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General discussion

I need a backup solution for digital photos while traveling overseas

Jul 17, 2009 7:33AM PDT
Question:

I need a backup solution for digital photos while traveling overseas


I am going to Europe for three weeks in October with several friends and we each have digital cameras with varying types of memory cards. I would like to be able to download their photos to one backup storage device so we can capture a composite of all of our photos and make a book of our vacation together and keep them backed up just in case. I am considering either the Picture Porter Elite or the Colorspace UDMA hard-drive-type devices. I would appreciate any advice regarding either of these backup devices or others I might consider. Open to ideas and suggestions. Thanks!

--Submitted by Jane R.


Here are some featured member answers to get you started, but please read all the advice and suggestions that our
members have contributed to this question.

Travel portable storage --Submitted by hjfok
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7593_102-0.html?messageID=3085604#3085604

My solution --Submitted by South.lodge
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7593_102-0.html?messageID=3083785#3083785

The 'no PC' answer --Submitted by gcmsuser
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7593_102-0.html?messageID=3083839#3083839

Backup options --Submitted by XSYLUS
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7593_102-0.html?messageID=3083562#3083562

Look at the Archos devices --Submitted by guiri_too
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7593_102-0.html?messageID=3083595#3083595

Digital camera card backup device? --Submitted by Kanga bill
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7593_102-0.html?messageID=3083651#3083651

Laptop + burned DVD's = 100% results --Submitted by rlessmue
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7593_102-0.html?messageID=3085841#3085841

If you have any additional suggestions or advice for Jane's please click on the reply link below and submit it. Please include as many details as possible in your answer and if referring to a product recommendation--please provide a link to the product whenever possible. Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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mini 10 Netbook and 500G external drive
Jul 24, 2009 12:06PM PDT

We were in Turkey for 16 days last April. I love to take pictures using my new camera Canon D50, but I was disappointed not having access to hotel computers at the end of the day. One of the guy in our tour group brought a mini 10 Notebook and he saves all our anxiety and worries. We gave our CF and 500GB external drive to him every evening after dinner and transfer the pictures and he returned it to us at breakfast. I was so relieved to have all my pictures save in my external drive, especially I took pictures in raw and jpeg at the same time. One of the guy in the group teaches photo shop and he showed us how to set our camera. Next time I will bring my own mini 10 Notebook.

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Best Place for Backing up Vacation Photos
Jul 24, 2009 12:19PM PDT

<b>Your best bet is Picasa via Gmail!

1) It's FREE to upload & save all your photos!
2) You get 1GB of space FREE
3) Need more space, 10GB for $20
4) You can upload anytime
5) You can access it from anywhere in the world
6) You can order prints anytime
7) You can make your albums Private, Public or Unlisted</b>

I use it on a regular basis and I love it! My clients have ordered their photos directly from there without a hitch.

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Backup solutions for digital photos
Jul 24, 2009 2:28PM PDT

If your digital camera uses SD cards, there is one by a company called Eye-Fi that has built in wireless. No laptops, netbooks or cybercafes needed as it automatically uploads photos straight from your camera to one of over 25 popular photo sharing websites, like Flickr, Facebook or Picasa. This is what I use and it works seamlessly. http://www.eye.fi/cards/share.html If you own an iPod you could transfer your pictures to it using the iPod camera connector (roughly $25). Your choices are all good, but expensive, UDMA are around $250 while something like a Hyperdrive is about $120. Considering how inexpensive flash memory is, maybe your best choice is to purchase extra cards, 4 GB SC cards are $7, $10 for Micro SD, $15 for Memory Stick Pros, and $15 for Compact Flash. 500 pictures will take up roughly 1 GB taken at 6 mega pixel

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the best, the fastest
Jul 24, 2009 7:57PM PDT
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There's another way.
Jul 24, 2009 10:54PM PDT

It's so simple, mos people wouldn't think of it. I assume your camera takes SD cards (or equivalent). All you need to do is buy a few spares and record your photos automatically onto the SD card, when it gets full, put a new one in.

Simple and foolproof - providing you ALWAYS keep them in a secure place - your suitcase would be a good one, or even yuor handbah. Remember though to keep at least one spare SD card in the case with the camera; you'll need it.

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Will You Have An Internet Connection?
Jul 25, 2009 12:40AM PDT

If you have an internet connection, simply use Google's Picasa to upload your pictures. It is free, and I doubt if you will use the gig of the free space that you are allotted. (You can always go back and edit them) Besides, if you are traveling with friends, they can have an account too. If that poses a problem and you need more, it is only 20 bucks a year for 10 gigs. That sounds like a great deal to me without having to carry around any additional equipment!

