Can one use an external drive with a Sony HD camcorder?

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This story was printed from CNET Asia.
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Can one use an external drive with a Sony HD camcorder?

By Edvarcl Heng
25/01/2007
URL: http://asia.cnet.com/digitalliving/ask/0,3800004928,61984578,00.htm

Question

Have just read your review of the Sony HDR SR1 in CNET Asia. Was a great help. Am soon to go into the rainforests and wish to video record the orchids and other botanics. Am keen to purchase the Sony HDR SR1 but know that the 30GB hard drive will have insufficient storage. Don't want to have to purchase a laptop as well to save the excess footage.

Can you recommend an alternative option for storing the footage? For instance, can I purchase a 300GB Maxtor USB Porter drive ($A240) and crossload the footage onto it from the Sony handycam's hard drive? Is this porter drive compatible? Any other solutions?

Have asked local camcorder reps, and no one seems to know.
Submitted by Peter Maxwell

Answer

According to Sony Asia, there isn't a solution to your conundrum. You will need that laptop after all. Check out notebook reviews if you intend to buy one here.

Good hunting.