OT: USB 2.0 vs. USB 1.1

  • Thread starter Thread starter Robert Kim
  • Start date Start date
R

Robert Kim

Hi, all. I apologize in advance for the off-topic post but I just don't
know where else to ask this and figured I'd ask the experts here. I've
tried a digital photography newsgroup but have gotten no response.

Please bear with me on this one. I want to buy a digital camera for a
relative who wants a very small camera. So I'm looking at the Casio
EXILIM EX-Z4u digital camera. But I have some questions:

1. This camera is only compatible with USB 1.1, not USB 2.0. Is this, or
will this be, a problem now or in the future?

2. Has anyone here had any experience with this camera you could share
with me? Is it a good camera or a bad one, etc.?

TIA,

Bob
 
Robert said:
Hi, all. I apologize in advance for the off-topic post but I
just don't know where else to ask this and figured I'd ask the
experts here. I've tried a digital photography newsgroup but
have gotten no response. [snip]
TIA,

Bob
Click to expand...
Hi Bob :)
Ask over there again and maybe at 24hoursupport.helpdesk. :)
And their should be www sites to compare cameras. Search google?
 
Hi, all. I apologize in advance for the off-topic post but I just don't
know where else to ask this and figured I'd ask the experts here. I've
tried a digital photography newsgroup but have gotten no response.

Please bear with me on this one. I want to buy a digital camera for a
relative who wants a very small camera. So I'm looking at the Casio
EXILIM EX-Z4u digital camera. But I have some questions:

1. This camera is only compatible with USB 1.1, not USB 2.0. Is this, or
will this be, a problem now or in the future?

2. Has anyone here had any experience with this camera you could share
with me? Is it a good camera or a bad one, etc.?

TIA,

Bob
Click to expand...

I'm using USB 1.1 to transfer my photos from my new Pentax 3.3
megapixel camera to my hard drive, and I haven't noticed any
problems. The transfer times are brief, even with large JPEG images.
On the other hand, I only have a 16 megabyte Flash card. If I had a
128 meg flash card loaded with images, the wait would be a bit
longer. There's nothing wrong with USB 1.1, it's just a little slower
in through-put than USB 2. Whether or not you want to use it depends
on how impatient you are.
 
Hi Bob :)
Ask over there again and maybe at 24hoursupport.helpdesk. :)
And their should be www sites to compare cameras. Search google?
Click to expand...

Hi, Boomer. Thanks for the heads up to 24hourssupport. I did try a
Google search and got a FLOOD of USB sites but none seeming to answer my
query.

My big concern is that I buy this camera and USB 1.1 becomes obsolete and
unsupported.

Bob
 
I'm using USB 1.1 to transfer my photos from my new Pentax 3.3
megapixel camera to my hard drive, and I haven't noticed any
problems. The transfer times are brief, even with large JPEG images.
On the other hand, I only have a 16 megabyte Flash card. If I had a
128 meg flash card loaded with images, the wait would be a bit
longer. There's nothing wrong with USB 1.1, it's just a little slower
in through-put than USB 2. Whether or not you want to use it depends
on how impatient you are.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Al. Do you see any indication that USB 1.1 will become obsolete
and unsupported soon? I'd hate to buy this camera only to find that soon
everything must be compatible with USB 2.0.

Bob
 
AFAIK, USB 2 is backward compatible with 1.1.

--
Dugie

Lose HAIR to email.
<snip>
:
: 1. This camera is only compatible with USB 1.1, not USB 2.0. Is this, or
: will this be, a problem now or in the future?
:
: 2. Has anyone here had any experience with this camera you could share
: with me? Is it a good camera or a bad one, etc.?
:
: TIA,
:
: Bob
 
1. This camera is only compatible with USB 1.1, not USB 2.0. Is this, or
will this be, a problem now or in the future?
Click to expand...

I believe USB 2.0 is now "standard" and is an extension of USB 1.1 and
is therefor backward compatible. What that means is that when you buy
a new computer it will very most likely be USB 2.0 but that USB 2.0
being "backward compatible" will always handle USB 1.1.

A more important concern is if the photo download software that comes
with the camera and that is meant for loading on the PC will work with
winXP. There have been reports of incompatibilities. If you have a
download software problem, you can try attaching an inexpensive card
reader to the USB port and inserting the media card from the camera
into the card reader. This is very much like inserting a floppy into
the floppy drive. The card reader is a removeable-media device and
makes the card from the camera look like another disk drive. This
works virtually 100% of the time.

When you select a camera, make sure it uses a media card for which a
card reader is inexpensively available. Most (99%) do, however some of
the under $100 digitals do not, and can only transfer files via the
usb cable. Try to avoid those.
 
Robert said:
Thanks, Al. Do you see any indication that USB 1.1 will become
obsolete and unsupported soon? I'd hate to buy this camera only to
find that soon everything must be compatible with USB 2.0.
Click to expand...

