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Just as were starting to get cozy with the still vastly unavailable XQD format, the CompactFlash Association is back with version 2.0 of the spec, which it says could provide transfer speeds of up to 8 Gb/s (1,000 MB/s). You’ll need to have access to a PCI Express 3.0 interface in order to take advantage of that throughput, however — a boost from the 5 Gbps offered with the previous-gen solution. XQD 2.0 is still under development, with Sony footing the bill, and the organization is welcoming “additional participation” as it works to refine the standard. There’s no saying exactly when we’ll start seeing devices that employ the new tech, though CFA is aiming to make the spec available “in the second half of 2012.” Cards that utilize the new format will enable video capture at higher bandwidth that the SD and CF media of today, and while we seem to be managing just fine with the current stock for capturing 1080p, faster storage will certainly be welcome in the future, once 4K, and perhaps even larger formats, make their mainstream debut.

Continue reading CompactFlash Association develops XQD 2.0 spec, promises up to 8 Gbps throughput

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Storage

CompactFlash Association develops XQD 2.0 spec, promises up to 8 Gbps throughput originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Jul 2012 20:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you think that the current generation of Compact Flash cards aren’t fast enough for you, you’re in luck. Sony has just announced the launch of its new XQD format card the QD-S64. Using the XQD format that was launched by the Compact Flash Association late last year, these new cards are capable of sustained read/write transfer speeds of 168MBps. In addition to high transfer speeds, the card is capable of capturing non-stop burst of 108 RAW image files with a Nikon D4. It is also said to reduce PC backup times by over 30% compared to the fastest CF cards on the market today.

Sony will be releasing the XQD-S Series cards later this month with 64GB capacity, while a 32GB version (QD-S32) will come out in September or October. No word on pricing but you can be pretty sure they won’t be cheap at launch.

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By Ubergizmo. Related articles: NTT DoCoMo stops Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for quartet of Xperia smartphones, PlayStation Cloud : how Gaikai may change Sony Computer Entertainment forever,

Sony’s new S-Series XQD memory cards will be the fastest you can buy when they arrive on the Japanese market July 11th, with a transfer speed of 168MB/s — a boon if you’re shooting continuous raw photos or high data rate HD video. The company claims that you’ll need a Thunderbolt connection on your computer to take advantage of all that speed, which comes via the PCI Express Gen interface used for the memory cards. The 32GB and 64GB models will also have plenty of space to put all that media, but you’ll need to pay for the privilege, to the tune of $503 and $754, respectively. Of course, those prices may not be an issue if you’ve already plonked down the coin for one of the few devices that support them.

Sony S-Series XQD memory cards hit speed record at 168MB/s, starting at $500 for 32GB in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Jul 2012 07:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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