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After
you have taken enough photos to fill out up your memory
cards you need to transfer them to a computer or printer.
There
are several ways to do this. |
Almost
every digital camera
on the market today has a USB port. This allows the camera to be
connected directly to a computer for image downloads. There are
two versions of USB – USB 1.1 and USB 2.0. High-end cameras
are usually equipped with USB 2.0 because the transfer rate is up
to 10 times faster than USB 1.1. Budget cameras usually have USB
1.1 – adequate, but other options may be more attractive.
Rather
than reading the images directly from the camera, they can also
be read from the memory card. Most multimedia notebook and desktop
computers can read cards directly. If this is not the case you may
need an external card reader.
Card
readers are one of the most efficient ways to transfer images. Simply
take the card out of your camera and pop it into the reader. Most
card readers have a variety of ports designed for different kinds
of memory cards. Card readers are almost always equipped with USB
2.0 or FireWire -- an equally fast data transfer protocol. They
are quite reasonably priced.
One
of the advantages of USB devices is that they can be connected to
the computer while it is turned on. The computer will recognize
the card reader as an external storage device and allow you to transfer
data to any location on the computer's hard drive.
Other
Options
For
most people, storing images on a computer hard drive is the most
practical solution. Computer storage allows images to be edited,
sent as e-mail attachments, or posted to a web site.
However,
there are other ways to download images from your camera. Cameras
with a PictBridge or USB Direct Print can be connected directly
to a compatible printer for direct printout. This is a very convenient
way to download pictures but by doing so, you miss out on the opportunity
to edit them on the computer.
Another
way to transfer images is to use the camera's video output to connect
it to a TV, VCR, or DVD burner. Images could be captured on videotape
or burned to DVD, or simply viewed as a slideshow on a TV screen.
Some cameras are equipped with an infrared remote control which
allows you to flip through the pictures from your armchair.
Portable
Storage
Portable
storage devices are specifically designed to hold large numbers
of images so that they can later be transferred to a computer. They
are primarily aimed at the professional photographer who shoots
several gigabytes of photographs per day. These devices are also
useful when you are on vacation and taking lots of photos and don't
have easy access to a computer.
These
devices have an internal hard drive and are powered with rechargeable
batteries. They read the camera's memory cards so that they can
be erased and used again. They are often equipped with a LCD viewing
screen so that images can be previewed. Images are transferred to
the computer by USB 2.0 or FireWire.
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Related
Articles
Here's additional information on digital photography and cameras.
Digital
Camera Buying Guide – Part 1
The Difference
Between Preview Screens and Viewfinders
How to Print
Your Digital Images: Part 1
Everything You Need
to Know About Shutter Speed
The Secrets to Transfering
Images Fast
Get the Most Our of Your Tripod
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