The use of portable media is widespread, whether it is for an MP3 player, a digital camera, or simply for transferring files between computers. There are several types of portable media inputs available.
The USB input is the most popular portable media input for computers. The Universal Serial Bus input improves plug-and-play compatibility, making it easy to connect devices to a computer without requiring additional software or restarting the computer.
USB flash drives are a popular form of USB input, but other hardware and programs also use this type of connection. For instance, MP3 players and portable video players use USB connections to connect to computers, while computer speakers, monitors, and printers use USB inputs.
Another type of portable media input is the SD card, short for Secure Digital. SD cards are a common method of data storage for different types of digital media, such as digital cameras, GPS devices, and PDA computers.
The top cards can hold multiple gigabytes of information. Many computers come with built-in SD card readers, and SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) cards are also popular, capable of handling more than ten gigabytes of data using the FAT32 file system.
One of the most commonly used portable media inputs for computers is memory stick compatibility, as it can be easily transported and can store large amounts of data. It can write around two megabytes of information per second and transfer even more megabytes per second.
Memory sticks have evolved over time, with an original stick able to handle just 16 megabytes of data, whereas a Memory Stick PRO can now handle over a gigabyte, and a Memory Stick Micro, which is smaller in size, can theoretically store up to 32 gigabytes of data.
CompactFlash is another portable media input for computers, particularly used for digital cameras. Many computers now have built-in inputs for CompactFlash cards, which can hold up to four gigabytes of data. Professional film development stores can also read CompactFlash cards, allowing for easy printing of pictures from this input.
The SmartMedia card is another portable media input for computers, popular among digital cameras. However, it’s important to consider that some devices can only handle five-volt cards and not 3.3-volt cards. Most computers with this input can handle cards of either voltage.
The popularity of portable media is due to its convenience in storing and transferring data between computers. These five commonly found portable media inputs for computers not only allow for reading data on cards and devices, but also provide easy connectivity for equipment that uses them.
