Ease of use makes two devices shine

IDG News Service — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:39:29 -0700

The scoop: Pinnacle Video Transfer, by Pinnacle, about US$130.

What it is: This handheld device allows you to connect any video source with composite inputs (or an S-Video connection) and transfer the video content directly to any USB-enabled storage device without having to go through a PC. This includes devices like the Apple iPod and Sony's PlayStation Portable. Three modes let you transfer the videos at "good, better or best" resolution.

Why it's cool: I love this device because it's so easy to use, making for quick and easy backup of a bunch of different video sources. I was able to take a stack of my camcorder tapes and turn them into MPEG-4 video files, which I could store on my USB storage drive, or even transfer to a PC for later editing. If you have a bunch of old VCR tapes, you can quickly digitize those, as well. The direct-to-iPod or PSP version lets you take TV shows stored on a digital video recorder and move the content directly to those media players. The device even comes with a composite cable, which means I didn't have to rifle through my cable drawer looking for the right connections.

One note: Not a complaint, but the video still transfers at a one-to-one rate -- if you're transferring a two-hour wedding video, it will take two hours to transfer to the USB connected device.

Grade: 4 stars (out of five).

The scoop: Compass 597, by Sierra Wireless, but on Sprint EV-DO Rev. A network, about $50 (after two-year agreement and rebates), plus $60 monthly data plan.

What it is: A very tiny USB device that offers wireless WAN access to Sprint's Mobile Broadband (EV-DO Rev. A) network.

Why it's cool: What really makes this device shine is its easy installation. Gone are the days of the associated CD-ROM and those lengthy instructions, including stickers that shout about installing software before installing hardware. Just connect the USB device and the software installs and gets you configured with limited input needed. The device also comes with the very nice SmartView software, which does more than just connect you to the wireless WAN. Because there's a GPS receiver on the device, the software determines your position and then opens a Microsoft Live Search Maps page with your browser to tell you where the latest services (such as coffee shops, gas stations and hotels) are. The software also includes a "share" button that lets users offer the GPS data by other third-party GPS applications.

Mostly though, I was impressed with the network speeds. On average, I was able to get 1.05Mbps of download speeds, with a 542.6Kbps of upload speeds, when testing with Sprint's Internet Speed Test tool. When I tested with the third-party Toast.net speed tool, I averaged 966.4Kbps download speed and 173.2Kbps upload. Even more impressive was obtaining close-to-megabit download speeds when truly mobile. On a bus trip from Boston to New York, I could still get an average of 846.2Kbps download speed.

Some caveats: The device has a microSD card slot for data transfer, but this really only benefits mobile phone or smartphone users who have those cards. A standard SD card size would be more beneficial for me, but that would increase the size of the device.

Grade: 5 stars (out of five).