Even though I was a photographer, I'm not into digital photography.
However, if USB 1.1 works for you now it will continue to work in the future
with your current computer. Seems to me you really want to know if USB 2.0
is backwards compatible with 1.1...can't answer that as I don't know but I
have difficulty imagining that it is not.

--
dadiOH
_____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.0...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://www.gbronline.com/xico/
_________________________________
 
Robert Kim said:
1. This camera is only compatible with USB 1.1, not USB 2.0. Is this, or
will this be, a problem now or in the future?
Click to expand...
====================================================

This is a legitimate question; although Off Topic (OT), it is of wide enough
critical interest that it ought to be addressed here. I've posted this
similar
answer before, but it may be time again.

The difference between USB 1.0/1.1 and USB 2.0 is mainly one of speed.
There is nothing magical about USB, in that it is merely another connection
to your computer, just like any other parallel or serial port, or like a PCI
port
on a laptop

After all the hype and cautions, end-users may be assured that ANY, repeat
ANY, USB device may be plugged into ANY, repeat ANY, USB socket
regardless of version. It will still work. The cautionary to realize is
.... that
the speed at which things will work is governed by the weakest link in the
chain. That means, starting with the USB sockets on your computer, through
any additional "4-in-1" hubs you might insert, to the end product (external
hard drive, or whatever) which itself may or may not be USB 2.0. Wherever
you have a USB 1.1 link in that chain will determine that maximum speed will
be limited to USB 1.1. In addition, be wary of claims that read:
"USB 2.0 compatible" or "Works with USB 1.1/2.0". Such devices may not
actually be true USB 2.0 architecture, but .. OF COURSE ... it will work.

The bottom line concern is ... any USB device which is ultimately plugged
into some kind of USB outlet on the computer ... WILL work.

In straight talk, you MUST have true USB 2.0 on your computer, and you
MUST have a USB 2.0 device plugged into it. And, if you have a 4-in-1
splitter inserted in between, it also MUST be USB 2.0... if you expect to
achieve the 'blinding increase in speed" (up to 10x) attributed to USB 2.0.

After having said all of the above, it must be said (for the purist among
us), that
there is indeed SOME NEGLIGIBLE increase in speed when a USB 1.1 device
is plugged into a true USB 2.0 socket. And, there is SOME NEGLIGIBLE
increase in speed when a USB 2.0 device is plugged into a USB 1.1 socket.
But, not much, essentially both being limited to USB 1.1 speeds.

I hope this information gets passed around. There is too much mumbo-jumbo
about USB that needs to see the light of day.
 
After having said all of the above, it must be said (for the purist among
us), that
there is indeed SOME NEGLIGIBLE increase in speed when a USB 1.1 device
is plugged into a true USB 2.0 socket. And, there is SOME NEGLIGIBLE
increase in speed when a USB 2.0 device is plugged into a USB 1.1 socket.
But, not much, essentially both being limited to USB 1.1 speeds.

I hope this information gets passed around. There is too much mumbo-jumbo
about USB that needs to see the light of day.
Click to expand...

Thank you, Lord Possum et al. You have helped me decide to purchase this
camera. I GREATLY appreciate all your replies and help!!!
 
Just make sure that the USB 1 cable is included with the camera. The last time I was in Best But, CompUSA, etc. looking for a USB 1 cable, they didn't carry them anymore.
--
Jack

RK> On Thu, 16 Oct 2003, Lord Possum wrote:

RK> Thank you, Lord Possum et al. You have helped me decide to
RK> purchase this camera. I GREATLY appreciate all your replies and
RK> help!!!
 
Even though I was a photographer, I'm not into digital photography.
However, if USB 1.1 works for you now it will continue to work in the future
with your current computer. Seems to me you really want to know if USB 2.0
is backwards compatible with 1.1...can't answer that as I don't know but I
have difficulty imagining that it is not.
Click to expand...

USB 1.1 devices should be able to hook up to USB 2.0 computers, but
USB 1.1 computers wouldn't be able to accept USB 2.0 devices...that's
usually how these things work. It's very rare for backwards
compatibility not to be included in receivers, but obviously you can't
assume or expect *forward* compatibility. You'd probably need to
upgrade your computer rather than your camera. (But it might be only
need a software upgrade.)
 
Not true. USB 2.0 devices can be hooked up to USB 1.1 computers. If
you are using WinXP, you will get a lot of warnings saying that the
speed has be downgraded. This is true because USB 2.0 speed is 480
Mbps, whereas USB 1.1 speed is 12 Mbps. The speed matters when you
are transferring a lot of data, e.g. if you have an USB 2.0 hard-disk.
If this is the case, it is worthwhile getting a USB 2.0 port (either a
PC card or a PCMCIA card) for your USB 1.1 computer. It is definitely
worth the money.
 
USB 2.0 cables are inherently 1.1 compliant.


