SmartDisk Flash Trax FTX80 80 GB MP3 Player and CF Recorder

[Archived in CPU Upgrades, Over 21 GB Jukeboxes, Products, SmartDisk]

Manufacturer: SmartDisk
Price at amazon.com: $610.99
Usually ships in 24 hours

Used & new from $654.86




Product Features:

• Transfer digital pictures from CompactFlash, IBM Microdrive, and other flash media formats via separately sold adapter
• Store and watch video with audio soundtrack
• View pictures on integrated 3.5 color LCD, or on the nearest NTSC or PAL TV with included video cable and infrared remote control
• Listen to MP3 music
• Transfer files to your computer via USB 2.0 or 1.1 interface

Product Description:

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. 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. 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 listen to your music anywhere. 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. 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 photoshoot or sharing your photo album with Grandma, FlashTrax has everything you need. Watch videos with audio soundtrack – compatible with the video formats created by the “movie” mode of many digital still cameras AVI (MJPEG.AVI files). View pictures or videos on a TV monitor with included video cable and infrared remote control.

Average Customer Rating:

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Comment: Very good allrounder Rating:
I had the need for a product that could be used for: 1. playing MP3, 2. dumping photos 3.Viewing photos and 4. Portable data storage. Along with the Archos products this was the only device which can do it all. I selected this because I prefer the "gameboy" design since it protects the screen well. In fact, I was so impressed with the specs that I was prepared to pay about $170 shipping(to south africa) and run the risk of losing it since there is no support outside US/Europe at all. It all paid off(so far). Fortunately it arrived intact and I have had the device now for 3 problem free months.

It plays music with exceptional quality and photo dumping from all card formats are a breeze with the very flexible optional adapter. TV connection also works well. The video only supports Motion JPEG - MJPEG.AVI files. I have been able to look at .avi videos taken with a Canon camera successfully. However with a downloadeable translation tool from their web site, many other formats can be translated and it works. The translated video takes up a bit more space after translation. Since the device firmware can be upgraded, one hopes that they will come out with more video codecs. The only glitch i found is that the operating system can be very slow when you have large directories. With 80GB of dispace available, a directory can become too large very quickly. That requires a lot of organizing if you have lots of music to store. I also requested from the support people to confirm (before I ordered)whether I would be able to read a Memorystick Duo (with supplied adapter) but there was no satisfactory answer. Battery life is not great, about 3 hours when playing music only, but that should be expected for a device such as this. When only using it for dumping photos, it lasts for days.

A nice feature is that it can read .M3U playlists created on our PC and you can create playlists on the device itself.

An all in all impressive product which have given me countless hours of joy(so far) and I would recommend it for sure. In fact, I have not seen a device on the market yet for the price that can beat it.

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Comment: One of the better digital storage devices out there Rating:
-Easy User Interface. Plug and save for your compact flash card without having to turn the unit on if you are in a hurry.
-Nicely designed exterior and 3.5 inch display.
-The screen resolution in review mode wont allow you to determine sharpness absolutely but definitely will allow you to review pictures and show them to friends.
-There are smaller units out there but this is a nice compromise for size and functionality.
-This unit is a hard drive,so don't expect to take this running when you listen to you MP3 player.
-It has good sound quality when using headphones.
-My only complaint is the "case" is just a felt bag, I was expecting something more durable.

Posted at November 11, 2003 07:59 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)