# Mislabeled SD memory cards **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 14, 2011, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mislabeled-sd-memory-cards/589054 "2011-07-14T20:30:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mislabeled-sd-memory-cards/589054/1 "2011-07-14T20:30:57Z")
I just bought a 32 gig SD card via eBay. When I popped it into my Canon Vixia HF S100 camcorder, it told me that the two highest quality settings on my camcorder were not available. I double checked the camcorder by trying several other “Class 4” cards I have, two 8 gig and one 32 gig, and they all worked fine. I tried the suspect card in two other camcorders, a Vixia HF200 and a Vixia HFR11 which lacks the 24 mb/sec option of the two better camcorders. None of the three could go into 17 or 24 mb mode. Curious, I put an old 2 gig Class 2 card in and got the same results. The guy offered a refund, and I’m shipping it back, so I won’t mention the seller’s name. But the _brand of card_ is fair game - Maxflash. If it were a Class 4 pretending to be a Class 6, I might be able to forgive. But this is a Class 2 marked as a Class 6. So I’m shopping again. Is RiData an OK brand? I have SanDisk, DaneElec, PNY and Panasonic cards here and can’t say that I have ever noticed any difference in quality. The harsh truth seems to be that all this stuff is made in Chinese factories. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mislabeled-sd-memory-cards/589054/2 "2011-07-14T21:23:45Z")
I would never buy a memory card off of eBay. It is notorious for mislabeled and outright fraudulent cards. Pay an extra $2 and buy them from [newegg.com](http://newegg.com) and be sure you are getting what you pay for. The brand names mean nothing if you’re not buying from a reputable source. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mislabeled-sd-memory-cards/589054/3 "2011-07-14T22:03:26Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > I would never buy a memory card off of eBay. It is notorious for mislabeled and outright fraudulent cards. Pay an extra $2 and buy them from [newegg.com](http://newegg.com) and be sure you are getting what you pay for. The brand names mean nothing if you’re not buying from a reputable source. I’ve had good luck before, and am buying from a dealer with 99.9% positive feedback with 33000 ratings. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2011, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mislabeled-sd-memory-cards/589054/4 "2011-07-14T23:55:22Z")
it’s not “mislabeled,” it’s [fake.](http://www.dansdata.com/gz086.htm) Scumbags alter the card’s firmware to report more capacity than it has, and if you try to write more data than it can actually hold, you’ll corrupt everything. then they’re always quick to refund your money so you’ll be less inclined to leave negative feedback. never EVER buy memory cards or USB sticks off of eBay. They’re almost all fake/re-marked. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mislabeled-sd-memory-cards/589054/5 "2011-07-15T00:15:20Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > it’s not “mislabeled,” it’s [fake.](http://www.dansdata.com/gz086.htm) Scumbags alter the card’s firmware to report more capacity than it has, and if you try to write more data than it can actually hold, you’ll corrupt everything. then they’re always quick to refund your money so you’ll be less inclined to leave negative feedback. How would that work 33000+ times? That doesn’t seem like a very good business strategy. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mislabeled-sd-memory-cards/589054/6 "2011-07-15T00:49:58Z")
The “class 4” and “class 6” ratings are speed ratings, not capacity, aren’t they? :: checks Wikipedia :: [Yes.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secure_Digital#Speeds) ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mislabeled-sd-memory-cards/589054/7 "2011-07-15T01:46:12Z")
It probably isn’t a 32gb card. The capacity is probably fake also. There isn’t enough cost differential on the speed rating to justifying faking it. Is there actually a different manufacturing process for faster flash memory or they test it and mark it based on what speed it passes at like they do with CPU chips? This suggests to me that it might be a good idea to take my new 16gbSD card and actually write 16gb to it and also my new 32gb USB Flash. BTW. It may not be your e-bay seller. They may have bought it from a crooked distributor or even someone further back on the food chain. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mislabeled-sd-memory-cards/589054/8 "2011-07-15T02:03:54Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > How would that work 33000+ times? That doesn’t seem like a very good business strategy. 1. Most people wouldn’t really notice 2. A good percentage of his stock might be legit. The problem is that some unknown percentage is fake and that’s what you got. ---
**Author:** ![emcee2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emcee2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emcee2k)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mislabeled-sd-memory-cards/589054/9 "2011-07-15T02:28:13Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > I’ve had good luck before, and am buying from a dealer with 99.9% positive feedback with 33000 ratings. Most of the people selling counterfeit cards on eBay have overwhelmingly good feedback. People rate the transaction not the item itself. That is, if they get it in a timely fashion, and it looks like what payed for, they leave positive feedback. At most the may try it out, to see that their computer recognizes it, and maybe even copy a few small files over. The truth is, if the knew enough to do an extensive test, they probably wouldn’t buying flash memory of eBay in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mislabeled-sd-memory-cards/589054/10 "2011-07-15T06:32:18Z")
> [@emcee2k](#): > > The truth is, if the knew enough to do an extensive test, they probably wouldn’t buying flash memory of eBay in the first place. As this is not the pit, I’ll refrain from responding… I tested the memory as soon as I received the package, trying it (as one might have known from reading my OP) in one one but three different camcorders. I shoot concert length HD video, and I test new cameras and media by shooting several hours of material on each. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mislabeled-sd-memory-cards/589054/11 "2011-07-15T11:58:01Z")
