Q1. Which memory card formats are supported by
Picture Porter Elite?
Picture Porter Elite directly reads from and writes to: CompactFlash,
MicroDrive, MultiMedia Card, SD Card, SDHC card, Memory Stick,
MS PRO, and xD-Picture card. It also supports miniSD, RS-MMC,
MS Duo, and MS PRO Duo with an adapter.
Q2. How many
photos, music, and video files can I store on Picture Porter Elite?
40GB (actual available storage space = 37.3GB): ~15,500 photos,
~9,300 songs, or ~160 hours of video
80GB (actual available storage space = 74.5GB): ~31,000 photos,
~18,500 songs, or ~315 hours of video
120GB (actual storage space 111.8GB) = ~46,500 digital photos,
~27,500 songs, or ~480 hours of video
160GB (actual storage space 149.0GB) = ~62,000 digital photos,
~37,000 songs, or ~620 hours of video
* 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 movies at 500 kbps encoding.
Q3. What image,
music, and video formats can be played back on Picture Porter
Elite?
Image formats: JPEG, TIFF, BMP, GIF, RAW
Music formats: MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV
Video formats: MPEG1, MPEG4, MJPEG, WMV9
Text formats: TXT
Q4. Which camera
RAW formats are supported by Picture Porter Elite?
for a list of RAW image formats supported
Q5. My camera
is not listed on your supported RAW format list. Does that mean
it is not supported by Picture Porter Elite?
For the RAW images, the absence of a particular camera model does
not necessarily mean that it is not supported by Picture Porter
Elite. Since the specifications for RAW images differ from manufacturer
to manufacturer and even from camera to camera for the same manufacturer,
Digital Foci has to constantly update the RAW image support to
keep current with new digital camera models.
If you do not see your camera model listed, you can send the RAW
+ JPEG file from your camera to Digital Foci at support@digitalfoci.com.
After verification, you will receive confirmation whether
your camera model is already supported or when it will be supported.
We continually improving and updating our products so the range
of supported formats will continue to expand. We will offer new
versions of the firmware that you can download from our website
to upgrade your unit.
Q6. What are
the photo viewing options on Picture Porter Elite?
• Rotate, zoom, and pan the photos (a zoom window will appear
and show you the zoomed area relatively to the entire photo)
• View EXIF information and histogram of photo
• View picture slideshow (can play music in the background)
• View photo thumbnails
• View real size view of photo
In addition, portrait shots are automatically rotated from EXIF
photo orientation data
Q7. Will the
zoom, rotate, and view histogram functions work with RAW image
files?
Yes, you can zoom, pan, rotate, and view slideshows of your RAW
image content. You can also view the EXIF information and histogram
of the image.
Note: The image displayed is the imbedded JPEG image in the RAW
file. It is technically possible to design the Picture Porter
Elite to decode the RAW images, but each raw image will take a
significant amount of time to decode. In test cases it's taken
up to 90 seconds for 6 MP RAW images. So, for the current firmware
version, we decided not to decode RAW images and instead show
the JPEG so that users "in the field" can quickly access the image
to check and confirm basic information.
Q8. How do
I print photos from Picture Porter Elite directly to a printer
without a computer?
You can print JPEG photos directly from Picture Porter Elite directly
to any PictBridge compliant printer. Simply connect Picture Porter
Elite to the printer via a USB cable, select the desired photo
on the Picture Porter Elite screen, and select Print. You can
also connect Picture Porter Elite to a photo printing kiosk via
USB and print photos in the stores.
Q9. What is
the copy speed from a memory card to Picture Porter Elite?
Please note that the actual transfer time depends on various factors
including the type of memory card that you are using, the size
of the files, and the number of files that you are copying, type
and speed of the memory card and number of files.
As a benchmark, it took less than 5 minutes to copy a full 1GB
SanDisk Extreme III CF card to Picture Porter Elite with both
the HD Copy Speed and CF Copy Speed set to ‘High’
on Picture Porter Elite (equivalent of 3.6MB/s).
Q10. What
kinds of copy options do I have when I back up memory card contents
into Picture Porter Elite?
Picture Porter Elite provides you with 3 methods of copying files
from memory cards:
1) FULL BACKUP (recommended): You can copy the entire contents
of a memory card with Full Backup - Full Backup option copies
the entire memory card with original file structure and files
names without any alterations.
2) PHOTO BACKUP - You can copy only the photo and video files
from a memory card with Photo Backup. The 'Photo Backup' option
will look at the folder structure on the memory card and try to
find recognizable patterns. For instance, it looks for a folder
called DCIM (that is commonly created and used by most digital
cameras for the photo and video storage). 'Photo Backup' will
also take the first few characters of the folder name and append
them to the front of the file as it performs the backup. Note
that the files names will be changed as a result. Instead, by
using 'Full Backup' you will be able to get a clean backup of
all the contents on the card in their original folder structure
and with their original file names.
3) You can select a specific folder or file to copy.
Q11. How does
Picture Porter Elite keep track of the different backups from
memory cards?
Each time you use the Full Backup or Photo Backup functions on
Picture Porter Elite, a new folder will be created on the Picture
Porter hard drive to store your copied files.
Each 8-character folder name is made up of 2 pieces of information.
The first few characters will be letters indicating the type of
memory card used. Those letters are followed by sequential numbers
starting from ‘00' (followed by ‘01', ‘02', …) or ‘00000' (followed
by ‘00001', ‘00002', …) that show the order in which the folders
were created. The memory card types are represented as follows:
MS = Memory Stick, MS Duo
MSPRO = MS PRO, MS PRO Duo
SM = SmartMedia
SD = Secure Digital
MMC = MultiMedia Card
CF = CompactFlash, MicroDirve
xD = xD-Picture Card
For example, an folder name “CF-00002”
means that this is a backup from CompactFlash format, and this
is the 3rd folder created for this particular format.