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Backing up photos while traveling
Jul 25, 2009 2:07AM PDT

I think saving everything on cards is the most compact plus, there your photos are in pristine condition. Cards are so inexpensive these days and hold so much in such a tiny space. There are devices such as the one I have called "Converter Drive" which allows one to use variable cards (inserted/removed and reinsert other cards) and in essence is the same as a "Thumb Drive" but it allows inter-changeable card on which to save or play content. For storage I use a 4.5 x6 (very cheap and one hand holdable) photo album with plastic pages allowing insertion of the cards instead of photo. I number the cards and in the photo album include a list of what is on the card. Cards are not only editable but re-usable. Have fun. I wish I knew this when I went to Europe six years ago. sirwinningham

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What do I do... (Remote Backup)
Jul 25, 2009 2:12AM PDT

Ingredients:
-2 Bay storage (Altos EasyStore - not recommend) with 2 disks with raid 1 (on last floor).
-a third disk.
-(Dont really required but...)A POF Connection (Plastic Optical Fiber) to my ground floor.
-An IPSEC VPN Router on ground floor(My is a linksys wrv200)
-Internet Connection.
-A free DynDns account.
-HSUPA Modem.

Cooking stuff:
From any capable internet device I:
-I Establish a secure connection to my home vpn from my htc (with greenbow ipsec)
-I Establish a secure connection to my home vpn from my Acer Aspire Linux with open swan and HSUPA Modem
-I Establish a secure connection to my home vpn from my Acer Aspire Win XP with IP.msc from windows(or with expensive but easy to config greenbow IPSec) and HSUPA Modem.

From this point I Upload Pics, Download Music, or even empty my mailbox and update my outlook Personal pst file.

Before I go to holyday I just change the disk 2 with a spare one, leave it with my family and introduce the third disk wich start to sync immediatly.

Amazon does have a nice solution (I would prefer it )but I think

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Use a Media Tank
Jul 25, 2009 3:20AM PDT

Hallo,
I'm using a Vosonic Media or Image Tank for over 6 years now, with 100% satisfaction. The type I use can not be purchased anymore but you can find the device in different flavours, with screens from 2.5" (VP 6230) to 4.3"(VP8870).
It is self-powered by battery, can read all memory cards,can store any file you want and can show TIF,BMP,JPEG.. and RAW formats from different cameras.
On top of this, it can play video and audio too (the VP8860 has even a radio I think).
You can choose the size of the harddisk you want(or install one yourself)
Look on internet for more info and ...get seduced.

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Email to Yourself
Jul 25, 2009 5:07AM PDT

Google eMail (GMail) will hold up to 8 Gig of information, so got to a network Cafe and email tham across the pond.

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No PC needed with eSATA and self test abilities
Jul 25, 2009 6:30AM PDT

My suggestion is the Nexto Extreme. I can just take my CF cards or my daughter's SD (or SDHC) cards and have the images transfer over to the internal storage PLUS the unit does a bit by bit verification of the data. As a test I shot 63 11meg RAW images on a Canon 5D using a SanDisk 8gig Ultima III card. WIth verification the transfer was done in 71 seconds. The unit has slots for CF, SD/SDHC, Memory Stick, XD.

The unit also has USB OTG so it can be connected directly to a camera (USB cable included) and the files can be downloaded to the Nexto - all without the need of a laptop. Besides the USB OTG connection the Nexto comes with an eSATA connection/

The units can be bought with either 160, 250, 320, or 500gig of memory (using a 2.5" SATA drive). It will recognize upto 2TB so as drives get bigger you can upgrade the HD (or SSD card) yourself.

I got mine on Amazon but their website also shows B&H, Samy's, Adorama and other dealers.

The other GREAT FEATURE for me is that it can self-test all your cards before you use the card - saving you from an error at the end of the day. The website is www.nextodiusa.com.

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Laptop plus iPod
Jul 25, 2009 6:49AM PDT

I use a laptop computer and back that up to an old 60 GB iPod. The laptop is a little bulky, but it allows me to view my photos at a relatively large size and to do editing on trains and planes. Before I reformat the memory card, I back up my photo files to an iPod set to disk mode. This means that, even though I am depending on a hard drive, I have a backup version of everything in case of disaster. The laptop also comes in handy for internet and email use. The folks back home enjoy receiving a fresh photo every now and then.

