Yet ANOTHER Sony Memory Stick Format

[Jonathon Watkins]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://akiba.sorobangeeks.com/news_8639.html' target='_blank'>http://akiba.sorobangeeks.com/news_8639.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"This is an update for the MS and MS Duo format, the MS Pro Hi-Speed... We're eagerly awaiting the MS Pro hi-Speed Plus Mega 40 speed Ultra Super ;)"</i><br /><br />Not much more to add to the Akiba post really. Apparently Sony are adding the Memory Stick Pro (High Speed) to their stable of storage products. So, at the checkout you'll be asked, "Do you want that with Memory stick, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stock Pro or Memory Stick Pro High Speed. Nice. What is it they say about standards again? They are great because there's so many to chose from! :?

[jonathanchoo]

The standard is the same. It is no different from the high speed or ultra speed labels on SD or miniSD or MMC or RS-MMC or CF-I or CF-II cards.

[Jonathon Watkins]

The standard is the same. It is no different from the high speed or ultra speed labels on SD or miniSD or MMC or RS-MMC or CF-I or CF-II cards.

OK, cheers for the clarification. :grumble: Still too many memory stick formats though.

[Darius Wey]

Sony Memory Sticks are always more higher priced than the other formats. I don't know what the aim of Sony is at the moment. Hardly anyone, but Sony, utilises this format in their devices. Call me critical, but I see it as fact at the moment...everyone I've spoken to lament over the fact that their Sony products only take Memory Stick and nothing else. :cry:

[Jonathon Watkins]

everyone I've spoken to lament over the fact that their Sony products only take Memory Stick and nothing else. :cry:

And THAT is is one of the main reasons I advise folks to stay away from Sony computer equipment. Though it has to be said they are are learning, as their new top end cameras now also support CF cards now as well as MS, which is a start. :?

[Shuushin]

Coincidentally, I was asked to pull some pictures out of a friends camera because they know (since I proudly advertised the fact) that I have a splendicular 9-in-1 memory card reader.

The Fujifilm camera uses an xD Picture Card; I kaint read them!

The insult to injury is that I *bought* the camera as a gift... what was(n't) I thinking??

(now, after installing the drivers, I read the camera over USB)

[jonathanchoo]

If you want a digital camera that supports MS as well as another format, get one of the newer Minolta Dimage cameras. Some of the models take both MS and SD card.

[Sven Johannsen]

And THAT is is one of the main reasons I advise folks to stay away from Sony computer equipment.

I don't see how that follows. My Vaio takes PC cards, and with the same adapters everyone else uses, CF, MMC, SD, and it even has USB ports for those flash drives. And it has an MS slot. I even bought one once...to see if the slot worked.

I can see advising against Sony products that only have MS.

[Jonathon Watkins]

And THAT is is one of the main reasons I advise folks to stay away from Sony computer equipment.

I don't see how that follows. ....

I can see advising against Sony products that only have MS.

Umm, that's just what I said Sven. :wink:

I was agreeing with the fact that Sony products only take Memory Stick and nothing else WITHOUT and adaptor and pointing out that I advised against them due to this. However I then pointed out that the MS only strategy is changing.

[Jonathan1]

OK, cheers for the clarification. :grumble: Still too many memory stick formats though.


:soapbox:
One format is too many IMHO. I still have a grudge against Sony for making my $1,000 digi camera obsolete within weeks of purchase. Never again will I purchase a memory stick disabled device. I'd sooner have a full frontal lobotomy which coincidentally is the only way you'd get me to ever buy another memory stick device ever again. :evil:

[David Johnston]

If Sony were REALLY cruel, they'd have made sure each of their MS cards required a different reader.

All hail the 2294-in-one reader!

[Darius Wey]

If Sony were REALLY cruel, they'd have made sure each of their MS cards required a different reader.

All hail the 2294-in-one reader!

Bwahahahahahaha! :lol:

Maybe in the year 2294, there will be that many memory formats. In any case, none of us will be around to experience such a nightmare. :p

[jonathanchoo]

There are more MSPro and MSPro Duo devices than RS-MMC and miniSD devices.

The World has billions of people who has yet to choose their preferred flash memory. So MS is still very much in the competition.

And as flash memory gets cheaper (disposable), then who cares what flash memory format one gets.

[Jonathon Watkins]

And as flash memory gets cheaper (disposable), then who cares what flash memory format one gets.

