SmartDisk FTX30 FlashTrax 30 GB Portable MultiMedia Device

by SmartDisk

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00009XV1J
• Item model number: FTX30
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #319,623 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Early Adopters Pick: July 2003. The first portable device that allows you to transfer up to 30 GB of digital pictures from a memory card while in the field and view your images on a 3.5" LCD display. It plays MP3 files too!

FlashTrax is an innovative handheld device that allows you to expand the use of your digital camera and multimedia files. With simple controls and high-speed transfers, FlashTrax allows you to store, view, and play all sorts of media files, all in one palm-size, portable device.

Transfer digital pictures from flash memory cards to FlashTrax
Why carry piles of flash media with you? When you’ve filled up your media card, just copy it to FlashTrax, erase it, and keep on shooting! When you’re done, just connect FlashTrax to your computer to view, print, or store your pictures.

View pictures on the 3.5" color LCD or TV
With its large, vibrant screen, FlashTrax is great for previewing your digital images or sharing them with the world. Whether you’re spot-checking on the site of your latest shoot or sharing your photo album with Grandma, FlashTrax has everything you need.

Listen to MP3 music
With its massive storage capacity, FlashTrax has more than enough space to take your entire MP3 collection with you on the road. The convenient MP3 control panel on the side makes it incredibly easy to carry and listen to your music anywhere.

Transfer files to your computer
Unlike other devices that require custom drivers or complex interface software, FlashTrax was designed to be as friendly with your computer as possible--just plug it in and use it like a USB 2.0 hard disk! You can even use your FlashTrax to transfer data between computers.

Features

• Pictures--Store JPEG photos on integrated 30GB hard drive (over 20,000 typical JPEG images). View stored photos on large 3.5" color LCD, with ability to zoom, pan and rotate.
• Music--Portable MP3 "jukebox", with a total capacity of over 7,000 songs.
• Video--Watch videos with audio soundtrack – compatible with the video formats created by the "movie" mode of many digital still cameras. View pictures or videos on a TV monitor with included video cable and infrared remote control.
• Connect to your PC--Transfer and backup photos (or video, music, voice, etc.) from Compact Flash media, through built-in reader and simple one-step "Copy" button. Easily connect to your PC through high speed USB 2.0.

Technical Specifications

Storage:

• 30GB Hard Drive
• Compatible Flash Media: CF type I, II Compact Flash, IBM Microdrive Other flash media (SM, MS, SD, MMC, xD) can be used through use of a Compact Flash Adapter, sold separately.

Display:

• LCD: 3.5" (diagonal) color TFT LCD with CCFL backlight
• TV monitor output: NTSC or PAL, Composite video
• JPEG format viewing, with hardware zoom in/out, pan/scroll, rotation support. (Some RAW format as well as GIF and BMP files can also be viewed.)
• Video: Motion JPEG picture decoding, up to 320 x 240 x 30 frames/sec or 640 x 480 x 10 frames/sec
• Can view simple text files (*.txt)

Audio:

• Stereo analog line out or earphone jack
• Built-in speaker
• MP3 and WAV formats. Plays MP3 files encoded up to 320 kbps bit rate; can play VBR encoded files

User interface:

• Navigation disk, plus seven user interface keys
• Five audio control/transport keys, for simple MP3 jukebox operation
• Operation status indication LED
• Battery status indication LED
• Infrared remote control accessory for slide show operation

Power:

• Internal power: Rechargeable Li-Ion battery (2200 mAh capacity)
• External power: 5V output AC/DC adapter

PC connectivity: USB 2.0 (USB1.1 compatible)

Size and weight:

• 5.63 in X 3.62 1.26 in (143mm X 92mm X 32mm)
• 12 oz (340g)

System Requirements (for PC connectivity):

• Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, XP (Win 98SE requires downloadable driver)
• Mac OS 8.6 or higher
• In all cases, an available USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 port

Frequently Asked Questions
What is FlashTrax’ battery life?
It depends on what you’re doing: For MP3 playback, it’s about 3 hours. When using the LCD to view photos, it’s about 2 hours.

