Memory Stick

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This article is about Sony's proprietary memory format. For memory cards in general and other uses, see memory stick.

Memory Stick
MemoryStick logo.svg
MSst duo m2.jpg
From top to bottom: Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick Micro (M2)
Media typeFlash memory card
Capacity128 MB (Original)
32 GB (PRO series)
2 TB (XC series)
Developed bySony
Extended toMemory Stick PRO, Memory Stick Duo, #Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, and Memory Stick Micro

Memory Stick is a removable flash memory card format, originally launched by Sony in late 1998.[1] 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); the even smaller Memory Stick Micro (M2), and the Memory Stick PRO-HG, a high speed variant of the PRO to be used in high-definition video and still cameras.

As a proprietary format, Sony exclusively used Memory Stick on its products in the 2000s such as Cyber-shot digital cameras, Handycam digital camcorders, WEGA and Bravia TV sets, VAIO PCs and the PlayStation Portable handheld game console,[2] with the format being licensed to a few other companies early in its lifetime. With increasing popularity of SD card, in 2010 Sony started to support the SD card format, which was seen as a Sony loss in the memory-card format war.[3] Despite this, Sony continued to support Memory Stick on certain devices.

History[edit]

The original Memory Stick, which was launched in October 1998, was available in capacities up to 128 MB.[4]

In October 1999, Sony licensed the technology to Fujitsu, Aiwa, Sanyo, Sharp, Pioneer and Kenwood, in a bid to avoid a repetition of the Betamax failure.[5] Other companies were also licensees to the format. Some early examples of Memory Stick usage by third-party companies include Sharp's MP3 players, Alpine's in-dash players, and Epson's printers.[6]

Initially the format had a lukewarm reception, but it soon increased in popularity, especially after the licensing deal. In spring 2001, Memory Stick attained 25% market share (against CompactFlash's 40% and SmartMedia's 32%), up from 7% a year earlier. By May 2001, total shipment of Memory Stick units surpassed 10 million.[6]

However the SD card, jointly developed by Toshiba, Panasonic and SanDisk, became widely popular among companies and soon became the most popular flash format – by November 2003 it held 42% market share in the United States, ahead of CompactFlash's 26% and Memory Stick with 16%.[7] Eventually Sony itself became the only company to support the format. Sony was often criticized for the Memory Stick, as they were deemed to be expensive compared to other formats.[8]

As of January 2010, it appeared that Sony had begun to combine support for SD/SDHC and Memory Stick formats in their products. All digital cameras and camcorders announced by Sony at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show could use SD and SDHC cards as well as Memory Sticks.[9][10][11][12][13] Furthermore, Sony is releasing its own line of SD cards.[14] Many claim this development as the end of the format war between Memory Stick and SD card. However, Sony did not abandon the format at this time, and has indicated it will continue development of the format for the foreseeable future. A prime example is the development of WiFi transfers through a special Memory Stick PRO-Duo which is still in development as of 2011.[15][16][17][18][19][20][21]

Sony's first significant migration away from Memory Stick did not come until 2019, when it introduced the α7R IV full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera without Memory Stick support, opting instead for dual SDXC slots.[22]

Memory Stick cards were almost entirely produced by Sony itself. SanDisk and Lexar were among the few third-party Memory Stick producers.

Applications[edit]

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 Stick for storing image files. With a Memory Stick-capable memory card reader a user can copy the pictures taken with the Sony digital camera to a computer. Sony typically included Memory Stick reader hardware in its first-party consumer electronics, such as digital cameras, digital music players, PDAs, cellular phones, the VAIO line of laptop computers, TV sets under the WEGA and Bravia names, and Sony's handheld gaming device, the PlayStation Portable.

A special Memory Stick can be inserted in the hindquarters[23] of 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. Only 8 MB and 16 MB versions are available.

Formats and form factors[edit]

Memory Sticks include a wide range of actual formats, including three different form factors.

Memory Stick[edit]

The original Memory Stick
Sony Memory Stick with MagicGate

The original Memory Stick is approximately the size and thickness of a stick of chewing gum. It was available in capacities from 4 MB to 128 MB. It was available both with and without MagicGate support. The MagicGate-capable memory sticks were white-colored, while the standard version was purple. The original Memory Stick is no longer manufactured.

