NEXTO eXtreme Pro-DSLR HDDs Hands-On

SlashGear swung by photography accessory experts NEXTO earlier today to see their latest portable storage device for DSLR pros.  The NEXTO NVS2500 and NVS2700 both pack large internal storage – starting at 160GB and ramping up to 500GB; 2TB drives are theoretically supported – and have 2.7-inch LCD displays which not only show the progress of sucking RAW, JPEG and video footage from your camera memory cards, but can preview those photos and footage too.Video demos after the cut

As you'd expect there's plenty of connectivity to choose from.  The NVS2500, for instance, has FireWire, eSATA, USB Host and mini-USB, along with a multiformat card reader hidden under a rubber flap.  There's also a separate Sony SxS card slot, and the internal HDD has free-fall sensors to park the heads should you accidentally drop the unit.

Production models will support Sony SxS, Panasonic P2 and RED formats, along with multiple video codecs, and you can set it to automatically back up any inserted card with no user intervention.  What they're not is cheap: expect to pay $1850 for the 320GB NVS2500 or $440 for a 160GB NVS2700 series model.  Still, if you're a professional photographer your clips are probably worth a whole lot more than generic holiday snaps.

NEXTO NVS2500 and NVS2700 intro:

[vms e3e76fb4b931c35a169b]

NEXTO NVS2500 demo:

[vms 42a0b66751fe636fc6eb]

Press Release:

NEXTO DI Launches Backup Drive for Professional Video Cameras at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show

The NVS2500 Works With Sony SxS, Panasonic P2, Ikegami GFPAK, JVC and More

Inglewood, CA (For Immediate Release) — From the makers at NEXTO DI comes a new portable storage device designed specifically for professional videographers. With revolutionary features like an LCD Screen to actually preview footage, Sony SxS and Panasonic P2 compatibility, USB-OTG, internal free fall sensor, and extremely fast back-up, this new device is the hottest accessory to hit the digital video and high definition professional market. It is called the NVS2500 and you can check it out at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show at International Supplies' South Hall 3 Booth # 31946.

Like its predecessors, the NVS2500 is a reliable, easy to use and extremely fast backup solution for when you are in the field or on location. It can back-up hundreds of hours of raw footage from hard drive camcorders, including high definition, via USB or memory card so you do not need your laptop. You can back-up OTG (On-The-Go) wherever you are. But, what makes the NVS2500 stand out from all the rest is that it is the first licensed storage device to backup directly from a Sony SxS memory card. Users simply insert their SxS card into its designated slot in the hard drive and backup their footage. The device also works with Panasonic's P2 and P2E cards (using an adaptor), Ikegami GFPAK via USB, JVC cameras and all standard memory cards.

"When the marketing director at NEXTO DI told us about this new model they wanted us to launch in the U.S., we were all very excited because aside from what Sony and Panasonic makes for its products, there's nothing else on the market that can backup directly from a Sony SxS card or a Panasonic P2 card," says Doug Pircher, the general manager at International Supplies. "The NVS2500 also has so many new features that really address the needs of our customers. They want speed, convenience, reliability, efficiency and peace of mind, and the NVS2500 offers all that and more. We are even working on the decoding for the RED camera so production models will allow RED users to backup and view video clips the same as Sony and Panasonic users."

The NVS2500 uses patented technology, called X-Copy, to give users the fastest backup speed possible. The NVS2500 can backup an SxS card at an average speed of 80 MB/s; whereas the average backup speed of an SxS card using an SxS card reader and a laptop is about 20MB/s. So with the NVS2500, it would only take 3.4 minutes to backup a 16 GB SxS card compared to the 13.7 minutes it would take if you were to use a laptop with a 20 MB/s transfer speed. The maximum transfer speed of an SxS card is 100MB/s. Meanwhile, the average backup speed of P2 cards is 56MB/s, and 70MB/s for P2E cards. The NVS2500 also features an eSATA, USB 2.0 and FireWire interface for fast transfer speed to and from the computer, which is ideal when downloading hours of raw footage.

In addition, the NVS2500 allows users to preview their video footage via its 2.4" Color LCD screen. The NVS2500 supports video formats from a number of video products including XDCAM (XDCAM MPEG2 4:2:0), P2CAM (AVC-INTRA, DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO 50, DVCPRO), Sony HVR Series (HDV, DV, AVI), and Ikegami GFPAK (MPEG2 4:2:2). It also features a multiple backup function so when you insert a memory card into the device, you can backup simultaneously to the built-in hard drive and to an external hard drive, which can be connected to the NVS2500 using a USB cable.

