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Re: (gear talk) Seagate 8GB microdrive

Subject: Re: (gear talk) Seagate 8GB microdrive
From: Gianni Pavan <>
Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2006 10:41:53 +0100
mmhhh, I had very bad experiences with micro-drives...
Some time ago I bought 2 MagicStore 2.2GB; both had to be replaced 2
times within the warranty period, and the latest two failed just when
the warranty ended.
All failures happened just while testing before using them in the field!
On the contrary I never had problems with the many CF I have. Now I
prefer to have 4x 2GB CFs than 1 8GB microdrive!

Gianni


At 04.06 19/01/2006, you wrote:

>Seagate is offering a new 8GB version of its tiny hard disc.  The disc
>fits in a Compactflash Type II slot, making it appropriate for most
>digital field recorders.
>
>The most attractive aspect of this device is its low price. The 8GB
>drive's regular price is about $200, but I found that Seagate is
>offering a $40 rebate if purchase is made by 1/23/06.  That makes the
>final price about $160.
>
>That's amazing for 8GB of storage!  An 8GB flash memory card from
>Sandisk or Lexar costs about $800.
>
>Here's the link to the page on Amazon.com
>http://tinyurl.com/7598e
>
>The Seagate 8GB drive wil work with with the digital recorders I
>checked.  One *not* compatible is the Edirol R-1.  It's best to check
>with your recorder's manufacturer to confirm it can utilize 8GB of
>storage.
>
> From Seagate's specs, I'd estimate that the mircodrive's performance
>will be similar to a 40X Compactflash card, in other words, sufficient
>for two channel 24/96 recording.
>
>For example, 8GB will hold 4 hours of stereo 24/96 (DVD Audio)
>recordings. Or a whopping 24 hours of mono 16/48 (DAT quality) tracks.
>
>Microdrives present a couple of issues.  First, a small hard drive
>uses up power faster than a flash memory device.  Seagate rates the
>8GB drive as requiring 350mA to run in most situations.  A solid state
>Compactflash requires 10mA or less.  So battery life is an concern.
>
>To address the power consumption issue, a microdrive cycles on and off
>as its memory buffer fills up, which could create audible sounds while
>you're recording. This would be an issue if the recorder will be close
>to the mics.
>
>Another issue is the warranty.  Seagate offers a one year warranty.
>Solid state Compactflash devices from companies like Sandisk, Lexar
>and Kingston have "lifetime" warranties.  This says something about
>the durability of the microdrive.
>
>Given these issues, I'd prefer to purchase a flash memory card. But I
>can't ignore the value and storage capacity that this new Seagate 8GB
>card offers.
>
>--oryoki
>
>
>
>
>
>"Microphones are not ears,
>Loudspeakers are not birds,
>A listening room is not nature."
>Klas Strandberg
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
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>--
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6

--------------------------------------------------------------
Gianni Pavan
Email 
Centro Interdisciplinare di Bioacustica e Ricerche Ambientali
Universita' degli Studi di Pavia
Via Taramelli 24, 27100 PAVIA, ITALIA
Tel        +39-0382-987874
Fax        +39-02-700-32921
Web       http://www.unipv.it/cibra


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