Table of Contents 64q43
To buy a good memory card, you need to check some simple aspects that, most of the time, can be out of our sight. This can affect anything from the use of devices on a daily basis, such as cell phones or video game consoles, to devices that carry very sensitive information, such as security cameras. 205w1s
Here in the showmetech, we'll explain how to identify the main differences between an authentic SD card and a fake one, as well as touch on other important details about how these storage parts work. We'll also look at how the memory card market advanced throughout the late 1990s and what came before that growth. Let's go?
How did memory cards come about? 6su4h
In 1984, electrical engineer Fuijo Masuoka, now 80 years old, created the first memory card for Toshiba, establishing himself as the inventor of memory flash. In order to record data, the engineer's mechanism works as follows: blocks of data already inserted in the device are erased, to make way for new data, recorded with the binary system. In other words, a sequence of zeros and ones, on a large scale, replaces the blocks, allowing files to be saved.
Only later, in 1987, the product began to be marketed by the brand. At the time, the card was being sold as a means of archiving personal computer files, known as PCs, gaining more attention from the 1990s onwards, when low-space cards appeared: the card SmartMedia, for example, was one of the better known cards, having storage of less than 100 MB.
The computer market, based on this invention by Masuoka, gained a solution that, in addition to making it practical to store different types of files, is capable of working even without the device that uses flash memory being turned on. This advantage was unprecedented until then.
The market for storage devices, thus, got a huge attention, starting to have a special care of the companies involved. It is in this context that the acronym SD appears, which means Secure Digital (Digital Security, in free translation), and became a standard in the manufacture of memory cards from August 1999. Before the turn of the XNUMXst century, companies SanDisk, Panasonic e Toshiba, together began to better develop the SD card market. More than that, technology companies have created a standard for digital storage pieces: the MultiMediaCard (mmc).
In January 2000, the three companies also created the SD Association. The organization emerged as a non-profit entity to advance the improvement of SD technology, whose characteristics include important advantages such as having a good data transfer rate and not consuming a lot of battery. Added to these factors, the cards also have encryption technologies, which protect the stored content, in addition to being resistant to accidents and falls of up to three meters - security, then, does not come for nothing in the acronym.
However, from 2010 onwards, all this investment in protection was increasingly threatened by the power of digital commerce: to give you an idea of this growth, sales in digital media were US$ 572 billion (about R$ 2,84. 2010 trillion, at the current exchange rate) in 4,2, to US$ 2020 trillion in 20,8 (more than R$ XNUMX trillion). This expansion also unfortunately increased the share of malicious sellers. So much so that, in virtual stores such as Amazon, for example, it is possible to find examples of fake products, sold with wrong specifications and other defects.
What are the main types of memory card? 1r4324
the memory technology flash has different uses, for specific needs. Therefore, the devices that use this type of data storage vary between memories responsible for controlling internal computer systems (BIOS, for example, also being very useful for RAM memory); and applications that use frequent input and response exchanges with respect to media (from simple text files, photos you place in a folder, to programming code).
Memory cards fall into the second category: they are memories NAND, which are different from the type NOR which, in turn, serve more technical needs. Their names arise from the types of logic gates used: for NAND, there is the door NOT AND, which allows you to enter data in a simpler way. The other door, because it works with logic NOT OR, operates in the opposite way, serving more for file search and other performance functions of a system.
This distinction is important to start looking at memory card types. Those devices that work with NAND gates are divided into SD cards and cards micro SD and operate on different devices (the speed classes topic shows more about this variation). Both micro and conventional format products appear with the following types:
- SD;
- SDHC;
- S;
- SDUC;
The best known types are the ones that appear at the beginning of this list: the cards SDHC e S are the most frequent, easiest to find for sale. For common s, who do not operate with more sophisticated cameras or recording large areas with drones, it is ideal to buy cards of these types, which can be purchased with 32 GB or 64 GB storage, for example (if they are micro, it is good to check on the packaging or on the product if there is the standard denomination, such as “microSDHC" or "microSDXC").
