What are some good sticks out there, and what's the best price you've found for them?

I did find one for a 512 SanDisk Secure Digital Card. It's $12.49 shipped from Amazon.com (that's including tax).

So what have you found?

or should we wait for the Sony Reader to come out?

I work at a store with one of those DIY photo print kiosks. For all the cards that people leave in that machine, I'm sure I could beat Amazon.

Of course, they usually come back asking for them...

http://www.mymemory.co.uk

have 2GB Kingston cards for £17.99

http://www.mymemory.co.uk

have 2GB Kingston cards for £17.99

Wow, that's a huge card. That would be way over 2000 books. It seems like it would be too big for me, but that's just me.

Will it be possible to put the card in the device, and use the USB hookup to drag and drop onto the card?

I think I'll need to get a reader

Will it be possible to put the card in the device, and use the USB hookup to drag and drop onto the card?
Okay, did some digging, and found part of an answer for you. It looks like if you use the Connect software to put things on the Reader you'll be able to choose whether it goes into a memory card or internal memory. Of course that would only apply to the file types that the Connect Software recognizes, any others it probably won't pass at all.

If you're not using the Sony software, it appears that it may be possible to put stuff directly onto the card through the Reader over USB, but it looks like that is something that we'll have to work for ourselves out how to do. (shrug)

I'd recommend investing the ~$10 in a card reader, just to avoid the hassle. We have a nifty mouse/SD card reader combo that we got when at the same time we bought our digital camera -- it does the job and doesn't take up extra desk space, always a plus. :happy2:

I have a 512 Mb Sony MS Pro Duo (it came with my Cybershot DSC T-5) and a 256 Mb MMC card (unused right now).
Now, I don't have the slightest idea whether either of them will work with the eReader. There are many different types of MS cards, and sometimes SD-capable devices can also read MMC. For instance, my previous camera supported both SD and MMC, and card readers offer the same slot for both formats.
Moreover, some devices have problems with cards over 512 Mb. Has Sony ever said what's the maximum capacity for cards in this device?

I was planning to use cards as backup storage-only. For instance, I first transfer ebooks to the card, and then copy them to the internal memory. That's if the device software lets me, of course. That way I expect to save on loading times and battery.

So many questions! So many details to know about the device! Release it already, Sony!

I have a 512 Mb Sony MS Pro Duo (it came with my Cybershot DSC T-5) and a 256 Mb MMC card (unused right now).
Now, I don't have the slightest idea whether either of them will work with the eReader.
I think the MS Pro Duo will probably work, but you'll need an adaptor, as I believe they're smaller than the original Memory Sticks. The Reader uses the straight, original Memory Stick. What I don't know is whether the copy protection circuit on the MS Pro will prevent it from talking to the Reader -- you may have to make sure you put your Reader files in some sort of unsecured directory to get the Reader to be able to see them. I've never worked with Memory Sticks, so I'm going on what I've read and guesswork here, so take that last sentence well salted. :happy2:

There are many different types of MS cards, and sometimes SD-capable devices can also read MMC. For instance, my previous camera supported both SD and MMC, and card readers offer the same slot for both formats.
I think the usual deal is that if it reads SD it'll take MMC, but not necessarily the other way around. I know iRex changed their specs from "MMC/SD support" to just "MMC Support" when the iLiadites started discovering that a lot of their SD's didn't work. I make it a general rule to buy only SD cards (<sarcasm> and I buy so many </sarcasm>), maybe someone more familiar with the differences between SD & MMC can comment?

So is my find of $12.49 the lowest anyone has found?

So is my find of $12.49 the lowest anyone has found?
Yup, for a 512MB, it looks like that's the best price -- you win your own game!

Hey, now, wait a minute.... :rolleyes5

This (http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustRatingReview.asp?Item=N82E16820160024) is the exact card that is located on Amazon for $12.49, I posted the link to newegg because it has about 174 people commenting on this specific card. It seems like it has been reviewed pretty well.

Here is the link to Amazon selling it for 12.49 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0000DK3I4/sr=8-1/qid=1157042311/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-7117821-5070517?ie=UTF8)

It's from eMartbuy

Is the hardware for this device final?
I am wondering if I should wait before I buy any memory

Is the hardware for this device final?
I am wondering if I should wait before I buy any memoryWell, best info is that they're aiming for October launch -- it had better be pretty final! :grin2:

Well, best info is that they're aiming for October launch -- it had better be pretty final! :grin2:


I hope it's an October 1st release. The desire to have this device is amazing. I honestly feel like it's Christmas time, and I have to wait to open my presents

Well, best info is that they're aiming for October launch -- it had better be pretty final! :grin2:

Really? I know Sony has myriads of departments inside, but...

