an apparatus and a corresponding system for reading out x - ray information stored in a storage phosphor plate includes a reading device for irradiating the storage phosphor plate with stimulation light and for detecting emitted light excited thereby in the storage phosphor plate , and a transport device for transporting the storage phosphor plate relative to the reading device and having a roller drive and at least one roller that can be set rotating about the axis of rotation thereof by the roller drive . in order to simplify the design of the apparatus and of the system while providing as reliable a transport of the storage phosphor plate as possible , the roller includes at least one magnetic area that has a helical progression .