Happy travels!
Dave

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This is what I do
Jul 25, 2009 7:20AM PDT

I hate not being protected and I hate having to be encumbered by a lot of heavy equipment. I do two things. I carry a netbook which has a 120 GB drive along with Office 2007 and Adobe CS4 as well as a WD 120 GB drive that fits in my shirt pocket. I download to the netbook and backup to the WD. Then I have the raw pictures and I can process ojn the netbook through Adobe and have flash on the net in the morning for my friends to see. Easy, safe and fun.

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Aftter many fails - THIS NEVER FAILS
Jul 25, 2009 10:20AM PDT

As an avid photographer who has been taking digital photos for years when going overseas. I have had all the following occur.

Bad memory cards
Stolen devices e.g laptop and camera, bags containing memory cards
Accidentally erasing what I believed was a backed up card
Losing a card by mistake (try finding a memory stick in the snow!)

..as other have mentioned
THIS IS THE SOLUTION!
A laptop with a small (in size) external (USB) powered hard drive. The laptop usually has multiple card readers and a large hard drive. After each day or when the card fills, download the photos and then clear the card. Then make a duplicate copy of ALL the photos on your hard drive. When the trip ends, get your buddy to take the hard drive home while you take the laptop home. (A further back up if your bag goes missing!)

If you feel you will take less than 32GB of photos then rather than an external hard drive, save space and bring a USB thumb drive (this may depend on price as greater than 32GB can get expensive). Again get a buddy to take that home or mail it. I don't believe in DVD's anymore, at 4.7 gigs you end up needing a dozen disks all which get lost or are unreliable. Just make sure your laptop still has the images as well.

If you are really short of space and can't take a laptop then I would get an Eye-Fi card. I can't believe these have not been mentioned more. Ensure the site it is uploading to takes full size images. Again you have a double back up.

I WOULD NOT UPLOAD via the internet from hotels, ships, cafes etc. Many web based sites re size your photos and on cruises or hotels and even cafes you would spend way too much time and money uploading vast amounts of photos.


IMPORTANT NOTES
1) If using the newer cards, check your laptop can read them e.g just because your laptop can read SD won't necessarily mean it will take the newer SDHC cards! (Same applies for Sony memory sticks, CF etc etc)

2) I CANT NOT STRESS enough... Make sure all the camera's show the same DATE & TIME. On return from my recent trip to Europe, 4 camera's showed different times and to sort out the photos when we got back home to Sydney was a time consuming disaster. Remember going from one European country to another (e.g England to France 1hr or England to Italy 2hrs)means having to again change the time. Not just once when you all leave home!

Hope this helps

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I pretty much agree but I WOULD UPLOAD
Jul 27, 2009 6:15AM PDT

I agree about hotels etc resizing, so I wouldn't upload the pictures. I'd archive the pics using WinRAR and then I'd upload to my own storage account at Rapidshare dot com.

Since the picture files are eminently compressible, WinRAR will make a whole day's work into a nice size file for upload and using Rapidshare Manager to upload makes it all a piece of cake.

See my complete answer below.

Chuck

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I need a backup solution for digital photos while traveling
Jul 27, 2009 1:34AM PDT

All it depends where you go, cities or unpopulated places. If you go to cities ALWAYS you can copy your images on the CD in any Internet cafe as we all live in a digital age. If you go to unpopulated one, then would be nice to spend around $500 and buy a Digital Wallet.

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Jane, should you really put all your eggs in one basket?
Jul 27, 2009 6:11AM PDT

My suggestion involves taking a small laptop/portable computer along, using a simple, inexpensive compression progam to package the picture files, and an on-line storage facility to which you would upload your files for retrieval any time, but especially for retrieval after you arrive home.

Even if you start from scratch -- that is, even if you do not own a computer -- you can do the whole thing for less than $400 US and end up with a brand new computer as part of the package.

If you have a laptop or can borrow one which you can easily include in your luggage/carry-on stuff, you get the cost down to less than a hundred dollars.

DETAILS?

Dell 10" Mini computer with 1 GB memory, 160 GB 5,400 rpm hard drive, Wireless internal network adapter AND 10/100 wired network adapter so you can connect to the Internet by wireless or wired connection, 1 year warranty, etc. for $299 US plus sales tax and shipping.

WinRAR archiver program license for version 3.80 and future upgrades as released. This is shareware and you could just use it without paying, but I think it is a bargain for $29 US, so why chisel the developers out of a reasonable license fee!

