BlackBerry® PlayBook™

[DavidKW]

Can I connect a digital camera to a Playbook (using a suitable cable or adaptor) and transfer the video and photograph files to the Playbook (for viewing and later transfer to PC)?

[I'm thinking of buying a Playbook - its 64G capacity would be great for this use - but there would be very little point if, as seems to be the case from what I can see on the Blackberry web site, it cannot do this basic function]

Thanks in anticipation.

[Wolf359]

It can be done, but not in that way.

See here:

http://btsc.webapps.blackberry.com/btsc/viewdocument.do?externalId=KB26068&sliceId=2&cmd=displayKC&d...

You would connect the camera or sd card to a computer and then transfer the files to the playbook.  You can't connect the camera or sd card directly to the playbook.

[hvacdon]

Unfortunately there is no direct way to do this with a playbook.  In addition to my two playbooks, I have a Samsung 10.1 tablet, which has a sd card and usb adapter (and their 7" has a built in removable sd card) .... I have used it a number of times and works well.   However, overall the pb is a the better tablet purchase imo.

For my pb, for large file storage upload/download and streaming, I use a Seagate "Satellite" wireless hard drive.  I am not sure if anyone has tried it, but perhaps a wireless enabled camera sd could connect thru to a wireless hard drive, and indirectly copy to the pb. I assume it is portability that folks want, and this arrangement may work.  It might be easier to carry around a netbook pc.  Prior to tablet life, I used my netbook on trips to transfer and store camera data.

[DavidKW]

Thanks for the prompt response - very impressive. However, the point is that I want to connect to the Playbook - if I'm going to lug a computer around with me, then there's no point in having a tablet. Still, I think you've answered the question by saying it can't be done. I'm baffled as to why manufacturers wouldn't provide such an obvious facility, but you've probably saved me £140 on what would for me be a pretty useless device. Thanks again for the prompt response.

[hvacdon · Accepted solution]

I agree....even though most of us on this forum love our playbooks, they may not be the best solution for everyone.  The Samsung tablet sounds like a good match for what you want to do....check it out....they are a good tablet as well!

[DavidKW]

Thank you. Ironically, I have previously used my wife's Samsung 10.1 in just the way youy describe. As you say, it works, though I find having to fiddle with taking the micro card in and out of the camera and adaptor a bit clumsy. The Playbook with its 64G capacity and smaller size would have suited me better - if it only worked! Looks like I will have to settle for scrounging my wife's Samsung when I go away!

[hvacdon]

Well if you are already a Samsung family, check out the 7" galaxy tab....it has a built in sd slot for external storage.  I was playing with one last week.  Not as neat at a pb, but works.  Not sure of the internal storage but if it is only 16gb, it may not be of much benefit for storage of large numbers of camera files, which I assume is one of your objectives.  Why don't you just buy more or larger sd cards and review or backup the data when you get home?

[DavidKW]

Well, I'm really impressed by all the prompt, helpful replies.   Perhaps I should explain.  When I go off on my paragliding holidays I use a helmet camera to take video and large numbers of stills pictures.  It would be really good at the end of each day to transfer the files to a device where I could review them and clear the card in the camera for the next day.  I thought a tablet would provide me with

a)    an entertainment centre with books and music for bad weather days

b)    a means to video chat with 'er back home

c)    a store for the video and photo files, and a way of looking at them

all in one compact, light form - which is very important to me when I'm travelling alone.

A laptop will do this, but I don't want to carry around more than I have to.  The Blackberry Playbook looked like a perfect solution (especially with 64G storage for HD videos) at a lower price than rivals, but it seems that it doesn't really do b, and doesn't do c.  With the Samsung Galaxy 10.1, I can do a and b, and , with a bit of fiddling, c.  I'll have to take a look at the 7".   Shame, as the Blackberry looked really good. 

[knottyrope]

There are wifi sd card readers. 

http://www.airstash.com/

[DavidKW]

Very clever little device.  I never cease to be amazed by modern technology.  Thanks for the pointer  - it's been very interesting looking into this.  All the same, I think the best solution for me will be to connect to a Samsung using a connector which I have got for about £2.  It's a pity that there doesn't seem to be any similar low cost adaptor or cable for the Playbook - one day perhaps!