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Leaf River PV-2.5
Read our 2009 Hand Held
Photo Viewer Overview and Analysis
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This is number five in our series of viewer
reviews. I have seen just about everything on the market but we
still have a couple more coming. Feature wise, this viewer has a ton
of options that are not on others. The one thing that I liked is
that you can turn the viewer to the “on” position and it will Q you
to insert the card. Others you have to start and stop in the off
position. Other viewers have just SD card slot (most popular) and
some have both SD and CF card slots. This viewer has a place to
insert CF 1&2, Multimedia, Smart Media, and Memory Stick type cards.
USB and TV out plus a CD are included in the box. This is a textured
grey plastic case that is non reflective. It measures 4 ½ X 3 ¼ X 1
1/8th inches and has a fold up 2.5 inch view screen. In the open
position there is a joy stick left/right and up/down section with
the OK (enter) in the center. Just below that is three buttons that
are labeled video/pic, copy, and display. The front of the case has
the card slots and the power on indicator and charge lamp. Right
side has the charge/off/power switch, video out, ext DC 5v in, and
video in. There is a USB port along the left side. This is the next
first in the series. This viewer uses AA batteries and has the
option to use rechargeable NiMH AA cells with the use of an optional
charger that has a center positive plug that matches the DC in port
on the right side of the camera. Incorporated into the battery setup
is a “no loose” lid that slips forward and hinges back to insert and
remove the batteries. No more lost battery covers. Make sure if you
have a 5v charger that will work that you do not try to charge
alkaline cells because things will get squirrelly very quickly.
Recharge the NiMH type only when using this setup or charge the
cells externally in a proper AA charger designed for that type of
battery. There is not a standard so far in the industry that says
that all pictures will be this type and all videos will be this
type. As a result of this, most of the card readers tested so far is
becoming brand specific though all seem to have no problem with
viewing the JPG format. It is in the different video formats that
seem to present a problem. Brand new alkaline AA energizers in its
holder and the switch to the on position it tells me to insert the
card. At this point is where the explanation of the joy stick
(navigator) has to start. I tried it both ways with the card out and
power on and with the power off and both methods work, As easy as it
is to switch on and off I will have to go with the old school and
start with card in and switch off. Turn the switch to the on
position and the files show up on the screen. Toggle to the file you
want to view and hit the OK button. Navigate to the picture you wish
to view and hit the OK button. From then on you can hit the
left/right and move through the pictures. When you find a picture
that needs a little closer inspection you can hit the up button and
the picture will zoom. Once you have hit the zoom button the
left/right buttons become the pan adjustment to view left and right
areas on the pictures. You can install two cards (of different type)
and the screen will make you select which card you wish to view. You
can use the dual card to do the copy function also. The video test
card that I have here on my bench is from a Scoutguard and this
player cannot copy it. I am going to have to make a Leaf River Video
to test this feature.05-03-2009
update: Another hair pulling round with a stack of cards
with every kind of video made by all current scouting cameras. The
first of this round was cards from old and new Leaf River cameras.
These along with all the other cards and formats failed to play on
this viewer. We are going to have to reduce this device as being a
picture JPG viewer only. In that respect it seemed to do a very good
job once the procedure became second place. We especially liked the
range of acceptable cards that this viewer would accept. We have as
of now, not had any one of the viewers that would play the Leaf
River ASF videos other than our lap tops with card readers. We will
keep trying to find a viewer that will work with this format.
05-08-2009 update: We never did manage to view a
video so this is classed as only a picture viewer. Having some unique features
like card ports and fold up design and hooked on battery lid showed that a lot
of thought went into the design. A little harder to use than most and the stiff
joy stick setup was aggravating at times but we managed to keep from pitching it
in the creek. If we could have made things work as it was suppose to we would
probably thought more highly of this viewer. This review is closed
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