Sony Announces Memory Stick Product Line to Advance Imaging Applications

Business Wire, Feb 18, 1999

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 18, 1999--Sony announced today a number of Memory Stick(tm) IC (integrated circuit) recording media-based products designed to facilitate the capturing, storing and sharing of digital data, text, and images between electronics products. Memory Stick media is Sony's small integrated circuit digital storage media that is designed to provide consumers with a powerful tool for moving data, text, graphics or digital images from one product to another quickly and easily. The small size, yet high storage capacity of the Memory Stick media makes it ideal for compact digital imaging products.

Sony's Memory Stick product introductions include the Cyber-shot(tm) digital camera (DSC-F55), Digital Photo Frame (PHD-A55), Digital Photo Printer (DPP-MS300), Digital Handycam(R) camcorder (DCR-TRV10), VAIO Slimtop(tm) LCD computers, and 16MB and 32MB storage capacity Memory Stick media.

"Sony's vision is to create new applications with portable digital products," said Mark Viken, senior vice president for digital imaging marketing, Sony Electronics. "Memory Stick digital storage media will deliver on this vision by providing the interface between a wide array of portable audio, video and IT products in the future. More than a miniature storage device, Memory Stick technology is a key building block for the next generation of AV/IT convergence."

Compared to other IC media, Memory Stick digital data storage media is smaller in size than CompactFlash(tm) and Smart Media(tm). It is highly reliable with a 10-pin connector, and an Erasure Prevention Switch that when set on "Lock" virtually eliminates the risk of accidentally erasing or recording over stored data. It has Original Serial Protocol for forward compatibility with higher capacity models to be developed in the future. Copy protection features will be incorporated into larger capacity media in the future.

Memory Stick technology is supported by a number of other companies, including AIWA, Casio, Fujitsu, Olympus, Sanyo and Sharp.

Cyber-shot Digital Camera

Among the new products being introduced by Sony is the Cyber-shot digital camera. Weighing just 10 ounces with battery, Sony's new Cyber-shot (DSC-F55) 2.1 million mega-pixel digital camera is engineered to deliver the utmost in performance and picture quality, but in an ultra-compact size. With Cyber-shot, Sony announced a new hybrid LCD that absorbs light to generate a bright LCD screen, while saving battery life. Carl Zeiss(R) lens optics, MPEG Movie Mode for recording full motion video and audio, a "crop and save" feature, and a 180 degree-rotational lens round out the features of this high performance, compact digital camera.

The Cyber-shot DSC-F55 digital camera will be available in May for the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $999.

Digital Photo Frame

Sony is also introducing a new concept in digital image viewing with the Digital Photo Frame. It is a 5 1/2 -inch digital display with a futuristic decorative frame that can showcase MPEG Movie Mode full motion video or digital still images stored on Memory Stick media.

Consumers can turn vacation photos into a "cyber vacation" desktop slide show, or be reminded of happy moments with their family with an MPEG movie of their children. A wave of one's hand turns on the Digital Photo Frame with its touchless sensor, and a sleep timer turns it off automatically.

The Digital Photo Frame will be available in May for $999 (MSRP).

VAIO Slimtop LCD Computers

Strengthening Sony's commitment to the Memory Stick format are the company's latest IT innovations, the VAIO Slimtop LCD computers. These sleek systems come equipped with a dedicated Memory Stick media slot. This allows for enhanced imaging functionality such as easy downloading, emailing and manipulation of digital data including images, text and graphics.

A powerful personal computer that packs innovative user convenience features and custom software into a slim, less than 12-pound package (weight of CPU), the VAIO Slimtop LCD computer redefines the home computing experience. Features include a VAIO Smart(tm) Convertible Keyboard with six programmable power keys to launch an application at the touch of a button, an Ergo-Angle(tm) Multimedia LCD for adjustment of the optimal viewing angle and an AutoAlert(tm) Email Notification System that signals the user of incoming email via a LED featured on the 14.1-inch flat panel display.

Sony's VAIO Slimtop LCD computers (PCV-L400 and PCV-L600) are equipped with 400MHz Pentium(R) II and 500MHz Pentium III processors, as well as 6.4GB and 10.8GB hard drives, respectively. Both systems also include such features as v.90 integrated modem, parallel and serial ports, USB port, 24X CD-ROM drive and a PCMCIA card slot.

Sony's VAIO Slimtop LCD computers will be available in March.

Digital Photo Printer

Sony introduced a digital photo printer (DPP-MS300) that lets consumers print images in JPEG from a Memory Stick media card, as well as PC cards, Smart Media and CompactFlash media with a PC card adapter -- without connecting their digital camera to their PCs. Designed for maximum user flexibility and compatibility, the DPP-MS300 prints directly from digital media, or from VCRs, camcorders or other video sources through a standard NTSC video, S-Video or composite video inputs. The printer is also equipped with video-out for playback of images on a TV or video monitor. A parallel port for Windows(R) systems allows users direct printing from their PCs.