It is also important to that micro cards can be sold, in general, with adapters, for devices that larger memory cards, such as computers. Now, let's take a closer look at each type of card shown here.
SD 1h4u6l
SD-type cards, without the more sophisticated specifications of other types, tend to be rarer to see these days. The reason: they have up to 2 GB of memory and, as a result, become less sought after. That is, when looking for a new memory card, it is ideal to find those that have the highest capacity, among other characteristics, which are already more modern.
SDHC 3s53m
The range of memory available for the type SDHC, either for micro or conventional cards, is between 2 GB to 32 GB. Some cell phones, with prices in the range of R$ 1.000, can receive cards of the type: Galaxy A03 from Samsung, for example, has the capacity to receive cards of up to 32 GB, accepting only cards micro SD e micro SDHC.
S 5s1544
the cards S They are compatible with 4K video recording, with a storage capacity of up to 2 TB, and it is possible to find it with at least 32 GB, in both micro and conventional formats. They have a feature called exFAT, which facilitates the storage of videos with high rates of bitrate (is the amount of processing power when a video is being recorded or played back).
O Galaxy A54 5G has card capacity micro SD, micro SDHC e micro SDXC, ing up to 1 TB of external memory.
SDUC g4y2m
We come to cards with the highest capacity, sold in sizes from 2TB up to 128TB. Since the storage for this type is very high, it is suitable for devices with slots (as the slot for memory cards is called) compatible with SDUC. So if you're looking for ample storage, in terabytes, make sure your device s it. microphone SDUC or a card SDUC in conventional size.
Speed classes on memory cards 2y1t58
A SD Association created indicators so that the quality of media is not affected during recording, especially in relation to videos, since some films can suffer from failures of frames (name given to each of the still images that make up the entire film). Thinking about the safety of people who depend on a good transfer rate, the organization created three media writing speed standards. Are they:
- Speed Class: speed class mark (with numbers 2, 4, 6 and 10), indicated by the letter “C” around or beside the index;
- Ultra high speed: speed class, indicated by the letter “U” and abbreviation UHS (refers to ultra-velocity), valid for products from families U1 and U3; It is
- Video speed class: video speed class, indicated by the letter “V”, being valid for models V6, V10, V30, V60 and V90 (all have the technology UHS).
Now, let's list the characteristics of each type of speed class. Here, there are both data transfer levels and for each video type. It is important to be aware of the conditions of each class of card in this guide, because some do not operate with high quality files, such as 8K.
As you can see, the 10 MB/sec class 10 card is the best for video and in of file writing speed. In general, it is the standard in memory card sales. Therefore, nowadays it is rarer to find products that have a speed class between 2 and 6.
Although UHS class cards 4K recording, most professional cameras that work at this quality require a U3 card. In addition, mid-range cards (in the “UHS Speed” column) show high speeds, at their maximum write power. They can reach up to 312 MB/sec, depending on the device, if it allows this level of recording or reading files.
Class “V” cards, on the other hand, have much greater operational versatility, ing videos recorded in 360º, content in augmented reality and multiple video transmission. Also, they are ideal for use with drones, or with more motion shots.
Whatever type of card you are going to use, it's good to check what type of class is ed, especially if you use cameras. If your device s a class 4 card, type “C”, for example, it can other types of cards at a higher level.
Most common features on a fake memory card 53632g
Some sellers may carry products that state an amount of memory that is not actually present on the card you purchase. The consequence of this false storage failure can even lead to the loss of some file, due to the unrealistic capacity of the card. Unfortunately, this is not the only type of problem that can happen with a non-genuine product. Check out some of the most common features on SD cards fake
suspicious price 1g3d4f
When looking for a product, we can turn to online stores that sell different types of products, from clothes to books. On these sites, we can find prices that seem comfortable, but that are very far from the prices offered by the memory card brand itself. Pay attention mainly to cards with high storage, with more than 100 MB or 1 TB, for example. Periods of promotions, such as Black Friday, also requires you to monitor prices carefully.
