The USB (Universal Serial Bus) port is the all-purpose connection that is replacing the older serial, parallel, and PS/2 (mouse/keyboard) ports. The older alternatives haven't gone away completely yet, but USB is increasingly becoming the connection of choice for many computer devices, including digital cameras. The original USB 1.1 port has already been replaced by the faster USB 2.0 version now found on most new computers. Cameras and other peripherals will work with either type, although at a slower speed when connected to a USB 1.1 port.
USB connections are capable of moving data faster than the older serial and parallel connections. USB connections are also hot swappable, which means you can safely plug in and unplug USB cables without shutting down your computer. You can also expand the number of USB ports available by adding a hub (a small box containing multiple USB ports) or a device, such as a keyboard or monitor, that has extra USB ports built in. Then, you can plug your camera or other USB device in to the added ports, just as you can the USB ports on the back of your computer. Your USB hub may need a power adapter to run some equipment. Some gear works from the unadorned port, drawing power from your computer, but others require more juice.
Some older computers might not have USB ports built in. You can upgrade most of those computers with a relatively inexpensive add-in card to provide the needed USB ports. Another potential problem is that older versions of Windows (Windows 95 and Windows NT 4) or Mac OS (prior to Version 8.5) don't support USB. Upgrading to a newer operating system that does support USB is usually possible, but it's likely to be more expensive than a simple hardware upgrade.
The USB port is a small, flat, rectangular socket approximately 3/16 x 1/2 inch. You usually find at least two of them on the back of your computer, clearly marked with a special symbol. USB ports might also be available on the front of the computer, on a USB hub (like the one shown in Figure 1), or on a keyboard or other device that has a built-in hub.
Figure 1: USB hubs provide additional USB ports.
You can use any of these ports to connect your camera to the computer. Just follow these steps (with your computer turned on):
1. Plug one end of the cable into the USB port on your camera.
The USB connector is often hidden behind a small door on your camera. It's usually a squared-off, D-shaped socket, approximately 1/4 x 5/16 inch. If your camera includes a standard USB port, you can use a standard USB cable, which has a rectangular plug on one end and a square plug on the other. However, some cameras use a smaller mini-USB connection to save space. In that case, you need to use the special cable supplied with your camera.
2. Plug the other end of the cable into the USB port on your computer or USB hub.
3. Insert the camera manufacturer's disc into your computer if prompted to do so.
Windows automatically recognizes when a new device is added to a USB port. The first time you connect your camera to the computer, Windows might need to load drivers supplied by the camera manufacturer in order to access the camera.
4. Use the camera manufacturer's software (or other file-management software) to transfer image files from the camera to the computer.
