SDFormatter
Mar 3, 2016 09:51:33 #
Festus wrote:
Has anyone used this software? From what I can gather, using SDFormatter speeds up several facets of SD memory cards.
Never heard of it. I format in Camera, but I'll also format SD cards using my Windows computer as well. I have had no problems. I am pretty sure though that memory formatted with a MAC only then works with a Mac, Windows formatted media seems to work on either. But then in camera Pentax (in my case) formatted SD cards are actually neither Win or Mac, but should be compatible with either.
Why did you even ask about SD-Formatter? From the number of responses, few have used it.
Mar 3, 2016 09:56:41 #
markly86
Loc: Humboldt County CA
LFingar wrote:
The program is put out by the the international SD... (show quote)
I have used this program occasionally for a couple of years. I had a bad card reader in my computer and it was the only way I could get it to work. Replaced the reader for about $15. and all is well. Generally I just format in camera. It works just like you say.
Mar 3, 2016 10:50:49 #
LFingar wrote:
... As far as speeding up the card, yes and no...
...you will end up slowing down the card over time.
... As far as speeding up the card, yes and no...
...you will end up slowing down the card over time.
I'll go with everything except the "slowing down over time" part.
Basically put:
a format only tells the card or drive where to put things, (all the ones and zeros.)
A quick format should zero out the catalog section and a deep format should zero out that and everything else.
As for speed, because the camera / computer has to go through the catalog each time to know where to read or write something, after a while that list gets larger.
Since the camera/computer had to look from the beginning again, it naturally takes a small amount of time more to find an unused or vacant area to use.
(Hope I put that in simple terms.)
If you figure having to remark the ones and zeros for each photo as reformating, then I guess that part is correct. The action of random axcess on disk has sped up things up and now their working on 3 dimensional reading and writing. (Note Samsung 850 pro and 950 pro model SSD's)
Mar 3, 2016 11:35:41 #
GENorkus wrote:
I'll go with everything except the "slowing d... (show quote)
Formatting an SD card sets all the ones and zeros to zero. Programs writing to these cards only write ones. Don't know why that is, but that seems to be specific to SD cards. If any sector is not already formatted, no matter what you want to consider a format, the program has to do that before it writes to that sector, slowing things down. When I state "slowing down over time" it's because the data will be written to previously formatted, unused sections first until all are used up, then it moves to the unformatted sections. An initial, slight slow down comes from the program having to seek out scattered formatted sectors, then a pronounced slow down occurs when there are no more of these available. How noticeable it all is depends largely on how fast the camera normally writes data, how big the files are, how fast you are shooting, etc. Some people might never notice it. Or it could be like the Hog member I explained this to some time ago who was having buffering problems that developed over time. After a deep format he had no more problem.
This is how it was explained to me in articles I have read and in an e-mail discussion with a Sandisk tech.
I realize that technology, as always, is changing but the common old SDHC is still about the most commonly used and that is what I was discussing.
Oh, BTW, you did explain it in simple enough terms for me to understand.
Mar 3, 2016 11:35:41 #
Mar 3, 2016 12:43:55 #
Festus wrote:
Has anyone used this software? From what I can gather, using SDFormatter speeds up several facets of SD memory cards.
I'm assuming you're talking about SD card formating. That needs to be done in the camera, as I'm sure you're aware. If not done that way the camera won't be able to read the card.
Just sayin
Mar 3, 2016 13:17:22 #
Cdouthitt wrote:
Buy a quality card, such as sandisk extreme pro and just format in your camera. Skip the program.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Mar 3, 2016 15:34:04 #
mwsilvers
Loc: Central New Jersey
jimmya wrote:
I'm assuming you're talking about SD card formating. That needs to be done in the camera, as I'm sure you're aware. If not done that way the camera won't be able to read the card.
Just sayin
Just sayin
Actually the purpose of the software being referred to supposedly allows users to format SD cards on a computer in the same way its done in camera.
Mar 3, 2016 16:21:49 #
mwsilvers wrote:
Actually the purpose of the software being referred to supposedly allows users to format SD cards on a computer in the same way its done in camera.
There is nothing magical about a camera format. It is a standard FAT format. Same as a computer does. (I believe I read someplace that one manufacturer has a proprietary format. Sony, I think. Don't know if that is true.) The difference is that the camera automatically loads the folders on to the card in which your photos are placed. (DCIM and Misc for Canon) Your computer doesn't do that. Not a factor really, since even if you take a new card out of the wrapper and put it in your camera the necessary folders are added as soon as you start shooting. If there is a problem with how your card is formatted your camera will tell you. It is a computer after all. Just stick a card in your computer and check it's properties. It will show as being FAT formatted. Probably FAT 32. If it's a blank card then do a full format on it. It will read as being empty. Stick it in your camera and take a shot and check it again. It will now show the normal folders and your photo.
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