In Brazil, it is possible to use the price comparison Zoom, which shows the price history of a given product. If the price found in a store is much lower than the average, be suspicious!
Product and/or packaging appearance 2f32t
To differentiate the material the card comes in, note if it has a more off-white color. If the box is transparent and has no details on the surface, chances are it's a fake card.
Also, the product packaging should contain all essential memory card information. Packaging with missing information can be a sign of counterfeit products.
Errors or delay in reading and/or writing 5i4467
It may be that when using the card you see a file transfer speed that is around 5 to 10 MB/s. If this is the case, the card may be delivering low speed and you may be using a fake card. To avoid any doubts, it is worth consulting the table that we saw earlier. It tells you which product is best for your device: if it's a camera, it's good to make sure the card meets the criteria of the SD Association's class standards.
Less capacity than promised 5m1o41
Is your device reporting that the available storage capacity is much less than the rated capacity? High chances of being a fake card, and this problem goes beyond the frustration of being scammed.
This is a serious situation, because it can result in the loss of files and it happens through a reprogramming of the storage data (present on the card's chip), altered to show inauthentic data.
fake brand 3f54s
When buying a memory card, it may be that you are purchasing a product that has a questionable manufacturing quality. To avoid risks with this, you need to check the product's serial number, in addition to knowing if the brand name really is from a company that produces SD cards. A Huawei, for example, does not produce microSD cards.
Another point is that the original cards have very characteristic details. In the following images, we highlight the original versions in green and the fake versions of Verbatim and SanDisk cards in red.
unreal capacity 2t3470
In a quick online search, you will find micro SD memory cards with a capacity of 2 TB, for example. But such storage for a memory card does not even exist — only if there is an indication S ou SDUC. In the picture below, an example found in an internet shop that shows the sale of a non-authentic SD card: it is shown with 2TB, but it does not have the indications of class or even type. In addition, some s complain: one says “NO, DO NOT BUY”, while another, higher up, says that the product is “a scam that has been going on for years".
malfunction 122o4u
Buying a memory card that is very cheap or from a seller of dubious origin can reserve the worst of risks: having a portable storage device that does not serve to store any files. If you put the new micro SD in the device and it was not recognized, it is possible that it is fake.
Trusted Manufacturers 5a1f42
Some brands have managed to establish themselves very successfully in the portable storage market. Often, they are known not only for SD cards, but also for the products they offer that serve other functions, such as processing improvement. Now, let's get into the reputation of reliable memory card manufacturers.
Samsung 2y6c3s
Since the 1970s, the Korean electronics brand, Samsung, has been delivering various types of memory products flash. The beginning of its participation in the memory card market occurs in the 1980s, which led the manufacturer to gain strength in storage devices. No wonder, your Solid State Drives (SSDs) are still highly sought after by consumers who want to improve the performance of their computers.
Throughout the 2000s, the Asian manufacturer came up with more and more solutions to supply pendrives and cards with dozens of GBs of memory. This investment took place during a change in media consumption, which was still made with CDs and DVDs and, little by little, started to be made with devices with internal memory and internet connectivity.
Lexar 494k3p
Even with a very timid market in the SD card sector, the Chinese manufacturer Lexar offers portable storage devices with good quality. Its reputation stands out, despite holding less than 1% of the entire card market: the manufacturer's devices tend to be cheaper and, at the same time, more durable.
The brand began to stand out in the memory market flash in the late 1990s, taking advantage of the increased demand for USB devices shortly thereafter. In 2017, the company went through some delicate moments, which forced it to disinvest in the market, surprising again in 2019. Four years ago, Lexar sold, for the first time, the unprecedented 1 TB SD card. As early as 2022, the Chinese manufacturer arrived with cards suitable for drones and 8K recordings, with class UHS.
