Connecting your camera to a computer using USB (Universal Serial Bus) makes for much faster transfers, about 10 times faster than on RS232 serial ports. Most computers manufactured in the last few years have USB ports (usually on the back). Since the connectors are quite small many users are unaware that they have this capability. The connectors look like small rectangular holes about one half inch by one quarter (12 x 5mm). To use the USB port you will need a camera with a USB connector, a special cable (usually supplied with the camera) and be running Windows 98 or later on your PC.

Cameras vary in how easy it is to use USB. The most straightforward models allow you to see the card inside the camera as if it is in a card reader. It will look like a disc drive and usually be labeled 'Removable Disc' in Windows Explorer. You can open files directly or explore using regular programs. Other cameras require use of special software to read images over USB. This can be inconvenient and you may find it easier to use an external card reader. Although many digital cameras come with TWAIN interface software it is best to avoid using it since it will damage your pictures.

That being said the USB interface is not that fast and it is usually better to download the images to you computer before working with them. In many cases this will also conserve the cameras batteries. The simplest way to make the transfer is to use the Digital Camera Wizard in Ulead Photo Explorer.

Some cameras allow you to transfer images from the computer to the camera and all card readers allow you to write images to memory cards. If you want to do this be careful though! There are restrictions on the size, type and name of files that your camera can read and display. In general you should only put images that were taken using the camera back on the camera. Cameras, unlike computers, are very limited in the types and sizes of JPG files they can display. Cameras typically follow strict naming and numbering conventions for images and are unable to recognize images with other names. Don't worry though, you will not damage the camera if you make a mistake.