What we are saying is that you are the exception; someone who knows how to test a memory card. It’s good that you caught it, but the problem is not that the card is mislabeled from the factory. The problem is that a lot of the stuff sold on eBay is fake. Most people who rely on memory cards for important data buy from reputable retailers simply because the price difference is too small to counteract the known, extensive, and well documented problems with buying memory cards off eBay. Here’s a [Class 10 32G card](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820183273) for under $40 from a company that stands behind its products. How much are you paying on eBay and is it worth this hassle? ---
**Author:** ![emcee2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emcee2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emcee2k)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2011, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mislabeled-sd-memory-cards/589054/12 "2011-07-16T01:08:04Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > As this is not the pit, I’ll refrain from responding… > > I tested the memory as soon as I received the package, trying it (as one might have known from reading my OP) in one one but three different camcorders. I shoot concert length HD video, and I test new cameras and media by shooting several hours of material on each. I didn’t mean that as an insult. When I say “if the[sic] knew enough” I don’t mean in a general sense, I mean they don’t know enough about the situation with counterfeit memory. I mean, they get the card or flash drive, they test it it out, it seems to work, so they leave good feedback. Why would they test for a problem that they don’t know exists? And if they did know it exists, they’d know to steer clear of eBay in the first place. And by “they” I mean the people leaving positive feedback, not you. I was trying to explain why sellers who consistently sell fake memory maintain glowing feedback. And by extensively test, I mean run a program like this: [http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/H2testw.shtml](http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/H2testw.shtml) ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mislabeled-sd-memory-cards/589054/13 "2011-07-21T01:16:55Z")
OK, I got a 32 gig card from NewEgg, a WinTek Class 10. EXACTLY the same thing happened. I dug around a bit more, and found [this page](http://support-sg.canon-asia.com/contents/SG/EN/8200594700.html) on Canon’s web site. Since the one marked as a Class 6 didn’t work, I assumed it was a Class 2. But it was probably actually a Class 10, marked as a Class 6. I guess I have to try AGAIN, to find a real 32 gig Class 6. I have one 32 gig Class 4 here and it works fine. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mislabeled-sd-memory-cards/589054/14 "2011-07-21T01:49:35Z")
Card speed tutorial [Flash Memory Cards: What You Need to Know](http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2388408,00.asp) ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mislabeled-sd-memory-cards/589054/15 "2011-07-21T01:59:00Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > OK, I got a 32 gig card from NewEgg, a WinTek Class 10. > > EXACTLY the same thing happened. > > I dug around a bit more, and found [this page](http://support-sg.canon-asia.com/contents/SG/EN/8200594700.html) on Canon’s web site. > > Since the one marked as a Class 6 didn’t work, I assumed it was a Class 2. But it was probably actually a Class 10, marked as a Class 6. > > I guess I have to try AGAIN, to find a real 32 gig Class 6. I have one 32 gig Class 4 here and it works fine. [http://www.consumer.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/consumer?pageKeyCode=prdAdvDetail&docId=0901e02480339649](http://www.consumer.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/consumer?pageKeyCode=prdAdvDetail&docId=0901e02480339649) According to this link, there is a firmware update to the VIXIA HF S100 so it can use class 10 cards. I’m curious if this is the problem, since I would find it odd that a reputable vendor would downgrade a card from class 10 to 6 and not actually reprogram it to report class 6. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mislabeled-sd-memory-cards/589054/16 "2011-07-21T06:22:03Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > [http://www.consumer.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/consumer?pageKeyCode=prdAdvDetail&docId=0901e02480339649](http://www.consumer.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/consumer?pageKeyCode=prdAdvDetail&docId=0901e02480339649) > > According to this link, there is a firmware update to the VIXIA HF S100 so it can use class 10 cards. I’m curious if this is the problem, since I would find it odd that a reputable vendor would downgrade a card from class 10 to 6 and not actually reprogram it to report class 6. Cool, thank you. I checked my firmware, and it is 1.0.2.0. They don’t have the firmware available for download, so it looks like I would have to mail it to a service facility. I’ll check with a friend who works for Canon and see if the Chicago area office has the firmware. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2011, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mislabeled-sd-memory-cards/589054/17 "2011-07-21T19:42:02Z")
I contacted Canon and they’ll upgrade both of my cameras that have difficulty with Class 10 (a Vixia HF-S100 and a Vixia HF200) for free, covering the shipping both ways. Nice bit of standing behind their products.