Engadget on PS3 manufacturing delay (http://gaming.engadget.com/2006/08/22/playstation-3-t-minus-3-months-not-started-manufacturing/)

and

PS3 graphics card clock (http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/sony-ps3-gpu-gets-downgraded-197137.php) (unconfirmed, but still possible)

It's Sony, anything may happen. They are probably more busy with the content rather than the Reader, though. SW and HW looks pretty final to me.

It's Sony, anything may happen.
Which gives "It's a Sony!" a completely different, perhaps unwanted, meaning :D

Really? I know Sony has myriads of departments inside, but....
<snip>
It's Sony, anything may happen. They are probably more busy with the content rather than the Reader, though. SW and HW looks pretty final to me.You've got your finger on the most relevant point, lordvetinari2, -- The Sony division responsible for the Reader hasn't got a thing to do with the PS3. I'm sure the PS3 folks have their own issues, and I haven't been paying much (as in, 'none') attention to them so I haven't the faintest idea what those might be. :happy2:

But the best indications I can dig up on the Reader are that the PC Mag Review's (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6982) statement about the release date will turn out to be fairly close. I certainly haven't seen anything to contradict their info which doesn't fall into the realm of speculation or really crummy fact checking. (shrug)

Salt to taste. :mad:

I think Gizmodo and Engadget are poisoning me against Sony. If it's from Apple is the best ever, if it's from Sony it's the devil. They they seem to put way too much weight to the design, they are fashion junkies.

Well, rambling aside, you are right saying that every Sony division is different from the other, and they are not very communicated. I should know, I translate Sony stuff from +3 different clients, and each one has different methods, requirements, expectations, flexibility, industry knowledge... However, they all have in common very high quality standards, even for a Japanese company, just the opposite to Chinese and Korean manufacturers (BTW, avoid LG as much as you can). Let's hope we get a good Sony division.

I am no gamer (although that will change with the Wii), but I think the Sony gaming division is not doing well at all. I'm not against the hardware, more like their policy.

I think Gizmodo and Engadget are poisoning me against Sony. If it's from Apple is the best ever, if it's from Sony it's the devil. They they seem to put way too much weight to the design, they are fashion junkies.If you think they're biasing you, I suppose you could try ignoring them for a week or so to detox, and then seeing if they seem more biased than you remembered. :laugh4:

Well, rambling aside, you are right saying that every Sony division is different from the other, and they are not very communicated. I should know, I translate Sony stuff from +3 different clients, and each one has different methods, requirements, expectations, flexibility, industry knowledge... However, they all have in common very high quality standards, even for a Japanese company....Heh-heh, now you're actually arguing my premises -- maybe MobileRead is biasing you! :wink:

I am no gamer (although that will change with the Wii), but I think the Sony gaming division is not doing well at all. I'm not against the hardware, more like their policy.I enjoy my PS2 for blowing stuff up in a socially acceptable manner (great for stress relief), but I don't think I remotely qualify as a gamer. I'd still hate to loose the platform, though.

Let's hope we get a good Sony division.We've at least got a division that took the trouble to ask for and answer questions from the blogosphere, I'd say that's at least a hopefull sign.

(BTW, avoid LG as much as you can) I was thinking LG was a division of Philips ... or maybe you mean Lucky-Goldstar?

I was thinking LG was a division of Philips ... or maybe you mean Lucky-Goldstar?

I mean 'Life's Good' LG (http://www.lge.com). Their manuals and service are the worst I have ever faced.

For instance, let's say you are from some LatinAmerican country and you have a query regarding your LG mobile phone ('I can't download games/music', it's always that). You send an e-mail to your local branch, but it really goes to mother Korea. Then it goes to a translation agency in Korea (in handy XLS format), they forward it to Spain, back to the translation agency, back to LG Korea, and finally to your inbox. Ain't that a sweet workflow?

No one checks their manuals, either. Both English and localizaed versions are laughable, they just copy and paste from old manuals without any checking at all.

I mean 'Life's Good' LG (http://www.lge.com).Hmm, this is the one I thought was a division of Philips. I can see from their history (http://www.lge.com/about/corporate/company_history.jsp) page that I was mistaken. Apparently it used to be Goldstar (which I knew as Lucky-Goldstar when I worked in the semiconductor industry). And I liked the looks of one of their refrigerators, too -- may have to think about that some more. Then again, how much does a real geek need the manual for a fridge? :rolleyes2:

There are some mean fridges coming out lately, with TV, internet connection and all that jazz, so they are not as easy nowadays.
Anyway, a real geek would never RTFM, they are positive they know everything, so if something does not work, they would call tech support to complain that something's wrong with the thing.
Manuals are for average "tech-savvy" (word of the week) people. Enough knowledge to understand them, not enough to disregard them completely.

