Memory Stick
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| Memory Stick | |
A 64MB Sony Memory Stick
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| Capacity | up to 16 GB currently sold. Theoretical maximum: 32 GB |
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| Developed by | Sony |
| Extended to | Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick (PRO) Duo, Memory Stick Micro, Memory Stick PRO-HG |
Memory Stick is a removable flash memory card format, launched by Sony in October 1998 [1], and is also used in general to describe the whole family of Memory Sticks. In addition to the original Memory Stick, this family includes the Memory Stick PRO, a revision that allows greater maximum storage capacity and faster file transfer speeds; Memory Stick Duo, a small-form-factor version of the Memory Stick (including the PRO Duo); and the even smaller Memory Stick Micro (M2). In December 2006 Sony added the Memory Stick PRO-HG, a high speed variant of the PRO, to be used for high definition still and video cameras.
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[edit] History
The original memory stick was available in sizes up to 128 MB, and a sub-version, Memory Stick Select allowed two banks of 128 MB selectable by a slider switch, essentially two cards squeezed into one. An 8 GB card was unveiled at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and according to Sony, the Memory Stick PRO has a maximum potential size of 32 GB.
The Memory Stick has outlived most other flash memory formats, with a longevity comparable to CompactFlash and SD cards.
[edit] Applications
Typically, Memory Sticks are used as storage media for a portable device, in a form that can easily be removed for access by a personal computer. For example, Sony digital compact cameras use Memory Sticks for storing image files. With a Memory Stick-capable reader (typically a small box that connects via USB or some other serial connection), a user can copy the pictures taken with the Sony digital camera onto his or her computer. Sony uses and has used Memory Sticks in digital cameras, digital music players, PDAs, cellular phones, the PlayStation Portable (PSP), and in other devices, and the Sony VAIO line of personal computers has long included Memory Stick slots. The exception for now is the A100 DSLR camera which actually has a CompactFlash slot, although the new A700 DSLR camera is compatible with Compactflash and Memory Stick Pro Duo formats.
[edit] Formats and form factors
Memory Sticks include a wide range of actual formats, including three different form factors.
[edit] Original Memory Stick
The original Memory Sticks were approximately the size and thickness of a stick of chewing gum, and came in sizes from 4 MB up to and including 128MB. In response to the storage limitations of the original Memory Sticks, Sony introduced the quite uncommon Memory Stick Select, which was similar in concept to the way in which 5.25" floppy disks used both sides of a disk. A Memory Stick Select was two separate 128 MB partitions which the user could switch between using a (physical) switch on the card. This solution was fairly unpopular, but did allow for users with older Memory Stick devices to use higher-capacity flash memory. The Original Memory Stick cards are no longer manufactured and new devices are designed for use with the newer Memory Stick form factors now.
A special Memory Stick can be used by Sony's AIBO robot pet, to enable the use of Aiboware—software intended for use on AIBOs. The Sticks include a copy protection mechanism used by the robot, allowing users to write programs. These are referred to as programmable or programming Memory Sticks and are coloured pink. Only 8 MB and 16 MB versions are available.
[edit] Memory Stick PRO
The Memory Stick PRO, introduced in 2003 as a joint effort between Sony and SanDisk [2], would be the longer-lasting solution to the space problem. Most devices that use the original Memory Sticks support both the original and PRO sticks since both formats have identical form factors; some readers that were not compatible could be upgraded to Memory Stick PRO support via a firmware update. Memory Stick PROs have a marginally higher transfer speed and a maximum theoretical capacity of 32 GB, although it appears capacities higher than 4GB are only available in to Duo and Pro Duo form factors. High Speed Memory Stick PROs are available, and newer devices support this High Speed mode, allowing for faster file transfers. All Memory Stick PROs larger than 1 GB support this High Speed mode, and High Speed Memory Stick Pros are backwards-compatible with devices that don't support the High Speed mode. High capacity memory sticks such as the 4 GB versions are expensive compared to other types of flash memory such as SD cards and CompactFlash.
[edit] Memory Stick Duo and PRO Duo
Certain standard Memory Stick Duo and all PRO sticks are MagicGate compatible.
The Memory Stick Duo is slightly smaller than the competing Secure Digital format and roughly two thirds the length of the standard Memory Stick form factor. It was developed in response to Sony's need for a smaller flash memory card for pocket-sized digital cameras and cell phones. Memory Stick Duos are available in all the same variants as the larger standard Memory Stick, available with and without High Speed mode, and with and without MagicGate support.
Due to the Memory Stick Duo's size limitation of 128 MB and slow transfer speed, the "Memory Stick Pro Duo" quickly replaced the short lived Duo. Memory Stick Pro Duos are available in all the same variants as the larger Memory Stick Pro, available with and without High Speed mode, and with and without MagicGate support. In March 2008, Sony released a 16 GB version of the Memory Stick PRO Duo.
[edit] Memory Stick PRO-HG
On December 11, 2006, Sony, together with SanDisk, announced a new version of Memory Stick. The Memory Stick PRO-HG evolved out of the PRO.
There is also a simple adapter (sold along with the Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo) which allows a Duo / Pro Duo to be used in any device that can accept its larger cousins.
The Duo and Pro versions of Memory Stick are also used with the PSP, which when inserted into the Memory Stick Slot show saved game data, music, pictures, videos and games.
[edit] Mark 2 Certification
As of early 2008, Mark 2-certified versions of Memory Stick Pro Duo started to become available. The Mark 2 designation indicates the Memory Stick is suitable for use with AVCHD recording products by providing appropriate minimum write performance[citation needed].
[edit] Memory Stick Micro
In a joint venture with SanDisk, Sony released a new Memory Stick format on February 6, 2006. The Memory Stick Micro (M2) measures 15 × 12.5 × 1.2 mm—roughly one-quarter the size of the Duo, around the size of a fingernail—with 128MB, 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, and 8GB capacities, with a theoretical limit of 32 GB. SanDisk has recently launched an 8 GB M2 memory stick. Maximum transfer speed is 160 Mbit/s. It comes with an adapter, much like the Duo Sticks, to ensure physical compatibility with current PRO devices. However, not all devices with a PRO slot are compatible with the M2/Adapter combination, as the larger capacities can pose problems for the software of older devices. One example are some Sony Clie PDAs USA version, which can not use M2 cards larger than 2 GB.
[edit] External links
- Sony's official Memory Stick site – this site was designed to introduce and provide information on Memory Stick.
- Sony's official Memory Stick Development site, with some specifications of the electrical interface.
- SanDisk and Sony develop “Memory Stick Micro” (M2) format – SanDisk/Sony press release, 30 September 2005.
- SanDisk and Sony announce "Memory Stick Pro-HG" (HG) format – Sony press release, 11 December 2006.
- Memory Stick Durability
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