Kingston USB 3.0 High-Speed Media Reader | FCR-HS4

Description

The Kingston USB 3.0 High-Speed Media Reader FCR-HS4 is a versatile external memory card reader designed for fast and convenient transfer of photos, videos, music, documents, and other files between memory cards and compatible computers.

Featuring a USB 3.0 interface with up to 5Gbps bandwidth, the reader supports multiple popular memory-card formats, including SD, SDHC, SDXC, microSD, CompactFlash, and Memory Stick. It also supports UHS-I and UHS-II SD card standards, making it particularly useful for photographers, videographers, content creators, and other users working with high-speed memory cards.

Its compact design, built-in LED activity indicator, and included USB 3.0 cable make the Kingston FCR-HS4 a practical desktop or portable solution for accessing multiple types of removable storage.

Key Features

Multi-Format Memory Card Reader

The Kingston FCR-HS4 supports several major memory card families, allowing a single reader to handle cards from cameras, video equipment, and other compatible devices.

Supported formats include:

• SD
• SDHC
• SDXC
• microSD
• microSDHC
• microSDXC
• CompactFlash Type I
• CompactFlash Type II
• Memory Stick PRO
• Memory Stick Duo
• Memory Stick PRO Duo
• Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo

This broad format support reduces the need to keep separate card readers for different types of memory cards.

USB 3.0 High-Speed Interface

The Kingston High-Speed Media Reader uses a USB 3.0 interface capable of up to 5Gbps interface bandwidth.

Key benefits include:

• Fast photo transfers
• Faster video transfers
• Quick access to memory cards
• Efficient transfer of large files
• Convenient connection to PCs
• Backward compatibility with USB 2.0

For maximum available performance, Kingston specifies a system equipped with a USB 3.0 port. Actual transfer speeds also depend on the memory card and host system.

UHS-I & UHS-II Support

One of the major advantages of the Kingston FCR-HS4 is support for high-speed SD card standards.

Supported SD Standards

• SD UHS-I
• SD UHS-II
• SDHC UHS-I
• SDHC UHS-II
• SDXC UHS-I
• SDXC UHS-II

UHS-II support makes the reader particularly useful for high-performance SD cards commonly used in professional and enthusiast cameras.

CompactFlash Support

The Kingston High-Speed Media Reader also includes support for CompactFlash cards, which are commonly found in professional and older photography equipment.

Supported CompactFlash formats include:

• CF Type I
• CF Type II
• UDMA Modes 0–7

This provides useful compatibility for photographers and professionals who still work with CompactFlash-based cameras and equipment.

microSD Card Support

A dedicated microSD slot allows compatible microSD cards to be accessed without requiring a separate SD adapter.

Supported formats include:

• microSD
• microSDHC UHS-I
• microSDXC UHS-I

This makes the reader useful for transferring files from devices that use compact removable storage.

Memory Stick Support

The Kingston FCR-HS4 also provides compatibility with several Sony Memory Stick formats.

Supported formats include:

• Memory Stick PRO
• Memory Stick Duo
• Memory Stick PRO Duo
• Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo

This broadens compatibility with cameras and other equipment that use Memory Stick storage.

Built-In LED Indicator

The Kingston USB 3.0 High-Speed Media Reader features a built-in LED indicator.

The LED provides a convenient visual indication of reader activity during operations such as:

• Reading files
• Copying photos
• Transferring videos
• Writing data
• Accessing memory cards

This makes it easier to determine when the reader is actively communicating with a connected memory card.

Compact & Portable Design

The FCR-HS4 is designed to be small enough for convenient desktop and portable use.

Kingston lists dimensions of approximately:

• Length: 93.3 mm
• Width: 52.68 mm
• Height: 16 mm

Its compact dimensions make it easy to carry in a laptop bag, camera bag, backpack, or equipment case.

