Any info about Microdrives?

dbach · 11-11-04, 08:32 PM

The price of the Microdrives is about $150 for a 4gb. I have been thinking about getting one of these for storing most data like movies, music, pictures.
It will only be used in the PDA and home computer.

Does anyone have info about these as far as reliability? I have been looking at the Hitachi 4GB drive. Is it better paying a bit more and just getting a CF?

CyberGuy · 11-11-04, 09:22 PM

I was told that CF card has a certain lifespan and you cannot use it forever. However, I think that Microdrives can be used for a very long long time.

V-Man · 11-11-04, 10:25 PM

I was also told that the microdrive is susceptable to damage if subjected to impact while reading or writing. If it is in the off state, it is much less susceptable. I was also told that the data access is slightly slower for a microdrive than a CF card. This is just what I have been told, I do not have a microdrive so have no personal experience with them.

imported_Pogi · 11-11-04, 10:27 PM

data access speeds are slower for microdrives...i have a magicstor 2.2gb cf type II card..

besides the slow access speeds..they are fast enough for video and music playback

bit slow for games..or other programs

eros143 · 11-19-04, 11:33 PM

I saw an ad for a Hitachi 2GB Microdrive from Fry's for $109. Kinda interested in it for Movies and Music files. How 'sensitive' is it to movement and/or vibration (while on carmount)? Does the Microdrive 'skip' or freezes when that happens? The device features shows 'up to 7mbs/sec data rate-(48x) per the ad. I would like to be able to bring at least 4-5 movies (each at 250-300mb sizes) when i go for long trips.

Erick

calabee · 11-20-04, 01:23 AM

remember to visit the following link before u plan to buy Hitachi 4G OEM MD

http://www.studio2f.com/misc/2004/03...omad_muvo2.php

imported_Pogi · 11-20-04, 06:22 AM

MDs are fine...they arent as fragile as most people think..mine gets thrown around whilst being used and whilst not being used in the pda..it still works fine

it can play back music and videos perfect

rob1303 · 11-20-04, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberGuy

I was told that CF card has a certain lifespan and you cannot use it forever. However, I think that Microdrives can be used for a very long long time.

Is that true??? any idea of the source? I have been unable to verify

rob1303 · 11-20-04, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eros143

I saw an ad for a Hitachi 2GB Microdrive from Fry's for $109. Kinda interested in it for Movies and Music files. How 'sensitive' is it to movement and/or vibration (while on carmount)? Does the Microdrive 'skip' or freezes when that happens? The device features shows 'up to 7mbs/sec data rate-(48x) per the ad. I would like to be able to bring at least 4-5 movies (each at 250-300mb sizes) when i go for long trips.

Erick

I use mine in a vehicle all the time (had mine about 6 months - use it daily) - also walking, up and down stairs - never had it skip yet.

I haven't tried it on a 'solid' carmount - but it is fine with my 2210 in a cup holder in my 2210.

eros143 · 11-20-04, 01:34 PM

ROB,
Thanks for your response-- I may have just to include that on my christmas wish list (yeah, actual wish list

). Hmmn, or maybe for my birthday- next month!!

Thanks again!!

Erick

Grentz · 11-20-04, 02:27 PM

one thing to consider if you want to use it in a high speed camera like a Canon 300 or similar, the Microdrives take a lot longer time to write to and to read from which makes a difference when you are trying to take alot of shots fast....

rotox · 11-25-04, 07:31 AM

I ordered a Rio Carbon from Dixons. £180.00 for 5GB Seagate. Stripped and in my 4700 in less than 5 mins. Couldn't get a better price for a Microdrive than that in the UK as far as I could see.

rob1303 · 11-25-04, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotox

I ordered a Rio Carbon from Dixons. £180.00 for 5GB Seagate. Stripped and in my 4700 in less than 5 mins. Couldn't get a better price for a Microdrive than that in the UK as far as I could see.

HI rotox - welcome to the site

MACMANIA4U · 11-25-04, 02:40 PM

The new sony microdrives out soon will have a burst speed of up to 97 mb/s

Tinker2000 · 11-25-04, 02:41 PM

I have a 4GB Hitachi microdrive and its superb....it makes little difference playing the matrix 1500kBps test file for beta player....with either a 512MB cf card or the microdrive it benchmarked 140 odd%.

One thing to note is that the Magicstor drive didnt work in my hx4700......there are issues (There is a post of mine earlier with some suggestions)