Tech Shout!

SanDisk together with Sony will soon be developing the SxS (S-by-S) memory card specification, with high transfer speed transfer technology compliant to the ExpressCard industry standard. Sony and SanDisk have already had a long as well as a successful history of co-developing flash memory products.

The two technology giants announced this bit of news as they have agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the intention to develop the SxS memory card specification. The SxS memory cards will employ the technology strength of SanDisk and Sony.

The SxS memory card specification uses flash memory and also complies with the ExpressCard industry standard. This card will enable users to connect directly to their computer systems through the high-speed PCI-Express bus.

For those who are unaware about ExpressCard, well this standard has rapidly been adopted by PC manufacturers to replace the legacy PC Card form factor.

According to Sony and SanDisk, both companies are targeting workflow improvements for professional camcorders and non-linear video editing systems.

Listed below are two benefits of using the SxS memory cards:

High-speed data transfer of large video files:
SxS memory cards are the first native PCI Express solid-state storage media1. PCI Express has a maximum data transfer speed of 2.5 gigabits per second, twice as fast as PC Card-based storage media. In addition, SanDisk and Sony have optimized the technology protocol for controlling communication between hardware and SxS memory cards to enable high-speed transfer of large files, such as high-definition video, to PCs for non-linear video-editing. The target transfer speed of SxS memory cards is 800 megabits per second.

Compact Size:
The SxS memory card specification uses ExpressCard/34 modules (width: 34mm, height: 5mm, length: 75mm), half the size of PC Cards. This enables the design of professional camcorders that are smaller and lighter, while still offering high storage capacities.

Yutaka Nakagawa, Executive Deputy President and Corporate Executive Officer of Sony Corporation, said: “Sony has successfully collaborated with SanDisk Corporation in promoting the Memory Stick formats. Significant milestones have been the Memory Stick PRO format in 2003, the Memory Stick Micro in 2005 and Memory Stick PRO-HG in 2006. I am delighted by today’s joint announcement of this new technology, which expands our collaboration to a new area, the professional video market, offering great benefits to users in this field. With the introduction of this SxS memory card, we will seek to expand its use throughout professional video applications to enable highly efficient workflow systems.”

According to Eli Harari, Chairman and CEO of SanDisk, “Sony and SanDisk share the goal of providing leadership in high-performance, high-capacity recording solutions for professional video. I am proud of the close cooperation we have had with Sony over the years, and I look forward to the exciting new products that SxS memory cards will enable.”