ping 2 terabytes of data. Designed to dramatically improve life for users of high-definition camcorders, portable music devices, mobile phones and digital cameras, the SDXC standard also accelerates read/write speeds to 104MB per second this year, eventually expected to be as high as 300MB per second. According to an SD Association spokesperson, a 2TB card could hold 100 HD movies, or 17,000 high-resolution still images.
For details, read the SDAssociation press release:
SDXC SIGNALS NEW GENERATION OF REMOVABLE MEMORY
WITH UP TO 2 TERABYTES OF STORAGE
SDXC Memory Cards Provide Consumers with Massive Storage,
Incredible Speed in Familiar, De Facto Standard
LAS VEGAS – The next-generation SDXC
(eXtended Capacity) memory card specification, announced today at the 2009
International CES, dramatically improves consumers’ digital lifestyles by providing the
portable storage and speed needed to store weeks of high-definition video, years of
photo collections and months of music to mobile phones, cameras and camcorders, and
other consumer electronic devices. The new SDXC specification provides up to 2
terabytes storage capacity and accelerates SD interface read/write speeds to 104
megabytes per second this year, with a road map to 300 megabytes per second.
The SDXC specification, developed by the SD Association, leapfrogs memory card
interface speeds while retaining the world-leading SD interface. Specifications for the
open standard will be released in the first quarter of 2009. SDHC, Embedded SD and
SDIO specifications will also benefit from the new SD interface speeds.
“SDXC combines a higher capacity roadmap with faster transfer speeds as a means to
exploit NAND flash memory technology as a compelling choice for portable memory
storage and interoperability,” said Joseph Unsworth, research director, NAND Flash
Semiconductors, at Gartner. “With industry support, SDXC presents manufacturers with
the opportunity to kindle consumer demand for more advanced handset features and
functionality in consumer electronics behind the ubiquitous SD interface.”
Turning mobile phones into media centers
SDXC allows users to enjoy more from their mobile phones. Larger capacity and faster
transfer speeds allow for expanded entertainment and data storage. A 2TB SDXC
memory card can store 100 HD movies, 60 hours of HD recording or 17,000 fine-grade
photos.
“With SDXC, consumers can quickly download higher quality content to their phones,
including games, video and music – giving consumers a richer media and content
experience,” said James Taylor, president of the SD Association. “The SD interface
already has proven itself valuable in mobile phones. Now, SDXC memory card
capabilities will spur further handset sophistication and boost consumer content
demand.”
Shooting pictures at the speed of life
SDXC is also the first memory card specification to provide 2TB storage without
hindering the high-speed performance necessary for high-end photography. It will
provide maximum speeds even when the SDXC specification achieves its maximum 2TB
storage capacity.
“SDXC is a large-capacity card that can store more than 4,000 RAW images, which is the
uncompressed mode professionals use, and 17,000 of the fine-mode most consumers
use. That capacity, combined with the exFAT file system, increases movie recording time
and reduces starting time to improve photo-capturing opportunities,” said Shigeto
Kanda, general manager at Canon. “Improvements in interface speed allow further
increases in continuous shooting speed and higher resolution movie recordings. As a
memory card well suited to small-sized user-friendly digital cameras, the SDXC
specification will help consumers realize the full potential of our cameras.”
SDXC will enable camcorders to provide longer, professional level HD video recording
with a small form factor.
The SDXC specification uses Microsoft’s exFAT file system to support its large capacity
and interoperability in a broad range of PCs, consumer electronics and mobile phones.
The exFAT system was designed for increased compatibility with flash media, from
portability of data to interoperability with multiple platforms and devices on removable
media.
“The SD Association is committed to answering and anticipating consumer demand for
easy-to-use memory card storage that is interoperable in any device with a matching SD
slot,” Taylor said. “The SDXC card gives consumers a new, yet familiar, high-
performance card that will be used in hundreds of manufacturers’ device offerings.”
SD Association
The SD Association is a global ecosystem of more than 1,100 technology companies
charged with setting interoperable SD standards. The association encourages the
development of consumer electronic, wireless communication, digital imaging and
networking products that utilize market-leading SD technology. The SD standard is the
number one choice for consumers and has earned nearly 80 percent of the memory card
market with its reliable interoperability and its easy-to-use format. Today, mobile
phones, Blu-ray players, HDTVs, audio players, automotive multimedia systems,
handheld PCs, cameras and camcorders feature SD interoperability.
