Sony press release:
Paris, 4 September 2008 – As the world moves on, files get bigger. From high-megapixel compact cameras to the latest Sony α Digital SLR with its 5 frames per second continuous shooting capability, the pressure is on for flash memory. High Definition camcorders are tightening the screw even further, so Sony Recording Media & Energy (RME) has created a solution in the form of the Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ HX.
Users need high capacity, and they need high speed data transfer, which is where the new Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX comes into its own. With a choice of 4GB and 8GB capacity and a read speed of 20MB/second (15MB/second write)*, it is more than capable of coping with the strain. In fact used with the supplied USB adaptor for maximum speed, it can shorten data transfer time by one-third compared to a Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark 2).
The provision of a USB adaptor as a standard accessory makes it very simple to transfer data onto a PC or notebook, and of course means that there’s no need to purchase one as an extra. Another extremely useful bonus comes in the form of the free, downloadable Memory Stick Data Rescue Service which can quickly recover deleted photographs and files.
The Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX uses an 8-bit parallel interface to achieve this level of performance, and with its 10 year warranty, represents excellent value for customers who demand the best.
Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX flash memory cards are precision engineered by Sony Recording Media & Energy (RME) to provide ever-more capacity for photos, video, music and games. They will be available from Oct. 2008.
*This speed is based on tests with optimized host compliant devices. Actual data transfer speed is dependent on host hardware. Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX achieves 20MB/s in reading mode, 15MB/s in writing mode in combination with supplied USB adaptor MSAC-UAH1.
Editor’s comment: do we assume that Sony refers to the Alpha 700 as the “latest” Alpha DSLR – which it is not by three models, none of which take MS Duo, or do we assume that they actually mean the Alpha 900 and that this will have 5fps and an MS Duo Pro slot?
Update: following the preview of two press ads, it is confirmed that the Alpha 900 is 5fps – so this release almost certainly was written by someone at Sony aware of the 900’s spec. So, the betting is, it’s got an MS Duo slot. Next question: will Sony have implemented a sensible dual-slot use, such as parallel JPEG and RAW saving, or automatic card-full switchover?
And why not have a MS slot which could and can be a saver?
You may have 2 options, that is 2 slots, one for CF card and the other MS. It’s up to the user to pick one (at least you have options).
And as far as I know Sony is manufacturing also CF cards (8 & 16 GB for now, I think).
And we should not forget that there are plenty of our friends using A100, A200, A300 and/or A350 for which that MS is quite meaningful.
20mb/sec read, 15mb/sec write does not sound that fast to me? Currently the fastest CF cards seem to be 45mb/sec write (SanDisk Ultra IV), so Sony seem to be some way behind the curve here.
It might be fast enough for the new Alpha 900 at 5fps, but if its a 25mp camera, you are going to want a bigger card than 4GB Sony, and you are going to want a faster read time that 20mb/sec otherwise its going to take a long time to download your images!
Lets hope this really doesn’t mean they put a MS DUO slot in the A900!…