Oh, it matters. Especially with PPCs getting smaller and often only having one slot. You want ONE standard that everyone can use. SD fills that role nicely, with perhaps Mini SD for phones and CF for larger PPCS and Cameras. It's not fun trying to swap incompatible media with folk. Sure, 9-in-1 readers workfor PCs - but for PPCs? :?

[Shuushin]

..... Sure, 9-in-1 readers workfor PCs - but for PPCs? :?

I wonder if it would work with this CF USB host card...?

Crap, do I *really* want to test that out...

[bblock]

"... We're eagerly awaiting the MS Pro hi-Speed Plus Mega 40 speed Ultra Super ;)"

Boy, that made me laugh!

[David Johnston]

It's not fun trying to swap incompatible media with folk. Sure, 9-in-1 readers workfor PCs - but for PPCs? :?
Why not?
http://www.johnsto.co.uk/i/temp/2215in1.jpg
(yes, perspective and physics have just died)

[Janak Parekh]

Boy, that made me laugh!
Yes, me too.

The problem isn't that Sony has released a new device -- it's that their proprietary MS standard has evolved so much that it's horribly confusing today. Try explaining to any end-user the "right" Memory Stick to get for their Sony camera, and it's extremely hard. When I explain Pro and how it's noncompatible and therefore they should use Select, their eyes are already glazed over. And that's before I get to the Duo. :P This is really a failed strategy on Sony's part.

Compare to CF: size, and speed. Nice and simple. Really no contest. Even SD ain't that bad.

--janak

[Janak Parekh]

Why not?
Hey, nice picture. :D Do you mind if I frontpage it? ;)

--janak

[David Johnston]

Why not?
Hey, nice picture. :D Do you mind if I frontpage it? ;)

--janak

Well, if you think it's worthy of that privelege! If you could make a local copy though and use that, I'd be most grateful! (bandwidth etc...)

[Shuushin]

LoL - nice one!

[Janak Parekh]

If you could make a local copy though and use that, I'd be most grateful! (bandwidth etc...)
Of course.

--janak

[Jonathon Watkins]

(yes, perspective and physics have just died)

Just got back. Totally agree with Janak - NICE picture. :way to go:

I believe that every (or very close to) every image on our front page is hosted by our own servers. We would not want to hand the bandwidth bill to someone else. :wink:

[dean_shan]

"This is an update for the MS and MS Duo format, the MS Pro Hi-Speed... We're eagerly awaiting the MS Pro hi-Speed Plus Mega 40 speed Ultra Super ;)"

Forget that man, I'm waiting for Sony to make each device use it's own type of memory. That way I don't get confused and forget where I put my cards. In addition, it will make shopping for memory a lot easier. Need memory for the CyberShot 89X28C2, just go to the store and look for CyberShot 89X28C2 memory. I've always hated to try and find a CF card when I buy memory for my camera, seems the stores have an abundance of them, how am I going to know which one to get. Thank you Sony for making my life easier.

[Mark Johnson]

http://www.johnsto.co.uk/i/temp/2215in1.jpg


Oh my eyes! My eyes!!! Must wash evil scary image from mind...

Please OEM's, for the love of mercy, use SD! Don't let this nightmare come true!

[orol]

well, some of you are ranting about MS format. but sony have cca 25% of world market of digicams! and overall it has 22% of world flash cards market. I know it might sound strange. but it's so. SD has like 28% of world market

[Prevost]

I have always thought that Sony creates it's own media just to fullfill the well known statement, W?BWC! :twisted:

Previous ones all crashed against the wall at the dead-end street.

[Jonathon Watkins]

well, some of you are ranting about MS format. but sony have cca 25% of world market of digicams! and overall it has 22% of world flash cards market.

And that's exacrly what is worrying. Having a fragmented media market is not good. Prices are higher and folks can't interchange media with other devices. Best to standardise on one or two formats. Also best not to use a format owned by one company who rather likes the 'walled garden' proprietary approach. :?

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

well, some of you are ranting about MS format. but sony have cca 25% of world market of digicams! and overall it has 22% of world flash cards market.
And that's exacrly what is worrying. Having a fragmented media market is not good. Prices are higher and folks can't interchange media with other devices. Best to standardise on one or two formats. Also best not to use a format owned by one company who rather likes the 'walled garden' proprietary approach. :?
Right. My issue with the original quote is that it sounds as if MS is just another type of memory card format, like SD/CF/etc. But the simple fact is this - with MS, you're locking yourself into Sony products if you want interoperability/reusability. With SD or CF, you'll have the flexibility to choose from a much wider range of product brands.