Quick Tips On Buying A Memory Card

Posted by Georgy | 10/04/2012

By Cecilie Blaber


Most of the electronics today use memory cards to store digital photos, mp3s, videos and other date. Different devices have different memory cards designed for them which varies in their shape, speed and capacity. This guide will provide basic information to help you find the best memory card for your devices.

Being Compatible

Even if a memory card fits into a slot on your devices doesn't necessarily mean it's compatible. Every digital camera or cell phone, etc., are designed to accept specific cards. Before looking, check your devices and find out which one are compatible with each device.

Types of Memory Cards

There are several types of memory cards which have existed. However, not all of them are presently available in the market. There are a few that can still be used for different electronics.

The Secure Digital card is similar to the SDHC. One distinction they however have is that SD stores up to 4GB of data, while SDHC stores 32GB and above. They also have a backwards compatibility attribute such that an SDHC slot could be alternated with an SD card; however, the reverse cannot be possible.

MicroSD as well as MiniSD are lesser adaptations of Secure Digital cards. Devices like mobile phones as well as MP3 players use them. With an adapter, MicroSD can function properly in typical SD card slots.

Other types of memory cards are the compact flash. They are not as widespread as the microSD cards, though people are beginning to know about them. They have a capacity of about 100GB.

Memory Card Speed

The speed of cards determines the rate at which they exchange data with internal memories of devices. Typically, speed is 4-6 MB/s or 9-12 MB/s. Higher speed levels are more favorable for pictures taken in quick sequences.

Class 6 cards, with 6MB/sec speed, are usually the minimum required for HD video shoots.

Class 10 cards, having a speed of 10MB/sec, can effortlessly exceed the customary minimum that complete HD movies require.

UHS-Class 1 cards are the highest speed rating for very high-speed, high resolution digital cameras and professional quality full HD movies.

Internal Storage

Every gadget has an internal memory, comparable to Random Access Memory in computers. The memory is different from other card memories that may be plugged into the gadget. When it is insufficient to store data, it may be necessary to check the device expansion slot.

NAND and NOR are acronyms which explain the different ways that memory cards can write and wipe away data. NOR flash memory used to be suitable for up to 100,000 write-and-erase sequences, though they are not in use anymore. NAND can be used for as much as 1,000,000 write-and-erase sequences. There will be need to purchase new memory cards once their limit is exceeded.

Proper Handling

Mishandling of memory cards like bending or twisting, wetting, getting them dirty and wrong insertion (inserted backwards or upside down), will cause damage not only on the card, but your devices. The biggest danger though, is having your memory card getting lost. There are cases available in various configurations which offer overall protection and easy locating.




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