portable storage

Aidan Wilson aidan at USYD.EDU.AU
Mon Dec 3 00:38:03 UTC 2007


Sorry, I meant to send this to the list. Perhaps a 'reply-to:' field 
with the rnld address should be included in the list's messages?

Aidan Wilson wrote:
> There are portable hard drives that operate on AA batteries that 
> basically take everything off a device through a USB connection, that 
> is, it doesn't need a computer to do the transfer, which can be a real 
> bonus out in the field. Later on of course, you should get to a 
> computer to make actual backups.
> The iPod isn't such a bad idea, besides the card reader accessories, 
> there are USB transfer accessories that do pretty much the same thing. 
> But when it gets ingested into the iPod, you won't be able to play it 
> normally (if you use apple's default iPod operating system, that is) 
> since you have to upload songs and photos via iTunes to do that. So 
> it'll work just like a backup hard drive.
> The problem with the ipod though, is that the battery isn't 
> field-swappable, and you'll need a computer, or a DC-to-USB adapter, 
> to charge it if you want to use it for more than about 6 hours.
> Something else to think about regarding formats; please don't record 
> to mp3 format. Record in wav format, at least with 44.1 kHz sample 
> rate and 16 bit resolution, it'll take a little more data space (about 
> 10 MB per minute), but the resulting quality compared with mp3, and 
> the fact that it's archive standard, make up for the space needed. 
> It's also the format used for long-term storage and, provided you 
> either have the recordings archived in an institution or are vigilant 
> enough to periodically check your backups, the recordings should last 
> for as long as you want.
>
> Aidan Wilson
> Audio at Paradisec
>
> Naomi Elizabeth-Palosaari Fox wrote:
>> Hi,
>>  
>> I had considered the same question a few months ago. I am using my 
>> Ipod for backup storage in the field and have no problems to report. 
>> The reason I wanted to do this was because you can get a Memory Card 
>> reader which will directly transfer files from memory cards to the 
>> IPOD without needing a computer.
>>  
>> http://www.ipoding.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1510 
>> <http://www.ipoding.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1510> 
>>
>>  
>> I assumed that the card reader would work with any kind of file. 
>> However, I could not actually get the reader to work with my Ipod, 
>> although I4m yet not sure if that4s because of the file type or 
>> because I had received a faulty unit. They are difficult to find and 
>> I had to order online. If anyone has had any success in finding a way 
>> to store and upload audio files from a solid state recorder, I4d love 
>> to hear about it.
>>  
>> By the way, I4m very satisified with my primary mobile storage 
>> device, a Western Digital 160G portable hard drive, small and easy to 
>> transport.  There are bigger capacities available.
>> http://www.buy.com/prod/western-digital-passport-160gb-usb-2-0-portable-2-5-external-hard-drive/q/loc/101/203169718.html 
>>
>>  
>>  
>> --Naomi
>> ____________________________________
>> Naomi Fox
>>
>> Center For American Indian Languages
>>
>> University of Utah
>>
>> naomi.fox at utah.edu <mailto:naomi.fox at utah.edu>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> *De:* Terry J. Klokeid [mailto:klokeid at victoria.tc.ca]
>> *Enviado el:* sab 12/1/2007 10:59
>> *Para:* RNLD List
>> *Asunto:* portable storage
>>
>> I am looking for portable storage for voice recordings.
>>
>> Our project has just purchased some Zoom H2 Handy Recorders to make 
>> voice recordings, mainly in field conditions, not studio conditions. 
>> Our tests of a unit before purchase indicated that H2 recordings are 
>> of suitable quality. The portability and ability to record without an 
>> AC power source and without a computer will suit our conditions.
>> The H2 records onto SD cards. Our ultimate aim is to put selections 
>> onto CDs and MP3 players for distribution. To accomplish this, the 
>> recordings will be passed around to several computer setups. (We use 
>> a variety of computers. The one I use most is a G4 Powerbook, OS 
>> 10.4.11, but the project membership uses both Macintosh and Windows 
>> machines of varying vintage.)
>>
>>  What is the best way to store the voice recordings long-term? I have 
>> thought of the iPod, because: 1. it has ample capacity, I think 180 
>> gigs, 2. it is portable and runs on battery power, 3. the recordings 
>> can be played back without the presence of the H2 or a computer, for 
>> example taking it to someone's living room for review, or playing 
>> back on the beach (for place names and such).
>>
>> Or is the iPod not feasible?
>> I am still unfamiliar with formats for digital storage, so there are 
>> undoubtedly issues I am unaware of.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>



More information about the Resource-network-linguistic-diversity mailing list