Registered: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 15

Can the springboard support either compact flash cards or IBMs Microdrives? I'm in the market for an MP3 player, and will probably go with the RCA Lyra, as it can use both of these for storage (though MicroDrives still cost WAY too much.... I want 1/3 of gig of Music in my walkman, but not for $400!). The more devices that use the same format, the more compelling....

Im tempted to wait for springboard MP3 players, but they will cost the same as a separate MP3 player, plus be extra bulky. IF so, and they cant be used WITHOUT the visor, I drather get the Lyra....any suggestions?

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 28

Well, it's not CompactFlash or MicroDrive compatible ... but the Rio from www.beyond.com is still one of the best deals I've seen in a while. $50 after the rebates and you have to figure that a number of manufacturers are going to hold to SmartMedia for a while given that Rio was the first model available in the US.

My only question is whether or not the extra SM would be usable in the Diamond MP3 springboard. I'd guess so, they'd be crazy not to do this ... but that doesn't mean I'm correct about this.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 54

I read a review of one MP3 module that's coming out by the end of the year. It came in two flavors: one with 64MB of memory and a SmartMedia slot, and another with just the SmartMedia slot. It didn't mention a price, but the module could also record (presumably for voice messages/reminders). I'll probably get it if the price isn't too crazy, as I'm in the market for something that does both those functions.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

I sent an e-mail to innogear (maker of one of the MP3 springboards) asking them if the SmartMedia cards for the rio would work in their springboard too.
No reply yet....

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 54

Yeah, I think Innogear was the maker of the MP3 module I was talking about. I don't see why they wouldn't work, SmartMedia is a standardized memory module in the same way CompactFlash is (they're not interchangeable, though). I can use the CompactFlash from my digital camera in a laptop or WinCE device. Standard slot, standard socket.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

I'm not worried that the it physically does not fit but more about how the data is stored on the card...

I hope you are right and that is standardised too...

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: US Military in Germany
Posts: 46

As far as memory goes, the Visor uses a pcmcia connector, it can't be hard for it to have a compact flash or smart media adapter. They already exist for the pcmcia cards so you would have to write drivers for the springboard right? Can it recognise a 48 mb CF card as a removable drive and provide an explorer like interface to move and edit files? Am I lost or what.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: St. Augustine, FL
Posts: 12

As far as the whole 'visor-CF-Smartmedia' thing goes... I've been pondering... I think it might be possible (maybe...) to use a Basic Stamp to do the memory banking. Maybe have the BS copy the requested bank down into an 8MB buffer on the stamp, then let the Visor use that buffer like an 8MB springboard card? Anyone with more electronics background want to give a more educated opinion?