Advantages: 15 in 1 Card Reader & Writer, Small & Compact, Fast USB 2.0 & Very Easy To Use Disadvantages: None
The Belkin Hi-Speed USB 2.0 15-in-1MediaReader and Writer lets you simply drag and drop images, music and basically any files or folders to your computer from your PDA or handheld, MP3 player, digital camera, or other device which takes any of the 15 types of storage cards. This makes it very simple and easy to transfer media from one place to another, this is the reason I bought this device.
You can edit and store your files at transfer speeds of up to 480Mbps which is 40 times faster than USB1.1media readers. This MediaReader & Writer lets you transfer files from one mediacard to another and transfer files from all four mediacards simultaneously. It features four dedicated slots for all popular types of media which are:
1- XD Picture Card
2- CompactFlash I
3- CompactFlash II
4- SmartMedia
5- Secure Digital
6- Mini ...
Advantages: small, quick, cheap, does the job Disadvantages: none that I know of
the computer that will need anything extra installed.
Are you with me so far? What this means, is that if I want to transfer photos from my camera to my laptop, I can't do it without an application to IT helpdesk in triplicate, a three week wait and a £25 call out charge on my cost centre.
So the solution they proposed was the Belkin gizmo - to give it its full name the 'High speed USB 2.0 15-in-1MediaReader and Writer'.
What is it?
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It's a little box with four differently shaped slots in the front and a cable running out the back with a USB fixture on the end. You just plug it into your USB port on your computer, put your memory card from your camera into the appropriate slot and 'hey presto' download/upload your photos and transfer the files. Dead simple. Presumably, you can also use it to put photos back onto your stick as ...
Advantages: Good Looking, Lots of options Disadvantages: Could be a touch cheaper...
.
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But why not just transfer using the camera over USB?
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Up to this point, it's why I haven't bought a cardreader - what's the point when you can just hook up your camera and go? Well, now we all have our own cards, it's become simpler to leave the camera in our living area and just pop in our own card when we're taking it out. As the camera now remains in the living area (OK, I'm being pretentious: the lounge), I can just pop out the card and click it into the cardreader when I'm ready to upload the day's snappings!
Also, it's more convenient, as the cardreader remains permanently plugged into a USB port and sits unassumingly on my desk (see attached photo!) All I do is plug a card into the right slot and my computer sees it. No fiddling about round the back with USB leads ...
Product Information for "Belkin USB 8-in-1 Media Reader/Writer Card reader" »
Manufacturer's product description
The Belkin USB 8-in-1 Media Reader & Writer works perfectly with CompactFlash I and II, SmartMedia, Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, IBM Microdrive, Memory Stick, and MagicGate memory media. It allows users to transfer, edit, and store their files at transfer speeds up to 12 Mbps - 40 times faster than through a serial port. The Belkin USB 8-in-1 Media Reader & Writer draws power through the computer's USB port and requires no additional power supply. It features two slots that work with the eight different types of media and offers simple, drag-and-drop file transfer for the most efficient file management and backup.
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