Microsolutions RoadStor

The Microsolutions Roadstor is somewhat different than the others in that it can even burn CD's on the go.

The RoadStor is fully capable of archiving the images stored on your digital media cards whilst in the field. This portable digital storage device houses a portable 24X CD Writer, DVD Player (supporting DVD-ROM, DVD-Video, DVD+/-R, DVD+/-RW, and DVD-RAM formats) plus a digital image viewer. It also allows the digital photographer peace of mind that he won't run out of memory or have to invest in extra memory cards.

It takes just about every type of memory card available and compatible memory formats include:

• Secure Digital (SD)
• Multimedia Card (MMC)
• Compact Flash Type I and Type II (CF)
• Micro drive (MD)
• Smart Media (SM)
• Memory Stick
• Memory Stick Pro
• Memory Stick Duo (with adapter)
• xD (with adapter)

Backing up from a memory card is simple. After switching on the RoadStor, insert your digital memory card into the relevant slot, and a blank CD into the CD drive. You will be prompted to begin the process by a display on top of the unit.

To start the process, press the backup button twice. Transferring a 512MB CF card to a CD-R should take around 30 minutes, while this is slower than a PC's CD burner, it is still fast enough to backup your digital media on the go, and to a CD.

The RoadStor creates multi-session CD's so that you can continue to add content to your CD's until the CD is full. Additionally, the RoadStor supports disk spanning to enable you to backup media cards up to of 1 GB or greater in size...

DVD Player

The Microsolutions RoadStor is a multi-function device. The DVD playback functionality is limited, although usable. The remote control (Included) can be used for adjusting the volume, menu features, fast forward of the movie (up to 128x) and turning the unit on and off.

Though the DVD player has limited functionality, playback is smooth and crisp and the sound quality is good as a home DVD player.

Additional Features

As there is no volume control on the unit itself, the remote control is needed to adjust volume of the music being played. The unit seems to require MP3's on the CD to be stored in the root of the disc. If your MP3's are arranged in a directory structure, the unit may have difficulty playing them.

The Microsolutions RoadStor can also act as an external CD Writer/DVD player or Media Card Reader for your PC. Windows 2000, XP, Windows ME and MAC machines automatically detect the Microsolutions RoadStor as you connect it to your PC via the RoadStor's USB 2.0 port. A while a driver is needed for Windows 98.

Unlike other devices, to review your images you need to connect it to a television. Although this allows you to easily view your images without the use of a computer, or to show off your photographs to your friends and family on the big screen! Viewing can be done in several formats, and the remote control allows you to quickly jump between directories, or to sit back and view a slide show of your photos.

What's Included

The Microsolutions RoadStor comes with a travel case, S-Video, Composite Video, Audio, Power and USB cables. The bag also has room for the included rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery pack. The battery provides about two hours of DVD playback or CD Recording, and about four hours of image playback from media cards.

Where to buy

The Microsolutions RoadStor is available through a variety of channels. Your local photography or big box store, online through various retailers or direct from Micro Solutions for $269.00 US. Amazon.com sells the unit for $251.99