Backing up SD cards without a computer used to be tricky. Now, many companies have developed a number of different ways to get data off the SD card and move it to another place for storage until the data can be downloaded to a computer for storing or reproduced onto a disk.
Transferring Data
Backing up data is important to save the information, but also to clear the card to be able to record more information. This means that you need something with which to transfer the information from the SD card to a secure location. A good card reader is a must for connection to external hard drives. They are lightweight and come in many types and sizes. A small card reader fits nicely into a pocket or purse and does not need to be plugged into an outlet.
External Drives
There are many different types of external hard drives that can be carried easily and make storing data a breeze. External hard drives come in all sizes, capacities and colors. There are large capacity hard drives that can store large amounts of data and then there are small portable hard drives that fit into a pocket or purse.
Just put the SD card into the card reader and plug the USB connector into a portable hard drive or photo bank and your data is saved. There are many types of portable hard drives for digital memory back up. Some photo banks even come with their own card reader as part of the assembly. Choose the device that fits your need. If the hard drive is to be used to back up data while you are on vacation or away for a short time, then choose a light compact model that travels well. If the data is to be stored for a longer time period and you need more space, then choose a model that has a larger capacity for storage.
All in Ones
There are other devices that offer ease and simplicity. No need for a card reader because it is already built into the product. Photo banks, multimedia storage devices and portable SD storage devices offer storage with the card reader built into the device. Digital wallets are always a good choice because they are compact and easy to use. "PC Magazine's" Michael J. Miller in his Forward Thinking column wrote about backing up data in his article "A Digital Camera in Every Pocket, Back 'Em Up." He gave thumbs up to several options for backup "which have multiple gigabytes of storage and media card slots. So on a trip you can take a 16MB card and reuse it by off-loading images ..."
Compatibility
When looking at the options for backup storage, remember to check whether the device is compatible with the equipment it will be connected with. If the stored files are to be downloaded to a computer, then the device needs to be compatible with the computer model. Some devices require software to be installed to work properly. Research the product's reliability by checking with an organization such as Consumer Reports or reading product reviews in computer magazines.
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