Delkin Devices Hard Disk Controller Driver



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External drives for photographers

Digital photography is penetrating deeper and deeper into our everydaylife. Not so long ago a digital photo camera was just a stylish toy, andtoday it is a rather ordinary device, a choice of millions. But the problemof storing photos outside is still urgent. Modern memory cards have alreadyreached volumes sufficient for home use. If earlier you had to buy severalfilms and think well before making a shot, now you can go with a memorycard of 512 or even 256 MB which runs into several hundreds JPEG shots(especially in case of a relatively low resolution). Then you can downloadthe photos to your computer and then use some inexpensive storage media,for example, CD-R.

But what if you don't have a computer at hand for a long time? If youmake TIFF shots (512 MB cards on the 4MP cameras allow only for 40 images)or RAW for the highest quality? Taking into account that 1MB costs about35-80 c, it's too expensive to carry with you several gigabytes of flashmemory. Microdrive is not a wayout here. Although it is cheaper, in caseof large volumes the price will go too high anyway. As a result, many photographershave to buy notebooks, but such machines are not small and have many otherfunctions which must be paid for as well. Besides, inexpensive (i.e. old)notebooks which are usually bought for such purpose have a very short operatingtime.

The solution is right here. Let it be an external hard drive with amemory card slot and a button for downloading the card's contents to thehard disc. It will take much less space than any notebook and the storagecost is much lower compared to memory cards or Microdrives. You can alsoadd some functions such as TV connection to view photo albums. Or you cando without it :)

So, the minimal variation of such device is:

  • Built-in hard disc from 5 GB; at such volume the drive will be cheaperenough than a collection of memory cards. 10-20 GB will be better becausecost nonlinearly depends on volume
  • Memory card slot. The most universal is PCMCIA, but a CompactFlash willdo as well because there are adapters for other card types. Slots for othercards is a plus (it allows saving on adapters) but not necessity.
  • Computer connection interface. At least, standard USB 1.1 (the most popular),but a speedier one would be better.
  • Built-in rechargeable battery. The hard drive consumes a lot of energyin the data recording mode, that is why the battery's capacity must beas large as possible. In general, it must be able to record at least thesame data volume the flash memory of the price comparable to the drivecan house. But it is minimum, when you must think well before buying sucha device. It's much better if the drive can record at least 1.5 times morethan microdrives of the same cost. For example, if a certain drive costs$500, its battery must be able to record at least 3GB. Besides, there mustbe an external power source to charge the battery and not to use it ifa wall outlet is within reach. The battery supply, if it doesn't make thedrive too weighty, is a good add-on.
  • Dimensions and weight - the smaller and lighter, the better :)
  • Additional features: an LCD display (for viewing photos and managing thecollection), TV connection, universal expandability would be a plus. It'snot necessary but at a rational price it's an advantage.

Such drives are in demand, and the market does offer them. One of them was reviewed half a year ago, but the MindStor had a short rundown time and some other unpleasant features. Today we will take a look at three more drives. Why three if the heading indicates four? Well, it's a long story. First, I wanted to write about the Delkin eFilm PicturePAD. When the device was tested and reviewed I got the chance to test the Nixvue Digital Album. So, I had to rewrite the article. When I was finishing the work, it turned out that the next Nixvue's solution was arriving very soon. And I put off the publication. I thought it was deja-vu when saw the VISTA. The express test proved it because the drive differed from the PicturePAD only in the body's color (Nixvue's silvery instead of Delkin's black) and an accessory pack. The price and service were also different, of course. Well, it was the same device shipped by different companies. When the review was remade, I got the X's-Drive. The drive was far different from its competitors, and it was impossible to simply adapt the article. So, I was either to write a new review of all the devices (which wouldn't be fair regarding the PicturePAD which had to wait so long) or publish the finished one and write a separate review of the X's-Drive (which wouldn't be fair in respect to our readers). Well, your interests prevailed, and here you can see the final review far different from the original one.

Now, when we are through this a bit lengthy introduction, let's havea closer look at our heroes.

Nixvue Digital Album


This is one of the first devices of this class, but it is still popularthese days. The drive is compact - 146 x 82 x 29 mm at the weight of 280g. There are 5 buttons and a black-and-white LCD on the front panel, whichmakes it very handle. Inside there can be a disc of 5, 10 or 20 GB. Thebenefit of a 5GB solution is questionable, because the volume is not sogreat to justify the price and dimensions. The 20GB is much more interesting- the dimensions are the same, the price isn't 4 times higher and the discsize is greater than many inexpensive notebooks have. The PCMCIA slot allowsconnecting any card types via inexpensive adapters. Taking into accountthat CompactFlash is a main format in digital photography, the CompactFlashType I adapter is supplied.


