| Memory card support, storage capacity, format support:
Copy speed, copy option, copy file name:
?
Battery, AC power, USB power:
USB connection, OS compatibility:
‘Gdfont.gd3' file & long file name:
Reviews, product comparison:
Troubleshooting:
|
Q1. Which memory card formats are supported by Media Buddy?
Media Buddy directly reads from and writes to: CompactFlash I/II, MicroDrive, SmartMedia, MultiMedia Card, SD Card, Memory Stick, MS PRO, MS Duo, MS PRO Duo, and xD-Picture card. It also supports miniSD, RS-MMC with an adapter.
Q2. I don't see xD-Picture card in your manual, is xD supported?
Yes Media Buddy supports xD without an adapter. You can insert the xD card directly into the card slot on the right that is marked ‘SM'. Insert the xD card against the bottom of the slot and with the gold connector facing up.
Q3. How many photos, music, and video files can I store on Media Buddy?
• 30GB: ~12,500 photos or ~ 7,500 songs
• 40GB: ~16,500 photos or ~10,000 songs
• 60GB: ~25,000 photos or ~15,000 songs
• 80GB: ~33,000 photos or ~20,000 songs
* Photo capacity based on 5-mega-pixel photos (approximately 2.4 MB each);
Music capacity based on 4 minute songs at 128 kbps MP3 encoding;
Video capacity based on 2 hour videos at 500 kbps encoding.
Q4. Can I transfer photos from the camera to Media Buddy via USB 2.0 port?
No you will not be able to transfer files from the camera to the Media Buddy via USB. You may, however, insert the digital camera memory card directly into Media Buddy to transfer the files. The alternative way is of course to transfer via USB from camera to computer and then from computer to Media Buddy.
Q5. Can I download RAW images into Media Buddy?
Media Buddy can copy and store any type of file formats. You can retrieve the original files you copied onto Media Buddy by connected it to a computer. However, please note that you cannot view pictures on its screen. Media Buddy has a text-based LCD screen where you can view file information, copy progress, copy confirmation etc.
If you would like a device with a color LCD screen where you can view images, see .
Q6. Does Media Buddy play any other audio format other than MP3?
No, Media Buddy only plays unprotected MP3 files.
Q7. How big is the LCD screen?
The LCD screen is 2.4” in diagonal. But please not that it is a text-based screen on which you can view file information and copy confirmation, but not pictures.
Q8. What is the copy speed from a memory card to Media Buddy?
It takes approximately 4 minutes to copy a full 256MB CF card to Media Buddy.
Please note that the actual transfer time depends on various factors such as type and speed of the memory card and number of files.
Q9. What kinds of copy options do I have when I back up memory card contents into Media Buddy?
Media Buddy provides you with two methods of copying files from memory cards:
(1) You can copy an entire memory card with the one-touch Auto Copy function, or
(2) You can select a specific folder or file to be copied.
Q10. What type of copy information is shown after each memory card backup?
After each successful memory card to Media Buddy backup, the following information will be shown:
- Folder name created
- Total number of files copied from your memory card to Media Buddy
- Confirmation message
Q11. How does Media Buddy keep track of the different backups from memory cards?
Each time you use the copy function on Media Buddy, a new folder will be created to store your copied files. The folder names are made up of 2 pieces of information. The first two characters will be letters indicating the type of memory card used. The next 4 characters will be sequential numbers starting from ‘0001' that show the order in which the folders were created. These letter prefixes correspond to the memory card types:
CF = CompactFlash
SD = Secure Digital (includes MMC)
SM = SmartMedia
MS = Memory Stick
For example, an folder name “MS0015” means that this is a backup from Memory Stick format, and this is the 15th folder created for this particular format.
Q12. Can I set the date and time for folder to which the files that are copied?
The Media Buddy does not have an internal clock so when the folders are created, the folders will not show accurate dates and times. Instead you can use a combination of the folder name sequence number and the dates and times of your photo and video files copied from you digital camera within each folder to find a particular set of files.
Q13. Can I copy files from Media Buddy onto a memory card?
Media Buddy can only copy data from the Memory Card to the Media Buddy hard drive. You will not be able to copy data from the Media Buddy directly onto a memory card without a computer. However, if you have the Media Buddy connected to a computer, you can use the computer to copy and past files from the Media Buddy hard drive to a memory card.
If this is an important feature for you, please take a look at the Digital Foci Picture Porter Elite. The complete comparison chart can be found here:
Q14. How long is the battery life of Media Buddy on a full charge?
A full battery charge will last for a minimum 1.6 hours of continuous usage. Since Media Buddy is designed for off-and-on usage, where you turn on Media Buddy, download your memory card contents, and turn off Media Buddy, this should be sufficient to get you through transfers between charges.
Q15. Which will drain the battery faster – playing MP3 from memory card or playing MP3 from hard drive?
Playing MP3s files stored on Media Buddy requires operating the internal hard drive and will drain the battery a lot faster. Playing MP3s from a memory card will help you get longer battery life on Media Buddy.
Q16. Is the battery replaceable?
Yes, the battery is replaceable. But please note that in order to replace it, you need to first unscrew the 4 small screws on the back and open up the back panel. In other words, the battery is not easily removable (while you are out on the road without a screwdriver) but it is user replaceable.
Q17. Is it O.K. to recharge at any level of remaining charge i.e. must it be depleted before recharge?
With the current Lithium-Ion battery technology (the same that Media Buddy uses), the result called "memory-effect" is not a problem. In early rechargeable batteries (the Nickel-Metal-Cadmium), when you charge the battery at the 1/2 way point, you 'reset' the total capacity of the battery to the point where you started to recharge it.