Can FlashTrax operate from the A/C adapter?
Yes.

How long does it take to recharge the battery?
About 3 hours.

Is the rechargeable battery interchangeable in the field?
Yes. However, we do not yet sell additional/replacement batteries at this time. (We probably will soon after first shipment.)

How long does it take to transfer a full 256MB flash card to FlashTrax?
Approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Time can vary depending on the flash card manufacturer.

How much data can be transferred from CF before the battery runs down?
It depends on the flash card manufacturer, capacity, and number of separate transfers, but generally about 4 to 6 GB of data can be transfered before a full battery charge is depleted. For example, you can transfer a full 256MB flash card to the hard drive about 18 times before depleting the battery (assuming LCD on). When a microdrive is used instead of standard CF, the transfer amount is about half of standard CF (2 to 3 GB) due to the higher power requirements of the microdrive.

Can FlashTrax erase images off CompactFlash?
Yes, or it can reformat the CF card if desired. (Note: it is usually easier to use the camera to erase or reformat after a transfer to FlashTrax, than to use FlashTrax itself.)

Can FlashTrax read flash cards such as Secure Digital, SmartMedia, MemoryStick, or xD?
FlashTrax directly reads Compact Flash (CF) cards. To read other types of cards, a "CF Adapter" product can be used. The CF Adapter plugs into the FlashTrax CF slot, and looks like a CF card with a slot to plug in either an SD/MMC, SmartMedia, Memory Stick, or xD card. Shortly after FlashTrax begins shipping SmartDisk will sell branded adapters that are certified as compatible with FlashTrax.

Which 3rd party CF adapter cards work with FlashTrax?

• SmartMedia: Pretec CompactSSFDC
• Memory Stick: DataFab FA-CFMS
• Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard: DataFab FA-CFSD
• xD: FujiFilm DPC-CF
• Multi-format adapters: Pretec CompactTRIO (MS, SD, MMC), DataFab FA-CFSSM (MS, SD, MMC, SM)

Does FlashTrax support IBM Microdrives?
Yes. (Microdrives are actually high capacity (1GB and higher) tiny mechanical drives packed into a Compact Flash case. They use more power than traditional Compact Flash memory, so some devices will not work with them. They are not a problem for FlashTrax.)

Does FlashTrax work with Apple computers?
Yes.

How is the FlashTrax hard drive formatted?
FAT32, for maximum compatibility with Windows and Mac OS based PC’s.

Can I store data other than pictures, videos and music on FlashTrax?
Yes, since FlashTrax looks like an external hard drive to the PC to which it is connected, it can be used just like any external, portable hard drive. So you could use FlashTrax to back up or transfer documents, spreadsheets, etc.

Can I use FlashTrax as a PIM (personal information manager)?
FlashTrax is not intended as PIM, since its user interface is optimized for media management. However, it has the ability to view contents of simple text files, so you could load some simple phone lists, addresses, todo’s, etc. from your PC to your FlashTrax, then view these files on FlashTrax whenever needed.

Can I view a PowerPoint presentation on FlashTrax?
Yes. Microsoft PowerPoint has the ability to export a slide show as a series of JPG images in a folder. If you simply copy this folder to FlashTrax, you can view your PowerPoint slide show on FlashTrax, or on an overhead projector connected to FlashTrax. With the FlashTrax remote control, you can even sequence through your slides during your presentation. To export a PowerPoint slide show as a set of JPG images, select File - Save As and select JPEG File Interchange Format in the Save As Type field of the Save As dialogue box.

Is FlashTrax upgradeable?
Yes, from time to time, SmartDisk may offer user-installable software upgrades for FlashTrax that add new features.