What I mean is, looking at LG's QA procedures on manuals and service (i.e., they do not have any), how can I trust them for H/W and S/W? Samsung's OK, but I try to avoid LG whenever I can (and it's getting more difficult by the minute, they are everywhere).

They are worlds apart from Sony. My company receives Sony documents from at least three different sources, and I can tell you that working with them is a real pleasure. Well, apart from them being so demanding, that is. But you can see that the end product is very good.

Well from reading up on the latest tid bit of the Sony Reader from MAKE's website I feel strong enough to say that the hardware should be final, and that the Secure Digital memory will be used for this device.

I almost slapped down the 12.49 for the 512 card when I decided I should wait for the hardware specifications to be final. With MAKE's story I feel confident this is true, and I started to look yet again for CHEAP Secure Digital Cards.

I found a 1gb Secure Digital card for only $20.98 shipped, and this is coming straight from Amazon. Kingston 1GB SecureDigital Flash Card ( SD/1GB )
$12.99 - Quantity: 1 - In Stock http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-1GB-SecureDigital-Flash-SD/dp/B00070QI1I/sr=8-1/qid=1158165618/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-4019733-6511320?ie=UTF8&s=electronics This is the same memory stick that was reviewed on Newegg, but this one has 1gb instead!

So for 8 more dollars you get 512mb

So does the PRS-500 come with either hard-wired memory or included-in-the-box MS or SD memory ?

And are there two memory readers, one for MS and one for SD, or is it that the slot allows either to be inserted in one memory reader ?

(Hah! We have "the reader's reader". )

So does the PRS-500 come with either hard-wired memory or included-in-the-box MS or SD memory ?

And are there two memory readers, one for MS and one for SD, or is it that the slot allows either to be inserted in one memory reader ?

According to the Sony's website (http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?CategoryName=pa_pdr&ProductSKU=PRS500&TabName=feature&var2=) The PRS-500 has 64MB internal memory, but I don't remember how much is user-accessible off-hand, most of it, I'm sure. I haven't heard anything about it coming with memory cards -- I'd expect not. :)

From looking at various pix around the 'net I think it has two separate card slots, but that's about half guess. :shrug:

Well I got my card from Amazon.com, and everything works perfectly. It doesn't even take that long to transfer a file over.

I would recommend this product to anyone, as I am a satisfied customer.

Is that the 1GB Kingston, Frogsmasha?

Is that the 1GB Kingston, Frogsmasha?

Yes it is. Good Stuff :)

It also comes with a lifetime limited warranty.

Just found 128mb Lexar Memory Stick (circa 2002), finally I can use it :) Probably cost me half of the eReader price back then :)

According to the Sony's website (http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?CategoryName=pa_pdr&ProductSKU=PRS500&TabName=feature&var2=) The PRS-500 has 64MB internal memory, but I don't remember how much is user-accessible..It has got 64meg available for customers to use for storage. That's estimated to be enough for 80 books on average. The total storage is larger, but 64MB is what is available.

In case you are curious, while I don't remember the figure for sure, I think it was in the 96MB range if you include unavailable storage also.

Just found 128mb Lexar Memory Stick (circa 2002), finally I can use it :) Probably cost me half of the eReader price back then :)

I found an old 128mb SD card as well. Unless you plan to listen to music (I'll stick to my ipod for that), I don't think a big sd card is really needed. With the 128mb card added in I'll be able to hold around 240 books. I've been reading all my fiction on my various PDAs for years and I don't think I've ever had more than 30-40 books on at a time. Frogsmasha found some great prices and I am very tempted but I think I'll save the money and buy a book or two at the connect store instead :shy:

>Frogsmasha found some great prices and I am very tempted ...

Yep, you can get 1Gb SD card for $17-$20 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Order=PRICE&Page=1&Category=7&N=2000070068+1053107930+1053307939&Submit=ENE&Nty=1&SubCategory=68) and 512mb for like $10 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Order=PRICE&Page=1&Category=7&Nty=1&N=2000070068+1053107930+1053307938&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=68) nowdays

I'm using a 256mb transflash card in its SD adaptor with my iLiad and that seems to provide plenty of room (it was lying around unused when the need arose.)

The Sony Reader has a USB 1.1 port so you will find a USB 2.0 card reader a very handy thing. (Add that to the Border's bundle?)

