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. Another way is to use a memory card reader. These devices cost less than $100. You can take the memory card out of the camera and put it into the reader. Then you can transfer directly into Ulead Photo Explorer using the Digital Camera Wizard function. These devices have very high transfer rates.

Some cameras support the ability to browser the images while they are still in the camera. You have to locate the drive letter or folder that your camera uses to communicate with your computer. The internal folder structure on the camera is also quite complicated in some cases. Performance can also be slow because the image data has to be transferred across the cable to your computer. In general the easiest way is to first transfer all the images from the camera to your PC and then to view them.

Most cameras conform to a standard called JEIDA DCF which explains the layout and naming rules for the camera files. This makes it easy for the Digital Camera Wizard in Ulead Photo Explorer to locate and transfer the files. Even if the layout does not conform, the Wizard will often be able to find the files without a problem.

Due to the way in which Kodak cameras interact with the PC, Ulead Photo Explorer cannot read the camera directly. We are working to fix this problem. All Kodak camera cards can be read correctly when put in a SmartMedia card reader connected to your computer. You may find this to be the easiest solution.