The Memory Stick PRO format was designed to realize continuous real-time recording of high capacity high-resolution moving images. In addition to its theoretical maximum transfer speed of 160Mbps, a main advantage of the Memory Stick PRO format is its minimum write speed of 15Mbps as a format standard, which will enable continuous real-time recording of high-resolution moving images. Furthermore, the minimum write speed of 15Mbps will make it possible to design more reliable moving image recording devices capable of preventing data loss in the event of sudden power loss or accidental removal of the media during file recording.The new format includes the MagicGate copyright protection technology as a standard feature providing secure protection for commercial and copyrighted content. By fully utilizing an embedded intelligent controller unit, the Memory Stick PRO format will also enable prevention of third-party access to personal data. Tentatively named "Access Control Function", the new protection technology will form the base of a high-level security system for Memory Stick networking features. As an advanced new generation media format, the Memory Stick PRO offers future expandability allowing it to evolve to bring new, exciting applications and benefits to its users.
1 All the memory you need but SanDisk is cheaper
This product works well enough and has an extensive amount of memory. It is more than enough unless you take an insane amount of pictures or you want to take a 50 min video, in which case I recommend you just buy a digital camcorder. If you are thinking about getting the 512 or bigger i would not recommend it because you will probably find that you simply dont need that much space. However, if I could do it all over again I would buy the SanDisk which works just as well for half the price.
2 Problems with Notebook Recognizing Magic Gate Technology
I'd give Sony an F for allowing this product out the door. My Sony regular memory stick always worked fine in my Toshiba Satellite P25 with built in memorystick slot.
Now, I used two of these Magic Gate Sticks to document an overseas trip and I'm stuck because the notebook cannot read the Magic Gate format. I'd avoid anything that says magic Gate.
3 this is being reviewed by morons
you people need to realize that this is a Memory Stick PRO, and not
just the ordinary kind. All memory stick pros won't work on your old cameras, so don't review this stick as bad just because you didn't notice that
4 It would get 5 stars if less expensive
I have both this stick and SanDisk's 256 MB Pro. For the money the SanDisk is a better deal. If you have a camera that is compatible with a Pro stick I highly recommend getting the SanDisk 256 or 512 Pro sticks.
5 this stick is good but has its drawbacks
I don't really use my memory stick for anything else than taking pictures with my sony DSC-V1. Maybe thats why I don't have any problems with mp3 and so on. Anyway, the memory stick works fine with me, and downloads pretty fast onto my computer. but there is quite a delay with the 3-burst setting since the memory stick takes about 6 seconds to load the pictures onto itself after the initial exposure. But I guess this is because I'm shooting with 5 megapixels.
My main problem is that in my school I have a memory stick adapter with a slot for sony memory sticks. it works with the purple sony memory sticks, but somehow it doesn't with mine. wierd huh? I tried it on two of the same adapters but to no different effect. I find this quite depressing in an age where technology is supposed to be getting better and more adaptable.
But otherwise, my memory stick is just fine.
To all you people out there who are looking at this review: My advice to you is to buy the purple sticks from sony, not the pro memory sticks from san disk. The choice is yours, and i hope you will make the right one.
cheers
6 Doesn't work with my printer
What a disapointment! I got it because it was suppose to be faster to download. Its not compatable with my HP photosmart printer. I'm returning it for the non-pro!
7 things are getting better!!
I am a user of this item and regards to the previous comments made back in 2003!!! Sony have sorted the problems and do supply cameras and mp3 which take these cards.
8 Does not work in some cameras
Please check to see if your camera is compatible with the PRO stick. My camera will take a Sony memory stick but not a Sony memory stick PRO. Too bad I opened the package before I figured that out. This might be great storage, but if you don't have a compatible product, you won't be using any of it.
9 Happy with it
I love this memory stick pro, I use it in a Sony DSC-P10 camera that requires a lot of memory for pictures. This memory stick pro stores a lot of pictures, and writes at a fast speed (which you need for taking another quick picture). You don't need to switch between memory banks like the older models, which is great because it would be an inconvenience to keep taking the stick out and putting it back. It's a little bit more money than the Lexar and Sandisk brands, but if you consider how much you've spent on your Sony product, it is well worth the extra few bucks.
10 This is not a memory stick
I don't know what this is. I put it in my Minolta G500 camera and while the camera knew it was there, I could not access the memory. ATTENTION SONY. Someone should lose their job for letting this poorly designed product out the door. I bought it (and paid a higher price) because this was Sony.
JUNK, TRASH, GARBAGE
11 Doesn't work on my "OLD?" Sony camera
I am disappointed that Sony does not advertise, announce, or otherwise let the consumer know that this memory stick does not work on "OLD" pre-2003 Sony devices. I purchased this for my "OLD" 2001 Cyber-Shot DSC-F707 5.2 mega pix camera. When I inserted it I got memory stick error message. I then inserted this into my "OLD" 2002 Sony U10 and got the same message. It is worthless to me. Unless you own a 2003 or newer Sony, this will not work for you.
