A few technical details and pitfalls

In general, I can associate myself with the reviews here. The SanDisk Media Drive is high-quality, fits comfortably in your hand and is a unter'm line up to 200GB large, mobile FTP server, its battery provides approximately 5-6 hours of the stored data. Because SanDisk but respect. Technical information holds more rain, I want to especially highlight Media Drive technology in detail.

** What's under the hood? **
Under the hood tinkers an ARM Cortex-A8 CPU, which listens to the Description of product "i.MX502" and delivers up to 800MHz. The CPU will also be made 128MB RAM aside. According to Freescale, the processor is primarily characterized by low power consumption. In everyday use the Media Drives and taking into account that the Media Drive is a full mini FTP server, you can confirm the well. The manufacturer BAK Battery Lithium-Ion battery provides 1,500mAh (5,5Wh) at 3.7V and holds approximately 5-6 hours.

The built-WLAN module is named "WG7311-2A" and is produced by the WLAN module manufacturers Jorjin. It supports IEEE 802.11b / g / n. Is sparked in the 2.5GHz band, is encrypted using WEP or WPA. Since the WLAN is basically visible, which is not even switched off, it is recommended to enable encryption. The range of the wireless is amazing for the small device. In free field are approximately 10m in it, in buildings with thin walls approximately 5m. In practice, it is usually located in close proximity to Media Drive, so the range is likely to be rather negligible.

Optionally, there are 32GB / 64GB of internal memory and up to 128GB of external storage via SD card. As a file system exFAT is used. The Media Drive supports the SDXC specification. This allows memory cards up to 2TB. As of March 2014 128GB in size the largest erhältichen SDXC cards. This results in a potential storage capacity of just under 200GB. In terms of entertainment more than enough and thanks to the SDXC specification, the storage volume remains upgradeable. Excellent!

** As the memory cards are included? **
Can be accessed using the SanDisk-app or via FTP client on the Media Drive to, you can find the internal memory of the "/ storage" and the external memory under "/ sdcard". The two storage facilities shall not be included. They are individually mounted and read by Media Drive / described. In particular, if you want to save very large files on the Media Drive, one should note that.

** How fast is the memory? **
Read (via wireless) is with 1,5-2,5MB / s. Download a 1GB large file takes about 10 minutes. The writing speed (WLAN) is comparable. By default, can not be accessed via wireless to the memory when the Media Drive is connected via USB to a PC. Then the Media Drive is loaded as a normal USB 2.0 storage. To charge the battery on one PC but this behavior can also disable (USB access, on / off) in the administration interface. It is advisable to slide because of the quickness large files via the PC to the Media Drive and describe the external memory card via card reader.

** How do I access the Media Drive to? **
A port scan returns the following result:

TCP Port 21 - ftp (interface to the FTP server, only passive mode!)
TCP Port 23 - telnet (remote maintenance via Telnet)
TCP Port 79 - finger (information sharing on the network)
TCP Port 80 - http (port to the HTTP server, administration interface)
TCP Port 113 - ident (determined TCP connections)
TCP Port 513 - login (login for remote shell)
TCP Port 514 - shell (interface for remote shell)
UDP Port 53 - domain (name resolution for access point functionality)
UDP Port 67 - DHCPs (IP assignment)
UDP Port 518 - ntalk (UNIX chat server)
UDP port 1900 - UPnP (device control via UPNP)

Primarily, FTP and HTTP to communicate with the media drive. To access a PC, you have to connect directly to the wireless network provided by the Media Drive. Then you can access via FTP with any FTP client via IP 192.168.11.1 on the data. Per browser, the same IP (and possibly "http: //" prefix) you can access the administration interface - here all settings can be changed, which can be carried out with the app. The app is therefore to configure and to operate not mandatory! As a user name is always "admin", specified as password is "admin" (if the default password has not been changed).

In addition, there is the possibility, via Telnet (TCP, 23) or remote shell (TCP, 513/514) to access the Media Drive. Especially interesting is the access via remote shell (eg. With PuTTY). Through it you get access to LEIMX (embedded Linux), the operating system of the Media Drives. In theory you could now, like a normal Linux installation, install other services (eg. DLNA, SMB ...). However, this possibility is denied due to lack of root access - at least on the fly.

