Digimate ll-Plus

Smart Portable Storage - A New Toy


 

Specifications:

Standalone copy/backup contents of flash memory cards to Digimate ll - no computer needed.
-    Backup your digital photographs, video, audio and data files while on the road, without a computer.

High Speed USB2.0 Portable Hard Disk
-    External data storage and backup for PC and Mac
-    480Mbps Maximum transfer rate.

Card Reader for memory cards
-    Supports major flash media cards
-    Copy and transfer files between flash media cards and computer.
-    Cards supported SM, SD, CF l/ll, MS, XD, MMC, MD and Mspro.
-    Long name terminology
-    Compact Flash Type l/ll.
-    Hitachi MicroDrive.
-    SmartMedia Card.
-    Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro.
-    Secure Digital Card.
-    Multimedia Card.
-    XD Card.
 
     Key Features:

-    Mine has a Toshiba Disk Drive MK 4025Gas, 40GB 2.5" lap top HDD.
-    You can put in 2.5 inch 10, 20, 30, 40, 60 or 80MB Hard Disk Drives
-    These have to be formatted to support Fat32/16 support for Hard Disk Drives, and they will support Fat 12/16/32 for memory cards.
-    Internal Lithium-ion Rechargeable Battery.
-    3hrs charging time.
-    Battery Life 2 hours
-    Weight: 145g (excluding hard disk and accessories).
-    240g including hard disk drive.
-    USB2.0 Interface, USB1.1 compatible.
-    USB Cable
-    Soft Carry Case, I also purchased a DSE Camera Case with better protection (about $14.00) which fits the DigiMate ll Plus and the               power supply in the large pocket, and the USB Cable in the front pocket of the case.
-    Universal AC Power Adapter (100 Volt to 240Volt AC).
-    Size: 75mm x 115mm x 22mm

     PC system requirements:

-    Available USB-compatible port.
-    Microsoft Windows XP/2000/Me/98SE or Linux Kernel 2.4 and above.
-    They also add an 85mm CD-ROM for Win 98 support Drivers.

I received this at the end of December 2005 from Jack and Eva Zhang for my trip overseas and had a couple of weeks to try and test it. It has only two buttons, one for power ON/OFF and one for the transfer to the HDD, it would copy the memory card from the camera OK, it shows total size of the memory card used and scale up to 100% on the transfer bar.
The Blue & Black letter screen also shows battery life and how much HDD space (say 40GB) and, as you use it, it will go down in GB size. I setup my XP computer with the USB port saying it was J-Drive and it would copy the contents on to my HDD with no problems.

Now Windows XP would not show the contents of the drive, so how do I delete the folders on the Digimate's HDD ??????? I know XP can read Fat 32 files and folders, why did it not show? I did not have much time left to work on that problem as I had to go to Newcastle, so on to the Windows 98SE computer a Fat 32 formatted HDD, load the software drivers for Win98SE, this was OK as it showed all the files and folders I had loaded, this meant I could delete the Folders and files OK and have a clean Digimate HDD before going away, end of testing.

I flew out to Singapore and started using the Sony Digital Camera with an Mspro card, also had a spare card as well for when the card was full. Out with the Digimate and transfer the Mspro card's data to the HDD, then format the memory card in the camera and start over again. Well off to Vietnam with Vietnam Air, boy did they show up just how bad Qantas food is. I could download the memory card any time on boats, cars while they were moving and only lose a small amount of time. The best example was when I had just come out of the Cu Chi tunnels and we were due for a Tea break part of the tour. Out with the Digimate and copied the memory card, and the crowd that started to arrive and ask questions it was amazing, even the young tour guide asked lots of questions and he understood the technology very well. We then went back to Singapore, then Malaysia to Malaka or (Melaka) both spellings are OK, great place, then Kuala Lumpur or KL as it's known, back to Singapore and then home.

I have transferred all the Folders and files on the Win98SE Computer and very pleased with the Digimate, only have to solve the XP problem of displaying the folders.
The other good thing is that the Digimate turns itself off after transferring the files to the HDD. I did not have to charge up the battery while I was away and it did not look like running down. I purchase this because a 1GB memory card costs $150.00 and this cost $225.00 for 40GB of saved files, also an extra USB external 40GB HDD.
Sony have just released their version HDPSM10 40GB @ $449.00.

Merv Commons         February 2006
INDEX       NEXT