Jobo unveils two new GIGA photo storage devices

Just in case you really needed yet another alternative in the portable photo storage drive department, Jobo is doing you one better -- introducing not one but two new devices. Both the GIGA Vu Sonic and GIGA One Sonic will download up to 1GB in 30 seconds, and both feature RAW decoding, up to 250GB storage, and a 3.2-inch color display. In addition, these guys accommodate all the standard media card formats, including CompactFlash, Microdrive, SecureDigital (SD), SDHC, (Memory Stick) MS, MS Pro, MS Duo, and MultiMediaCard (MMC). Prices start at €329 ($417) for the GIGA Vu Sonic, and €240 ($305) for the GIGA One Sonic. Available worldwide next month. Full PR and specs after the break.

Gummersbach, Germany (February 25, 2009) – JOBO AG announces today two new portable image storage devices – the GIGA Vu SONIC and the GIGA one SONIC.

For professionals that need high-end secure back-up of their digital images, the new GIGA Vu SONIC portable image storage device features an ultra quick download speed of up to 1 GB of data in 30 seconds, TRUE RAW decoding of numerous RAW image files, four hard disc capacities up to 250 GB, a large high resolution 3.2" color display and numerous picture functions.

For the more budget-minded digital photographer, the affordable new JOBO GIGA one SONIC features extremely fast picture storage (transfers up to 1GB of data in less than one minute), a long-lasting battery, four hard disc capacities up to 200 GB, a 1.8" LCD display and convenient operation via five easy-to-use buttons.

"On-the-go storage and retrieval of digital image files has become a day-to-day fact of life for busy photographers," said Johannes Bockemuehl-Simon, JOBO's CEO. "Not only are these new units extremely fast when it comes to downloading all digital data for safe and reliable backup storage, they are available in various capacities and price points sure to please any photographer looking for the best backup protection their money can buy."

These new PC and Mac compatible image storage devices accommodate all popular media cards featuring slots for CompactFlash (CF) I/II, Microdrive, SecureDigital (SD), SDHC, (Memory Stick) MS, MS Pro, MS Duo, and MultiMediaCard (MMC). In addition, the GIGA Vu SONIC can store and display digital data in popular file formats such as JPG and even various specific RAW camera formats.

GIGA Vu SONIC Specifications

• 80, 120, 160 or 250 GB hard disk
• Display: high resolution 3.2" QVGA color display (320 x 240 pixels
• Ultrafast data transfer incl. data verification function (1 GB in 30 sec)
• TRUE RAW decoding of numerous RAW image files
• Functions: thumbnail view of pictures, slide show, picture rotation (90°, 180°, 270°), picture deletion, multi-level zoom function, user interface skin options, copying and deleting of files and folders, histogram display
• Supports incremental backup (synchronization between memory card and hard disk, automatic incremental backup to most recent folder, manual incremental backup to user defined folder)
• Memory card slots for: CompactFlash I/II, MicroDrive, SD, SDHC, MMC, MS, MS Pro, MS MagicGate, MS Select, MS PRO MagicGate
• USB 2.0 high speed with OTG function
• Connection to PC: USB 2.0 high speed (backwards compatible to USB 1.1)
• Battery: rechargeable Li-ion battery (3.7 V, 2200 mAh)
• Battery capacity: up to 250 GB data transfer
• System requirements: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS 9.x, 10.x & higher, Linux
• Dimensions: 133 x 75 x 25 mm
• Weight: 280 g
• Included in the package: USB cable, AC adapter (100-240V), car adapter, carrier bag, instruction manual
  

GIGA one SONIC Specifications

• 80, 120, 160 or 200 GB hard disk
• Extra fast data transfer (1 GB in less than 1 min)
• LCD display: 1.8" (monochrome)
• Connection to PC: USB 2.0 high speed/full speed, USB 1.0 compatible
• Memory card slots for: CF type I & II, MicroDrive, SD, MMC, xD, MS, MS Pro, MS Duo/Pro
• Data transfer modes: from memory card to GIGA one SONIC, from GIGA one SONIC to memory card, from GIGA one SONIC to computer (via USB)
• Operation: 5 control buttons
• Internal Li-ion battery (3.7 V, 2200 mAh)
• Battery capacity: up to 120 GB data transfer
• System requirements: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS 9.x, 10.x & higher, Linux
• Dimensions: 127 x 73 x 20 mm
• Weight: 240 g
• Included in the package: USB cable, AC adapter (100-240V), car adapter, carrier bag, instruction manual
  

The new GIGA one SONIC is USB 2.0 compatible, features a battery Status indicator, energy-saving function, large 1.8" LCD screen, and a sturdy aluminium casing. In addition, the new GIGA one SONIC's LCD screen clearly displays the amount of hard drive disc space available as well as the status of every download.

