Tab3 8.0 for photo backup

[The Andersons]

I have been looking at tablets for some time now, but in the past none seemed to really do all that I wanted. Recently, though, I have been considering the Galaxy Tab3 8.0. One of the main reasons for getting a tablet would be to replace my netbook computer while travelling. As such it would have three main functions; email, web surfing and backing up memory cards from my camera. The first two I feel are a given with most any tablet out there. It is the last one that has kept me from jumping in up to now.

My backup routine with my Windows netbook is to backup the new files from my memory cards every day or two using copy and paste in Windows Explorer. Typically this is 4 to 8 GB of RAW+JPG files. Since hard drive space is limited in the netbook, I then download them to a USB drive (or go directly from the memory card to the USB drive via the netbook). What I am wondering is; is there anyone out there doing something similar with the Tab3 8.0? I understand that it supports OTG to allow it to act as a USB host, but how is the transfer speed? Is this feasible? Is there a file manager app which works similar to Windows Explorer in that it allows you to select a range of files by selecting the first and last file in the range rather than having to select each file individually or selecting an entire folder?

Any input or advice from experienced users would be greatly appreciated. With Black Friday/Cyber Monday coming up it may be time to pull the trigger.

Thanks,
Richard

 

[bluzman]

This is my personal preference for a file manager: https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...ils?id=com.rhmsoft.fm.hd&hl=en&token=Cb_uMmAV. I've used it on Samsung, LG and Toshiba devices without any issues. BTW, File Manager HD can also be configured to connect the user to cloud storage like Box, Drive, Drop Box, etc. In fact, if you buy a Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 you'll receive 50GB from Drop Box free for two years.

As for using OTG to transfer files, I can't speak for the Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 because I haven't tried it yet. I can say that OTG transferring files from a camera SD card (each file 2 to 3 GB) to the external microSD card on my Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus using File Manager HD has never exhibited what IMO constitutes an excessive amount of time. I assume that the same will be true for my Galaxy Tab 3 8.0. Also File Manager HD allows you to select multiple files before transferring them in a single operation..

 

[The Andersons]

Thanks for the info. I will check out File Manager HD. Does it allow selecting groups of files by just clicking on the first and last file in the group, the way Windows does, or do you need to click on each file to add it to the group? A typical backup for me would be around 400 5 to 15 MB files (approx. 4GB total). Do you have a feel for how long that might take?

Is your Tab 7.0 an older model? I was under the impression that the Tab 3 7.0 does not support OTG.

Richard

 

[bluzman]

Doesn't have the feature to allow selecting groups of files by just clicking on the first and last file in the group. It allows selecting individual files as noted above or can use its Select All feature. I have no idea about how long your typical backup would take but since the app is free, you could install it and experiment.

As for my Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus (GT-P6210), it's a greatly improved version of the original Galaxy Tab 7 (GT-P1000) and in some ways actually has better specs than the subsequent Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 (GT-P3110). Although the GT-P6210 originally came with Honeycomb 3.2, Samsung upgraded to Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0.4) via OTA. I then rooted mine and installed Jelly Bean 4.1.2.

 

[Mark Normand]

Richard, if you don't mind, would like to add a similar q, following this discussion closely w similar needs.

Looking at latest Tab3 7" model, to carry in field to use to view my game camera pics.
Also could have 200-400 files easily per camera. Using the mini USB port, will it accept an external SD card reader with mini USB jack? Can the Tab power the card reader ok?
Can I simply run the photos on the SD card into the Tab using this method? Then delete everything on the card.

Then after viewing later, can I easily delete all or large groups of these photos easily on the Tab?
All my experience is Apple, no Android exp yet.

I'm using an IPad2 to do this now, works well, except can't delete the large batches easily, or find a method to do so. Wife would prefer the Ipad stay at home with her rather than at camp, lol.

Thanks to all... First post here, Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[The Andersons]

Mark;

I do not yet own a tablet, so I am sure there are many out there who are much more knowlegable than me, but it is my understanding that OTG is only supported by the 8 and 10" Tab 3s, not the 7".

As far as what you want to do with the tablet, it sounds like you are trying to do much the same as I am. I have yet to find a file manager app which allows selection of a range of files within a folder, which would simplify backing up, say, a day's worth of shooting from a card with several day's worth of images. All I have looked at so far require you to either select the entire folder or select the files on at a time. There are probably workarounds, but it would be most convenient to just select the first and last files in the group you wanted to copy and have everything in between selected automatically.

As far as the actual connectivity issues, I have read enough to believe that the Tab3 8.0 is capable of transferring the files from the camera card to the internal SD card and then out to an external backup at an acceptably fast rate. I am only looking at this as a backup for my photos taken while travelling. I do not want to delete the original images from the camera cards until I am back home and have them downloaded, stored and backed up on my PC. I'm paranoid that way. And Happy Thanksgiving to you (even though ours was last month).

 

[Mark Normand]

Thank you Richard for your reply. I think I will look hard at the 8.0 instead now. I saw some SD card readers on amazon that specifically mentioned working with the OTG Samsung.
Going to stores today to look at them closely.

 

[mark_rider]

hi this is exactly what i done with my Tab 3 8.0
i got a small mini usb to to full size lead from ebay about ?2.99 then either pluged my camera straight in or read from a card reader work perfeclty

mark