SanDisk 512e60
The history of SanDisk in the memory card market is almost as old as the very existence of storage devices. The tradition of the brand that emerged in California (USA) is so strong that, in 2014, the president Barack Obama made a point of showing off a 512GB SanDisk card at a science and technology awards event. It was a recognition of how booming the portable storage trade was.
Nearly 20 years earlier, Micky Holtzman, senior director of technology at Western Digital (which would later acquire the Californian company), teamed up with electronic device investors to come up with the standard mmc (which we saw there in the first topic of this article). At the same time, in 1996, Yosi Pinto — who worked as a member of the research and development sector of the Western Digital — appears to be responsible for making SanDisk cards achieve higher writing and reading speeds, greater security and appropriate design. From then on, the company went from being something small to becoming one of the most respected brands when thinking about SD cards.
Sony 1y615w
The Japanese company Sony achieved a great reputation with memory cards thanks to its partnership with SanDisk: in September 2001, the companies decided to make an agreement for the storage devices made by Sony to be sold by the Californian brand, as long as some manufacturing standards provided for in the contract were obeyed. Thus, it was in the early 2000s that the Japanese manufacturer became part of the SD card market.
Shortly before, in 1998, the brand was gaining strength with sales of digital cameras. That year, it began to market memory cards, which were still much larger than today's SD micros. These devices became part of the digital memory stock of those who used cameras. cyber shot da Sony, for example. In order to adapt, from 2010 the company started to sell more compact cards, focusing more on digital storage for photography.
Kingston 3h6l3v
The year 1987 marks the beginning of the investment by the also Californian Kingston on memory chips. Its founders, John Tu e David Sun, decided to produce memory modules at that time, influencing the other companies we saw before. To give you an idea of how the company's investment paid off, they arrived at a production method that not only lowered costs, but also allowed the reuse of card chips.
But it was only in 2003 that the brand entered the memory market for good. flash. Two years later, the American company obtains patents and grows to the point of obtaining a factory for the production of memory devices, headquartered in Shanghai, China. Throughout the 2000s, Kingston began to strengthen itself with USB products and, in 2013, began to sell 2 TB pendrives. Currently, the company's sales revenue in the memory sector in portable devices has reached US$ 15 billion (over R$ 71 billion).
trusted stores 114e1f
Resort to Amazon may be an option, but you need to be careful when seeing SD cards there. Whether on this site or others, always check comments and specifications: reviews help to see if people who bought the product find any flaws that you saw here; taking a look at the technical data sheet can be used to check whether the card meets your expectations.
Even with these tips, it is ideal to resort to more specialized sites, since stores that have many sellers and other in-house stores (with smaller sellers, for example) tend to offer fake products. On the other hand, stores like Magazine Luiza, Bahia Houses e Kaboom have more reputation in selling electronics.
Whether on these sites or others, pay attention to the company that sells and delivers the product: usually, its name appears followed by “sold by” or “delivered by”. Making this observation helps to ensure that your purchase will reach you and that it has quality.
Entering the page of the seller and / or delivery person of the product, it is possible to check if there are bad reviews and other relevant information about the company. If you can't find this part on the website itself, try searching for the seller's name.
Recommended cards and specifications 2l5v1p
Choosing the ideal card for you goes beyond brand and storage capacity, as you can see. In addition to criteria such as speed class, the search for the card that will be useful to you requires checking whether there is any guarantee with the product. Seeing the durability is also quite helpful.