12 Works fine in my Sony DSC P10
This stick works fine in my DSC P10
Thank's to Magic gate I had to upgrade the firmware for the built in stick reader in my Desktop - after the upgrade the stick is read/writeable on the computer directly.
Only gripe: Why not advertise it as 227MB since that is the real user memory...
13 Dissapointed
I have a Sony P/10 5.0 megipixel camera. This camera requires a lot of memory to store 5.0mp pictures, thus one may find it more convienant to get a large memory size Sony memory stick.
I really wanted just ONE memory stick for convienance, but after some research I opted for 2 128 meg (regular) memory sticks instead of this product.
WHY?
With this product, it includes MagiGate(some type of protection scheme that may make it difficult for you to store MP3s and other data in the future), which takes up more memory and is a hassle I don't need to deal with, and don't want to pay for.
With this product, instead of 256megs of memory, you get a useable 230megs, but with regular 128megs cards, you get 123megs 123megs x 2 = 246megs (that's about 5-6 more pictures).
This product has faster memory speeds for recording VIDEO with your digital camera. However, the video quality(even if it has improved) is still not as good as a DV video camera, so the high speed memory of this product for me was a useless feature.
Finally, COMPATIBILITY. Since I have a notebook that has a memory reader, plus other Sony products that may not be compatible with this product, it was safer to go with the regular memory sticks.
Dissapointed because SONY(so far) doesn't offer a large size memory stick without all of the issues one may encounter above.
HOWEVER, if this is your first Sony product purchase, and your product is compatible with this memory stick, AND you don't have to worry about other equipment compatibility issues, then perhaps this product is for you.
14 As an only option, go for it...
The memory stick pro is just like its predecessor, the normal memory stick, a very small storage device for sony products. The 256MB one is in fact only 227MB because of MagicGate protection or something. Since most Sony products do not store data on anything other than memory sticks, the storage options are pretty narrow when buying a Sony product such as a digital camera. I think the price should go down a bit more and I think they should sell the sticks with an effective storage label (in other words when it can only store 227MB, advertise it as a 227MB stick). Other than those minor problems the stick works great, stores data and transfers quick and easy.
15 Sony Memory Stick Pro
This is a great way to store photos or mpeg movies. It is small enough and works great most of the time. I have a small problem
with it, it does not always read.. My camera says "no memory stick available" when in fact it is in my camera. not sure if it is a memory stick problem or a camera problem...although I will purchase again.
16 Just another expensive flash media
This won't work in pre-2003 Sony devices, as Sony made a design mistake on original memory stick (and kept its consumers in dark). Neither would existing card readers work.
These sticks contain MagicGate protection. This means that you won't get even 244 MegaBytes of actual space from this 256 MillionBytes stick. MagicGate uses up significant space and create all kinds of hassles in transfers of things like mp3's.
But wait that's not all, these sticks are kinda obsolete already. These won't work in any SonyEricsson cell phones or smaller Sony devices like Stick Walkman & newer U series Cybershot cameras.
If you want to invest in sticks buy a MS Duo Pro, the latest of half a dozen stick formats from Sony. (Soon most cell phones will have a slot for removable flash media) Or you can say no to all Sony devices and buy SD/MMC based gadgets to avoid all these hassles.
17 Is Sony in bed with the RIAA or what???...
I purchased this memory stick to use for MP3s on my Sony Clie NX70V...but when I tried to transfer MP3s to it, I got an error that MP3 cannot be saved on a MagicGate card due to possible copyright infringement issues...Granted the MP3s I was trying to transfer were freshly ripped from CDs that I BOUGHT and ripped for my own use, but that small detail is apparently less important then the POSSIBILITY of someone breaking a copyright law...There are 256MB memory sticks that do not have the MagicGate "technology"...I'd recommend getting one of those instead.
18 previous review ...
Just to clarify the previous negative review, yes this 256MB memory stick pro is not compatible with many older devices, but I think sony is doing a good job at addressing this .. they have a separate product, a 256MB memory stick with memory select, that is basically an old style memory stick with two switchable 128MB memory banks. I have several older mem stick devices and am happy that they are offering this product that allows 256MB for older devices. Search for "MSA128S2" for more info.
19 I just don't know??
Sony doesn't seem to care about their customers all that much. Why can't you use these "sticks" on older equipment? Why do they feel the need to keep reinventing the wheel everytime they come out with an ancillary product? Well, their marketing people should be applauded because anytime you buy a new product your bound to throw away other Sony attachments that you might be able to use for new product!! I mean, what gives?
20 kick ...
If your a sony clie user and you have a ton of mp3's this is your memeory stick and for those of you that have less of a buget you can also go for the 1gb memory stick that will soon be out.
