V-Tec's FotoBar is an innovative 8-in-1 memory card reader that also doubles as a CD-RW (24X)/DVD-ROM (8X) combo drive. Targeted at digital photographers, the drive lets you transfer data from all the major memory cards to your computer via USB 2.0 or directly to a CD. You can also playback JPEG, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 (DVD-Video) and MP3 files on your TV via its built-in S-Video or composite video ports, but comprises have been made to keep its price low. Most noticeable is the inclusion of a small display opposed to a larger LCD screen for image playback and management on the move, and there's no DVD recorder. Also, there's no support for TIFF, RAW, QuickTime Motion JPEG, WAV files or Ogg Vorbis files, and you can't print independently of a PC using a PictBridge-compatible printer. Nevertheless, you do get a lot for your money, especially considering the FotoBar can be used as an external DVD-ROM drive for playing back DVD-Movies.
Pros: Good build quality; lots of features; includes remote; low cost
Cons: Small screen; limited file support; not PictBridge compatible
Memory card readers are vital peripherals for anyone who frequently uses flash memory cards, in particular those who use a digital camera or portable digital audio player. The main benefit of a memory card reader is that it allows you to transfer data to and from a memory card quickly and effortlessly without having to worry about drivers or proprietary software - you simply drag-and-drop images, video or audio to and from the card.
V-Tec's FotoBar combines an 8-in-1 card reader (CompactFlash, Microdrive, xD-Picture Card, Memory Stick/Pro, SmartMedia, SD, MMC) and a CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive. The benefit of having a built-in recordable drive is that you can quickly and easily backup data from a memory card to a CD for security purposes (in case you loose your camera on the move, say), as well a copy data on-the-fly for sharing with friends and colleagues without using a computer. Moving data from a memory card to a CD also means you can format your memory card when space becomes limited. The FotoBar also connects to your computer using a USB 2.0 connection, allowing you to use it as a regular external CD-RW and DVD-ROM drive.
The FotoBar can be hooked up to a TV (S-Video and composite video ports built-in) for viewing images and videos, or even a DVD-Movie, on a larger PAL or NTSC screen. Unfortunately, audio-out is only a 2:1 analogue solution, so you can forget about 5:1 or 7:1 digital surround sound support. There's no audio line-in or S/PDIF-in ports either, so you can't record either analogue or digital audio directly to a CD from an external A/V device.
V-Tec bundles an impressive array of additional accessories, especially considering the FotoBar costs just £189. For instance, there's a useful soft nylon carrying case, a rechargeable battery that clips onto the top side of the device and allows you to use the FotoBar independently of a power source, an AC adapter, infrared remote control (two AAA batteries supplied) for controlling playback when using a TV, S-Video and composite video cables, a USB cable, paper-based user guides, and driver software. You also get a copy of Ahead Software's excellent Nero 5.5 CD authoring software and two blank CD-R discs.
Larger (200x140x30mm) and heavier (700g) than a typical portable CD player, the FotoBar is finished in an attractive silver plastic enclosure that sports an attractive brushed steel fascia. On the left side of the unit (looking from the front) is a single power switch, while the right-hand side provides all the connectivity options (power, NTSC/PAL switch, USB, video, S-Video and audio). On the underside of the FotoBar are battery and optical drive release clips that allow you to remove the snap-on battery and CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive, respectively. The fact that the optical drive is user replaceable suggests that V-Tec will soon offer a recordable DVD option.
Format support is mediocre and all but the most demanding of users should be satisfied with the FotoBar's versatility. CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM discs can be read (unlike DVD+R/+RW discs), and the device also plays back DVD-Video, Video-CD (VCD), SVCD (Super Video-CD), CD-DA (Audio CD), Kodak Picture-CD files. Image formats supported include JPEG, MPEG-1/2/3 (no MPEG-4 support) and MP3 files. The FotoBar doesn't support WMA or Ogg Vorbis files, and there's no built-in FM tuner, so it's not an ideal portable audio solution. In addition, there's no music enhancement tools, such as pre-set equalisers and the ability to create your own using the four-band custom equaliser, and you can't change playback speeds.
A major strength of the FotoBar is its built-in features that bring the device to life when connected to a display, such as a TV or projector. Once the FotoBar is connected to a display, the unit shows the contents of a disc or memory card automatically on its on-screen menu. Similar to backing up, you can't use two memory cards simultaneously. Using the supplied remote control you can navigate the device's on-screen menu to set the display's aspect ratio (4:3 or 16:9 widescreen), alter volume levels, navigate files, skip chapters or tracks, fast forward or rewind tracks, zoom into a still JPEG image (up to 3X), go to the root menu of a DVD-Movie, as well as play, pause and stop discs. From the on-screen menu you can also create photo slideshows, along with a choice of 13 transitions.
When it comes to transferring data from a memory card to CD, the FotoBar is a breeze to operate. You can only backup one type of memory card at a time, but the process is relatively painless nevertheless. For testing, we used an IBM Microdrive packed with 585MB of still images, video and MP3 files. The FotoBar managed to backup a Microdrive to CD in 42m 15s, which is hardly cutting-edge performance. Plus, there's no option to navigate files to backup so you have to backup all of the files on a memory card, regardless of their size - an oversight that will soon prove costly if you don't use memory cards with a storage capacity at least equal to a regular CD (650MB). Thankfully, the FotoBar supports multi-session burning, so if there's free space on a CD-RW disc it'll allow you to continue recording on the disc at a later date.
Links:
FotoBar
Web site
