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Toshiba PDR-M70 Toshiba brings true photographic features to their new 3 flagship model! Select a topic 13. Reference: Datasheet 14. M70 Sample Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Image Storage & Interface :(Previous) | (Next): Test Results & Conclusion>> Page 11:Video, Power, Software Review First Posted: 8/17/2000

Video Out
The PDR-M70 comes equipped for both NTSC and PAL video formats, configurable via the Setup menu. US and Japanese models ship with the appropriate NTSC cables, and the European models with PAL cables. By attaching the camera to a television set, you can record and review images using the television screen as an enlarged version of the LCD viewfinder. You can also record your movies and sound clips to video tape by hooking up a VCR. (The A/V out cable for the M70 has separate audio and video connectors.


Power
For power, the PDR-M70 utilizes a PDR-BT2 lithium-ion battery pack, which comes with the camera. An AC adapter also comes with the camera, and serves as the mechanism for charging the battery. You simply connect the power cord to the camera and the battery charges. in-camera charge time is approximately 4 hours for a fully depleted battery. (The optional external charger will fully charge a battery in about 70 minutes.) Alternatively, you can use the AC adapter for downloading and reviewing images, to save on battery power. An automatic shutoff powers the camera down if inactive for a preset period of time. Through the Setup menu, you can adjust this time period from one to three minutes. Power consumption in various operating modes is detailed in the chart below, measured at the external power connector, at the specified 5v supply voltage.

Operating Mode	Power Drain
Capture Mode, w/LCD	860 mA
Capture Mode, no LCD	630 mA
Half-pressed shutter w/LCD	910 mA
Half-pressed w/o LCD	675 mA
Memory Write (transient)	860 mA
Flash Recharge (transient)	920 mA
Image Playback	620 mA
Sound Recording w, w/o LCD	520/280 mA
Sound Recording, w, w/o LCD (Estimated battery power)	600/330 mA

These figures show the PDR-M70 to be a rather power-hungry digicam, particularly given the relatively limited capacity of the small battery pack it uses. (Increasingly popular among digicam manufacturers, despite the much greater power capacity of the more traditional pack of 4 AA NiMH cells.) Even with the LCD monitor turned off, power consumption was fairly high. We'd estimate maximum run time with the LCD monitor on as about 1 hour, or about 1.5 hours with it off. Toshiba rates the battery capacity at 110 images with the LCD on, or 165 images with it off. Given the way people tend to use digital cameras, we really discount ratings specified in terms of the number of pictures that can be taken, and would much prefer to see manufacturers rate their cameras in terms of run time: It's really uncommon for users to turn the camera on, snap a picture, and then turn it right off again. More often the camera stays on for fairly long periods of time between shots, and much time is spent viewing images on the LCD screen. (After all, that's probably a large part of why you wanted a digicam in the first place!)


Included Software
A software CD ships with the PDR-M70 and includes ImageExpert, QuickTime and a USB driver, for both Windows and Macintosh platforms (Windows 95/98/NT 4.0/NT 2000 and Macintosh OS 8.1 and higher). With ImageExpert, you can organize your still images into albums, perform minor corrections, set images up for printing and play back your movies. A USB cable is included with the camera for connection to a computer, but you can also purchase a floppy adapter for the SmartMedia card.