Bit Buddy Guides

SD Card Pool Guide

Organize and manage your SD card collection with Bit Buddy's dedicated SD Card Pool feature.

Note: SD Card Pool is a Bit Buddy Pro feature. If you haven't upgraded yet, you can unlock this and all other Pro features with a one-time purchase.

The SD Card Pool is a specialized feature in Bit Buddy designed specifically for managing SD cards. Whether you're a photographer, videographer, or content creator working with multiple SD cards, this feature provides a dedicated space to organize and track your SD card collection.

What is the SD Card Pool?

The SD Card Pool is a separate section within Bit Buddy that gives SD cards a unique view and organization system. Unlike regular devices, SD cards in the pool receive specialized information fields and display options tailored to how SD cards are typically used.

Adding SD Cards to the Pool

Adding an SD card to the pool is similar to adding a regular device, but with some SD card-specific options:

Step 1: Access the SD Card Pool

Navigate to the SD Card Pool section from Bit Buddy's main navigation. When enabled, the SD Card Pool button will be above the Add Device button.

Step 2: Add a New SD Card

Tap the "+" button to add a new SD card to your pool. You'll be presented with a form specifically designed for SD card information.

Step 3: Enter SD Card Information

Fill in the relevant information about your SD card:

  • Card Name: Give your SD card a descriptive name (e.g., "Camera A - Main" or "Video Shoot Card 1")
  • Capacity: Enter the total storage capacity of the SD card
  • Used Storage: Specify how much storage is currently being used
  • Card Type: Select the SD card type (SD, SDHC, SDXC, etc.)
  • Speed Class: Note the speed class or rating of the card

SD Card-Specific Features

SD cards in the pool have access to specialized information fields not available to regular devices:

Shooting Location Information

One of the unique features of the SD Card Pool is the ability to track shooting location information. This is particularly useful for photographers and videographers who want to remember where specific cards were used.

When viewing an SD card in the pool, you can:

  • Add location information about where the card was used
  • View location details alongside other card information
  • Use location data to organize and find cards from specific shoots

Enhanced Device View

SD cards in the pool receive an updated device view that displays information in a format optimized for SD card management. This view shows:

  • Capacity and used storage amounts
  • Shooting location information
  • Card type and specifications
  • Status and usage information

Organizing Your SD Card Collection

The SD Card Pool makes it easy to organize and manage multiple SD cards:

Naming Conventions

Develop a consistent naming convention for your SD cards. Some suggestions:

  • By camera: "Camera A - Card 1", "Camera B - Card 2"
  • By purpose: "Video Primary", "Photo Backup", "Time-lapse Card"
  • By project: "Project X - Card 1", "Project Y - Card 2"
  • By date: "2024-01-15 Shoot", "2024-02-20 Event"

Tracking Usage

Keep track of which cards are in use, which are full, and which are available for new shoots. Update the used storage amount regularly to maintain accurate information.

Preventing Overwrites

One of the key benefits of the SD Card Pool is helping you avoid accidentally overwriting cards that contain important content. By clearly marking which cards are in use or contain important data, you can prevent costly mistakes.

Workflow Examples

Here are some common workflows for using the SD Card Pool:

Photography Workflow

  1. Before a shoot, check the SD Card Pool to identify available cards
  2. Select cards for the shoot and mark them as "In Use"
  3. After the shoot, update the cards with location information and used storage
  4. Transfer photos to your main storage and update card status
  5. Mark cards as "Available" once content has been safely backed up

Video Production Workflow

  1. Prepare multiple cards for a shoot, marking them in the pool
  2. Use location information to track which cards were used at which locations
  3. After each day of shooting, update card status and storage usage
  4. Keep cards organized by project or shoot date
  5. Only mark cards as available after confirming backups are complete

Best Practices

  • Add All Cards: Add all your SD cards to the pool, even if they're not currently in use
  • Update Regularly: Keep storage usage and status information current
  • Use Location Info: Take advantage of shooting location tracking for better organization
  • Mark Status Clearly: Use status indicators to show which cards are available, in use, or contain important data
  • Review Before Formatting: Always check the SD Card Pool before formatting a card to ensure it doesn't contain important content

Moving Cards Between Pool and Regular Devices

If you need to move an SD card from the pool to regular devices (or vice versa), you can do so by editing the device and changing its type. However, keep in mind that SD cards in the pool have access to specialized features that regular devices don't have.

Upgrading to Bit Buddy Pro

If you're using the free version of Bit Buddy and want to access the SD Card Pool, you can upgrade to Bit Buddy Pro with a one-time purchase. Pro unlocks all features, including:

  • SD Card Pool
  • Parent/Child device relationships
  • Maintenance schedules
  • Additional app icons and widgets
  • Priority support
  • All future features and updates