SanDisk and Sony are developing the SxS (S-by-S) memory card specification, with high-speed transfer technology compliant to the ExpressCard industry standard.
With this high-performance and high-reliability memory card, both companies are targeting workflow improvements for professional camcorders and non-linear video editing systems.
The SxS memory card specification uses flash memory and complies with the ExpressCard industry standard, and the card connects directly to computer systems through the high-speed PCI-Express bus.
Sony will adopt this high-speed SxS memory card specification in its XDCAM EX series professional camcorders. SxS memory cards from SanDisk and Sony are expected to be available later in 2007.
SxS memory cards are the first native PCI Express solid-state storage media. PCI Express has a maximum data transfer speed of 2.5 gigabits per second, twice as fast as PC Card-based storage media. In addition, SanDisk and Sony have optimized the technology protocol for controlling communication between hardware and SxS memory cards to enable high-speed transfer of large files, such as high-definition video, to PCs for non-linear video-editing.
The target transfer speed of SxS memory cards is 800 megabits per second. The SxS memory card specification uses ExpressCard/34 modules, half the size of PC Cards.