Encore card reader, what's so special about it ?

Ric · Post by **Ric** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 5:16 pm

I see I can get the smart card reader for the Encore software for a mere $99 if I buy it bundled WITH the software. OR, I can get it for $139 if I wait and get it separately.

My question to this forum is, what is so special about THEIR smart card reader, as opposed to say, an ordinary USB "smart card" reader available at BestBuy/Target/RadioShack/CompUSA which costs only $10-20 ???

Has anybody tried reading their "smart cards" on other smart card readers, other than the one with the Respironics logo? QUICK! I need to know, I'm going back tomorrow and get all my stuff from the DME. (Getting the software for SURE!)

THANKS !!!

-Ric

another_guest2 · Post by **another_guest2** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 5:22 pm

look at this post by rested gal for some old discussions on this and a different card reader you can order
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if you search this site I am sure you can find a few more posts on it

now if only this site would let me log back in

another_guest2 · Post by **another_guest2** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 5:23 pm

the link you want to look at

viewtopic.php?p=38617

biggziff · Post by **biggziff** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 5:29 pm

It reads more of the memory area than other readers. Go here to buy one for $30 shipped:

http://www.2factors.com

dt3500 slider model.

CollegeGirl · Post by **CollegeGirl** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 5:41 pm

No, it does not work with "regular" card readers. The site bigziff gave you is where I got mine, and is, by far, the cheapest place out there to get it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 5:51 pm

A true SmartCard is not like the memory cards for cameras etc. It has an on-board processor and literally more "smarts". The entire format is different. What you want is a "SmartCard" reader, not a smart "card reader"

Ric · Post by **Ric** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 5:53 pm

You've answered one important question, about generic readers. As I suspected, they didn't INVENT a new card system. A "smart card" is a "smart card" is a "smart card". Well, except they come in different sizes, and the reader needs to read ALL of it.

Chances are I already have one sitting in my computer, which I use to read my digital cam "smart cards", (and about 8 other formats). You have convinced me that I will gamble with not getting the outrageously expensive card reader with the warm fuzzy logo.

THANKS ALL !

-Ric

derek · Post by **derek** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 5:53 pm

Hey, that's me above.

What's with the log in, these days? It forgets who I am about once a day!

Ric · Post by **Ric** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 6:01 pm

once again, our messages crossed in the mail, I am now back in the state of confusion. your comments about smart card-readers vs smart-card readers is helpful. does the "smart card", the chip-like thingy map to any of the common formats (SD, MMC, CF, SM, xDPC, MS, MD) ??? That would be an important clue. Is there a "smart card" format that I never bumped into? I bet the Respironics card looks like something else, somewhere, no?

-Ric

another_guest · Post by **another_guest** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 6:03 pm

this morning it knew who I was for the first time -------- then after I left the site and came back I couldn't log in - so I threw out all my old cookies and got back in

CollegeGirl · Post by **CollegeGirl** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 6:04 pm

Wait, wait, wait, Rick - that's not what we said at all. No one (to my knowledge) has ever gotten a generic card reader to work. The only reason the card reader at two factors works is because it's the *same* card reader, you're just getting it directly from the manufacturer (in Japan). Have you seen your SmartCard yet? It's credit card size, but the computer chip is only about maybe a 1/2 inch square (if that), and is placed in a very specific spot on the card. I reallllly doubt there's a generic reader that would work.

If you try it on yours, and it works, I'll gladly eat crow, because then we'll have another resource for people to use!

derek · Post by **derek** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 6:21 pm

Ric,
It looks like a credit card with contacts on the top like this

It is known as a SmartCard - not the same thing as any of the ones you mention. It has an entirely different purpose in life.

You can find the Mako DT3500 USB readers for these at several places in the USA at about $50, but none so cheap as 2factors. Incidentally I think the cards have to be specially formatted by Respironics before they can be read in Encore Pro.

sthnreb · Post by **sthnreb** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 10:09 pm

twofactors also has the cards for $25 for 5.

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:16 am

I have capability of reading just about every media ever invented and sure enough, they managed to figure out something that would NOT work with any "normal" cheap card reader. How convienent is that?.....for their bottom line anyway.

The knockoff reader that is mentioned above DOES seem to work, according to a number of people.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 3:02 am

Ric wrote: Chances are I already have one sitting in my computer, which I use to read my digital cam "smart cards", (and about 8 other formats). You have convinced me that I will gamble with not getting the outrageously expensive card reader with the warm fuzzy logo.

THANKS ALL !

-Ric

Ric,

It has already been said but the message failed to get thru. I'll say it once more and simply.

1. Your computer is highly unlikely to have this 'smart card' reader already on it. It is not impossible but I and others here already know the outcome.

2. Ziff's simple comment told you where you can get the cheapest compatible USB capable reader.

3. Others backed that up. This post is doing the same. I hope the message gets through.

Good luck

DSM

Encore card reader, what's so special about it ?

Encore card reader, what's so special about it ?

thanks! you've nailed it. well almost....

this is making me dizzy

Re: thanks! you've nailed it. well almost....

Machine

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