And of course if you need to have the entire Gutenberg Library in your Reader so you can run around telling people "I've got the whole freakin' Gutenberg Public Domain ebook collection right here in my hand!" then you'll want the Sony 4GB MS Pro Duo with supplied memory stick pro adaptor, and I recommend the General Electric USB 2.0 Memory Stick Reader to go with it.

...I don't think a big sd card is really needed. As I recall, there may actually be an advantage to the smaller cards, if you plan to take them in and out a lot -- the Reader stops and indexes the whole card when you put it in, how long that takes is partly a function of the card size, and partly the number of files on the card. :smile:


P.S. Nice Avatar, Slava!

Thank you, Nathan :)

Blue light is fake of cause :)

Do you know if I can turn off "Profile" part? Both avatar and profile are taking too much space, vertically speaking :) Of cause I can always make my avatar smaller.

Has anyone used a larger sized card for the Reader yet? I know it can take up to 4GB, but it's not guaranteed to work. I'd like to go for a big card (I dream about carrying every book I'd ever want to read around with me, anywhere I go...), but I don't want to invest in a 2-4GB card without some assurance that it's likely to work...

Well, take the Reader with you to the shop and check?
And don't forget to post results :)

Well, take the Reader with you to the shop and check?
And don't forget to post results :)

Well, I was hoping to buy online ;-) And I'm not sure how many B&M stores let you handle memory sticks without buying them... Maybe I'll try Fry's or someplace similar, though. I'll certainly keep the board posted!

I've discovered that 4gb SD cards vary in compatibility with smartphones, so brands may matter. But I did try a 4gb SD card in the Reader and it worked. What I don't know is if it will show all 4gb, or just 2gb (e.g. if it doesn't support FAT32, it won't be able to address more than 2gb).

I've discovered that 4gb SD cards vary in compatibility with smartphones, so brands may matter. But I did try a 4gb SD card in the Reader and it worked. What I don't know is if it will show all 4gb, or just 2gb (e.g. if it doesn't support FAT32, it won't be able to address more than 2gb).

Yeah, the manual is a bit sketchy on this regard. It says: "An operation check is performed when using a "Memory Stick" of up to 4 GB. However, operation of all "Memory Stick" is not guaranteed."

And the same with SD card, except "2 GB" instead of 4.

To me, that seems to imply that perhaps 4GB Memory Sticks and 2GB SD *might* work, but aren't supported. I would be very surprised if 4GB SD cards worked.

What brand SD card did you use, Bob?

Edit: BTW, before anyone goes and buys cards - the Reader comes with quite a bit of built-in memory. The Connect software says 91.9 MB total!

I think it was a 4gig Transcend SD.
You're right about not needing cards, though unless you want to carry music or need a huge (and I mean really huge!) library at your device away from your desktop PC.

The internal memory is definitely enough for all of the books on my current "to read" list. But using the SD slot could be great for "big book" reference tomes: dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc. I can definitely think of possibilities here, even given the limited (or non-existant) search capabilities of the current model.
Now if I could just get my hacky hands on one of these beasties.... :wink:

But using the SD slot could be great for "big book" reference tomes: dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc.I'm slowly putting together a book by book collection of the Bible. I figure it's the only way I'll be able to find anything in there on the Reader, since its browsing is a ... bit limited. I want to put it on an SD, so that I don't have to sort through all 66 books when I'm wanting to read other stuff. :smile:

Now if I could just get my hacky hands on one of these beasties.... :wink:Yes, please do! :mad:

One thing to keep in mind is that some SD cards labeled SanDisk, for example, might be fakes as sold on eBay....story (http://clieuk.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?threadid=8076) at PDA247.

I can verify that the Kingston 2gig SD works partially.
Update: Well at least it works partially. I just noticed that I have only 1gig available so it looks like the Sony Reader will only support up to 1gig. I reformated the SD back to 2gig and the Sony Reader won't accept it unless I bring it back to 1gig at least with the Kingston brand SD.

That's good then since I ordered one yesterday expressly for the Reader.

My Kingston 1gig shows up 970 megs I think, and should work for the entire amount.

can verify that the Kingston 2gig SD works partially.

FYI, Costco has those for $47.99. I am sure online might be cheaper but if you get them at a store, no shipping.

Take Care

Woot.com has 2 512mb Memory Stick Pro cards for 17.99+5.00 shipping today as their 2 for Tuesday sale.

I've been using the 32mb Pro Duo from my PSP with a small adapter that came with a 2gb card I purchased a while back. It works fine, but I'm a little squeamish about inserting and removing it from the Reader too often. These should more than cover my memory needs. :)

I'm considering buying a 2gb SD card for this reader. Anybody has such a card on the reader that will work to its full capacity instead of just 1gb (partially)?

