New
#1
SmartMedia Card readers for W7/W10 - two options
My vintage guitar gear records tracks to SmartMedia cards (also used in cameras back in the day). I have been searching for 2 days to find a reader that will work with W7. Most of them are for W98/2000. I ended up finding two options and thought I'd share for anyone else looking for a SmartMedia reader:
Option 1 is on Amazon and is (imo) overpriced at $29.99. INDEM All-in-One reader/writer which reads a variety of cards, including SmartMedia, and writes to cards as well. Compatible with W7/W10 and uses USB 2.0/1.1. Has a high rating overall but within the reviews there were some complaints it's made poorly with internal plastic 'guides' askew (for slipping cards in).
Pros:
Reads a handful of card types
USB 2.0 transfer speeds (but also list USB 1.1 so maybe newer cards are read at 2.0 speeds and older SmartMedia cards are read at 1.1 speeds, I don't know)
Writes to cards as well as reads them
Cons:
If'y durability
high price
Option 2 is made by PCcables, online since 1996, a reputable company that makes cables and various products. Their reader only reads SmartMedia cards and CompactFlash cards, and is USB 1.1. Cost is about $18 with shipping. They claim to have tested with VISTA (compatible with W7 too), and W10.
Pros:
Simple design that seems more durable and likely to last and perform reliably over time
Cheaper almost by half
Cons:
USB 1.1 transfer speeds
Only reads, does not write
Limited to SmartMedia and CompactFlash cards.
If you only need to read SmartMedia cards and that's it, then the second choice is probably going to serve you better, as the only advantage of Option 1 in that case, is USB 2.0 speeds. (But that reader might also use USB 1.1 for older cards like SmartMedia, IDK.)
If you'd like a reader with more card formats, OR if you need to also write to your SmartMedia cards, then Option #1 appears to be the only choice for a SmartMedia reader/writer that is compatible with W7/W10.
If anyone knows of another SmartMedia reader that is currently available and known to be compatible with W7/W10, please give a shout out.