Home > Camera Features > Essential Accessories > Memory card readers
Essential Accessories
Article Tools
Memory card readers
A memory card reader connects to the USB port on a computer. Upon inserting a memory card into its slot, images are transferred from devices such as digital cameras, video camcorders and MP3 players. Depending on your operating system, you may have to install a driver for the card. For some operating systems, such as Windows ME or XP, no driver is required. The driver either comes with the card reader or can be downloaded from the manufacturer's website.
Memory card readers come in two styles: those for a single-type memory card and multi-card readers that accept several different types of cards. When purchasing a card reader designed for the faster USB 2 ports, make sure it is backwards compatible to USB 1 if you don't have an USB 2 port on your computer.
Advantages of memory card readers
The main advantage of using a memory card reader, rather than the cable which comes with a digital camera, is that you will not put extra drain on the camera batteries. Using a card reader can also reduce wear and tear on the hinges and the terminals within the cameras memory card compartment. Some readers transfer images to a computer faster than transfers by your digital camera.
Always check that you are inserting the memory card correctly. If inserted backwards or upside down, it can cause damage to a camera, card reader or the card itself.
Never remove a memory card, or disconnect the reader or camera cable, while images are being transferred to your computer or other storage device. Besides possibly losing images, you can corrupt the card.