Q12. Will
Picture Porter Elite change the file copied from the memory cards
in any way?
No, Picture Porter Elite will not alter the file in any way when
backing up from memory cards if you do a "Full Backup"
or if you copy a specific folder or file. Your files are copied
in their original format and kept in their original file names.
Note that the files names will be changed when you use the 'Photo
Backup' option. The 'Photo Backup' option will look at the folder
structure on the memory card and try to find recognizable patterns.
For instance, it looks for a folder called DCIM (that is commonly
created and used by most digital cameras for the photo and video
storage). 'Photo Backup' will also take the first few characters
of the folder name and append them to the front of the file as
it performs the backup. Instead, by using 'Full Backup' you will
be able to get a clean backup of all the contents on the card
in their original folder structure and with their original file
names.
Q13. How does
audio recording work?
You can record audio clips either via the built-in
mic or via line-in audio input. You can also record FM radio.
While recording, you can turn on audio output so that you can
listen to the recording file simultaneously. You can use this
function to test the volume and the signal of the input. The audio
files are recorded in AAC format for playback.
Q14. How does
Picture Porter Elite record videos? What format and resolutions
does it record at?
Picture Porter Elite comes with RCA audio/video
bus cable that you can connect to and record videos from video
sources. You can record videos from TV, satellite, DVD player,
digital video camera, etc. You can set up to 8 scheduled recordings.
The recording quality options include: 640 x 480 Fine, 352 x 240
Fine / Normal, 320 x 240 Fine / Normal, and 320 x 240 PSP. The
files are recorded in MPEG-4 format and the sound is recorded
in AAC format for playback.
Q15. How long
is the battery life of Picture Porter Elite on a full charge?
A full battery charge is capable of up to 4 hours
of continuous video playback and up to 12 hours of continuous
audio playback.
Q16.
Is the battery replaceable?
Yes, you can easily change the rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery
by opening up the battery compartment at the bottom left of Picture
Porter Elite.
Q17.
Is it O.K. to leave the battery in the device when not in use
for more than a day? Will this affect the battery life?
Leaving the battery in the Picture Porter Elite when you are not
using the device for a few days or a week will not have a noticeable
effect on the battery life. If you will not use Picture Porter
Elite for a month or more, then you may want to remove the battery.
But, in this case, you will probably want to give it a full charge
before resuming use after 1 month of storage.
Q18.
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
Picture Porter Eliteuses), 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 Picture Porter Elite, 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.
Q19.
Can Picture Porter Elite run on AC power instead of battery?
Yes Picture Porter Elite runs on either battery or AC power adapter.
It is recommended that you use the AC power whenever possible
so that you can make sure that your battery is fully charged when
you need it.
Q20.
Is the AC power adapter compatible in European countries?
The standard AC power adapter that comes with your Picture Porter
Elite can support power ranging from 100 to 240 volts. This will
allow you to use the AC power adapter worldwide.
Since the plug type on the standard AC power adapter is the North
American standard, you may need a different plug adapter when
traveling outside of North America.
Q21.
Can Picture Porter Elite run on power from the USB port?
Yes, when Picture Porter Elite is connected to the computer USB
port and turned on, it will rely on the power from the USB port
when possible. If it does not receive sufficient power from the
USB port, it will use battery power. To ensure that Picture Porter
Elite has a sufficient and stable power supply, use both USB connections
on the dual-head USB cable that came with your Picture Porter
Elite or use the AC power adapter.
Q22.
Can the Picture Porter Elite battery be charged from the USB port?
Picture Porter Elite is able to use the power from the USB port
to charge the battery when it is connected and not turned on.
You will see the red LED light to indicate that the battery is
charging.
Q23.
My computer only has USB 1.1 ports available. Can Picture Porter
Elite still be connected?
Yes, Picture Porter Elite is backward compatible with USB 1.1.
Just note that the copy speed will be slower with a USB 1.1 port.
Q24.
Can I transfer photos and videos from the camera to Picture
Porter Elite via USB 2.0 port?
No you will not be able to transfer files from the camera to the
Picture Porter Elite via USB. You may, however, insert the digital
camera memory card directly into Picture Porter Elite to transfer
the files. The alternative way is of course to transfer via USB
from camera to computer and then from computer to Picture Porter
Elite.
Q25.
Do I need to install device driver before I can connect Picture
Porter Elite to my computer?
There is no software driver installation required for Windows
XP, Windows ME, Windows 2000 (SP3 or later) and Mac OS 10.01 or
later. Simply connect Picture Porter Elite to your computer using
the USB cable included in the package. Once connected, Picture
Porter Elite will show up as a removable hard drive. You can use
it just like you use the hard drive on your computer.
*For Windows 98SE, and Mac OS 9.0, you need to first install device
driver before the computer can recognize Picture Porter Elite.
Click here to download the driver. Please note that Windows 2000
SP2 or earlier is not supported.
Q26.
Is Picture Porter Elite firmware upgradeable? How can I update
the firmware?
Yes Picture Porter Elite is firmware upgradeable. You can download
the latest firmware and instructions from our website at:
Q27.
What are the differences between Picture Porter
Elite and Photo Safe II?
In short, Photo Safe II is a photo storage device (no picture
viewing) and a low-cost alternative to Picture Porter Elite.
See comparison chart and learn more about new model Picture Porter
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