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General discussion

Card reader

Oct 20, 2004 10:44AM PDT

I've heard both sides. Coming from the experts, do you advise to use one or does it really matter?

Val

Discussion is locked

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Re: Card reader- Yes
Oct 20, 2004 11:22AM PDT

If you have a camera with a cradle that lets you download to the computer, you probably don't need a card reader.

A card reader is very handy if you have to connect the digital camera to the computer with a cable. You use up a lot of camera battery time just downloading the photos.

I find the camera software cumbersome.

I have three digital cameras and one digital camcorder. All with different format memory cards.
I use three computers and they all have card readers.

It is so easy just to pop the card out of the camera and plug it into the card reader and use Windows Explorer to move the photos to where I want them. I store the photos in folders for each camera and within folders that have date names (i.e. 20041020Wedding).

Needless to say, I like card readers.
Your mileage may differ.

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how did you install your card reader
Feb 23, 2005 2:57AM PST

i have a dell computer and i put the card reader into the USB and nothing happend i am not sure how to get it working. Anything you can tell me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time

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Card Reader
Feb 23, 2005 6:42AM PST

If you are using Windows XP, it should detect the card reader when you plug it into the USB port.

If you have Windows 98SE,ME you will need to install some drivers which should have come with the card reader.

The card reader will show up as a hard disk.
You should be able to locate it with "My Computer" or "Windows Explorer".

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Re: Card reader
Oct 20, 2004 12:28PM PDT

I am no expert and don't know what others say but I love my card reader. Bought it right when I bought my camera and it's so much easier than hooking the camera up to the computer. Just pop the card in and the XP camera wizard comes up and in go my pictures.

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I always think it is a mechanical connection, which it is,
Oct 20, 2004 9:48PM PDT

and mechanical connections can wear if used too much. The connection I'm most concerned about is the camera's. If it wears, or is damaged, you're either out of luck or face a repair bill. Thus, I don't take the card out of the camera unless I have to. It is a simple matter to plug the cable in, and download the photos. Even simpler than trying to get the card into a reader right side up. It does use battery power, but the battery can be recharged.

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Re: Card reader
Oct 21, 2004 3:42AM PDT

This isn't from an expert but here is my opinion anyway.

I have three cameras in the family with different memory cards and have never used the camera cables. (One used Ebay camera didn't have one anyway.)
My Viking Intelliflash USB 6 in 1 card reader/writer is always plugged into my desktop. I use it to download the camera files and I use it with a spare 64 MB compact flash card to transfer files to my older laptop. That is, I usually copy update files that I have downloaded on my desktop to the flash card and then use the card in an old card reader that I plug into the laptop.

It may sound odd but my desktop modem is much more reliable than that in the laptop.

Based on Google search information, some cameras do have contact problems but I have had none in cameras or card readers.

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Thank you all..............
Oct 21, 2004 6:46AM PDT

I appreciate your input as always.

Val