On the other side it has a dock station connector. I would say that theidea of dock station is not that good. You can't use this device as a portableuniversal hard drive - it stores only photos. Moreover, in our trip youwon't be able to charge the battery, and the only way to prolong the run-downtime is to buy extra batteries. The device doesn't justify even its nameof Digital Album, because the name means that you can view photos, butyou can't do it with this particular LCD, and a TV-out is available onlyon the dock station. As a result, you will have to take the dock stationwith you everywhere. It measures 157 x 113 x 72 mm and weighs 260 g, whichis more than half a kilogram together with the Album. Now add the weightypower supply unit, and the flash memory price won't be too high for youanymore :)


Together with the dock the device is more communicative: its back has USB,LPT (for direct printing of photos on many color printers without a computer),TV-out and a power supply connector. But the fact that it adds to the weightis not pleasant.

In the box:

  • Drive
  • Transportation bag with a shoulder-belt (you can also attach the driveto your pants belt... but I'm afraid the pants will fall down :))
  • CompactFlash Type I PCMCIA adapter
  • Dock station
  • Power supply unit
  • Li-Ion battery 3.7 V 1120 mAh
  • USB cable
  • Video cable
  • Remote control (with battery) used when the drive is connected to TV
  • CD with drivers, software and user manual
  • Brief printed manual

Delkin eFilm Picture Pad


All disadvantages of the Digital Album were dealt with in the next drivenamed Vista. It's a very successful, though expensive, model; Delkin alsosells this drive under its trade mark (Digital Album is not promoted anymore ;)). Let's look at the differences.

The drive is only 2 cm longer - it measures 168 x 82 x 29 mm, and abit heavier as well - 290 g (i.e. 10 g more). But as a dock stationis not needed, the drive is actually more compact - now we save on thespace in bag and on weight (250 g).

USB 1.1 and power supply connectors and TV-out are on the drive now.The only missing connector is LPT. But don't worry - many modern printersdo not have it any more, and the company has something more for it.

The drive now has an Option Slot meant for various expansion modules.Do you want direct printing? Well, just get an appropriate module and startprinting. You can also attach an MP3 module and listen to music. If youthink that the USB 1.1 is too slow, there are modules that support operationvia FireWire, USB 2.0 and even Ethernet. Some of the above mentioned modulesare already available (at the time of testing I couldn't get, however,high-speed interface modules), some will arrive in the second quarter.Maybe, some more modules will be developed.

By the way, the slot is similar to the one of the Digital Album. Maybe,the Digital Album can be also expandable to some degree. But I can't affirmit. Maybe the firmware version prevents it; it is upgradable in both drives,but I don't think the proper version will be made for the Digital Album.

Besides, PCMCIA is replaced with CompactFlash Type II. I think, it'sa right step - those who use CF, don't need adapters now (the adapter comingwith the Digital Album didn't support Type II, and those who needed ithad to buy it). Other cards' adapters are available at the same price -either for CF Type II or for PCMCIA.

There are 8 buttons instead of 5. The display is color, backlit, anddisplays not only the menu but also photos. Although 1.8' is not for admiringphotos, it can't be useful for example for quick viewing. The view parametersare the same as with TV; even EXIF can be displayed (which is even moreuseful than simple looking though shots at such resolution). Other featureswere added just to justify the price :). The Nixvue comes with 5, 10, 20and 30 GB discs, while the Delkin's solutions can carry 20 and 30 GB.

Well, in all respects the drive is better than its predecessor.

In the box:

  • Drive
  • Transportation bag with a shoulder-belt
  • Power supply unit
  • Li-Ion battery 3.7 V 1400 mAh (the color display needs more power)
  • USB cable
  • Video cable
  • Remote control (with battery) for controlling the drive when it's connectedto TV
  • CD with drivers, software and user manual
  • Printed guide

The list is the same for the Vista, but the Picture Pad comes with twomore things. First of all, it is a SmartMedia Card Adapter. By the way,in such cameras the storage problem is even more pressing compared to theCompactFlash. I also found the CD with Adobe Photoshop Elements 1.01. Thisis a light version of the Photoshop 7.0 but I haven't found any huge disadvantages,and it's even simpler to work with some functions of photo processing.Besides, one shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth :). Delkin givesa legal copy of the packet, and we don't have to use a pirated one or paya price comparable to the drive.