Can I use PC Jukebox players like MusicMatch with FlashTrax?
FlashTrax does not require any PC Jukebox software to use its MP3 playing capabilities. You just copy MP3’s individually or in folders to FlashTrax from a PC to listen to them. FlashTrax has its own own-board player functions, which include typical functions such as next track, previous track, pause/play, random vs. sequential play, etc.

Does FlashTrax read RAW format data (from Canon, Nikon, etc)?.
FlashTrax can read any RAW format files from flash media and store them on its hard drive, just like JPEG’s. FlashTrax also provides the ability to view many RAW format files on its LCD.

What kind of videos can I view on FlashTrax?
Technically, FlashTrax supports motion JPEG picture decoding, up to 320 x 240 x 30 frames/sec or 640 x 480 x 10 frames/sec. Practically, this means FlashTrax can be used to view the .AVI files typically produced by some digital still cameras (such as Canon models) in "video" mode.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great features, short battery life, November 8, 2003

By 

R. Corsi (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: SmartDisk FTX30 FlashTrax 30 GB Portable MultiMedia Device (Personal Computers)

I've owned this unit for three weeks and used it during a one week holiday. So far it has worked without problems. It has performed as described on the Amazon web site and also on the Smartdisk web site. I can view RAW files from my Canon 10D and I have no problems with AVI files created with my Canon G2. I've basically used it for downloading JPEGs and AVIs from a Lexar Professional 512MB Compact Flash card and have no problems to report.

Only minor disappointment is that the time between recharging the battery is short. Now this is understandable as the battery is physically small and the Flashtrax does use a laptop harddrive so this is to be expected. This would normally only be a problem to someone who expects to be far from an AC powersource for several days and expects to take a lot of pictures within a short time period. An extra battery or two could be useful for those needing extended use. My unit's power supply works on 110V and 220V, so I should be able to charge it just about anywhere as long as I have the correct plug converter.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A device that meets specifications, December 25, 2003

By 

J. Gao (Sunnyvale, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: SmartDisk FTX30 FlashTrax 30 GB Portable MultiMedia Device (Personal Computers)

This product has a very compact and ergonomic design. It came with a 5-volt converter, a USB cable, a remote control (don't seem to be useful), a video cable (so that you can view the image on TV), and a nice little carry case.

Menu nevigation is intuitive and does not require a whole lot of handbook reading.

I used a Sandisk Ultra II 256MB to do a test. It can download 22 fully-filled cards (with minimal use of the LCD screen) before the device finally running out of power and unable to download anymore.

When the battery level is high, the average download time is a little more than 3 minutes. However, when the level is below the indicated 60%, the download time is significantly longer. When the battery reach 60% or 0%, a warning message will appear on the screen. You can ignore and continue your download, or recharge the battery immediately. Even with 0%, you may have a chance to download one or more flash card.

The battery indicator is almost useless. It only shows 100%, 60% or 0%.

You do not need to turn on the device in order to download. Just stick the flash card in, and press the button. This can be a good feature if you are busy in the field.

The LCD screen, although big, does not have a very high resolution. Retrieving images is somewhat slow, especially it takes 3 seconds to view a RAW images.

The device does generate some heat while being used intensively. But it in no way can damage the LCD screen.

I never test its MP3 function.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Device, no battery life though, January 22, 2004

By 

Stanley J. Wynman "Wynman" (Bogota, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: SmartDisk FTX30 FlashTrax 30 GB Portable MultiMedia Device (Personal Computers)

This device is great. It does everything I wanted it to do, plus more. Displays my high resolution pictures, including JPEGs embedded in RAW files. It does MP3 files, but I don't use or listen to them. Nice display, great capacity, easy to use. Watch pictures on the TV too. Only one problem, battery life. There really is none. Also the parasitic draw/loss when the unit is off weill drain the batteries completely in about two weeks of non-use. The solution, buy an extra battery and get the car charger. Other then that, it's great!!!!