Rapidshare dot com premium account for one year. Upload your files and retrieve them or allow others to do so at your invitation for an unlimited amount of storage for $55 US.

Now watch this: You're on your way home and as you look out the window of the plane, you see your suitcase fall off the baggage trailer and get sucked into the engine of an Airbus 320 and all your SD cards, cameras and even the computer become instant toast! You don't even remember the password for your Rapidshare account.

When you get home, you send an email to Christian Schmid (Gen'l Mgr of Rapidshare) with as much as you can remember about when you obtained the account and how you paid for it (PayPal?) and he'll reset your password for you and you can download every single file at very fast download speeds.

Extract the pics from the RAR archives and wait for Delta Air to send you a check for your camera and other personal items. Your pictures were never at risk.

If you already own a laptop which is suitable for the trip, save the $300 bucks. If you don't own a laptop at all, you might want to spend another hundred bucks on some enhancements that will make that Dell Mini 10 a friend for a long time (such as Bluetooth, wireless 802.11g/n instead of 802.11g, and maybe opt for the slightly better display 1366 x 768 instead of 1024 x 600, higher capacity battery). I was able to get the computer up to $454 dollars but it was hard!

Anyway, you were prepared to spend about $350 US which would have provided some storage which would also have been sucked into the engine of the Airbus! The space available to you on Rapidshare is virtually unlimited and each file can be as large as 2 GB though we usually stick to more manageable sizes.

I promise you I have no financial insterest in any of these companies or products. If you want to discuss this further, send me a PM (Private Message) here and I'll answer questions and help any way I can. I've got a lot of free time right now, so it would be no imposition and you could do it all and still be anonymous.

In any event, have a nice trip and take lots of nice pictures.

Chuck

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Ooops! CNet doesn't have Pvt Msg feature
Jul 27, 2009 11:12AM PDT

Well, just reply if the idea is of interest and you'd like to know more.

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iPod
Jul 27, 2009 1:45PM PDT

Most people don't realize that iPods can make a good storage solution. Apple made a camera adapter for 5th and 5.5gen iPods--they are still available on amazon.com. For $25, you can connect a camera to an iPod and copy the photos to the iPod without using a computer. If you take JPG photos with your camera, you can even view the photos on the iPod after transfer.

The drawbacks are that the transfer process is somewhat slow, so you should have the camera and iPod both plugged in so as not to drain/waste batteries. Plan on 15 minutes per GB of photos for transfer time.

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old solution but still viable
Jul 27, 2009 6:07PM PDT

I have looked at modern devices such as the Archos range but find them expensive (due to the video replay facility) and I prefer to spend on photo gear!
I found the SmartDisk FlashTrax the ideal solution. Now discontinued but they can be bought cheaply on eBay. It has a small viewing screen, a good filing system & USB 2 connection. There is an input that accepts CF cards and there is an adaptor for SD cards with some models and easily purchased elsewhere although the USB and a card reader will suffice.

Chris Baldwin
Daventry
UK

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back up your digital photographs
Jul 27, 2009 9:26PM PDT

If you are using Windows XP, then download Microsoft's Image resizer PowerToy setup and resize all photos to lower resolution.
For viewing purpose VGA resolution of 640x480 is sufficient.
publish those photos to your portal and from anywhere you can access it.
Or else after resizing you can carry it in any pen drive with you.

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The resize trap
Jul 28, 2009 10:49AM PDT

If all you are ever going to do is print snapshots a resizer works. The problem comes when you want to do something on a grans scale and you lost the needed resolution.

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In my opinion...
Aug 1, 2009 4:15AM PDT

Hi Jane. You have many resourcers to make your back-ups; but you'll always need your netbook to make it. I suggest you to use any passive multimedia card reader to tranfer your data files to your netbook. In this point you may compress your files with any RAR,ZIP or else software; in order to protect and manage better your photos. Also you can make your back-ups either burning some DVD-RWs, Pendrive(else 32 or 64GB) or Portable Hard Drive. I hope this would be helpful.

Greetings.

Lawtimes74

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In MY opinion . . .
Aug 1, 2009 4:59AM PDT

In MY opinion, Jane was a "drive-by" questioner and hasn't looked at any of the answers!

I take no issue with your suggestion except that I have suggested she upload the files to some place that will be independent of wind, fire and theft, baggage handlers, drive crashes, CD scratches, or other "ooops" -es.

Maybe some time next month, she'll stop by and read a few of these and maybe even tell us what she's decided.

Chuck Happy