Because of the above processor Freescale provides for a registration Developer software for free download. I have not looked at this in detail. But it turns out at least the theoretical possibility - similar to Android - Custom ROMs for the Media Drive to create. Potentially, you can also force the root access via this route. Anyway, this one needs a profound technical knowledge and if in doubt you destroy Media Drive irreparably.

** And Streaming? **
Looking at the connectivity to just streaming remains via FTP. SMB, DLNA & Co. are not provided. Pity! And who squints when shown above PortScan on UPNP, unfortunately must also be disappointed. For the UPnP service of Media Drives describes only WAN interfaces (presumably to the Media Drive to be used as a WLAN access point) and the aforementioned HTTP interface as a general media interface. Despite FTP also HD movies (1080p) can easily stream. Provided, of course, you will find a compatible player.

Android (March 2014): For Google's mobile operating system, there are very few media players that are able to stream via FTP. In addition, the passive mode of FTP server software choice severely limits. For example, can not use the "DicePlayer" for video playback, since it does not untersützt Passive Mode. However, the "Vidon Player" is a good alternative that will work fully with the Media Drive. For audio playback, there is, however, hairy - I have not found a good player. So stay only file explorer such as the "ES File Explorer", the streaming media files, although support (even on any third-Apps via "play with"), but which lack typical features of a media player (eg Media Library) entirely. Currently I invite therefore easy music to my phone now and play it with "power amp" from.

iOS (as of March 2014): I own no iOS device. I've read that the "nPlayer" can be used for video playback. Regarding audio player I know, unfortunately, nothing to report.

Since it is generally a lack of good and compatible media players, I think it would be great if you could briefly functioning Apps Report by the comment. That would be great!

** Why is the Media Drive a WLAN Access Point? **
This detail goes down very quickly. The reason why the Media Drive is equal to a wireless access point, is the following: The Media Drive is a private Wi-Fi. Once a terminal (PC, mobile phone, ...) connects to the WLAN of the Media Drives, it will automatically be used to connect to the Internet. Is an Internet-enabled wireless within reach, can be configured in the administration interface of Media Drives. Connected devices then use the Media Drive as an access point to the Internet. If no Internet-enabled WLAN available, lose especially mobile devices such as smartphones by the wireless connection to the Media Drive your internet connection via mobile network.

Debt is here but not the Media Drive, but the operating systems of mobile devices. Because the switch in order to save battery and from a (supposedly) faster data connection, the data reception via mobile network as soon as they are connected to a WLAN. SanDisk is trying to pick up this disadvantage with the access point. This only works when web-enabled WLAN connections in the vicinity. If not, you have no data connection to the Internet while you are connected via Wi-Fi with the Media Drive. Apps like WhatsApp, Facebook & Co. will no longer function. Meanwhile, you have to be aware of.

** Which application areas are there? **
Actually, the Media Drive is a perfect travel companion. A pocket-media server that has earned 5 stars and unparalleled. Actually. Because there is a major drawback. And these are the missing streaming possibilities. Only offer the FTP application greatly restricts and puts a weakness of the Media Drives, namely the low literacy rate, rather strongly to the fore. For small files does not hurt. I myself use the Media Drive to have especially my music library with me and individual albums are afloat downloaded on's mobile device. After downloading the wireless connection is lost, thus described above problem with the missing data connection rather uncritically.

But at least if you want to watch series and films, large files has, downloading does not make sense or simply takes too long and you're really dependent on the advertised streaming, it is severely limited by the lack of streaming options. Ultimately, the results for me to be penalized. DLNA / UPNP & Co. are nowadays a must. The SanDisk app can not replace. Although it is streaming, but is not a true media player. SanDisk would have done a favor to leave this field to existing streaming apps and integrate more streaming options in the Media Drive. Hopefully SanDisk delivers to here. For the Media Drive is to be a great product.

In short: If you travel a lot, this looks like a few episodes and movies and can live with the limited app offering, is well advised with the Media Drive. Far away from electrical outlets, it is advisable to buy an external battery (eg. Of anchor). Also known as storage for own Musibibliothek, the Media Drive can be used limited. As a mobile storage for small files (documents & Co.), it is also well suited.