Choosing a memory card for the PCM-D50 is complicated by Sony's use of
similar names for different products.
The PCM-D50 manual and Sony's compatibility web page shows that the
"Memory Stick Pro Duo (High Speed)" models are recommended for use in
the D50. The "(High Speed)" models are distinguished by a red stripe
behind the "Memory Stick Pro Duo" on the memory card.
Here is Sony's page on the subject. The compatibility chart at the
bottom of the page talks about the PCM-D1, but the D50 has the same
requirements.
http://esupport.sony.com/perl/support-info.pl?&info_id=3D19
The "Memory Stick Pro Duo (High Speed)" models are rated to have a 15
megabit per second minimum sustained write speed. This means the "Pro
Duo (High Speed)" should be able to record a constant stream of data
up to 15 Mb/sec without errors. That's more than fast enough for a
24/96 recording.
The problem is that the "Pro Duo (High Speed)" model is not available
in 4GB capacity. A model with a similar name, "Pro-HG Duo" is
available in 4GB capacity, but it's a lot more expensive.
The "Memory Stick Pro Duo" without the parenthetical "(high speed)"
label also is available in sizes up to 4GB. It's too slow for 24/96
recording. It ought to work fine for 16/44.1, however.
Sony knows that the "Memory Stick Pro Duo" is too slow for video, so
they are working on a faster "Sony Memory Stick Pro Duo Mark2" model.
When it becomes available, this "Mark 2" version should be fast
enough for 24/96 recording in the PCM-D50, and available in the 4GB
size. The "Mark 2" should be considerably less expensive than the
Pro-HG Duo as well.
Bottom line: The "Memory Stick Pro Duo (High Speed)" is the best
choice today if you plan to record at 24/96, even though it has a 2GB
limit. I guess we should be grateful that Sony built 4GB of permanent
flash memory into the D50
--oryoki
|