How to store files on HD over summer without computer

<p>Hi all,<br>

I will be without a computer this summer, and am looking for a way to store files on a 1TB external hard drive. I am wondering if there is an option to hook a card reader to the hard drive directly. I am also open to the idea of using an iPod (5G) as a storage device. Any suggestions are welcome.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>There are several devices that accept memory cards and store the results on an internal hard drive. Some even have decent size screens. I used a HyperDrive HD-80 for one trip and was very satisfied.</p>

<p>This is their current offering http://www.hypershop.com/HyperDrive-COLORSPACE-UDMA-s/64.htm</p>

<p><Chas><br /><br /></p>

<p>That's a great idea, though I'm afraid it's out my price range at the moment. I'm a student so it's more of a financial thing than anything else. Thanks.</p>

<p>Any device that can directly read your cards and transfer them to a hard drive will have a price that is higher than the cost for a simple netbook - so that is the route I would take.</p>

<p>There is a Belkin device to allow you to connect your camera to your iPod, but it's unreliable, slow, and eats battery like a monster. I have heard not one good thing about it. A friend took one to Japan, and ended up buying a bunch of CF cards.</p>

<p>Which might just be your solution. If you think everything will fit on a 5GB iPod, then it will fit comfortably on a 16GB memory card, of what ever format your camera uses.</p>

<p>There isn't a simple device to connect to USB Devices together without a Host processor. Like Dieter suggests a netbook is about the minimum that supports that connection.</p>

<p><Chas><br /><br /></p>

<p>To answer - directly - your original question: No, there is no such device. The closest thing is what was mentioned - a device which accepts cards and stores the images on an internal HD. Actually, I think that is why those devices actually exist...</p>

<p>Oh and I agree, the iPod is not a good solution. Buy a bunch of cards and rely on that - most people (me included) without a computer in the field do just that: use as many cards as we need (personally, I'm up to 80GB of cards...;-))))</p>

<p>Why not buy a cheap used netbook (ebay, craigslist, local paper etc.) and a 1tb usb drive?</p>

<p>There are so many old computers out there just collecting dust, ask around, you might be surprised.</p>

<p>I have a little battery powered device I got for a trip once that accepts a card reader or camera on one side and USB mass storage on the other. It works, but is a bit awkward and I've since gotten a little netbook to fill that niche. I don't have it in front of me and I'm not even sure if it's branded. I've never tried it with a drive as big as 1 TB but it <em>might</em> work. I'd be willing to let mine go pretty cheap if you were interested. Drop me a line if you are.<br>

All that being said my conclusion was a computer was better. You might be able to buy a inexpensive laptop on eBay that could also fill the niche and probably perform better, but it would be a lot bulkier and heavier.</p>