Lexar debuts higher capacity, faster memory media
updated 01:20 pm EST, Thu February 12, 2004
New Lexar products
today introduced a 8GB Professional Series CompactFlash card, 1GB Secure Digital (SD) memory card, and updated Memory Stick, SD, and CF media lines with faster read speeds and improved performance as well as a 32-bit CompactFlash (CF) CardBus reader designed to enable the quick and convenient transfer of digital images to notebook computers.
Lexar's 32-bit CompactFlash (CF) CardBus reader boasts high speed data transfer rates similar to FireWire and USB 2.0 readers--between 4 and 6 times faster than 16-bit PCMCIA card adaptors, according the company. It supports read/write speeds of just over 16MB/s and will ship later this month for $50. Lexar also introduced updated its
Lexar announced that it has doubled the minimum sustained write speed capability of its Professional Series CF product line to 80X, or 12MB per second. The 80X cards will available in May for $100 (256MB), $200 (512MB), $400 (1GB), $700 (2GB), and $1,500 (4G).
Its new line of updated Memory Stick products will have significantly increased read speeds. Available this spring in capacities of 64MB ($40), 128MB ($60) and 256MB (total 128MBx2, $100), the enhanced Memory Stick delivers data read speeds that are up to four times faster than current cards, when used with compatible (4-pin parallel), high-speed Memory Stick-enabled devices. The new Memory Stick cards are also compatible with serial interface Memory Stick-enabled products. In addition, the enhanced Memory Stick memory cards include MagicGate copy protection technology, which enables the secure distribution of commercial content, such as copyright protected digital music and digital images.
Lexar's updated Secure Digital (SD) memory cards are speed-rated at 60X, which signifies a minimum sustained write speed capability of 9MB/second. The SD cards will be available this spring in 256MB and 512MB capacities, with expected retail prices of $110 and $270, respectively. Lexar's 60X SecureDigital memory cards include a lifetime warranty and free unlimited access to Lexar's technical support.
Lexar also debuted its 1GB SD memory card, which can store over 500 high-resolution JPEG images (with a 4 megapixel digital camera), 16 CDs worth of music, or close to 6 hours of MPEG 4 digital video. It is will ship this spring for $500.
Lexar's new 8GB Professional Series CompactFlash card delivers a 40X speed-rating (sustained write speed of 6MB/s) using Lexar's new Write Acceleration (WA) technology to provide increased in-camera speed performance in high-resolution CF cameras on the market. The new Write Acceleration includes optimized firmware to reduce overhead associated with transferring data, and provides a larger controller buffer to accommodate transferring up to 32 sectors of data in one command, in cameras supporting this feature. Lexar Media's 8GB CF cards will also include a free copy of the company's Image Rescue 2.0 image recovery software.
Like Lexar's 4GB CompactFlash card, the 8GB card is CompactFlash Type II and requires the host camera to support the FAT 32 file system. The new 8GB CompactFlash cards will be available in May. No pricing available.
