A Card Reader is a device, typically having USB interface for accessing data on memory card. Such as CompactFlash (CF), Secure Digital (SD) or Multi-Media Card (MMC). Most card readers also offer write capability and together with card, this can function as pen drive. In this page we talk about Card Reader | The USB Multimedia SD Card Reader.
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Card Reader:
A card reader is a data input device that reads data from a card-shaped storage medium. The first were punched card readers, which read the paper or cardboard punched cards that were used during the first several decades of the computer industry to store information and programs for computer systems. Modern card readers are electronic devices that can read plastic cards embedded with either a barcode, magnetic strip, computer chip or another storage medium.
A small USB plug-and-play device used to read, copy and backup data from portable flash memory cards such as an SD Card, Mini-SD, Micro-SD, SIM and others that are used in a wide variety of consumer electronics products. Modern card readers are electronic devices that can read plastic cards embedded with either a barcode, magnetic strip, computer chip or another storage medium. A memory card reader is a device used for communication with a smart card or a memory card.
A memory card reader is a device used for communication with a smart card or a memory card. A magnetic card reader is a device used to read magnetic stripe cards, such as credit cards.[1] A business card reader is a device used to scan and electronically save printed business cards.
A memory card reader is a device, typically having a USB interface, for accessing the data on a memory card such as a CompactFlash (CF), Secure Digital (SD) or Multi-Media Card (MMC). Most card readers also offer write capability, and together with the card, this can function as a pen drive.
Types of Card Reader:
Here we Describe Some Card Readers with its Description, Features and Speed etc. All about Card Reader types are given below:
1. Pro-Grade Digital CFexpress Type B & SD Reader:
It is not cheap but this is best card reader you can buy. With many current high end cameras now utilizing both CFexpress and SD card formats. It makes sense to get a card reader that also takes both standards. This offering from Prograde Digital is a high quality choice and ideal match for today’s mirrorless and DSLR cameras.
It measures a discrete 68 x 68 x 19mm and comes with a handy stick on metal plate for attaching to your computer. That has a magnetic base for tucking it out of harm’s way. The CFexpress slot sits at the top of reader, while SD slot is located below.
The readers employs a fast USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface and we clocked CFexpress read or write speeds of 687MBs or 645MBs a respectable performance. In addition to a USB Type-C connector cable, there’s also a Type-A cable in box for attaching to older computers.
| Card types supported | UHS-I & UHS-II SD, SDHC, SDXC, CFexpress Type B |
| Connection type | USB Type-C, Type-A |
| Speed | USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
Features:
- Hugely fast
- USB 3.2 connection can bottleneck speed
- Good quality
- Pricey
- SD and CFexpress compatible
- Doesn’t support XQD
What’s also hugely useful is aforementioned modular aspect which means you can buy specific readers to suit your needs. So if you have more microSD cards than SD cards, you can set up station accordingly. Or you could plug in eight cameras via USB-C and download images from all of them simultaneously. If that’s sort of thing you’re in a position to do. Modules can also be used standalone, so you could take single reader on a shoot and then reconnect it to main dock later.
The whole thing does need power to run, as it’s more complex than other SD readers. There’s also lack of CFExpress support currently, although, modular design means it would be easy to add this functionality at later date. All this does cost more than other readers on this list and if you are a “one-card, one-camera” type of photographer, it’s almost certainly more than you need.
4. Kingston Nucleum USB Type C Hub:
Kingston’s Nucleum is premium, metal encased hub containing SD and MicroSD ports, plus two conventional USB Type-A ports, full-size HDMI socket, and two USB Type-C ports. One of which used as power socket to connect your MacBook’s charger. There’s a short hard wired cable terminating in USB Type-C plug and all this from a device no larger than some standard card readers.
The SD slot is UHS-II compatible but sadly it couldn’t do justice to our UHS-II test card. Achieving relatively slow video read or write speeds of 189MBs and 179MBs respectively. 164MBs read and 97MBs write rates for image transfers are ok. But still underwhelming. Fortunately if you are using UHS-I SD cards, 96MBs and 83MBs read or write figures are much more respectable.
5. Prograde Digital Thunderbolt 3 CFexpress and XQD Card Reader:
Our number one card reader choice, Prograde’s dual-slot CFexpress and SD card reader. It will struggle to max out transfer speeds of most CFexpress Type B cards. That’s because its USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface tops out at 1.25 gigabytes per second. Whereas many CFexpress cards can reach over 1.6 gigabytes per second. A faster connection is therefore needed, and that’s where Thunderbolt 3 comes in. In our testing, real-world image transfers clocked in at a stellar 846MBs or 693MBs read or write. That’s under 12 seconds to read 10GB worth of images.
