Toshiba PDR-M81Toshiba steps into the 4-megapixel arena with a value-priced, full-featured model.<<Camera Modes & Menus :(Previous) | (Next): Video, Power, Software>> Page 10:Image Storage & InterfaceReview First Posted: 08/24/2001 |
Image
Storage and Interface
The PDR-M81 utilizes SmartMedia as its image storage medium, and an 8MB card
comes with the camera. Larger capacity cards are available separately (as large
as 128MB). SmartMedia is easily write-protected by placing a write-protection
sticker over the designated area on the card. Likewise, removing the sticker
disables write-protection. Remember that these stickers can only be used once
and write-protection may fail if the sticker gets dirty. To protect individual
images from accidental erasure (except from card formatting), the settings menu
in Playback mode gives you an image protect option. Protected images are denoted
by a key symbol beneath the image. Protection can be removed through the same
process.
The PDR-M81 organizes captured images into storage folders. When the SmartMedia
card is formatted, it automatically creates a folder entitled 100TOSHI. You
can create a new folder by pressing the Folder button in any record mode. Movies
are recorded to a separate folder indicated by a movie camera symbol. Once the
image number reaches 9999, a new folder (101TOSHI) is automatically created.
When there are two or more xxxTOSHI folders, the playback folder default is
the folder assigned the largest xxx value. You can change the playback folder
by pressing the Folder button in Playback mode, and selecting a folder from
the list.
Three resolution sizes are available on the PDR-M81: 2,400 x 1,600-, 1,200 x
800-, and 720 x 480-pixels. Images can also be saved at one of three JPEG compression
levels: Fine, Normal, and Basic.
Reducing image size saves memory and allows you to continue taking more pictures.
Low-resolution images (720 x 480 pixels), taken in the Multi mode, protected
images, and images from another camera cannot be resized. While in Playback
mode you have the option of selecting which images you want to resize and are
given the option to reconsider before executing the command. Also through the
Playback menu, you can compress images (images already in Basic quality, images
from another camera, and protected images cannot be compressed, nor can you
compress images on write-protected SmartMedia). The quality setting will be
noted under each image by the number of stars (three for Fine, two for Normal,
one for Basic).
The PDR-M81 allows you to copy an image from one SmartMedia card to another,
through the Playback menu. Select the image (or images) to copy and press Enter
(you can cancel a selection here as well). If you execute the copy, a Change
Card message will appear, allowing you to remove the old SmartMedia card and
replace it with a new one. Follow the menu prompts and select OK when finished.
Don't remove the SmartMedia card (except when indicated) or turn the camera
off during the copying procedure to avoid damaging the card.
You can erase images in either Playback or Record modes. When in Playback mode,
use the arrow buttons to select the image and hit the Erase button on the back
panel. You'll be asked to confirm this decision. Protected images cannot be
erased, nor can images on write-protected SmartMedia. When in Record mode, hit
the Erase button and it selects the last image taken. Again, you are asked to
confirm this decision. The Erase menu also allows you to erase folders and format
the SmartMedia card.
The table below shows the number of still images and their compression ratios
for an 8MB card:
|
Resolution/Quality |
2400 x 1600 |
1200 x 800 |
720 x 480 |
|||
|
|
Approx. Compression |
|
Approx. Compression |
|
Approx. Compression |
|
| Fine Quality |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Normal Quality |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quality |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The PDR-M81 is accompanied by a USB cable and interface software for connecting to a computer.
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