Digital devices continue to require larger storage capacities as certain technologies create digital media files with increased sizes. Music, videos and images are examples of digital media that can take up large amounts of storage space. Consumers, however, want to carry digital information in smaller and smaller devices. Pro Duo and SD cards provide digital storage capacities that help to meet this increased demand.
The Pro Duo
Sony introduced the Pro Duo technology in 2003 as a smaller version of the memory stick. The Pro Duo is used almost exclusively with Sony products such as game consoles, cameras, cellular phones and portable PlayStation devices. The Pro Duo is also transfers data at a much faster rate than memory sticks.
SD Memory Card
Secure Digital (SD) memory cards come in the following three formats: SD, mini SD and micro SD. The mini and micro SD varieties commonly come with adapters that make it possible to use them in devices fitting standard-size cards. SanDisk, Toshiba and Matsushita/Panasonic developed SD in 2000. Most electronic devices -- with the exception of Sony products -- can use the SD technology.
Transfer Speed and Physical Dimensions
The size and transfer rates for both formats have increased dramatically since these cards first appeared. As of October 2011, the Pro Duo can read and write up to 30 megabytes per second (MBps). The physical dimensions of the Pro Duo are 1.22 inches high by 0.79 inches wide by 0.06 inches deep. The SD card, on the other hand, can write up to 30 MBps and read up to 40 MBps. Its physical dimensions are 1.26 inches high by 0.94 inches wide by 0.08 inches deep. The maximum storage capacity of both the Pro Duo and SD cards is 64 gigabytes (GB).
Micro and Mini SD
Cellular phones commonly use the Micro SD card because of its size and adaptability. SanDisk originally developed the Micro SD card in 2006 and Motorola standardized the format for cellular phones. SanDisk developed the Mini SD card in 2003, and this technology is commonly used by smaller digital products, including some cameras and handheld gaming devices.
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