Never Fill a Digital Camera Memory Card Again

Epson's new P-2000 Multimedia Storage Viewer features a 40GB hard drive that you can use to store images from memory cards. That means you don't have to worry about running out of card space or carrying a notebook along--just insert the memory card into the P-2000, transfer the images, clear the card, and start shooting again.

Each of the two built-in memory card slots supports CompactFlash Type I and Type II and Secure Digital memory cards--an optional third-party adapter supports additional cards. The P-2000 has a 3.8-inch display for viewing JPEG images. Its 40GB capacity is enough to store about 5000 RAW-format images and up to 10,000 5-megapixel JPEG images, according to Seiko Epson representatives.

The P-2000 displays images up to 8.9 megapixels and supports JPEG and RAW image file formats, MPEG-4 and Motion-JPEG video files, and MP3 and unprotected AAC audio files. It connects to Macs or PCs using a USB 2.0 interface. It's powered by a lithium ion battery and includes a charger/AC adapter, a high-speed USB cable, a carrying case, and a wrist strap. Look for it in stores in early November for $499.

Designed by Seiko Epson, the portable device is designed to enable users to show off digital photos culled from a computer or straight from the flash cards used by popular cameras. Intended as a replacement for Epson's P-1000, the P-2000 has higher-capacity storage, a faster interface, and the ability to play video and music files.

Users can zoom and rotate images, create a slide show with music, and share images on an NTSC or PAL television screen, monitor, or projector using an optional third-party cable. You can also print directly to supported Epson printers; the P-2000 supports PRINT Image Matching II and Exif 2.2 technology.

(Martyn Williams of IDG News Service contributed to this article.)