Comments on: Using cheaper microSD memory in your PSP and Sony cameras is a no-no

DealExtreme has an inexpensive adapter that allows you to use microSD cards in place of more expensive Memory Stick Pro Duo cards in a variety of Sony-branded portable devices. The only problem is that it's illegal.

[Xanthus179]

I'm very interested. I have an 8GB in mine at the moment, and I would always be happier to have more space. I'm definitely looking into this.

[Delfairen]

Just be aware that formatting Micro SDHC in these is sometimes problematic. I have an adapter and 3 micro cards and 2 out of 3 times I have had to format them on my D40 as Windows/Mac/Linux all give errors trying to format them. Even the PSP is unable to format the cards.

[A. Castellano]

I've been using the PhotoFast CR-5400 MS ProDuo Dual slot adapter in my PSP for a while now without any problems. It lets me combine two MicroSD cards into one Memory Stick Pro Duo adapter.

[nightecho]

I love deal extreme just be careful of any electronics bought there. There is a reason why their prices are so low.

[chadwsmith]

How the hell is an adapter "Illegal"?

[joshsc]

It is illegal because the company making it would have to obtain licenses from Sony and Sandisk and evidently, they didn't. To make a product such as this you must obtain a license to use the other company's technology, names, etc.

It is one of the reasons Apple doesn't want to support Blueray- Sony's license is expensive.

[Donniebrasco]

Its illegal because SanDisk wants to play nice with Sony. Niether want these upstarts creating cheap alternatives to their products. If someone could explain why a Memory Stick is more expensive than a MicroSD other than a "Sony tax", I would love to hear it.

Dealextreme does seem kind of shady though. I ordered a tiny bluetooth adapter for my computer which doesn't seem to work too well. I guess that is what you get when you pay $2.99 for something that sells for $20-30 elsewhere. Shipped direct from Korea though.

[Xyberdyne]

I use something like this but it holds 2 sd cards. I currently have 2 8g sdhc cards for a total of 16g! CHEAP too

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=209974140&listingid=44230211&dcaid=17902

[outers55]

Maybe there would be less of a call for this sort of device if Sony could price their products competitively with similar products instead of implementing proprietary technologies that they are forced to protect in court.

[NervClaX]

Does anybody really care how legal or illegal this device is? It's freaking useful and it has the potential to save consumers wads of cash in troubled times. Fight the good fight all you want, but flash memory is like a tech commodity these days. If Sony and SanDisk were doing what was in the best intrest of its customers we wouldn't have two incompatible, incomparably priced standards. Oh yeah, and the R4DS and the homebrew gaming scene is illegal too. Don't mess with the flash industry, kids!

[newunder]

Cnet saves the day, again! These posts help me to 'sort of' understand why the SanDisk 2 gig sd card I bought works in my Canon digital camera, but does not work in my portable dvd player w/cardreader. Could someone explain more for me? The player did not come with info about card requirements.

[AnonTip]

Instead of trying to act like the "patent police" and be the judge, jury, and executioner of Sony's *CLAIM* of infringement, how about it you just stick to reporting the news?

Sony has zero rights to bully CNET into editing their stories for "more mature" content - why did you cave in so quickly to those pinheads?