Time to put those skills to work! Now, you will see a list of some products that are better positioned in card purchase rankings, with the store where they are available, the sellers and the technical specifications:
SanDisk MicroSD g2t4q
| Córdoba | SanDisk Micro SD Memory Card, 64 GB |
| capacity type | XC |
| Class | C (10) |
| transfer speed | 80 mb / s |
| proof of | Waterproof; shock high temperatures; It is rays |
| Dimensions (thickness x length x width) | 0,1 x 1,5 x 1,09 cm |
| Weight | 9 g |
| Price | R$ 52,90 at Amazon (sold by dino.it) |
SanDisk Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I 2j4h5y
| Córdoba | SanDisk Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I, 128GB |
| capacity type | XC |
| Class | C (10) |
| transfer speed | 200 mb / s |
| Dimensions (thickness x width x length) | 0,23 x 2,39 x 3,2 cm |
| Weight | 2 g |
| Price | R$191,25 na Amazon |
Samsung EVO Select microSDXC 2s5b49
| Córdoba | Samsung EVO Select microSDXC, 256GB |
| capacity type | XC |
| Class | U3; V30 |
| transfer speed | 130 mb / s |
| Dimensions (length x width x thickness) | 1,5 x 1,09 x 0,08 cm |
| Weight | 9 g |
| Price | R$ 221,75 at Amazon |
Kingston Canvas Select microSD 74e62
| Córdoba | Kingston Canvas Select microSD, 32GB |
| capacity type | HC |
| Class | U1; V10 |
| Dimensions (thickness x width x length) | 0,1 x 1,1 x 1,5 cm |
| Weight | 23 g (with packaging) |
| Price | R$ 31 at Amazon |
PNY Flash Premier-X Class 3rcd
| Córdoba | PNY Flash Premier-X Class, 128 GB |
| capacity type | XC |
| Class | U3; V30 |
| Dimensions with packaging (thickness x length x width) | 1,14 x 13,41 x 9,93 cm |
| Weight | 18 g (with packaging) |
| Price | R$ 139 at Amazon |
How to know when a memory card is fake? 72a4c
Before buying it is good to pay attention to the price of the product. A valid tip on this is to try to choose a specific type of card SD: knowing well which product you want to look for, you can search for prices in stores, in person or online. It is worth noting the prices that are extremely below the market average, which can mean a fake product with poor quality. If you prefer to purchase online, see information about which company or legal entity will sell you the product.
With the product in hand, you can check the package of the card you purchased: see if the package has the necessary specifications and if they comply with what was announced by the seller, such as file transfer speed, as well as marks and labels that identify several features.
It is also valid to check if there is some kind of guarantee provided and a Universal Product Code (UPC; universal product code, in free translation) on the product packaging. If your purchase is made with a seller authenticated by the brand, try to obtain reliable information about this data and information: it is even possible that he can test the card, if you are going to purchase the card in person.
But, if you have already bought your memory card, we present below how to attest the quality of the micro SD with a program on your computer, the H2testw. Check out:
Step 1. the .zip file of the program. Once you've done that, go to the folder where you store your ed files, locate the program's 'zipped' folder and click on “Extract here”.
o 2. After installing and extracting the H2testw, open the program. Click the left mouse button and then click "Run as ". Make sure your memory card is connected first.
Step 3. When the program opens, there will only be two language options: German and English. We recommend that you opt for the second language option (highlighted in yellow). Click on the “Select target” option. Afterwards, a file window will appear.
Step 4. The file window is available for you to indicate which memory will be checked. Find the device that will be used in the program evaluation. In the example, notice that the “USB Unit (F:)” is highlighted (in gray color).
Step 5. Then, just click on “Write + ” (literally: write and ). The program will do a scan, but first what is in the storage will need to be 'written', for the program to evaluate the conditions of the memory.
Step 6. While the scan is running, the program will notify you of possible errors. There is a green bar, right at the bottom of the program window, which will show the storage assessment loading. Above that bar, the program will show possible errors: you must pay attention to what the program tells you in this part.
In the example below, the program warns about the read and write rate of the analyzed memory; but above, there is a message that says “Test finished without errors” (test finished without errors, in free translation).
Do you think you could be tricked by using some card SD false? Have you had any experience with a micro SD that you thought was original? Tell us in the comments!
See also:
Sources: TP-Link | PhotographyLife | TechTarget | TBlocks | Kingston | SD Association | Make Use Of | Thread on Twitter profile @slowbrune
reviewed by Glaucon Vital in 2 / 8 / 23.