With Media Buddy, it is safe to recharge it at anytime and you should
avoid depleting the battery completely before recharging. Please
also note that it is beneficial to avoid storing a lithium-ion battery
at full charge. A Li-ion battery stored at 40% charge will last
many times longer than one stored at 100% charge. Storing the battery
in a cool place when not in use will also prolong its battery life.
Q18. Can Media Buddy run on AC power instead of battery?
Yes Media Buddy runs on either battery or AC power adapter. So you can always use the power adapter as a power source for Media Buddy. Also, the battery will charge as you use it on AC power. We also have car adapter / battery charger available as an extra accessory so that you can conveniently charge Media Buddy on the go.
Q19. Will I be able to use the included AC adapter to charge the Media Buddy battery while I'm traveling in Europe , where the voltage is not 110V?
The specs on the power adapter is AC 100-240V. So it can be used in European countries without a converter. You just need to get a plug adapter to fit the different shape of the wall plug.
Q20. Can Media buddy receive power from the USB port?
Media Buddy does not receive power from the USB port. Unless the AC adapter is plugged in Media Buddy, Media Buddy will rely on its battery for power.
Q21. My computer only has USB 1.1 ports available. Can Media Buddy still be connected?
Yes, Media Buddy is backward compatible with USB 1.1. Just note that the copy speed will be slower with a USB 1.1 port.
Q22. Do I need to install device driver before I can connect Media Buddy to my computer?
There is no software driver installation required for Windows XP, Windows ME, and Mac OS 10.01 or higher. Simply connect Media Buddy to your computer using the USB cable included in the package. Once connected, Media Buddy will show up as a removable hard drive. You can use it just like you use the hard drive on your computer.
For Windows 2000, Windows 98/SE, and Mac OS 8.6 and 9.x, you need to first install device driver from the Resource Disc before the computer can recognize Media Buddy.
Q23. There is a ‘Gdfont.gd3' file on the Media Buddy hard drive. What is that purpose of the file?
The 'Gdfont.gd3' file helps Media Buddy support long file names and non-English file names. Deleting the file will not affect the performance of Media Buddy with the exception of how file and folder names are displayed. Without the 'Gdfont.gd3' file on Media Buddy, Media Buddy will have trouble displaying non-English file and folder names. Also, file and folder names will be limited to 8 characters.
Q24. Where can I find reviews on Media Buddy?
You can find reviews on Media Buddy here:
You may also find the following links helpful:
Customer Testimonials (what our current users say about these products):
Q25. What are the differences between Picture Porter Elite, Photo Safe, and Media Buddy?
In short, Media Buddy is a strict photo storage device (no picture viewing) and a low-cost alternative to Picture Porter Elite. The Picture Porter Elite is a device with color LCD screens for viewing photos and videos on top of storage capability.
To see the Comparison Chart, go to:
The main difference between Picture Porter Elite and Media Buddy include:
• You can view pictures and videos on Picture Porter Elite's 3.6" color LCD screen. Media Buddy has a text-based LCD screen for viewing operation status, but you can't view pictures on it.
• You can connect Picture Porter Elite to a TV to see photos on a big screen.
• You can copy directly from memory card to Picture Porter Elite and vice versa; You can only copy from memory card to Media Buddy but not directly from Media Buddy to memory card.
• Picture Porter Elite has faster copy speed compared to Media Buddy. (It takes approximately 5 minutes to copy a full 1GB CF card to Picture Porter Elite; and about 20 minutes in the case of Media Buddy).
• Picture Porter Elite has longer battery life compared to Media Buddy. (Picture Porter Elite 's battery life is 4 hours for video playback and 12 hours for audio playback; Media Buddy's is 1.6 hours).
Q26. I transferred MP3 files from my computer to the Media Buddy. I can locate the MP3 files on the Media Buddy hard drive, but I can't seem to play them on Media Buddy.
Please first note that Media Buddy only plays unprotected MP3 files. Also, make sure that your MP3 files are named so that they have the extension ".mp3" – this is how Media Buddy recognizes the file as a MP3 file). <
The following is the instructions on how to play the MP3 files:
1. Turn on Media Buddy – you will see FILE Mode and MP3 Mode selections on the screen.
2. Select MP3 Mode. (Scroll down to MP3 Mode by pressing the DOWN button on the left side of the device; press PLAY/ENTER to make the selection).
3. You'll be at the Device Select screen. Select HD Device by pressing PLAY/ENTER.
4. Now you can navigate through the directories by pressing the Scroll UP and DOWN buttons on the left side of the device. Again, press PLAY/ENTER to make your selection.
5. Now can navigate through the files (or directories) in the same way within the directory you just selected.
6. When you locate the desired MP3 file, press PLAY/ENTER to play the song.
7. If you need to return to the previous directory, press the STOP button.
You may also find instructions on how to play MP3 files on Media Buddy on page 18 of the User's Guide.
Q27. On the website and User's Guide it is stated that Media Buddy supports long file names, but my unit doesn't.
Media Buddy does support long file names, as long as the associated support file, named ‘Gdfont.gd3' is on the Media Buddy hard drive.
The ‘Gdfont.gd3' file helps Media Buddy support long file names and non-English file names. The file does not affect how Media Buddy performs; the only difference is that without it, folder/file names will be limited to 8 characters. The Media Buddy comes with the file on the hard drive. If the unit you have doesn't display long file name, it is probably because the ‘gdfont.gd3 file' is accidentally deleted from the hard drive. The file should be located at the root location of the Media Buddy hard drive.
We will send you the file to copy onto Media Buddy. You can also find the file on the included Resource Disc.
Q28. I cannot make a backup larger than 4 GB, although my Media Buddy has more than 4 GB of free space.
The FAT-32 file system only allows a maximum of 4 GB of data processing at a time. Split the data to be backed up into segments smaller than 4 GB each. |
|
