Epson P-4000 80GB Multimedia Storage Drive, Viewer & Audio/Video Player (3.8-Inch LCD Screen)

Epson has admitted 2 me that all their storage devices have problems with loading WA cards e.g. Lexar 133x, Told 2 watch 4 a fix.

I use a Canon 5D & shoot RAW. The files are 12-15 megs each, so they eat up the 8GB of flash fairly quicky. I got this viewer 4 a trip so I could in effect have 10 8-gig flash cards of backup. On the very first transfer I realized I can't live with it -- it took this device 2.5 hours (!) 2 import the photos. Once the data was in, the battery was nearly dead.

When viewing files, it takes maybe 15 seconds 2 populate one screen (about 12 thumbnails) with data. Until that happens the thumbnail slots are blank, so you can't quickly find what you need. Even once cached, it takes several seconds 2 draw a screenful of thumbnails. For a dedicated device the size of my camera, I expect it 2 be at least as fast! Instead, it's lethargic. To import 22 RAW files, it took more than 5 minutes -- 14 seconds per photograph, or less than 1MB/sec. What is it doing with all that time?

When viewing RAW files, it only shows the JPEG ewmbedded in the RAW file, so you get no zoom at all. For that, you have 2 select Jpeg+Raw in the camera, which is a feature I avoid, because it results in twice as many files on my computer, & nearly half the space on the card. I tried that mode, & of course the Epson now takes twice as long 2 build the thumbnails, & since you now see two identical thumbnails instead of one, you lose half the screen. One thumbnail is zoomable, the other isn't. What Epson should have done is detect that there are two files with the same name, but different extensions -- .cr2 & .jpg, & by default displayed only the .jpg. What photographer would want it any other way?

All in all, this device is just not usable 4 the high volume of photographs it was designed for.

Once you have loaded images into the drive it works very well. The pictures are crisp & easy 2 see. You can organize pictures in folders which is useful but not initially intuitive 2 do. It gets easier with more use.
A major complaint is that the drive does NOT accomodate all cards. For instance 2 use a memory stick duo, you must have a CF adapter. Problem...they are very difficult 2 find, if you can find one! Sony has discontinued them. Some other brands are available but not in USA markets. In addition the adapters are quite expensive.
I found this misleading & problematic given one of the cameras we use.
The newer units may take care of this but at a higher initial purchase cost

Love the Epson P4000. It's perfect 4 me. I have been afraid of a computer crash 4 sometime now. So I have been backing up my photos on CD's. Talk about taking a long, long time! I arranged in folders (just the way I wanted them) & loaded into the P4000 about 4000 pictures in about 4 hours. Everything worked just perfect, which is a very good thing 4 me as I am not a computer geek. I have not used it 4 video clips or audio & do not plan on doing so. Therefore I can not comment on the use of the P4000 4 those applications. I can't wait 4 my next trip as I can now pull this little gizmo out & show people I talk with my pics of Africa or Russia or China or even my little dog !!!

This takes the place of a laptop 2 store my images in the field so very satisfactory. I have not had a chance 2 really try it out but what little I have done is very sharp & it's easy 2 use. The big screen is great.

The Epson P-4000 has what you need 2 store & share thousands of photos, videos, music & more - anytime, anywhere. Ready when you are, it features a high-capacity 80GB hard drive, so you can download & save images from your camera, memory card or computer, wherever life takes you. And, it couldn't be easier 2 share images on-the-spot. A large 3.8" LCD with Epson Photo Fine technology means your friends & clients will see every vivid detail in brilliant clarity & color.With the Epson P-4000, the perfect companion 2 any digital camera, you'll enjoy the freedom of true multimedia portability. In fact, you can easily download or transfer files - all without a PC! Just slip your CompactFlash or Secure Digital memory card into the built-in card slots. The Epson P-4000 even supports additional memory cards with an optional third-party adapter. If you choose 2 use a computer, simply connect the Epson P-4000 2 your computer using the Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface. It's all right at your fingertips with this compact device. You can easily save important photos or your favorite videos & music. Best of all, with the large capacity hard drive, you can store thousands of files!The Epson P-4000 also has an intuitive menu that makes it easy 2 organize files, so you can quickly access or view them. This full-featured product does it all, including direct printing 2 select Epson ink jet printers. Whatever your agenda, the Epson P-4000 offers the ideal on-the-go solution.