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01/28/2007 01:20:06 PM · #1 |
I picked up a generic USB card reader on ebay a few months ago, and although it claims to be a USB 2.0 reader, it seems pretty slow when copying files from my cards to my computer. A 14mb raw file takes about 5 seconds to transfer. Does this seem right? I ask because I know that when I update my ipod, 7 or 8mb song files transfer at a blazing speed. Is there any way for me to test if the reader is actually usb 2.0, or does this seem to be the average transfer time.
If it helps, i'm transferring from a sandisk extreme 3 card.
thanks,
mike |
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01/28/2007 01:25:43 PM · #2 |
There are two different kinds of USB 2.0: Full Speed and Hi-Speed. Full Speed is actually USB 1.1 and tops out at 12Mbps. That's probably what yours is. With a Sandisk Extreme III, you really need a Firewire reader for fastest transfer rates.
Message edited by author 2007-01-28 13:25:55. |
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01/28/2007 01:38:29 PM · #3 |
14MB in 5 seconds seems too fast for USB 1.1; that's 2.8MB/s, or 22.4Mb/s. It's still very slow compared to FireWire readers. I transfer about 10MB/s off of Sandisk UltraII cards with my Lexar RW019 reader; that's limited by the card. The RW0-19 reader is not the fastest available today, either.
FWIW, USB in general has a reputation for not living up to its rated specs, and the disingenuous labeling of devices doesn't help the perception any. |
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01/28/2007 02:47:58 PM · #4 |
To get the benefit of USB 2.0 you have to have the following
- USB 2.0 device
- USB 2.0 capable port on your computer. this requires
--- USB 2.0 controller
--- USB 2.0 drivers
- Any USB hub used must also be USB 2.0 capable (this includes most front mounted ports on desktop computers)
Simply put ... you probably should have a computer less that a year old or an older high end computer or an older yet computer but with a USB 2.0 card installed, Windows 2000 or XP or Vista or MacOS 10.3ish to even have USB 2.0 support. If you have this, try plugging the device directly into the back of the computer if it is a desktop or directly into a laptop.
Wow, that turned into way more info than I intended. Hope it helps.
Message edited by author 2007-01-28 14:49:25. |
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01/28/2007 04:37:01 PM · #5 |
I may be wrong but I think no one has expressed this ... the USB ports in the FRONT of my computer, do, on some occasions, give me the warning that they are not HIGH SPEED USB ports and it is sensed that I DO have high speed USB ports on my computer and recommends the use of those. I have 2 in the front and 4 in the back and never get that warning when plugging stuff in the USB ports in the back and they seem to work faster.
I post this just in case you are plugging your card reader in the front. I also have a card reader and have since bought a short USB extension cord to have faster transfer (and of course the lack of looking at that warning) on my computer while still retaining the ability to push in memory cards at a convenient location (just right of my keyboard) rather than having to stand up to reach the short card reader supplied cord length.
Message edited by author 2007-01-28 16:40:02. |
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