Specifications

• Brand: Kingston
• Model / Part Number: FCR-HS4
• Product Type: External Memory Card Reader
• Interface: USB 3.0
• Maximum Interface Speed: Up to 5Gbps
• USB 2.0 Backward Compatible: Yes
• SD Support: SD / SDHC / SDXC
• UHS Support: UHS-I & UHS-II
• microSD Support: microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC
• CompactFlash Support: CF Type I & II
• CompactFlash UDMA: Modes 0–7
• Memory Stick Support: PRO / Duo / PRO Duo / PRO-HG Duo
• LED Indicator: Yes
• Dimensions: 93.3 × 52.68 × 16 mm
• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 60°C
• Storage Temperature: -20°C to 85°C
• USB Cable Included: Yes
• Warranty: 2-Year Limited Warranty

These specifications are listed in Kingston's official FCR-HS4 datasheet.

Fast Photo Transfers

The Kingston FCR-HS4 is particularly useful for photographers who frequently need to transfer large numbers of images from memory cards to a computer.

It can help transfer:

• JPEG photos
• RAW photographs
• High-resolution images
• Burst photography collections
• Edited image files
• Camera project folders

Support for UHS-II SD cards makes the reader especially useful with compatible high-performance photography equipment.

Video & Content Creation

Videographers and content creators can also use the FCR-HS4 to transfer large video files from compatible memory cards.

Potential applications include:

• HD video
• 4K video files
• Camera footage
• Video projects
• Creative assets
• Audio recordings
• Production files

Kingston specifically positions the reader for photographers, videographers, design studios, and printing environments.

USB 2.0 Backward Compatibility

Although designed around USB 3.0, the Kingston FCR-HS4 is backward compatible with USB 2.0.

This allows the reader to work with compatible older computers that do not have USB 3.0 ports.

When connected through USB 2.0, however, available transfer performance will be limited by the slower interface.

Multi-Platform Compatibility

Kingston's documentation lists compatibility with supported versions of:

• Windows
• macOS
• Linux
• Chrome OS

This makes the reader suitable for a broad range of desktop and laptop computing environments.

USB 3.0 Cable Included

The Kingston FCR-HS4 includes the required USB 3.0 cable, allowing the card reader to connect directly to a compatible computer.

Benefits include:

• No separate cable purchase required
• Convenient desktop positioning
• USB-powered operation
• Easy connection and removal
• Simple portable setup

The reader receives the power required for normal operation through its USB connection.

Best For

• Photographers
• Videographers
• Content Creators
• Photography Studios
• Video Production
• SD & SDXC Cards
• UHS-I & UHS-II Cards
• microSD Cards
• CompactFlash Cards
• Memory Stick Cards
• Fast Photo & Video Transfers
• Multi-Format Memory Card Access

Why Choose the Kingston USB 3.0 High-Speed Media Reader?

• USB 3.0 connectivity provides up to 5Gbps of interface bandwidth for efficient file transfers.
• UHS-I and UHS-II support makes the reader suitable for high-performance SD memory cards.
• SD, SDHC, and SDXC compatibility provides support for widely used camera storage formats.
• Dedicated microSD support allows compatible microSD cards to be accessed without requiring a full-size SD adapter.
• CompactFlash Type I and II support provides compatibility with professional and legacy photography equipment.
• Memory Stick compatibility expands support for additional cameras and devices.
• Built-in LED indicator provides convenient visual feedback during card access.
• USB 2.0 backward compatibility allows the reader to work with many older computers.
• Compact dimensions make it convenient for photography bags, laptop bags, and mobile workflows.
• Included USB 3.0 cable provides everything required to connect the reader to a compatible PC.
• Two-year limited warranty provides manufacturer-backed support.
• The combination of multi-format card support, USB 3.0 performance, UHS-II compatibility, CompactFlash support, and a portable design makes the Kingston FCR-HS4 USB 3.0 High-Speed Media Reader a versatile solution for photographers, videographers, and everyday memory-card transfers.