Not only can this reader get the most out of a CFexpress B card thanks to its Thunderbolt 3 connection. It’s also compatible with the older but physically interchangeable XQD card format. Useful, as cameras like Nikon Z 6 and Z 7 started out with socket for an XQD card. That was later firmware upgraded to be CFexpress compatible. But frustratingly, majority of CFexpress readers won’t read an XQD card despite the two being physically identical.
This reader from Prograde Digital bucks that trend, but there are a couple of caveats. It won’t read XQD cards out of box. You first need download and install driver from Sony, though prove straightforward process on our Macbook Pro. This reader is relatively big and bulky at 98x98x24mm. But it has magnetic base and comes with metallic sticker to attach to your computer to keep it out of the way.
| Card types supported | CFexpress Type B, XQD |
| Connection type | Thunderbolt 3 |
| Speed | N/A |
Features:
- Quality build
- Hugely fast
- Very expensive
- CFexpress & XQD compatible
- Thunderbolt 3 only not USB
Best Memory Card Readers:
The best memory card readers are an easy way to make sure you can always get your images off your camera. With many laptops eschewing the SD card slot in favor of ever-slimmer designs, having a memory card reader can be practically essential. Sure, there’s always the option to connect via USB, or wirelessly. But in practice this can be fiddly, and sometimes simply whipping the card out is the easier option.
Currently, we think the best overall memory card reader is ProGrade Digital’s CFexpress Type B & SD Reader. While it’s on the expensive side, it provides extremely fast transfer speeds. It is also compatible with the most important current card formats: CFExpress and SD. But we have also included some more affordable options and some that offer different functionality. We are particularly impressed by Kingston Workflow Station, desktop dock that’s modular, meaning you can customize it to suit your card or device setup.
There are absolutely loads of USB card readers out there. Some are small, basically the size of USB flash drive and are priced. Alternatively, there are chunkier readers that basically function as desktop docking stations. These can be really good way to streamline intense workflows. It’s undoubtedly a great way to make sure you’re getting most out of your card speeds, especially if you’ve paid premium for one of best memory cards.
On this list, we’ve made sure to include memory card readers that run gamut in terms of price. But are all of good quality. Different cameras use different card formats, so whether you use a standard SD card, microSD cards, CompactFlash, CFexpress or XQD. There should be a reader on this list for you.
5 things to look for in a card reader:
1. Connection type:
Many card readers now connect to your computer using a USB-C plug. But adapters are readily available to convert to normal USB.
2. USB speed:
USB 3.1 Gen 2 is twice as fast than Gen 1 but few readers use it. Even fewer memory cards are fast enough to exploit Gen 2.
3. UHS-I vs UHS-II:
UHS-II SD cards are faster, and all the readers here are compatible. UHS-I card readers will read UHS-II cards, just slower.
4. Wire it up:
Some readers use a USB cable that’s hard-wired to the reader body. That can be problematic if the cable ever gets damaged.
5. Extra ports:
With fewer and fewer ports on the sides of modern laptops, a card reader hub with extra USB sockets may be just the ticket.
Brief Description on Card Reader:
Card readers are hardware devices that let one write and read data on a memory card. Some card readers have multiple slots for different cards while some have only one card slot. A card reader can standalone device that connects to a computer through USB. It may be integrated into a printer, computer or multi function device. Indeed, most multi function scanners, printers or copiers now have in-built card, readers.
There are different types of card readers. Memory Card Readers devices used with memory cards or smart cards. A Business Card Reader is used to save electronically printed business cards and scan them. A magnetic card reader is used to interpret information on magnetic stripe cards such as credit cards. Once, user is ready to remove card reader, he should ensure to uses “eject” command on computer to do it. This will help avoid data on the card from getting damaged.
The function of a memory card reader is to read data from a memory card. When a memory card is placed into a card reader, it shows on PC as mounted disk. The content of memory card can then be accessed by double-clicking the card’s icon. The card icon can seen on “My Computer” on Window PCs.
Usually, a photo folder may automatically open when one inserts a card reader since most cards frequently contain pictures from digital cameras. This enables an easy medium of importing pictures into one’s photo album on the computer. If one does not desire to transfer photos, one can simply close program and card can still be accessed on computer.
Conclusion:
A card reader is a data input device that reads data from a card-shaped storage medium. The Card Reader is a device, typically having USB interface for accessing data on memory card. Such as CompactFlash (CF), Secure Digital (SD) or Multi-Media Card (MMC). Most card readers also offer write capability and together with card, this can function as pen drive.