I am looking for a converter or electronic box to take common Flash
Memory chips (CF or Memory Slick or SD or xD) into a CD or DVD. Who
makes these products---the cheaper the better?

Hello franko27,

Thank you for your question.

Actually this is a simple process, but requires just a few steps. You
will need a CD-R or DVD burner. If you already have a burner and the
software that came with it - most likely Roxio EZCD and Direct CD -
then more than half the battle is over. If not, you can find dozens of
web sites making recommendations on CD and DVD burners and any that
catches your eye will do this job. Quality burners can be had for as
little as $60 now-a-days.

Next you will need a memory card reader. Most of these are USB and
very easy to connect to your computer. You can choose models with only
one configuration, such as Compact Flash, or models with multiple
configurations such as CF, SmartMedia and Memory Stick all in the same
device.

Two great places to learn about these are at Steve's Digicam and CNET
Shopper:

Steve's:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/digi_accessories.html

Scroll down just a bit to Flash Card readers and you will find quite a
few reviews.

For example, here is the model I use:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/delkin_reader5_usb.html

"The new Delkin eFilm Reader-5 is a dual card reader for both 3.3v
SmartMedia and CompactFlash (Type I and II) flash memory cards. It is
a USB read/write device for Win98/2000 PC or USB-enabled Macintosh
users that need to transfer data from multiple types of storage media.
The Reader-5 is about the same size and shape as an ordinary computer
mouse and requires only the USB connection for operation..."

Do read the review. Steve gives it a 5 star rating, and I agree.

Delkin also hads a variety of these devices located on this page:
http://store.yahoo.com/delkin/efilmx-readers.html

Note the model Reader 18 that reads 6 different types of cards at a
list price of only $55. It can be bought for less.

I would then suggest going over to CNET shopper where you can both
find reviews and price comparisons. You can see that the above
mentioned Reader 18 is only 34.99 at this page:
http://www.mysimon.com/isrch/index.jhtml?c=digitalcameraaccessories&pgid=shop&InputKeyword=reader+18&v=1&pg=1&key=UC_20030526_140559_0156811120

Do look around the site for reviews and other models that might
interest you.

Once you have a reader, it should easily install with the included
software. Each type of device it can read will show up as a drive
letter on your computer. For example, if you have a c:\ drive and a
CD-R burner as a d:\ drive, these will then be e:\, F:\ and so on.

While you *can* burn by taking the data directly from the card, this
may not always work. Particularly if you have only USB 1.0, which is
much slower to transfer data that USB 2.0. For best results, I ALWAYS
recommend inserting the memory into the reader, opening Windows
Explorer, and copying the contents into a folder on your C:\ drive
temporarily. Then open your CD burning program and select the files
from your C:\ drive and you shall have the contents of your memory
card on CD (or DVD as the case may be). You can then close the CD, or
leave it open for more sessions at a later date until the capacity has
been filled. And delete the files on your hard drive And memory
card)if you choose to and are confident that you have a working copy
on your CD or DVD.


I trust my research has answered this question. If a link above should
fail to work or anything require further explanation or research,
please do post a Request for Clarification prior to rating the answer
and closing the question and I will be pleased to assist further.

Regards,

-=clouseau=-

---

Request for Answer Clarification by franko27-ga on 27 May 2003 06:57 PDT

thanks for answer, but I know I can do it on a computer, that's why I
asked for a "converter" or "electronic box". Can I convert a standard
flash to a DVD or CD NOT using a computer but instead using a
dedicated "converter or electronic box"??

thank You

---

Clarification of Answer by clouseau-ga on 27 May 2003 07:32 PDT

Hello again franko27,

It wasn't clear to me that you were aware of memory readers and how
they might be used with a PC and burner for this application. My
apologies for the misunderstanding.

Although I had not heard of devices that do this as a stand alone unit
before, I searched once again and found exactly what you desire!