Memory Stick Select[edit]

Lexar 256 MB Memory Stick Select with memory switch

In response to the storage limitations of the original Memory Stick, Sony introduced the Memory Stick Select at CES 2003 on January 9.[24] The Memory Stick Select contained two separate 128 MB partitions which the user could switch between using a physical switch on the card. This solution was fairly unpopular, but it did give users of older Memory Stick devices more capacity. Its physical size remained the same as the original Memory Stick.

Memory Stick PRO[edit]

The Memory Stick PRO, introduced on January 9, 2003 as a joint effort between Sony and SanDisk,[25] 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[26], although it appears GB-sized capacities are only available in the PRO Duo form factor. 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. As of 2020, 512 MB Memory Stick PRO can be bought.

Memory Stick Duo[edit]

The Memory Stick Duo was developed in response to Sony's need for a smaller flash memory card for pocket-sized digital cameras, cell phones and the PlayStation Portable. It is slightly smaller than the competing Secure Digital (SD) format and roughly two thirds the length of the standard Memory Stick form factor, but costs more. Memory Stick Duos are available with the same features as the larger standard Memory Stick, available with and without high speed mode, and with and without MagicGate support. The Memory Stick PRO Duo has replaced the Memory Stick Duo due to its 128 MB size limitation, but has kept the same form factor as the Duo.

Memory Stick Duo Adaptor and Memory Stick PRO Duo

A simple adapter allows Memory Stick Duo to be used in devices designed to accept the original Memory Stick form factor.

Memory Stick PRO Duo[edit]

A Sony Memory Stick PRO Duo (2 GB)

The Memory Stick PRO Duo (MSPD) quickly replaced the Memory Stick Duo due to the Duo's size limitation of 128 MB and slow transfer speed. Memory Stick PRO Duos are available in all the same variants as the larger Memory Stick PRO, with and without High Speed mode, and with and without MagicGate support.

Sony has released different versions of Memory Stick PRO Duo. A Memory Stick PRO Duo with MagicGate was released as a 512 MB stick.[citation needed] Additionally, a 16 GB version on March 2008 and another a 32 GB version on August 21, 2009.[27] In 2009, Sony and SanDisk also announced the joint development of an expanded Memory Stick PRO format tentatively named "Memory Stick PRO Format for Extended High Capacity".[28] Sony has since finalized the format and released its specification under the new name, Memory Stick XC (see below).[29]

Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo[edit]

PRO-HG Duo (8 GB)

On December 11, 2006, Sony, together with SanDisk, announced the Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo. While only serial and 4-bit parallel interfaces are supported in the Memory Stick PRO format, an 8-bit parallel interface was added to the Memory Stick PRO-HG format. Also, the maximum interface clock frequency was increased from 40 MHz to 60 MHz. With these enhancements, a theoretical transfer rate of 480 Mbit/s (60 MB/s) is achieved, which is three times faster than the Memory Stick PRO format.

Memory Stick Micro (M2)[edit]

Not to be confused with M.2, a form factor for expansion cards.
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) with 64 MB, 128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB, and 16 GB capacities available. The format has a theoretical limit of 32 GB and maximum transfer speed of 160 Mbit/s. However, as with the PRO Duo format, it has been expanded through the XC series as Memory Stick XC Micro and Memory Stick XC-HG Micro, both with the theoretical maximum capacity of 2 TB.[29][30]

The M2 comes with an adapter, much like the Duo Sticks, to ensure physical compatibility with Memory Stick PRO devices. However, not all devices with a PRO slot are compatible with the M2/Adapter combination, as the firmware of older devices don't support the higher capacity of some M2 cards. One example is certain Sony CLIÉ PDAs which don't support cards larger than 2 GB.[31]

Sony announced on June 1, 2009, that M2 support in Sony Ericsson phones would be dropped in favor of microSD.[32]

The Sony DSC-RX0 Mark II made a revived usage of M2 slots.

Memory Stick XC[edit]

On January 7, 2009, SanDisk and Sony announced the Memory Stick XC format (tentatively named "Memory Stick Format Series for Extended High Capacity" at the time).[33][34] The Memory Stick XC has a maximum theoretical 2 TB capacity, 64 times larger than that of the Memory Stick PRO Duo which is limited to 32 GB. XC series has the same form factors as PRO series, and supports MagicGate content protection technology as well as Access Control function as PRO series does. In line with the rest of the industry, the XC series uses the newer exFAT file system due to size and formatting limitations of FAT/FAT16/FAT32 filesystems used in the PRO series.[35][36] A maximum transfer speed of 480 Mbit/s (60 Mbyte/s) is achieved through 8-bit parallel data transfer.[37]

Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX[edit]

