Difference Between MTP and MSC


MTP and MSC are two alternative data transfer technologies that are used to transfer data between a computer and a digital device, such as a mobile phone or an MP3 player. MTP stands for Media Transfer Protocol, and MSC stands for Mass Storage Class. Both techniques offer advantages and disadvantages, and which mode to choose will be depends on the user's individual needs.

Read this article to find out more about MTP and MSC and how they are different from each other.

What is MTP?

MTP has the advantage of providing a more standard method of exchanging media files. This means that different devices can communicate with a wide range of computers and operating systems by using the same protocol. In addition, MTP supports the transfer of a broad variety of media file formats, including audio, video, and photos.

Another advantage of MTP is that it allows for metadata synchronisation. Metadata is information about a media file that includes the artist, album, and track title. MTP allows automatic metadata synchronisation between the device and the computer, ensuring that media files are appropriately labelled and organised.

MTP also offers better safety than previous protocols such as USB Mass Storage. When a device is connected in MTP mode, the computer only has access to the media files and not the device's underlying file system. This prevents the device from malfunctioning due to accidental deletion of important files or changes to system files.

MTP is a protocol that allows for efficient and secure media file transfer between a computer and a digital device. When compared to earlier protocols, it allows simultaneous file access, metadata synchronisation, and improved security. MTP is commonly used with mobile devices, and the protocol is supported by many modern media players and cameras.

What is MSC?

One of MSC's advantages is its simplicity. MSC is a simple protocol that treats the device as a conventional USB mass storage device, which means that the computer communicates with it using the same commands as any other USB drive. As a result, it is a highly compatible protocol that works with a wide variety of devices and operating systems.

Another advantage of MSC is its speed. MSC can be faster than other protocols such as MTP when transferring huge files since it uses a simple and direct means of communication between the computer and the device.

MSC is also useful for devices that do not support more complex protocols, such as MTP. For example, old MP3 players or digital cameras may only support MSC, which indicates that this protocol is frequently used as a fallback option when other methods are unavailable.

In addition, MSC doesn't allow simultaneous file access by the computer and the device. This means that if you're listening to a song on your MP3 player while it's connected to your computer in MSC mode, you won't be able to manage your music library until you unplug the device.

Difference between MTP and MSC

The following table highlights the major differences between MTP and MSC −

Characteristics

MTP

MSC

Full Form

Media Transfer Protocol (MTP)

Mass Storage Class (MSC)

Simultaneous File Access

Yes

No

Advanced Media Management

Yes

No

Device Recognition

Standardized

Device-Specific

Device Connection

MTP requires driver installation.

MSC requires plug-and- play

Compatibility

It has compatibility with newer devices.

It has compatibility with older devices.

File Formats

MTP supports a wide range of file formats, including media files.

MSC is limited to standard file formats.

Conclusion

In conclusion, MTP and MSC are two different data transmission processes used between a computer and a digital device. MTP is often used with mobile devices and allows both the computer and the mobile device to access files at the same time.

MSC is frequently used with older devices and considers the digital device as a standard USB drive, allowing users to drag and drop files to and from the device in the same way they would any other file on their computer. The mode to use will be based on the user's particular needs as well as the device's compatibility with each mode.

Updated on: 02-May-2023

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