New SD Memory Card Format(s) Coming Soon

[Jonathon Watkins]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://engadget.com/2006/01/06/sdhc-to-boost-sd-capacities-befuddle-consumers/' target='_blank'>http://engadget.com/2006/01/06/sdhc...ddle-consumers/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Yeah, we're just as excited as you about a new memory card format, and really can't wait for all the confusion and accessory purchasing that it will entail, but the SD Card Association seems to think it's for the betterment of humanity, and we have to agree that the current 2GB capacity wall that most SD cards are hitting is starting to feel a tad constraining. So enter the SDHC (SD High Capacity) that promises to break the 2GB quasi-barrier, along with bringing some new ways to "protect" the content that is in search of more memory capacity, namely DRMed video and music. They call the protection tech specs SD-Audio, SD-Video, and SD-Binding (for phone content) and they also promise a minimum SD Speed Class Rating that matches MPEG-2 video so device manufacturers can be sure of performance for card applications. The Association says they should finalize the full SDHC spec early this year, and there's no word on when they'll start rolling out the cards, but we're sure it won't be long until we're swimming in yet another card format."</i><br /><br />So, what do you do with a great standard like SD? Why you split it into three and add DRM, that's apparently what you do! <a href="http://us.gizmodo.com/gadgets/portable-media/new-sd-memory-card-discussed-at-ces-146457.php">The press relase</a> uses the phrase "The SD-Audio specification provides content protection via CPRM which is built into each SD card, to prevent theft of data." Umm, whose data would that be? The SD standard certainly did need extending beyond 2Gb and some SD manufactures have databases for SD/device compatibility, as you can see <a href="http://www.transcendusa.com/Support/Search/index.asp?contain=FlashCard">here</a>. This <a href="http://www.transcendusa.com/Support/FAQ/index.asp?FldNo=2&amp;CatNo=6&amp;ModNo=87&amp;axn=queryFAQ&amp;srhWhatBU=PBU">FAQ has scary questions</a> like "Why do some card readers not recognize my 2GB, or 4GB Transcend SD Memory cards?" and "Why is my memory card not working in my digital camera/PDA?" I just hope they don't wreck a great standard by fragmenting it. How hard is it to grasp? We want One Open Memory Card Standard that will work with All our devices! Capeesh?

[whydidnt]

Sounds like the SD consortium is looking for an excuse to change their format to allow for better DRM control. 2 GB Barrier?? There are already 4 GB cards out and if my memory serves correct, this is the same group who said the SD standard would eventually support up to 16 GB!

Too convenient for me. :evil:

[gibson042]

I'm actually not worried about this. The SDA has been remarkably effective at maintaining backward (and even forward) compatibility in their specifications, with pin compatibility preserved across SD, miniSD, and microSD for both storage and I/O. I strongly suspect that standard non-protected SDHC cards will be identical to current SD cards; the only difference being that an SDHC reader will be guaranteed to handle 2+ GB cards (as opposed to the hit-or-miss minefield we suffer... especially with cameras).

Now, onto SD-Audio, SD-Video, and SD-Binding. All three of these seem very much targeted at content producers, as a kind of one-way read-only protected medium. Unlike standard SDHC cards, they'll only work in SDHC readers, but it probably won't matter because they're likely to flop anyway. I'm certainly not likely to buy something on a format that assumes me to be a criminal.

Bottom line: Assuming standard cards work in old readers (which is likely), this seems to be a non-issue. We'll buy and use those, and the protected versions will briefly (if even that) be used for distributing music, movies, and software before ultimately falling by the wayside.

[Jon Westfall]

Jonathon - haven't you been in this game long enough to realize that you should stop thinking for yourself and just buy what the big companies tell you that you want? Every teenager I know has figured that one out...

Seriously though, I really don't see myself having a use for anything past 2 GB, and here's why: My data collections are either &lt;2 GB or > 10 GB. If I want to carry all my music, and other media, I'm looking at around 20 GB, which I don't see coming to SD anytime soon. If I'm just transporting files that I'm working with, program files, maps, etc.. then 2 GB is more than enough. I barely fill up my 512 Cards unless I put music on them. So for me, 2 GB is a fine ceiling to not have to put up with DRM rubbish.