X's-Drive VP2030

This drive is fundamentally different from its competitors. If the Nixvueis an expensive device with as many functions as possible, this one isas cheap as possible and supports only necessary functions.


The drive is similar to its counterparts in dimensions: 130 x 75 x 25 mm,288 g. No dock station is needed, like in the Picture Pad, a USB connectorand a power supply jack are right on the drive's body. The X's-Drive sportsslots for CompactFlash Type II, SmartMedia, MMC/SD and Memory Stick. Onthe other hand, it's still not universal: you will have to buy an CF adapterfor xD Picture Card or Memory Stick Pro. It simply cost nothing for thedeveloper to provide the support for several standards as the drive isbased on a multifunctional one-die controller which made a good showingin multiformat card readers.


The drive does well with only two buttons: one switches it on/off, theother copies the card's contents on the hard disc. No display. There areonly 8 LEDs which inform about current processes. Nothing more - the X's-Drivesupports only the most essential functions: storage and transportationof data and copying from memory cards.

There are two possible hard disc sizes: 20 and 30 GB. But you also canbuy the drive without a disc in case you have a spare 2.5' HDD at home.Also, it's not difficult to replace the supplied disc with a more capaciousone, that is why I won't be surprised if, say, 130GB can be reached.


The accessories are similar to those of the other drives:

  • Drive
  • Transportation bag with a shoulder-belt
  • Power supply unit
  • Li-Ion battery 3.6 V 7200 mAh
  • USB cable
  • CD with drivers, software and user manual
  • Printed guide

Operation: block diagrams

The diagrams are obtained empirically and logically, not from the manufacturers.On the other hand, we managed to draw up the diagrams having bits of informationand test data which will be useful afterwards (they will give us an ideawhy something is done this way, not another).


Let's start with Digital Album. Here it is simple: the main controllingelement is a high-speed controller which provides data exchange betweencomponents. The data rate between the HDD and a memory card is limitedonly by the IDE controller, i.e. actually almost unlimited. There is onemore component not shown on the diagram (I don't know exactly whether itis separate, and if yes - in what part it is located) which controls decodingof JPEG and other formats for file visualization. But without the dockstation the device is very primitive as data can go only to its slot.


Here is the dock station diagram. Having received a command from the maincontroller and contiguous data, the integrated controller sends theinformation either to USB, or to TV-out or to a printer. Probably, thedock doesn't even have a controller - the three components simply go tothe internal bus.


In the next generation the diagram is both simpler and more complicated;complicated because there are more components, but simpler because theyare all in one place. Again, the visualization module is not shown (whichnow also supports LCD), because it's not important where it is located.It's clear why the device is so easily expandable: the expansion modulescan be connected to the bus and thus they actually become an integral partof the device having an access to all its components. An MP3 player willtake music from the hard disc, decode it and send to the headphones-out(or a line-in), which is provided with its connection. A printing modulecan get a finished image (or a file) and send it to a printer. High-speedinterface modules will work as ordinary intermediaries between the internalbus and FireWire, USB 2.0 or Ethernet. What speed does the bus work at?I don't know for sure. If at least one high-speed module were availableat the time of testing, I would be able to get some figures; I think itcomes to 20-30 MB/s (otherwise, it made no use). It's enough for the nearesttime - the internal bus is not a bottleneck yet.


The X's-Drive has it different. The drive's heart is a multifunctionalchip which is also used in many card readers (I have every reason to thinkso). Hence the inexpensive support of various expansion cards and a verylimited operating speed. In the beginning the controller was developedto join memory cards with USB 1.1, and data exchange between the cardsis a side effect. The operating speed wasn't vital at that time (becausethe first incarnation of USB is a slow bus). Now we have a low hard driveexchange rate and no expandability. However, there is a new version ofthis controller for USB 2.0. That is why you can wait for a new drive versionif you need a high price at the minimal price. It's impossible either toadd new features or to lift up the speed - pure All in One.

PC connection

Problems can be connected only with the Digital Album: unfortunately, thisdevice requires drivers for any Windows version. However, the installationis easy. Just install the drivers, connection the dock, turn on the deviceand put it into the dock station - the new devices will appear right away:drive and one more disc device.