Try Frys.com

Pop in a Patriot 2gb no problem... Also tried a PQI and Transcend 1gb no problems. Panasonic 256MB also a ok. All show the correct size. No playback problems. Don't recommend Cosair. Have problem with my camera and other units that use their SD memory.

Remember that Black Friday is comming up next month...

Just wanted to say that I just got my 4GB Ritek Ridata 150x SD card working in my reader. It gave me lots of problems until I just deleted all the data off of the card (after backing it up on my computer) and stuck the blank card into my reader. After that, it appeared in the CONNECT Reader and showed Available 3.8 GB, Capacity 3.8 GB!

Thanks for reporting the working compatible card. Hope more people will jump in to report working 2gb and 4gb cards.

I have 3 memory cards, all SanDisk memory stick Pro Duo,the one with 1 Gig shows 950MB (from my PSP it shows all my pictures and MP3 in there), 2 gb shows 1.9 gig in connect no problem at all and the 4 gb also show 3.8 gb.

I've updated the wiki page, summarizing this thread up to this post.
http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Sony_Reader_Memorycards

I bought a Kingston 2GB SD from buy.com last week ($20 after 10$ discount for using Google Checkout and $10 rebate).
link (http://www.buy.com/prod/Kingston_2GB_Secure_Digital_Card_SD/q/loc/101/202743332.html)
It works fine, and reports 1.9 GB available in CONNECT.

Ken

I picked up a Polaroid 2GB SD card (made by PNY apparently) at the local Frys Electronics for $49.99 the other day and it appears to work fine.

Z.

I picked up a Polaroid 2GB SD card (made by PNY apparently) at the local Frys Electronics for $49.99 the other day and it appears to work fine.

Z.

Whoa, thats pretty expensive.

I'm using an "A-Data Speedy" (whover the heck they are!) 2GB SD card. Works fine and shows up as the usual 1.9GB capacity in "Connect".

For the sake of good order (and for those who may still have some old Memory Sticks around from their old Sony cameras) I have used Sony Memory Sticks of 16 MB and 128 MD, Lexar Media 64 MB Memory Stick, and San Disk 128 MB Memory Stick. All worked. I did lose some space on them if I did not remove the camera directory structure before placing them in the Reader.

Thanks to everyone who has posted! I've been googling for this very issue for about a half-hour now... (my Google-fu is weak tonight!)

Good to hear that at least SOME 4gb cards are working.

To the folks who wonder why you would need that much space: Manga and MP3. Black and white comics, such as Akira, look very, very nice on the Sony Reader.

Keep those reports coming! I have a 1GB Sandisk that works great and am keeping my eyes open for the perfect deal on a 4gb card.

Folks looking for a 1gb card should check out Circuit City on Black Friday (tommorow). $2.99 after a rebate. Staples has a similar deal. Limit 6 per customer... but then, to paraphrase Bill Gates, 6gb should be enough for anyone.

There is a weekend (?)/Black Friday sale at Radio Shack of a SanDisk 1 GB Memory Stick Dou for $19.95 or a SanDisk 2 GB SD card for $39.95.

I picked up the 2 GB and can report that it works without a hitch. Now the question is, "If I fill it with RFT books, how long will it take me to read all of it?"

I just got home from Best Buy - and it wasn't too crazy!

I picked up a 1GB PNY SD card for $14.99 - "advertised special" per the sign. Of course, the 500MB PNY SD card was $19.99 - go figure!

I still had a $5.00 Best Buy buck left over from the McDonald's Monopoly game and it worked.

Great deal and just tested it inside the reader and it seems to work swimmingly. :xmas:

PNY Technologies 2GB (P-SD2G-RF3) $29.99, works.

Circuit city is selling 4 GB memory stick Duo with adapter for $119.00 with a $20.00 mail-in rebate.
Mine is working fine for MPS and ebooks
Listen to Audiobooks while driving to the metro and read books while on it.

Woot.com has 2x 512mb Sandisk Memory Stick Pro for 10.99 today(1/23/07) as their "2 for Tuesday" deal. I picked up a pair last time they offered them - they're cheap and (more importantly) they work. :)

Woot.com has 2x 512mb Sandisk Memory Stick Pro for 10.99 today(1/23/07) as their "2 for Tuesday" deal. I picked up a pair last time they offered them - they're cheap and (more importantly) they work. :)

Thanks, I picked those up.

They often have cheap SD cards at 1 or 2GB with rebates that make it free or nearly free. Sometimes they have free shipping too on certain products.