Compact Flash versus Secure Digital

[MCDozer]

Thanks to you folks, I've got my little X51V up and running beautifully. Everything is just fantastic! No problems at all !!!

Through the Axim Site "College", I now have learned how to convert my DVD's to .avi files that I can watch on the X51V while I'm traveling - I'm beginning to become such a "tech-ie."

Obviously with 200MB+ video files, I've run out of memory fast. I am using an old 512MB CF card but I'd like to carry a few more movies with me.

So ( finally the question ) - Which do you guys recommend as far as memory cards, the Compact Flash or the Secure Digital Card. Is one faster/better than the other or any real benefit of one vs the other?

I would prefer a Memory Card simpily for the price - BUT if one day I find a few extra $'s in my normally empty wallet - What Mini-Drive would you guys recommend and are there any big power "drains" when using a MD?

A New Axim Addict - Charles

[AKAJohnDoe]

Your X51V will take both types of cards simultaneously, so it really comes down to cost. Everytime I check, the CF cards cost less per MB and also come in bigger sizes than SD. However, the SD is easier to get in and out of the X51V. So, I use a bigger CF for more constant data (Music, PDFs, Photos, Movies, ...) and the SD for more dynamic data. If history is any indicator, SD (or it's successor) will eventually replace CF as they're smaller and the connectors are less mechanical.

It may also depend on your other devices. If your camera uses one or the other, for example.

[w3iner]

If you have a CF card right now, get a SD and use both at the same time. Install programs and stuff on your cf card, and keep movies and music on a larger SD card.

[dabs]

what about getting a 2 or 4gb SD card and a SD to CF converter. That would allow you to use the SD card in the CF slot as well and still be useful in the future in other devices. I mean lets face it, CF cards are slowly being phased out (even in PDA's) in favour of the smaller SD cards so maybe an idea to be future proof (to a degree)

[Pocketbrain]

To be perfectly honest, I cannot find a 4GB CF card for cheaper than I can find a 4GB SD card. I'd go SD, it's more compact, and if you need to upgrade your storage later, get a converter like dabs said above. Of course, the 8GB SD cards aren't out yet, and the 8GB CF cards are, and you can get them for about $130 (with rebate, good until tomorrow, Aug. 15th).


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[azcoyote]

Thanks Dozer, you asked the question for me, lol. I love this forum. I also got an x51v, and so far I love it, even more than my laptop.

[Eclet]

You could also do what I have done and got an SD-CF Adapter. My x51v actually has 2x2gb SD cards in it (although one SD cards is the SD-CD Adapter).

Check this out.... (its the best link I could find that has good pictures)...

http://tekgems.com/Products/et-15583...sd-sd016rf.htm

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[MMXER]

Im looking at getting a bigger SD card. The way I see it, better to have a nice SD card and use the CF card for music/movies.. Plus if you ever get a CF GPS card it makes sense to have a larger SD card for maps and such.

[Eric12341]

I don't see CF cards being phased out completely but they will be in the form of microdrives,which don't really drain the battery like they've been percieved to do.

Your X51V will take both types of cards simultaneously, so it really comes down to cost. Everytime I check, the CF cards cost less per MB and also come in bigger sizes than SD. However, the SD is easier to get in and out of the X51V. So, I use a bigger CF for more constant data (Music, PDFs, Photos, Movies, ...) and the SD for more dynamic data. If history is any indicator, SD (or it's successor) will eventually replace CF as they're smaller and the connectors are less mechanical.

It may also depend on your other devices. If your camera uses one or the other, for example.

[MCDozer]

You guys rock! Thanks for the ideas!!!!!!

[gillius]

I have a microdrive 6GB in my PDA. At the time it was much cheaper than the alternative CF -- actually I'm not sure there were CF cards >= 6GB at the time. I paid $140 or so for it last December with a $40 rebate on it.

I know people have questions with the MD regarding reliability and power drain. I've dropped my MD from 5 feet and I also don't really see any power gain, although if you look at the specs (and use common sense), the MD is going to use more power. However, the drive is very aggressive about idling down, and if you use something like microdrive mode in TCPMP, you can calculate that your drive only needs to be on only a few seconds for about 20 minutes of music, and maybe 5 seconds per minute of movie.

Now that CF/SD prices are dropping so fast the whole microdrive thing is put into a much different light now that you can get CF for cheaper. SD seems to be cheaper or equally priced for sizes 4GB or less so I would go with SD barring any other considerations (like what other cards you have and what your camera and such use).

I wonder when perpendicular recording for microdrives will come out -- I know Hitachi is working on that one. Supposedly you can go up to 60GB in microdrive format, but I don't know if that is a practical number or a theoretical limit. I would expect even if they do some out they would start with removing the second platter or side that I am suspecting the 6 and 8GB microdrives have (for cost and power reasons), so we might see 20 and 30GB drives with this tech in the next year or two, and I don't expect to see flash density catch up to that.

[dabs]

[\quote]I wonder when perpendicular recording for microdrives will come out -- I know Hitachi is working on that one. Supposedly you can go up to 60GB in microdrive format, but I don't know if that is a practical number or a theoretical limit. I would expect even if they do some out they would start with removing the second platter or side that I am suspecting the 6 and 8GB microdrives have (for cost and power reasons), so we might see 20 and 30GB drives with this tech in the next year or two, and I don't expect to see flash density catch up to that.[/QUOTE]


If they come out with CF cards at 20Gb etc AT REASONABLE prices then def will be the first to sign up but if for all intents and purposes I can get a 4gb SD card (X2) which also has wider application possibilities then I stay with that.The only thing that will remain constant in all this is the 2 card slots (Go Axim Go!!!! :icon_band )

well I use a 2gb SD & a 512mb left over mmc from my old nokia phone.
suits my purposes.
too poor to get 4gb cards :p

[azcoyote]

I think it'd be wrong for me not to mention this deal on another thread. $30 for a Kingston 2GB standard SD card, plus free shipping. I'm seriously considering getting it myself.
http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showthread.php?t=135106