Although there are actually two data carriers in one unit, only one letteris used: if a card is inserted the computer sees the card, if not - itsees the hard disc (such approach is also used in the MP3 player DaisyDIVA). Theapproach is clear from the diagram: the controller sends to the bus informationeither from the hard disc or from the memory card.

In case of the Picture Pad the driver is necessary only for Windows98, while modern OSes (not only Windows) can do with the integrated one.Contrary to the above drive, this one doesn't connects automatically -apart from plugging the cable you can choose 'Turn on USB' in the menu(why it is so is unclear - the device feels the cable: without it thisitem is not displayed at all).


Again, there are two new devices. When a card inserted, the hard disc isnot accessible. It seems that this approach will be used for expansionmodules as well. Only the menu item will differ, for example, Turn on FireWire.

The X's-Drive doesn't need drivers for the new Windows versions andsimilar systems. However, it's recommended to update the integrated driverin case of the Windows 2000, though everything works excellently withoutit as well - like in case of multiformat card readers PQI Travel Flash(one more argument for the version about identical controllers).


The drive is identified right after the cable gets connected. There are4 new devices in the list. Why four, if they are actually five? The controllercan't provide access to more than four devices, that is why SD and MS areread by the same device.

External HDD mode

Now let's test the operating speeds and start with the USB-HDD mode.

Well, access time is just tens of milliseconds. On the other hand, some flash memory products have the same, if not greater, access time. That is why it's ok. The X's-Drive is quite far.

I repeated the tests several times but the Digital Album and X's-Driveproved that they write faster than read (especially the former), whilethe Picture Pad works vice versa. What's better depends on what you mostlydo. If you use it for storing photos, then you will hardly write anythingfrom a computer, that is why the read speed is more important. But anyway,the X's-Drive outdoes the others both in the read and write speeds. I wishI had high-speed interface modules for the Picture Pad as it could takethe first place.

Card Reader Mode

If you urgently need to transfer data from a flash memory card to a computer which is within reach, you doesn't need to copy the data first to the drive and then to the PC - all the devices can be used as card readers.

The X's-Drive is again a leader, and the gap is good enough.

The Digital Album writes faster than reads again. The X's-Drive has a soundbreakaway again. To all appearances, for both complex devices it's moredifficult to work via USB exactly because of their complexity: it's necessaryto precisely join several discrete components. The X's-Drive has only onecontroller for everything: it takes data from the card and transfers themvia USB, that is why there are no wasteful losses anywhere.

X's-Drive as a multifunctional device

It's interesting to compare different technologies and formats using the same device (albeit with a slow interface). Actually, the scores were given above and in the review of high-speed card readers, but still, here they are

As expected, the access time of the devices that use a mechanical part is still a bottleneck. Flash memory responds at least 1.5 times faster, sometimes 4 times.

It's just clear that high-speed drives are limited by the USB 1.1 bus.

Internal data rate

The data exchange rate with a computer is not that vital. Once you connectedthe drive to a PC, you can do something else at home while waiting forthem to copy, for example, to have a cup of coffee :) But the data ratebetween the drive and a memory card is quite another matter: it's necessaryto rewrite its contents as fast as possible to make the card availablefor further use (especially if the card is only one and you don't wantto miss an interesting moment).

Cd-rom Controller

If you liked the speed parameters of the X's-Drive, here is a big flyin the ointment. As I mentioned above, the speed of all exchange processesis limited by a relatively slow controller designed for speeds of USB 1.1.As a result, the internal and external speeds are actually the same, anddownloading data from the card would take a lot of time. The manufacturerguarantees only about 500 KB/s, but in fact it is a bit higher. At 800KB/s it takes 1.5 minutes to transfer data from a 64 MB card. For a 128MB one it will take about three minutes and 512MB need about 12. The onlyway-out is to get an extra card so that you'll be able to shoot. Photocameras are often supplied with 8 or 16 MB cards. If you get one more of128 MB (or more), the old card can be used as reserve. On the other hand,16 MB is only one TIFF. So, the drive is meant to replace flash cards,but in practice, it's actually impossible. But if you don't need badlythe camera to be ready at any minute, this is not a problem.

