Sony Unleashes Bigger, Faster HD Storage

Sony's new 32GB SxS card tears it up at 800 Mbps, while a 16GB Pro CF card and 60GB conventional card drive offer cheaper and bigger options, respectively.

Giving HD cam users a chance to trash their tapes and move up to a faster media, Sony on Tuesday announced three new professional-grade storage solutions for use with its pro HD camcorders, like the HVR-270U and XDCAM EX series. The new options include two solid-state memory cards and a capacious plug-in hard drive.   

The 32GB SxS Pro memory card posts the fastest data transfer rates, with speeds up to 800 Mbps, and a price tag to match: $1,500. It can also handle 100 minutes of full-HD video and a range of abuse, from shock to G-forces. The smaller 16GB Pro CF card provides half the storage capacity, but still works with the latest cameras and comes in at a much lower $399 price level.

For pros who really have a need to shoot nonstop, the PHU-60K 1.8-inch hard drive offers 60GB of storage and a standard USB 2.0 interface. Once plugged in, offers the same benefits as the pricier SxS cards, like thumbnail views. It’s also built extra robust for a hard drive, with a sensor to detect falls and protect the drive by parking its heads before impact. And despite packing nearly twice the storage as the 32GB SxS card, it’s priced cheaper at $1,000.

All three new storage options are available immediately through Sony distributors.