Digital Photo Storage Device for Photographers
Click here for the newer Flashtrax XT Review
Smartdisk Flashtrax Overview
The Smartdisk Flashtrax is a personal favourite of mine, this portable digital photo storage device is a must-have for any serious digital photographer. The well-known and respected Nature photographer Andy Rouse also uses the Flashtrax.
No need to carry loads of flash media, when you have filled your card, simply copy it to your Flashtrax, erase the CF card and keep shooting! At the end of the day, connect the device to your PC to print, view or store your pictures…Simple!
- View Photographs on the 3.5″ colour LCD or a TV – With its bright, large screen, the Flashtrax is a great device for pre-viewing your digital images or sharing them with others. Whether spot checking on your latest shoot or showing your portfolio to a potential client, the Smartdisk Flashtrax has everything. Even use it to show off your holiday snaps!
- Listen to your favourite MP3 music – With its massive 20, 40 or 80GB storage capacity, the Flashtrax has more than enough storage space to fit your ENTIRE music collection. The control panel on the side, built-in speaker, headphone socket or line out facility make it amazingly simple to listen to your music anywhere.
- Transfer data files to your PC – No custom drivers or interface software needed here, the Flashtrax is “‘Plug-and-Play” compatible just like a standard USB 2.0 hard drive. Simple and computer friendly to use, and can also be used to transfer data between Pc’s.
Features
- Pictures – Store JPEG photographs onto integrated hard-drive (up to 20,000 standard Jpegs on the 20GB version). View these photos on the 3.5′ colour LCD and zoom, rotate and pan each picture.
- Music – Use the Flashtrax as your own, portable Jukebox.
- Video – Watch videos, music videos, home videos or even the videos made by most “Movie-mode” digital still cameras. AVI (MJPEG.AVI). Plug the Flashtrax into your TV using included cables and infra-red remote control.
- Connect to your PC – Back-up and/or transfer photographs (or data, programs etc.) from CF cards using the built in reader. Simply put the card into Flashtrax and hit the one-step COPY button.
Future Upgrades
The built-in operating system of the Smartdisk Flashtrax, is fully upgradable with any future enhancements from Smartdisk, available through their website. For example the RAW files from the Canon EOS 1D MKII are now compliant with the Flashtrax.
Tech Specs
Available in 20, 40 or 80 GB Versions
Compatible with CF I and II Compact Flash, IBM microdrive and using a separate (Optional) adaptor, can be used with SmartMedia, Memory stick, SD/MMC and xD.
Display
3.5″ colour TFT LCD with backlight
TV Monitor output: PAL or NTSC, composite video
JPEG (plus GIF/BMP) Format viewing with zoom, pan, scroll, and rotation support.
Video: Motion Jpeg picture decoding for up to 320 x 240 x 30 frames per second or 640 x 480 x 10 Frames per second
Can view simple *.txt files
Audio
Stereo analog line-out or headphone jack
Built in speaker
WAV and MP3 formats. Will play MP3 files that are encoded up to 320 kbps.
The Flashtrax can run from battery power( Rechargeable Li-ion 2200mAh)or from the mains. It is USB 2.0 and 1.1 compatible, has a separate remote control unit (Included) and is compatible with MAC OS 8.6 or higher and Windows 98SE (Requires downloadable driver), ME, 2000 and XP.
Buy the Smartdisk Flashtrax from Amazon for the best price, I did!
