Toshiba Set to Launch Ultra High Speed SD Memory Cards

Toshiba Corporation has announced that it will launch two new series of SD Cards offering high level data transfer rates and read-write performance. The “high-speed series” will offer a maximum data transfer rate of 5-megabytes (MB) a second, while the “ultra high-speed series” will push transfer rates to as high as 20 MB per second, double the rate of any other Toshiba-brand SD Cards. Both series will be rolled out this autumn; initially in Japan in October, and globally in November.

In May this year, the SD Card Association introduced the SD Speed Class, defining three minimum data transfer rates for next generation SD Cards: Class 2 supports a minimum data transfer rate of 2 MB a second; Class 4 supports 4 MB a second; and Class 6 6 MB a second. Toshiba is first in the industry to announce the launch of Class 6 products.

More from News & Analysis

What is the US HIRE Bill and why is India’s $250-billion IT sector worried? Is the internet dead? What's this theory that OpenAI's Sam Altman says might be true?

Both the high-speed series Speed Class 4 SD Cards and ultra high-speed series Speed Class 6 SD Cards will be made available in 512 MB, 1 GB and 2 GB capacities. The SD Speed Class will be clearly stated on the card and its packaging, allowing users to select the card that makers specify for use with their digital products. Applications will include video recording with high performance digital cameras.

The new SD memory card series will be exhibited at the IFA 2006, the world’s largest consumer electronics trade fair, which will be held at Berlin, Germany, from September 1 to 6, 2006.