The Digital Album and Picture Pad doesn't have that problem because of a different design. As the tests show, the data rate from a card depends only on a card. Today it is 2 MB/s on average, i.e. it can take only a couple of minutes to record a 256 MB card. If you get faster cards from Transcend, Ridata, Samsung and others, the speed can reach 4 MB/s, i.e. it will take the same two minutes but for 512 MB. And 128MB need only half a minute. But two cards are still better than one, because a unique event can take place any second.

How much disc space is left?

The question is quite important because one has to be sure that the dischas enough space to take the card's contents before the transfer is initiated.Unfortunately, the X's-Drive doesn't help here. It has only a LED whichindicates a disc operation error or memory overflow, and it's unclear whatis a real reason.

The Digital Album and the Picture Pad have a menu item named Disk Spaceor Show Free Space (with the card inserted the Picture Pad shows the card'sfree space, otherwise it shows disc free space). We can find out how muchfree space we have and how much is already taken. Errors are indicatedseparately on the display.

File operations in the off-line mode

The X's-Drive has it the simplest because there is only one operation -recording of the card's contents onto the hard disc which is done witha single button. A folder is created on the disc, and data start beingtransferred. The folder gets its number (from 1 to 999) that is why itcan be a limitation only for 16MB cards - 999 cards of 32MB amount to 30GB. No record checks are done. Some users say that some files from largecards are transferred incorrectly, that is why it's better to repeat theprocedure. The LED blinks while data are transferred. Don't eject the cardat this time :) The data are just copied, that is why you have to clearit yourself. Other operations are possible only after connecting the driveto the computer.

The Digital Album is a more advanced device is this respect. Data startbeing copied right after you select Copy in the menu which is the firstitem there. A folder is also created before the copying process starts;it's possible to monitor it on the LCD. On completion it displays how manyfiles and in what folder are copied. After that you should select the nextitem Verify (actually, you can do it any time but only the last operationwill be checked, that is why it makes no sense to put off it). The verificationis quick: the drive compares files names, size and some other characteristics,which is quite enough compared to byte-to-byte comparison. If it's successful,the drive offers to clear the card. If it doesn't offer it, you shouldrepeat the copying and verification procedures. If it's ok, the card isready for further use - you don't have to clear it manually. The drivesupports some other operations, but it needs to be connected to TV.

The Picture Pad is all about the same. The only additional option isthat you can format a flash card (if you don't want to do it in the camera).But when files are transferred to the drive, there are a lot of operationswe can do with them. Just go to the File Options though View File Listor View Thumbnails in the main menu. The first three items - Cut, Copyand Past - make possible to move or copy files from one directory to another.'Delete' moves them to the recycle bin, that is why you can restore themif necessary (the bin is a usual folder and its files can be moved or copieda usual way). 'Rename' invokes a virtual keyboard which is not very handy,but suitable for typing file names. All file operations are applicableboth to files and folders. New Folder also uses a virtual keyboard. EmptyRecycle Folder makes restoration of files impossible. The Picture Pad usescaching of files, which makes shorter access to files viewed before (ifyou applied some operations, for example, rotation, the image will be savedwith the changes). If the cache is too big already, apply Delete CacheFiles. Above all, there is one more item named Copy To CF Card. It is veryconvenient if you must give some files to someone. Or if your PDA and camerause different card types, you can copy files from one card to another viathe Picture Pad with an appropriate adapter and then view them or editon the PDA. The PDA's screen is still a little bigger, and you can alsosend photos by email. The manufacturer warns that it's possible that thecamera doesn't show files transferred this way. If the card is full youwill be notified. If the card has a file with such name, you can eitheroverwrite it or cancel the operation, rename it and copy again. The errorprocession is excellent. In general, the file operations are not superficial.

Indication

Let's start with the X's-Drive - this drive has 8 LEDs and nothingmore. Four of them indicate usage of a respective carrier: HDD, CF, SMCor SD/MMC/MS. They go on when a respective card is inserted and start blinkingwhen data are transferred. One is always on when the device is switchedon, another indicates battery recharging, the third one warns that a batterylevel is low and the last one informs about an error in data transfer orthat the card is full.

Delkin Devices Hard Disk Controller Driver

The Digital Album and the Picture Pad are more advanced. The LCD showsinformation about the battery status, indicates that the device is connectedto a PC or a power supply unit. All operations are followed by clear commentsand progress indicators so that you can know how long you must way untilthe end. There is also a couple of LEDs just in case - one indicates rechargingand the other - data delivery.

