose from.

• even it has this function.)

No, unfortunately no Firewire connection on this model.
No HD just S-Video.

Vasa
[email protected]

of the jpegs. It seems the Cinema Display has a DVD type
resolution, which may mean it can really show off a photo on a
digital high definition TV -- is this correct? How about reolution
and sharpness on a regular TV?

One other question that confuses me: does the Cinema Display come
with Firewire connection? If so, can this be used for a connection
to a High Def. Tv as well as a computer?

Thanks

I know that my G2 did not do a good job with display on a regulat TV.
--
Regards,
JoeMA
http://www.pbase.com/joema/

--
[email protected]

--
Regards,
JoeMA
http://www.pbase.com/joema/

 

[Chris Beck]

Matt,

Vasa must have two broken legs and two broken arms and serious facial fractures if he hasnt gotten back to you yet! I have found him to be exceptional as far as customer service goes. I have ordered a couple of things from him and all have turned up when promised, and the information he has given me has been without bias.

I rang him up to order a x-drive and he talked me out of it and advised that I wait a while for new products to appear, I did that and I am glad I did.

Chris

PS I have no financial or otherwise interest in powerinnumbers.com, I am simply a satisfied customer...

4. Support, what support?? I don't know how many e-mails I sent
to Vasa and Deltron asking about firmware upgrades, power, etc. No
one answered me yet.

 

[Russ Meyer]

Vasa,

How would you compare it to the Phottainer?

Picture quality is nothing but Perfect. Sharp and crisp and all
pros that have viewed demos here - have just said the best they
have ever seen. I had it connected with RCA cable (not S-Video yet

• even it has this function.)

Vasa
[email protected]

--
Russ Meyer
Palm City, FL
http://www.imagestation.com/members/bigkahunafl

 

[Vasa Carapic]

Hi Matt,

Sorry for not getting back to you - or I might have and e-mails do get lost, but here I will comment little bit on your words.

I was looking at the Cinema Disk, but decided to pass based off of
few areas that it feel short on.

Yes, that is partly correct - I have not found device yet that is not short of something, so it is the matter of what shortage I can live with. And as I always advise to everyone asking me - if you don't need device now it is better to wait - but what about if your important Holyday is next week.

1. No transfer progress indicator. The manual states the it will
show a transferring screen until the copy is over. It doesn't say
what file it is on or how many are copied, how do you know if it is
hung up?

There is no transfer progress indicator, but there is an Error indicator and final OK transfer indicator. You know it is hung up when it gives you an error massage.

2. No verify function. I don't care what anyone says, looking at
a directory for file names doesn't mean verified.

So far the only final confirmation of succesfull transfer is looking at files that they are there. When you transfer CF card to your PC do you always look into directory to see that files are there, or you just transfer them and think they are there.

3. Only displays files that can be shown on a screen. So, if you
shoot in RAW format, which the devices can not view, they will not
show up in the directory on the disk.

True, RAW or TIFF files will not show on screen or on TV or in directory. What I do is after shooting RAW, I shoot last picture JPG in the air, and transfer looking to verify the last file. Once last file is transfered I am confident that all pics, are transfered.

4. Support, what support?? I don't know how many e-mails I sent
to Vasa and Deltron asking about firmware upgrades, power, etc. No
one answered me yet.

I might have missed your e-mails and I am really sorry about it, but would really like to know How Many E-mails did you really send me that I didn;t attend to. I check all e-mails all the time - 7 days per week, and I might sometimes miss one, but when second one comes in - that must be answered. By the way - there is no possibilities to have firmware upgrade with current model.

The device shows alot of promise and maybe the next rev will cover
my ares of concern. I decided to go with the eFilm PicturePad, but
only because I was leaving for vacation in a few weeks. If you can
wait until April or May you should have a selection of new devices
to choose from.

True, there are lot of devices to come and everyone should wait if they don't need now. There is portable CD Writer as an excellent option. There is Cinema Disk II - that will cover all major problems, we are now working on ideas and improvement and Deltron welcomes any suggestions from users that are interested in certain features. I am sure that Vosonic will also come with better XDrive III - every single thing will improve.

But remember first Image Tank - it's almost like history now and look Cinema Disk - what a difference, than imagine same difference from Cinema Disk to some other unit.

Vasa
[email protected]

• even it has this function.)

No, unfortunately no Firewire connection on this model.
No HD just S-Video.

Vasa
[email protected]

of the jpegs. It seems the Cinema Display has a DVD type
resolution, which may mean it can really show off a photo on a
digital high definition TV -- is this correct? How about reolution
and sharpness on a regular TV?

One other question that confuses me: does the Cinema Display come
with Firewire connection? If so, can this be used for a connection
to a High Def. Tv as well as a computer?

Thanks

I know that my G2 did not do a good job with display on a regulat TV.
--
Regards,
JoeMA
http://www.pbase.com/joema/

--
[email protected]

--
Regards,
JoeMA
http://www.pbase.com/joema/

--
[email protected]

 

[Russ Meyer]

Chris,

What did you end up buying instead of X-drive?

I rang him up to order a x-drive and he talked me out of it and
advised that I wait a while for new products to appear, I did that
and I am glad I did.

Chris

--
Russ Meyer
Palm City, FL
http://www.imagestation.com/members/bigkahunafl

 

[Chris Beck]

Russ,

I am still waiting for the market to mature. I was hoping to get over to Europe in April (may still happen) from Australia but at this stage I have little need for devices like these. That's not to say that I am not interested in the cinema disk (esp seeing this weeks special).

I think that if I were to buy something today, it would be the cinema disk.

I am looking for:

USB2.0 or firewire
at least 20Gb
long battery life (I think that the cinema disk has 5hours)
car charger
AC adaptor

transfer verification (not a deal breaker for me, as long as it is pretty reliable, I wouldnt be too distraught if everynow and then one pic dropped out)
CF compatible
high speed CF to HDD speed

Chris

What did you end up buying instead of X-drive?

I rang him up to order a x-drive and he talked me out of it and
advised that I wait a while for new products to appear, I did that
and I am glad I did.

Chris

--
Russ Meyer
Palm City, FL
http://www.imagestation.com/members/bigkahunafl

 

[Vasa Carapic]

Hi Russ,

I am sorry to dissapoint you - I have not had a chance to have Phototainer in my hands so I can't really compare, and I am convinced not to make any comment reading the specs - unless I tried it myself or see the reports of other people trying.

I have burnt some purchases like that reading about it and thinking it is good to find out that I didn't like performance - and never had try to sell it.

At this stage I would be concerned about the life of battery - someone reported that it can only transfer twice 1 GIG Card and battery is gone.

Cinema Disk can transfer 15 times - 1 GIG card for one life of battery and if you buy spare one that you can change it on the road in 2 seconds - you than have 30 transfers.

Vasa
[email protected]

How would you compare it to the Phottainer?

Picture quality is nothing but Perfect. Sharp and crisp and all
pros that have viewed demos here - have just said the best they
have ever seen. I had it connected with RCA cable (not S-Video yet

• even it has this function.)

Vasa
[email protected]

--
Russ Meyer
Palm City, FL
http://www.imagestation.com/members/bigkahunafl

--
[email protected]