What the heck is a multi-media card port? Something like that.

[RayLopez99]

I have an option for an extra $20 to add a "multi-media" port--with
Bluetooth--I think it's mounted on the front of a desktop panel. What
is this? Is it something to allow any Bluetooth device to talk to
your desktop?

Is it something to allow a camera flash Ram card to be upload directly
(rather than through USB)?

Exactly what is this, and doesn't a USB port make this redundant?

Sorry for such a basic question.

RL

 

[Mike Easter]

I have an option for an extra $20 to add a "multi-media" port--with
Bluetooth--I think it's mounted on the front of a desktop panel.

I would be surprised if it is on the front unless it fits in a bay. I've
seen adapter cards advertised which are bluetooth plus multiple card
reader and I've seen dongles advertised which are bluetooth plus
multicard, but I haven't yet seen one for a bay - but I don't doubt they
exist.

What
is this? Is it something to allow any Bluetooth device to talk to
your desktop?

Yes, that and more functions in this example you describe slightly.

Is it something to allow a camera flash Ram card to be upload directly
(rather than through USB)?

Yes. More than one kind of such card.

Exactly what is this, and doesn't a USB port make this redundant?

USB ports are good for connecting things USB, card readers are good for
simply plugging the card into the case.

The typical camera could be connected to the computer by USB with the
memory card in the camera and the USB cord from camera to computer - or
if the memory card were out of the camera (some people have more than
one memory card) then you could just plug the card into the card reader
in the computer.

 

[RayLopez99]

The typical camera could be connected to the computer by USB with the
memory card in the camera and the USB cord from camera to computer - or
if the memory card were out of the camera (some people have more than
one memory card) then you could just plug the card into the card reader
in the computer.

I see. This is a dongle in my example, but I think they have a small
panel in the front of the computer case to hold it. You pay $10 extra
for the "Bluetooth" option. So, I take it, regarding this $10 extra
for Bluetooth, that the "Bluetooth" is an antenna that picks up
Bluetooth signals, right? And then Windows 7 is smart enough to have
software to record what you picked up from Bluetooth via this dongle,
which I take it must be a text file, right?

If so, might be worth getting this dongle (I have problems w/ XP
getting Bluetooth data transfered onto my PC at the moment). But my
final question is this: assuming the above is correct, do you need to
get this multi-media card reader when you build your PC? Can't you
just get it afterwards, and plug it into a USB port? Or does it not
work off USB, but needs a direct connection to the motherboard?

RL

 

[Mike Easter]

This is a dongle in my example, but I think they have a small
panel in the front of the computer case to hold it.

Hmm. I don't have a picture of that in my mind yet.

Do you have a link to whatever you are looking at and talking about?

You pay $10 extra
for the "Bluetooth" option. So, I take it, regarding this $10 extra
for Bluetooth, that the "Bluetooth" is an antenna that picks up
Bluetooth signals, right?

Yes. Think of bluetooth as (usually) short range wireless for compatible
devices. Let the dongle be the master bluetooth and it can have a bunch
- up to 7 more devices - in its group.

There are all kinds of devices, I don't have any nor any bluetooth
capability in any of my computers.

It is more than an 'antenna' - it is a radio transmit/receive I/O device
like a wireless nic except the tech is different.

Some bluetooth has much greater range than 'short'.

And then Windows 7 is smart enough to have
software to record what you picked up from Bluetooth via this dongle,
which I take it must be a text file, right?

Your Win7 has a bluetooth stack. I don't know much about that as I
haven't used it. There are different modes of bluetooth - typically
vendors provide the ware to use the device. I suppose some ware will be
for XP and Win7 is catching up.

I would have to read up on bluetooth software.

If so, might be worth getting this dongle (I have problems w/ XP
getting Bluetooth data transfered onto my PC at the moment). But my
final question is this: assuming the above is correct, do you need to
get this multi-media card reader when you build your PC? Can't you
just get it afterwards, and plug it into a USB port?
Yes.

Or does it not
work off USB, but needs a direct connection to the motherboard?

No, 'external' USB cable is very popular. Another way which is popular
is to do it with a bay and connect the USB internally to the mobo.

The advantage of integrating such as bluetooth and multiple card readers
into one device and that one device into a bay would be to save oneself
from too much 'dongling'.

 

[Mike Easter]

RayLopez99 wrote:

Yes.

This is ambiguous. Too many sentences preceding one yes.

do you need to get this multi-media card reader when you build your PC?

No. You can add a device externally or internally later.

Can't you just get it afterwards, and plug it into a USB port?

You can get it afterwards and connect it in various ways including with
an external USB cable connection. Or install the bay and connect it to
the mobo.

 

[RayLopez99]

This is ambiguous. Too many sentences preceding one yes.

 > do you need to get this multi-media card reader when you build your PC?

No. You can add a device externally or internally later.

 > Can't you just get it afterwards, and plug it into a USB port?

You can get it afterwards and connect it in various ways including with
an external USB cable connection. Or install the bay and connect it to
the mobo.

I see. Well I think I see. Not clear if Win7 supports BlueTooth, so
perhaps I'll pass on the mult-media card reader + bluetooth front
panel dongle, and get a specialized USB-dongle for Bluetooth alone, if
I understood your answer. I'll have to research this when I get
closer to buying.

RL

 

[GMAN]

I see. Well I think I see. Not clear if Win7 supports BlueTooth, so
perhaps I'll pass on the mult-media card reader + bluetooth front
panel dongle, and get a specialized USB-dongle for Bluetooth alone, if
I understood your answer. I'll have to research this when I get
closer to buying.

RL

Windows 7 absolutely supports bluetooth. I use a Microsoft bluetooth mouse and
keyboard right out of the box with 7