EZ PNP
http://www.ezdiscopy.com/ezdigimagic-digital-photo-backup.sstg?PHPSESSID=61708ff2a0243fd25141979d9e7d4d73

"...EZDigiMagic™, the absolute newest in digital imaging back-up
devices, is the perfect companion for any digital photographer.
EZDigiMagic™ enables you to produce a back-up copy of digital photos
directly from your camera’s flash memory card onto a CD-R or CD-RW
disc. One-touch operation and the stand-alone solution make using
EzDigiMagic™ a snap. Given EZDigiMagic’s™ compact size, there’s no
need to worry about not having enough capacity on your camera’s memory
card when you are on the go. EZDigiMagic™ can even be connected to a
PC for use as a memory card reader or CD burner.

EZDigiMagic™ solves all your digital imaging back-up problems. Just
think, no more hassles with downloading your flash memory card to your
PC. All that wasted time! The end result is all of your digital photo
images stored on CD, ready for distribution, emails, printing or
storage.

Like all our other EZPnP™ products, EZDigiMagic™ uses the latest in
technology and is very simple to use. Other advantageous features of
EZDigiMagic™ are that it is lightweight and portable. Requiring only
AA rechargeable batteries, EZDigiMagic™ goes where you go and
eliminates the need for buying additional (and costly!) memory cards.

EZDigiMagic™ supports all memory cards on the market, including
Compact Flash™, Micro Drive™, Smart Media™, Memory Stick™, Secure
Digital™ and MultiMedia™ Cards. Compact Flash and Micro Drive cards
insert directly into the EZDigiMagic™ card slot. If your digital
camera uses Smart Media™, Memory Stick™, Secure Digital™ or
MultiMedia™Cards, just use EZDigiMagic’s™ convenient adaptor, then
insert the adaptor with the flash memory card directly into the card
slot.

Another excellent advantage of using EZDigiMagic™ is that one CD-R
disc (650 MB) can back up 10 flash memory cards of 64 MB capacity.
Each 64-MB flash memory card takes approximately three minutes to
download. EZDigiMagic™ features multi-session back-up capability —
that means you can back up one 64 MB flash memory card and then reuse
the same CD at a later date when you’re ready to back up your next
full flash memory card. Keep on using that same CD until you’ve backed
up 10 64-MB flash memory cards. You simply couldn’t ask for more in
terms of storage.

Some of the other helpful features of EZDigiMagic™ include four LED
indicators, an audible buzzer, one-touch copy operation and the
ability to connect EZDigiMagic™ to your PC. Once EZDigiMagic™ is
connected to your PC using the enclosed USB cable and software, you
can use EZDigiMagic™ as a memory card reader or CD burner. Software to
burn CDs is included in the package..."

This unit is available as a portable device for $299 and a desktop
model for only $199

And, remarkably, the Digital Store carries another, similar model:
http://www.powerinnumbers.com.au/default.asp?mode=products&section=discsteno

DISC STENO CP100 - a portable CD Writer, can copy digital data from
flash memory cards to slim CD directly. Without link to PC, DISC STENO
CP 100 enables users to copy digital data into CD. DISC STENO CP 100
with shockproof and data comparison functions lets users enjoy the fun
of the digital technology on the move.

Portable operation: rechargeable built-in battery provides 60 minutes
of recording time (20 times 128MB card)
Burn CDs directly from memory cards 
Compact Flash (CF) Type I and II 
Micro Drive 
Memory Stick (MS) 
Secure Digital (SD) 
Multi Media (MMC) 
Smart Media (SM) 
xD Picture Card (with optional xD to CF adapter) 
Multi-sessionmode allows you to burn multiple cards to single CDs 
CD-R/CD-RW 
Mac and PC compatible via fast USB 2.0 connection 
Functions as CD burner when connected to computer 

This site is in Australia, but does sell to the US. The cost is approx
$299.40 USD. And, further searching shows this is actually made in the
US by JOBO in Michigan and has just started selling in the US at a
retail of $299.95:
http://www.jobodigital.com/products/disc_steno_cp100.htm



It appears these devices should suit your needs.

Best regards,

-=clouseau=-

hey franko, pay clouseau already!