storage media

important things to consider when buying devices & memory

One of the most important things to consider when shopping for digital voice recorders and digital cameras is what kind of media it uses. Because blank media formats vary enormously in speed, size and availability, consider the following factors when evaluating the devices format:

• Price — Blank media ranges from very inexpensive to considerably higher in cost; keep your budget in mind, yet be aware that you may be giving up durability and portability perks for a lower price.
• Size — The smaller the media is physically, the easier it is to transport — and the more picture, video and music storage you can take with you on the go.
• Compatibility — You can save time and money by buying different kinds of devices which use the same media — like an MP3 player and a digital camera that can swap flash memory, or a portable which uses the same media as your car stereo.
• Ease of use — Disc-based media like CD and DVD (as well as memory-based media) give you fast, super-easy access to specific "tracks" (songs, video segments, etc.). On the other hand, tape-based formats like audio cassette and VHS require fast-forwarding or rewinding, which takes some time and effort.
• Durability — Some types of media are virtually indestructible, like flash memory cards and MiniDiscs; some require careful handling, like DVDs and CDs; some simply don't have a long lifetime, like audio cassettes.
• Removable media — Do you want lots of media to have and carry around, or do you want the ease of built-in memory (and the handicap of no expansion)?
• Availability - SmartMedia cards is are a classic example of a once popular format that is now getting a little harder to lay your hands on.  As new devices take up newer memory card formats, the older formats become less popular and thus many stores wont stock or sell them.  On the other hand, SD cards which been popular for years are still widely used in new devices, making sure there is a sufficient market for manufactures, distributors and retailers to maintain profitability whilst stocking this format.
• Rewritable media — Many types of media, like CD-RW, Memory Stick, and MiniDisc, can erase existing data and store new info in its place. Other media, like CD-R, offers one-time storage, often at a lower price.
• Skip-free playback — If you'll be using blank media to store music, skip-free playback on the road is key. Solid-state players that use flash memory are a good bet; however, today, technology permits virtually skip-free playback with almost any kind of media, if you get the right player.

can't find what your looking for?

We have put together our most commonly needed storage cards and readers that work with our popular digital voice recorders and other products found on this website.