[Gremmie]

Seriously though, I really don't see myself having a use for anything past 2 GB, and here's why: My data collections are either &lt;2 GB or > 10 GB. If I want to carry all my music, and other media, I'm looking at around 20 GB, which I don't see coming to SD anytime soon. If I'm just transporting files that I'm working with, program files, maps, etc.. then 2 GB is more than enough. I barely fill up my 512 Cards unless I put music on them. So for me, 2 GB is a fine ceiling to not have to put up with DRM rubbish.

I'm not sure what to make of your argument--should they not pursue a modification?

On a separate topic, I do not think that the new memory cards cause the confusion that technology sites seem to fear. At least, causes no more confusion than having four different memory formats on the market. At least for devices in America, PDA manufacturers are sticking with normal SD, with occassional CF support and sunspot SD mini support. Camera manufacturers are fairly dedicated to a certain format.

[Gerard]

Why would any sensible user want hardware-based (and non-modifiable) DRM protection? It's about the same as buying a CD from Sony/BMG at this point - those buying into stricter corporate controls just aren't paying attention.

My feelings about the capacity limit are more or less simple too. 1GB, maybe 2GB, these are fine, so long as they cost under $100 (Canadian, including taxes). Anything more and I'm likelier to have fewer backups, as in full copies of folders on at least 2 cards. More expensive media and I'm less likely to 'waste' it, and therefore more likely to suffer if a card fails completely. Having seen two CF cards fail completely, costing me any access to the data contained, it seems a fair concern. So I'll stick with the cheaper cards and keep more of them, for important files. For less important data such as movies, I keep those on one hard drive and don't worry too much. Someday I'll probably get a second one, and then have duplicates of those, but should the sky fall and I lose my movies and music it won't be the end of the world. I can always re-rip the CDs, as I don't buy DRM'd music.

DRM is dying even as it is being refined. Consumer awareness grows, doesn't shrink. As consumers become more and more frustrated with DRM and other anti-consumer methods of profit protection, they'll abandon the bigger corporate suppliers and opt to purchase from friendlier sources, such as the artists. With movies this isn't really an option, except for the rare independent film (so far at least). Still, as BitTorrent and other modern P2P systems are demonstrating, there is a defiance in the wind. Too much profit equals a rebellious atmosphere, eventually. Reasonable profit tends to reduce theft. Shoplifting tends to be lower in co-operative stores, for instance...

[boeman]

It seems to me they are just looking for a way to make more money for the supporting compaines... While they're at it, why not bow down to the pressures of the media industries.

If I want to protect data on my SD cards, I encrypt it. most of the time I don't care. I try not to store important data on them.

[Jon Westfall]

I'm not sure what to make of your argument--should they not pursue a modification?

My argument is that I suspect, for many, 2 GB is either more than enough or WAY too small. As their original specs stated they intended to get up to the plus 10 GB range, you're right - I don't think they should pursue a modification just to add in DRM. I vehemently hate DRM due to backup issues (i.e. I download the music once after I pay for it, and then what happens if my computer crashes - for some DRM formats, I'd have to repurchase - there is no way to redownload my already LICENSED content). Because of these issues, everything I buy that is downloaded with DRM protection gets converted into a non-DRM format. Not so I can share it with millions of low-lifes on the net like the RIAA and MPAA believe - simply so that I can share it with myself at a later date in the event of a crash or data loss.

My argument in a sentance: Keep regular SD / Mini-SD going, ditch DRM laden formats, keep the people happy!

[jlp]

Sounds like the SD consortium is looking for an excuse to change their format to allow for better DRM control. 2 GB Barrier?? There are already 4 GB cards out and if my memory serves correct, this is the same group who said the SD standard would eventually support up to 16 GB!

Too convenient for me. :evil:

32, the size given is 32GB, and I'm not even sure it's a technical limit, might even be the size given for the next 5 years on the graph I've see on the SD Association site.