Max disk size on HX4700 expansion slot?

[mlosee222]

I am wondering how big of a disk I should buy for my HX4700. I would like to get an 8GB SD Card, but want to make sure it will be compatible first. I am going with an SD card and not a microdrive because I heard the SD card is much better for battery life.

However, if it turns out the microdrive can be 8GB and and the SD card only 2gb, I may want the microdrive.

I went to HP's website and talked to a "sales representative" who told me it was 2GB. I'm not sure his answer is correct though because he also told me that I can only use Compact Flash Type II and not CF Type I (aka SD cards).


Who's got a definite answer for me?

[buckyg]

As far as I know, the maximum size of an SD card is 4GB. Anything larger is the SDHC format, which is not compatible with PPCs. (If I am wrong on this, someone please correct me).

What I have in my iPAQ hx4705:
- Veritech 4GB SD card
- Seagate 8GB Microdrive in the CF slot

Both work just fine for me.

Hope that helps!

[Nurhisham Hussein]

I went to HP's website and talked to a "sales representative" who told me it was 2GB. I'm not sure his answer is correct though because he also told me that I can only use Compact Flash Type II and not CF Type I (aka SD cards).

For the CF, you've got the wrong information. The 4700 can handle both Type I (standard compact flash) and Type II (microdrives and CF peripherals). Both are used in the CF slot - the Type I and II terminology is always used in reference to CF not SD. The theoretical maximum size for CF-based cards is based on the file system (FAT32) which is 32GB, though for practical purposes IIRC, you can go much higher.

For SD, buckyg is both right and wrong, while the HP rep gave the correct 'official' compatibility. The SDA ver 1 specification for Secure Digital set the maximum size of SD cards at 2GB. 4GB was achieved my manufacturers through a fudge, by essentially stacking 2x2GB cards. Unfortunately, because there was never any official standard for this, compatibility was hit or miss with 4GB cards. SDA ver 2 (aka SDHC) has a maximum of 32GB - your 8GB SD card is most definitely SDHC and thus not compatible with the 4700.

FWIW, the increase in battery drain from using a microdrive versus a flash based solution isn't that significant (I've got both a Seagate ST1 and a Transcend CF, both 8GB). On a continuous use basis, the power drain is grossly similar. The big difference is in initial disk access, where you get hit by the requirement to spin up the platter in a microdrive. So if your use entails constant disk access (internet browsing for instance) as opposed to continuous (watching a movie), than flash makes sense. For something like playing music, I think it's wash. I actually think the buying decision should be based on price versus robustness - is the lower price worth more to you than the microdrive's increased fragility?

[buckyg]

Thanks, Nurhisham, I figured there was some technical detail I would be off with.

Like you say about microdrive and battery drain, it seems negligible to me. I use my microdrive for music and videos. The players I am using do have buffering options that help with using a microdrive so that it's accessed only when needed.

In any case, hope the information helps, mlosee222.

[mlosee222]

thank you for the informative posts!

[roadrunnr_23]

I recently purchased a 2Gb SD card for my 4705 and can only seem to access up to 500Mb. Is there something I'm missing?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Cybrid]

I recently purchased a 2Gb SD card for my 4705 and can only seem to access up to 500Mb. Is there something I'm missing?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.Have tried it through a card reader on a PC?
Back up and data and then re-format the card through your pc. That'll probably clear the "hole".

[roadrunnr_23]

Worked great, thanks...

[KTamas]

I am using a 4 GB A-Data 120x CF card in my hx and while the speed is far from advertised, it works fine.