Cable Forum - Sony Remove Copy Protection from CDs

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris T

I don't have any gripe with the format per se - it's all just flash memory after all (more or less) - I just don't understand why, with so many formats in the marketplace already, they thought there was room for another that adds absolutely nothing,

I don't remember the exact order they were released, but it goes something like Compact Flash, Smart Media, Memory Stick...

...then came MMC, SD and the new XD format, plus all these new mini versions.

I guess like everything, each of them have their advantages and disadvantages - I particularly like Sony products, so integrating a MS reader into a TV is a nice gimmick (not something that would make me buy it).

The XD cards are very good for high end digital photography. Compact Flash Microdrives are good for huge storage capability, SD is a good all-rounder.

I think as well, nowadays, with the advent of dirt-cheap multi-format readers (hey, even my new printer has an 8 format reader in it) format is not really the issue, and the market is big enough for everyone to have a slice of the cake.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMHarman

Sonys decision not to push MD as a PC floppy disc format was also a bit silly IMHO, could have been very versatile.

I know they played around with it on a few of the higher-end Vaios a few years back, as an internal portable data device, but as quite often happens with Sony they did so in a half-arsed manner and it was clear that it was never going anywhere. The new ones, as dellwear says, will be data-compatible and offer some interesting opportunities for things other than music - for example backing up your memory sticks with digital pictures once you've filled the card (I doubt they'll be quick enough for high speed writing direct from the camera).