Sony announced the release of the Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX on May 17, 2011, which was considered the fastest card ever made by the manufacturer. It measures 20 × 31 × 1.6 mm, with 8 GB, 16 GB, or 32 GB versions available. Also, the format offers a maximum transfer speed of 50 MB/s.[38]

Mark 2 certification[edit]

As of early 2008, Mark 2-certified versions of the Memory Stick PRO Duo became available. The Mark 2 designation indicates the Memory Stick is suitable for use with AVCHD recording products or other faster Memory Stick enabled devices by providing appropriate minimum write performance.[39]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Sony Global – Press Release – Sony Announces 'Memory Stick' Recordable IC Memory Card Products New Format Supports Recording and Playback of Audio/Video Content" (Press release). Sony.net. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  2. ^ "The worst storage mediums of all time - Page 3 of 4 - ExtremeTech". extremetech.com. May 15, 2014.
  3. ^ "The Beginning of the End of Memory Stick? Hope So!". technologizer.com. January 6, 2010.
  4. ^ In this article the unit symbol 'MB' is used to mean 1000^2 bytes (1 megabyte)
  5. ^ "Sony To License Memory Stick to 6 Firms". dpreview.com.
  6. ^ a b http://www.simmtester.com/page/news/showpubnews.asp?num=64
  7. ^ Taub, Eric A. "TECHNOLOGY; Memory Evolution: Survival of the Smallest". nytimes.com.
  8. ^ https://www.economist.com/node/3738979
  9. ^ "Sony.com". News.sel.sony.com. January 6, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  10. ^ "Sony.com". News.sel.sony.com. January 6, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  11. ^ "Sony.com". News.sel.sony.com. January 6, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  12. ^ "Sony.com". News.sel.sony.com. January 6, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  13. ^ "Sony.com". News.sel.sony.com. January 6, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  14. ^ "Sony.com". News.sel.sony.com. January 6, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  15. ^ Taub, Eric A. (January 7, 2010). "Sony's Memory Stick: Bowing to Reality". The New York Times. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
  16. ^ Velocity. "Forbes.com". Forbes. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  17. ^ "FT.com". Blogs.ft.com. January 7, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  18. ^ "Endgadget.com". Engadget.com. January 6, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  19. ^ "IEEE.org". Spectrum.ieee.org. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  20. ^ McCracken, Harry (January 7, 2010). "PCworld.com". PCworld.com. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  21. ^ "APCMAG.com". APCMAG.com. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  22. ^ "Sony introduces the a7R IV with 61 Megapixel full-frame sensor". Digital Photography Review. July 16, 2019. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  23. ^ "CBS News, 48 Hours – AIBO, The Digital Wonder Dog: Sony Spends Millions On Robotic Canine". Cbsnews.com. February 11, 2009. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  24. ^ "Sony Memory Stick Pro and Select". dpreview.com.
  25. ^ "Sony.net". Sony.net. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  26. ^ In this article the unit symbol 'GB' is used to mean 1000^3 bytes (1 gigabyte)
  27. ^ "Crunchgear.com". Crunchgear.com. August 21, 2009. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  28. ^ "SanDisk, Sony to Expand Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick Micro Formats". Nikkei Business Publications. January 8, 2009. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
  29. ^ a b MacManus, Christopher (August 5, 2009). "Sony Finalizes Backwards Compatible Memory Stick XC With 2TB Maximum Capacity". Sony Insider. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
  30. ^ In this article the unit symbol 'TB' is used to mean 1000^4 bytes (1 terabyte)
  31. ^ "Sony Compatibility Chart – Clie Handhelds". Sony-asia.com. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  32. ^ "Trusted Review – Sony Ericsson Dropping Memory Stick Micro". Trustedreviews.com. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  33. ^ "Sandisk and Sony to expand "Memory stick pro" and "Memory stick micro" formats". SanDisk. January 7, 2009. Retrieved August 12, 2009.
  34. ^ Christopher MacManus. "Sonyinsider.com". Sonyinsider.com. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  35. ^ "Windows FAT32 Formatting". Microsoft. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
  36. ^ "SanDisk exFAT KB". Retrieved June 28, 2012.
  37. ^ "Oss-formats.org". Oss-formats.org. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  38. ^ http://presscentre.sony.co.uk/content/detail.aspx?NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=6713
  39. ^ "Sony's new 16GB Memory Stick Pro Duo media [...] Mark2 Certification". News.sel.sony.com. January 6, 2008. Retrieved November 13, 2011.

External links[edit]

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