IntroductionKingston Technology today announced the expansion of its Secure Digital (SD) Card product line with the release of new ultra-performing ?Ultimate? SD cards, initially shipping in 512-MB and 1-GB capacities. The new SD Ultimate cards offer significant performance benefits over the current Standard and Elite Pro lines of SD cards, including 133X super-fast transfer rates of larger size files - ideal for the photographic demands of enthusiasts and professional digital camera users. Nikon?s new 6.1-Megapixel D50 SLR is one of the first digital cameras to standardise on high performance SD cards. The Nikon D50 is the smallest, lightest and easiest-to-use Nikon digital SLR camera to date.
Kingston SD Ultimate Cards The Nikon D50 is due in stores in June and Kingston Technology will have SD Ultimate cards ready to support it. Jim Selby, Product Marketing Manager EMEA, Kingston Technology said "Kingston developed the SD Ultimate line to offer a greater array of choices for the professional and enthusiast using digital cameras. Our SD Ultimate cards provide superb performance to help users optimise their high-end digital equipment - whether it is a digital camera, an MP3 player or a PDA".
X Speed Ratings Many current devices are sold with an X speed rating, much like CD-ROM drives, to give users a performance indicator of how fast the card can transfer (read and/or write) images. Some manufacturers use "X" to indicate read or write speeds; others use both as ?data transfer? and a few manufacturers do not define their cards? speed at all. Kingston Technology X-speed ratings are based on 'write' speed and X-speed performance is a function of MegaBytes per second (MB/sec) of write speed. Higher X-speed ratings equal faster cards. Starting with the rollout of the SD Ultimate 512-MB card, SD/512-U and SD Ultimate 1-GB card, SD/1GB-U; the cards will have an MSRP without VAT of $31 and $70, respectively.
Specification - Capacities - 512 MB, 1GB
- Dimensions - .94" x 1.25" x .08" (24mm X 32mm X 2.1 mm)
- Speed Rating - 23MB/sec. read rate; 133X / 20MB/sec. write rate
- Operating Temperature - 32 degrees F to 140 degrees F (0 degrees C to 60 degrees C)
- Storage Temperature - -4 degrees F to 185 degrees F (-20 degrees C ? 85 degrees C)
- Standardized - complies with SD Association specification standards
- Small - about the size of a postage stamp
- Secure - built-in write-protect switch prevents accidental data loss
- Simple - as easy as plug-and-play
- Reliable - lifetime warranty
- Data Retention - up to 10 years
- Economical - low power consumption is easy on device?s batteries
About Kingston Technology Kingston Technology is the world's largest independent manufacturer of memory products. Kingston Technology operates manufacturing facilities in Malaysia, Taiwan, China and Fountain Valley, Calif., including Payton Technology Corp., Kingston Technology's back-end processing facility supporting memory packaging, test and logistics. With the advent of Payton, Kingston Technology supports all memory processing functions from receipt of wafer to completed module. Kingston Technology serves a network of distributors, OEMs and retail customers in more than 3,000 locations worldwide.