Available next month worldwide and showing for the first time in the U.S. at PMA 09, the GIGA Vu SONIC is offered with four different storage capacities – 80GB, 120GB, 160GB and 250GB. Retail prices are respectively: GIGA Vu SONIC: € 329,00 (80GB), € 369,00 (120GB), € 409,00 (160GB), and € 449,00 (250GB); GIGA one SONIC: € 189,00 (80GB), € 229,00 (120GB), € 269,00 (160GB), and € 329,00 (200GB).

[John Doe @ Feb 27th 2009 3:31PM]

Seems to be quite a nice and handy device for professional photographers.

[htd @ Feb 27th 2009 3:33PM]

I'd rather buy a netbook with 160G and SD card reader for $300 instead.

[David @ Feb 27th 2009 3:49PM]

That's exactly what I did, I was debating get one of those Epson's then netbooks came out and it just makes so much more sense to get something a bit larger that can do so much more than just back up photos.

[ehisforadam @ Feb 27th 2009 4:56PM]

That's a big reason why I got my netbook, too. The added bonus is expandability and the ability to do light editing and now worrying about lacking RAW compatibility.

[CraigJ @ Feb 27th 2009 5:05PM]

yes. plus I doubt this will let me check my e-mail.

[CraigJ @ Feb 27th 2009 5:09PM]

to further elaborate, I fail to see the benefits of a lot of these "single-tasker" (to quote Alton Brown) devices. I'm sure it's very good at what it does, but a netbook (which costs about the same or a little more) or even a small laptop like the new MacBook makes a whole lot more sense to me, plus I can tun light room or armature and do a fair amount of editing in the field, take it home, hook it up to my big monitor and just keep working.

I really want to know why someone would choose to buy a device like this.

[Joseph @ Feb 27th 2009 6:18PM]

@craig
Sometimes there are locations that require a minimal amount of equipment and long battery life(120GB of Xfer). Netbooks have really forced these devices into a niche. But I have a friend that does a lot of traveling for his landscapes and he doesnt want to waste an extra pound and sometimes is without electricity for 2-3 days.

[BigDaddyM @ Feb 27th 2009 6:22PM]

I like the Epson photo viewer, the screen is way better than a netbook's screen... The Epson has a gorgeous screen.

However, its cost is also way high as well making you ponder the value for a temporary holding solution, since at the end of the day, neither a photo viewer or a netbook wil be used to edit the images.... Fiurther the cost of an Epson viewer verses is HDD space is horrible as well.

I have an original Epson viewer that I stilll use (when netbooks were imaginary), and I would be another but at only half the of their current prices.
M

[Gavin @ Feb 28th 2009 1:07PM]

Uhh that's just a Hyerdrive Colorspace UDMA with a new name smacked on. It's available now. I have one sitting in my bag as I type.

http://www.hyperdrive.com/HyperDrive-COLORSPACE-UDMA-s/64.htm

Am I missing something???

[Cris @ Apr 20th 2009 11:14PM]

You're absolutely right.

[kam @ Feb 27th 2009 10:02PM]

Like Joseph said i think this is best for traveling photographers who want an easy way to offload their 8GB CF card onto a drive and be able to jump back to shooting with minimal equipment and time.

[kam @ Apr 20th 2009 2:35PM]

Anyone know how these compare to the FOCI photo storage devices? They are quite cheap compared to the epson or a netbook.

As said, this is great to throw in a small camera bag. I can fit a point and shoot, 580ex flash, full frame dslr and a spare lens in a small bag. Tucking a storage device in there would make it ultra portable and easy to grab my camera off my hip to shoot, and sit down to offload and change gear. It's got everything i need to get the job done. I'd much rather edit back in the comfort of my home studio then on the road in South East Asia.

One day I hope to get a netbook that will do all my basic tasks, but how will the OS run after many times of unloading/loading the hard drive? Wouldn't it bog your system down defeating the purpose of even having a light netbook that is speedy with your internet/word processor type tasks?

[Death_to_Dude @ Apr 20th 2009 2:36PM]

Do not want