Good Things Do Come in Small Packages

By Michael Foley
iApplianceWeb
(05/31/01, 09:40:35 AM EDT)

Pretec Electronics Corp. is reaching new heights in CompactFlash memory sizes. Their latest CompactFlash memory card can store up to 640MB worth of data. Pretec's CompactFlash memory card is a small form factor, removable data storage device. The CompactFlash card's small size makes it ideal for consumer electronic devices and information appliances. Since the cards are solid-state devices, they provide much more reliability in mobile devices than hard drives, which rely on mechanical parts for reading magnetic media.

Pretec's new card has been tested and approved by Eastman Kodak Company to be compatible with Kodak Professional DCS760 (3032 x 2008, 6 megapixel) and DCS Pro Back (4080 X 4080; 16 megapixel) digital cameras. Pretec's 640MB CF card provides the storage capacity needed for high-resolution cameras, such as the Pro Back, and is more reliable because it uses flash memory. For the Kodak cameras, the Pretec 640MB CF card achieves average write speeds of 1.94MB/sec with LCD ON and 2.1MB/sec with LCD OFF.

The CompactFlash card also comes in industrial and military versions. The card can operate in temperatures ranging from -40 to 125 degrees Fahrenheit. It supports ATA/True IDE standards and consumes low power when operating. The card uses flash memory technology, and with C-One, Pretec's proprietary intelligent controller, it emulates an IDE hard disk drive, providing the capability to easily capture, retain, and transport data, audio, and images between a variety of digital systems, such as Internet appliances and embedded PCs, as well as telecommunications, networking, and handheld devices.