Re: scanning and downloading at the same time
Posted: 06 Dec 2011, 05:50
I use eye-fi cards and they do have a few issues.
- Despite the fact that they're supposed to have 'endless memory mode', they sometimes fill up. This wouldn't be a problem but I use the cards specifically so I don't have to move the cameras at all. I have found it manageable to twist the cameras along the camera mounting screw so I can release the memory card without taking the whole camera off, but I don't have a surgeon's hands and I sometime move the camera and my gooseneck extensions don't easily allow for micro-adjustments.
- Sometimes the cards send the pictures multiple times. I'll be halfway through scanning a book and stop to flex my shoulders and notice that only 25 pics have transferred on one of the cameras because it's sending each pic three times. Turning the camera on and off fixes this, but I have to remove the construction paper from the front (to block reflections) and reattach it which risk upsetting camera placement. (I may try to permanently attach this paper since I don't generally use the cameras for anything else these days.) Then there's the time wasted at the end waiting for the one card to catch up.
-This one is new and it might be related to endless memory mode again. The last time the cards filled up, I reset endless memory mode to 25%. Ever since then, I've noticed a slower download speed. I believe this may be due to the cards deleting a photo for every new pic I take. I've been waiting for the cards to fill up as an excuse to remove the cards and reset them to the previous 90% level but so far it hasn't happened yet. Since 4gb is a lot of space, I may even try getting into the habit of carefully removing and erasing the cards before each session.
When the cards were working optimally, it was possible to scan several books at a sitting and have all but the last book already transferred to the my laptop after the last page was captured. The time it takes to rename the pics for the first book and ensure that they're aren't any missing photos is usually enough to let the last pics transfer. I guess in the end it all boils down to how important it is for you not to move the cameras. A fixed camera setup would likely not be greatly benefited from using eye fi cards. My more flexible camera mounts make the eye fi a must have convenience. Even the worst delays on photo transfer are minimal when you factor in bathroom breaks. They are enormously convenient for spot checking suspect pages since the live av output of the cameras is somewhat sketchy at times. All in all I would definitely recommend them if your computer is close enough to your scanner and remind you that if you're buying used to make sure the cards have a lock tab.
Note: I have a usb hub camera trigger setup and I did try to connect the camera directly to the laptop without results. I assumed the SDM/CHDK would prevent this but it didn't hurt to try.
@Gerard
I'm not sure I understand you. You say you can't scan and download at the same time? Does that mean you're having a problems taking a pic while another is uploading?
- Despite the fact that they're supposed to have 'endless memory mode', they sometimes fill up. This wouldn't be a problem but I use the cards specifically so I don't have to move the cameras at all. I have found it manageable to twist the cameras along the camera mounting screw so I can release the memory card without taking the whole camera off, but I don't have a surgeon's hands and I sometime move the camera and my gooseneck extensions don't easily allow for micro-adjustments.
- Sometimes the cards send the pictures multiple times. I'll be halfway through scanning a book and stop to flex my shoulders and notice that only 25 pics have transferred on one of the cameras because it's sending each pic three times. Turning the camera on and off fixes this, but I have to remove the construction paper from the front (to block reflections) and reattach it which risk upsetting camera placement. (I may try to permanently attach this paper since I don't generally use the cameras for anything else these days.) Then there's the time wasted at the end waiting for the one card to catch up.
-This one is new and it might be related to endless memory mode again. The last time the cards filled up, I reset endless memory mode to 25%. Ever since then, I've noticed a slower download speed. I believe this may be due to the cards deleting a photo for every new pic I take. I've been waiting for the cards to fill up as an excuse to remove the cards and reset them to the previous 90% level but so far it hasn't happened yet. Since 4gb is a lot of space, I may even try getting into the habit of carefully removing and erasing the cards before each session.
When the cards were working optimally, it was possible to scan several books at a sitting and have all but the last book already transferred to the my laptop after the last page was captured. The time it takes to rename the pics for the first book and ensure that they're aren't any missing photos is usually enough to let the last pics transfer. I guess in the end it all boils down to how important it is for you not to move the cameras. A fixed camera setup would likely not be greatly benefited from using eye fi cards. My more flexible camera mounts make the eye fi a must have convenience. Even the worst delays on photo transfer are minimal when you factor in bathroom breaks. They are enormously convenient for spot checking suspect pages since the live av output of the cameras is somewhat sketchy at times. All in all I would definitely recommend them if your computer is close enough to your scanner and remind you that if you're buying used to make sure the cards have a lock tab.
Note: I have a usb hub camera trigger setup and I did try to connect the camera directly to the laptop without results. I assumed the SDM/CHDK would prevent this but it didn't hurt to try.
@Gerard
I'm not sure I understand you. You say you can't scan and download at the same time? Does that mean you're having a problems taking a pic while another is uploading?