File viewing

Without additional equipment it's supported only in the Picture Pad.Apart from just viewing you can rescale and rotate images. You can shiftfrom one image to another manually (Manual Slideshow) or automatically(Automatic Slideshow). In the first mode you can display EXIF information.Also, you can draw a histogram. JP`EG (progressive), TIFF (any size possiblein modern cameras) and RAW of some cameras (their number keeps on growingup in new firmware versions) are supported. The screen is rather small,but it can be solved.

TV connection

The Digital Album and the Picture Pad can be connected to TV: the formerwith the dock station and the latter directly. PAL and NTSC are supported,- they can be set manually. The Picture Pad doesn't benefit from TV butfor a big screen. The Digital Album receives all Picture Pad's functionsof file management and almost all viewing options (except EXIF info andhistograms). So, while on leave you can shoot nature all day long and whenyou are back in the hotel in the evening you can look though your shots,delete those you don't need etc. It can be very useful; I wish it coulddo the same without the dock.


A remote control comes with both drives - you can place them near the TVand work with images while sitting comfortably in the arm-chair :)

Delkin Devices Hard Disk Controller Driver Windows 7

Updates

The Digital Album and the Picture Pad support firmware update, and notethat new versions are often released. However, I can't say there are alot of changes because there weren't many errors from the very beginning.Some new things get support, for example, RAW formats of new cameras, printers,cards compatibility gets better. In general, the device can grow both atthe expense of additional expansion modules and sophisticated software.

Run-down time

First come official data.

The X's-Drive consumes 360 mA in operation, 175 mA in the standby mode.The full battery suffices for two and a half hours of operation (on average).The manufacturer affirms that it's enough for recording 42 128MB cards(it's about 5 GB).

For the Digital Album the company says only that the battery can sufficefor 30 64 MB cards (about 2 GB).

The Picture Pad can work 70 minutes with slide-show or rewrite 45 64MBcards (about 3 GB).

The figures are not that good. Only the X's-Drive promises more or lesssolid results. If it were really so, it would be better to get flash forthe same money. But actually even the Digital Album can write 3-5 GB ofphotos (3 from Microdrive and 5 from flash). Why did the companies understatethe figures? First of all, this is the guaranteed time. You can alwayscount on it. Secondly, a lot depends on a card size. If they say that thebattery can be used for 42 128MB cards, it doesn't mean that in case of512MB cards the battery will run off with the 11th one - most likely, youcan use about 20 such cards, because spin-up and spin-down of a hard drivetake more power than rotation, and they take place less often in case ofmore sizable cards. Besides, you will have to turn on the device less often.

I managed to carry out 26 finished operations with the X's-Drive and512MB cards without switching on/off the drive. Also, I measured the maximumoperating time of the batteries with HD Tach (with external power supplyoff): the Picture Pad can record via USB 20 GB and read 35 GB. Of course,it will be less in reality, but anyway you can count on at least 5-7 GB.If you need more per day, you can get one or several extra batteries asit's quite simple to replace them.

Delkin Devices Hard Disk Controller Driver

Summary

So, the Nixvue Digital Album is not a good candidate because of the dockand less run-down time. In the stand-by mode it's not much better thanthe X's-Drive, and one would hardly use much these drives in the stand-bymode. Although the Digital Album has an attractive price, I don't thinkit's worth buying it today. If it's important to have various frills, you'dbetter add money and buy a better model, otherwise go with the X's-Drive.

X's-Drive is a good choice for budget-concious users who want just thecheapest gadget for storing photos while far from home. The drive is notthat bad as a multiformat card reader or an external hard drive. On theother hand, it has a primitive indication system and a low data rate betweenthe drive and a card. If they release an updated USB 2.0 model, it willbe simpler to make a choice in its favor.

Nixvue Vista and Delkin eFilm Picture Pad... Top notch. Maximum features(expandable) but the price is the match. By the way, if you want to geteverything including off-line file management, reliable copying, expandability,image viewing, then it's not correct to bother about the price. Anyway,both drives are worth their prices. Which one to choose is for you to decide.Vista is a bit cheaper, but Picture Pad has a longer warranty period andcomes with the free Photoshop :)

Any of these drives can at least help a user, not necessarily well-off, to make thousands of shots far from home with a digital photo camera. Actually, you are to choose between inexpensive simplicity and rather dear functionality. But anyway, the idea to use such drives is rational and in the very end it will let you save some money.


Delkin Devices Hard Disk Controller Drivers

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