Sony PRO-HG Duo Memory Sticks Announced

Sony Offers Accelerated Data Transfer With Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo Media

To support the growth of products that record large amounts of data, such as high mega pixel digital cameras and high-definition camcorders, Sony today announced the availability of its new Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo media, which offers data transfer up to three times faster than standard Memory Stick Duo products.

Available in 1GB, 2GB and 4GB capacities, Sony’s Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo media has shorter data transmission times and faster recording times between hardware thanks to an 8-bit parallel interface and the flash memory device. With the addition of four connector pins to the Memory Stick’s traditional 4-bit parallel interface, the resulting 8-bit parallel interface provides data transfer of up to 30MB/s (240 Mbps) megabytes per second.

The new Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo device can also be used with conventional 4-bit parallel interface hardware, ensuring the format’s minimum write speed of 15 megabits per second.

A Memory Stick Duo ExpressCard adaptor is also available. It allows Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo media to reach its potential transfer rates with personal computers equipped with an ExpressCard slot, including most of Sony’s 2007 line of VAIO computers.

With the use of the ExpressCard adaptor, users can transfer one hour of personal, high-definition video (3.6GB in AVCHD SP mode) from a Sony HDR-CX7 Memory Stick Handycam™ camcorder to a compatible computer in about two minutes.

Memory Stick media devices offer the highest durability in the flash media marketplace with a standard operating temperature range of -13 degrees F to +185 degrees F. The Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo format includes MagicGate™ copyright protection technology to allow for the secure storage of commercial content, such as digital music and downloaded movies.

The 1GB capacity, MS-EX1G card will be priced around $60; the 2GB capacity, MS-EX2G will be offered for about $90; and the 4GB capacity, MS-EX4G will retail for around $150. All these models will be available in August online at sonystyle.com, in Sony Style retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), and at authorized dealers nationwide.