Micro Solutions introduced its new RoadStor portable media player, a compact product for viewing, copying, toting and sharing digital photos, audio and video almost anywhere with or without a computer. The device combines a digital photo viewer, CD burner, DVD player and MP3 player all in one package.
With its own snap-on rechargeable Lithium Ion battery that delivers two hours of continuous play time, and at about the size of a small hardback book, RoadStor travels easily. Simple to operate, it connects directly to a TV and works as a stand-alone device or as a PC or Mac accessory.
RoadStor incorporates many powerful features, but it's simple to use. Built-in video and S-Video output jacks and a stereo audio output jack allow it to easily connect directly to a TV for viewing digital photos and DVDs. Plus, its CD burner lets users quickly and easily make digital photo CDs from flash memory cards. With one touch of a button, this innovative product can take anything stored on a flash memory card and record it to a CD-R or CD-RW.
RoadStor's six-in-one flash memory card reader works with six different types of memory cards, including SecureDigital (SD) cards, SmartMedia (SM) cards, MultiMedia Cards (MMC), Memory Stick, Compact Flash (CF) type I and type II cards, and MicroDrives. These cards are forms of removable memory that work with many digital cameras, PDAs, cell phones and computers; consumers commonly use these cards to store their digital photos, MP3 files or other data. RoadStor will work with all of those items that are stored on these cards; it can play MP3 digital audio files, show JPEG digital photo files and play MPEG digital video files.
RoadStor also can be used for making music or data CDs for backup or storage It reads CD-RW, CD-R and regular CD-ROMs, plays regular music CDs and reads DVD movie discs, DVD plus and dash (DVD +/-) videos and DVD data discs. A remote control is included with the product, as well.
If a user wants to connect RoadStor to an Intel-based PC or Mac, the built-in USB 2.0 port will come in handy. The unit also is backward-compatible with the USB 1.1 ports found on many older computers.
Software bundled with RoadStor includes Micro Solutions SpeedyCD for creating and editing CD-R and CD-RW discs and CyberLink PowerDVD for playing DVDs.
RoadStor does not need a computer; however, when connected to a computer, it requires Microsoft Windows 98, Me, 2000 SP3, or XP, or Mac OS 10.1.3 or above; USB 2.0 capability (for DVD video playback on a computer); IBM-compatible Pentium II or faster (for DVD video playback on a computer); 8MB or more of video RAM (recommended for DVD playback on a computer); and 16MB minimum and preferably 32MB of regular RAM. Audio/video input jacks and/or an S-Video input jack are needed for DVD video playback on a TV.
Pricing, Availability and Warranty
RoadStor (model number is 401010) has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $249 and will be available in late October through Micro Solutions Direct, in the United States at CDW, Ingram, Insight, Office Depot and Tech Data, and in Canada at Best Buy, Future Shop and Staples. It comes with a one-year warranty. For more information visit the company's Web site at
www.micro-solutions.com.