--
Regards,

Dwight Duckstein, MCP
(e-mail address removed)


Just make sure that the USB 1 cable is included with the camera. The last
time I was in Best But, CompUSA, etc. looking for a USB 1 cable, they didn't
carry them anymore.
--
Jack

RK> On Thu, 16 Oct 2003, Lord Possum wrote:

RK> Thank you, Lord Possum et al. You have helped me decide to
RK> purchase this camera. I GREATLY appreciate all your replies and
RK> help!!!
 
....but the plugs are different. If one has no USB 2 ports, a USB 2 cable is useless.
--
Jack

DD> USB 2.0 cables are inherently 1.1 compliant.

DD> --
DD> Regards,

DD> Dwight Duckstein, MCP
DD> (e-mail address removed)

DD> DD> Just make sure that the USB 1 cable is included with the camera.
DD> The last time I was in Best But, CompUSA, etc. looking for a USB 1
DD> cable, they didn't carry them anymore.
 
Nope...

I have a mixture of all of the above right now.

There are different ends, such as a mini plug used with dig cameras and so
forth, but that difference is independent of whether it is 2.0 or 1.1

--


Dwight Duckstein, MCP
(e-mail address removed)


....but the plugs are different. If one has no USB 2 ports, a USB 2 cable is
useless.
--
Jack

DD> USB 2.0 cables are inherently 1.1 compliant.

DD> --
DD> Regards,

DD> Dwight Duckstein, MCP
DD> (e-mail address removed)

DD> DD> Just make sure that the USB 1 cable is included with the camera.
DD> The last time I was in Best But, CompUSA, etc. looking for a USB 1
DD> cable, they didn't carry them anymore.
 
Oh dear ..more misunderstanding. The USB plug end of ANY cable will fit
into
any USB version socket regardless of whether 1.1 or 2.0. Anyone having a
USB cable for their (Canon, i.e.?) to plug into their computer USB socket is
going to be satisfied. It will work whether the USB version is 1.1 or 2.0
If any Radio Shack worker tells you otherwise, you need shop a different
store.

Thus, there is no such thing as a cable specifically tailored or
manufactured for
use ONLY in a USB 2.0 socket. We are talking about the USB end of the
cable ... of course the camera end of the cable must be specific to the
camera.
If Radio Shack has a cable to fit YOUR camera, and it has a USB plug on the
other end of it ... it is going to work on your computer, whether USB 1.1 or
2.0.
A USB plug is a USB plug!
====================================================


....but the plugs are different. If one has no USB 2 ports, a USB 2 cable is
useless.
 
My camera has a USB 1 plug in. My computer has USB 1 and only USB 1 ports. The cable has USB 1 plugs on either end. A USB 2 cable won't work.
--
Jack

LP> Oh dear ..more misunderstanding. The USB plug end of ANY cable
LP> will fit into
LP> any USB version socket regardless of whether 1.1 or 2.0. Anyone
LP> having a USB cable for their (Canon, i.e.?) to plug into their
LP> computer USB socket is going to be satisfied. It will work whether
LP> the USB version is 1.1 or 2.0 If any Radio Shack worker tells you
LP> otherwise, you need shop a different store.

LP> Thus, there is no such thing as a cable specifically tailored or
LP> manufactured for
LP> use ONLY in a USB 2.0 socket. We are talking about the USB end of
LP> the cable ... of course the camera end of the cable must be
LP> specific to the camera.
LP> If Radio Shack has a cable to fit YOUR camera, and it has a USB
LP> plug on the other end of it ... it is going to work on your
LP> computer, whether USB 1.1 or 2.0.
LP> A USB plug is a USB plug!
LP> ====================================================

LP> "Jack D. Russell, Sr." <[email protected]> wrote
 
"Jack D. Russell, Sr." a formulé ce Sunday :
My camera has a USB 1 plug in. My computer has USB 1 and only USB 1 ports.
The cable has USB 1 plugs on either end. A USB 2 cable won't work. --
Jack

LP> Oh dear ..more misunderstanding. The USB plug end of ANY cable
LP> will fit into
LP> any USB version socket regardless of whether 1.1 or 2.0.
Click to expand...

There is a faq here that may help . . .
http://www.everythingusb.com/usb2/faq.htm

"Do USB 1.1 cables work with USB 2.0 devices? Add Your Notes
Ideally, yes. USB 2.0 architecture uses the same cables and connectors
as USB 1.1 compliant products. Unforunately, only 3 out of 11 cables on
the market are certified as USB 1.1 compliant. You may run into the
cables that cause problems connecting high-speed peripherals. To avoid
negative user experience, most vendors include USB 2.0 compliant cables
with their USB 2 PCI cards and peripherals.?

Interesting question. I didn?t even know this machine had Hi-Speed USB.
Probably because there aren?t any hi speed devices around here
anywhere.
--
 
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