Another revolutionary feature is its internal free fall sensor so in the event that you accidentally drop the device, it will automatically lock the data on the hard drive the second you drop it so you will not lose any footage. It also has internal shock absorbers to further ensure that your information will stay safe. The device automatically checks the integrity of your footage bit by bit to ensure 100% backup success. It will verify when backup is complete and if something is wrong with the video or file, you would know immediately. It will also notify you if the memory card is corrupt or if the hard drive is faulty.

The NVS2500 can store all types of files from video footage to photos, data, music, movies and games, so it can easily serve as an external hard drive for backup at home or work, although you won't be able to preview photos. It is compatible with PC, MAC and UNIX. It is also so compact and lightweight, it fits in the palm of your hand so you can conveniently take your raw footage with you wherever you go.

The NVS2500 will be available in 320 GB and 500 GB so you get to choose the capacity that best fits your specific storage needs. Prices start at $1850. It is also forward compatible to 2TB if desired. The device comes with a two year warranty, a shock protection rubber jacket, USB cable, eSATA cable, FireWire cable, an extra AA battery holder, a car charger, and an AC adaptor. Auxiliary batteries are sold separately.

Press Release:

NEXTO DI Showcases Affordable Storage Drive for Backing Up Raw Video at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show

Inglewood, CA (For Immediate Release) — Storing hours of raw footage shot on a high definition camcorder can be costly and very time consuming. But thankfully, there is a new product at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show that will allow you to store hundreds of hours of footage for a fraction of the cost and save valuable time. It is called the NEXTO Video Storage, ND2725, and you can check it out in person at International Supplies', NEXTO DI's sole distributor here in the U.S., Booth #31946 in South Hall 3.

The NEXTO Video Storage is a battery-powered portable storage device that at the touch of a single button, can quickly back-up footage from most hard drive camcorders, including the professional high definition camcorders such as the Sony PMW-EX1 and PMW-EX3, which uses the Sony SxS memory card, and the Panasonic HVX200, which uses the P2 memory cards.

"Video Storage is a practical and more affordable solution to backing up raw footage," says Henry Moon, the Marketing director for NEXTO DI. "For instance, rather than spending large amounts for additional Panasonic P2 or Sony SXS memory cards, you can easily get 320GB of storage for around $800 with NEXTO."

NEXTO Video Storage is also easy to use and extremely reliable, which is important when you are out in the field. You do not have the time or luxury to work with complicated devices. With NEXTO Video Storage, you simply connect the device to your camcorder via USB port or memory card to backup OTG (On-The-Go) wherever you are. The device checks the integrity of your footage bit by bit so if something is wrong with the video or file, you would know immediately. Its browse function enables users to verify if back up is complete, and the device even detects any faults or possible future hard drive errors.

In addition, NEXTO Video Storage uses patented technology, called X-Copy, to give users the fastest backup speed on the market. It can backup 16 GB or 15 minutes of footage from a Panasonic HVX200 camcorder in 11 minutes and 30 seconds, which is practically 1:1. From a Sony PMW-EX1, it can backup the same amount of footage in 20 minutes and 50 seconds. NEXTO Video Storage also features an eSATA interface that increases the data transfer speed to and from a computer by three times that of a USB 2.0, which is ideal especially when downloading several hours of footage. This advanced support feature makes transferring footage less frustrating and time consuming for the user.

The NEXTO Video hard drive is available in 160 GB, 250 GB, 320 GB or 500 GB, so you get to choose the capacity that best fits your specific storage needs. It is also forward compatible to 2TB (terabytes), which can store approximately 31 hours of raw video. NEXTO Video Storage can store all types of files: video footage, photos, data, music, movies and games, so it can easily serve as an external hard drive for backup at home or work. It is compatible with PC, MAC and UNIX. It is also so compact and lightweight, it fits in the palm of your hand so you can conveniently take your raw footage with you wherever you go.

Prices start at $440 for a 160 GB NEXTO Video Storage and it comes with a one year warranty, a carrying case, long and short USB cords, a USB extension cord, and an AC adaptor. Auxiliary batteries and car chargers are sold separately.