SUNNYVALE, Calif.--July 22, 1996 -- FUJIFILM Microdevices and SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) announced today that FUJIFILM Microdevices will introduce CompactFlash based on SanDisk's flash memory technology.
FUJIFILM Microdevices also has joined the CompactFlash Association (CFA) as an executive member. CFA was established in October, 1995, to promote CompactFlash as a de facto global standard for small form factor storage cards.
Mr. Norihiko Kato, representative director of FUJIFILM Microdevices, said, "We are enthusiastic about jointly promoting CompactFlash with SanDisk for emerging markets. Our adoption of CompactFlash will assure another source for CompactFlash and be welcomed by customers especially in Japan." FUJIFILM CompactFlash (RD3202) is the newest addition to the company's PCMCIA products line (ATA, AIMS cards and ZV-Port cards including video capture and MPEG playback). The company plans to produce and ship FUJI CompactFlash in September, 1996.
Dr. Eli Harari, SanDisk president and CEO, said, "It is becoming apparent that the explosive growth projected for the newly emerging portable and mobile multimedia market requires the universal adoption of a common standard. With FUJIFILM Microdevices' endorsement of CompactFlash, the market will benefit from the many advantages of CompactFlash, including its industry standard ATA interface, interoperability and guaranteed technology forward and backward compatibility in the majority of desktop and notebook PCs and digital cameras."
FUJIFILM CompactFlash (RD3202), about the size of a matchbook, will be available in capacities ranging from 2 to 15MB. CompactFlash, based on SanDisk 32Mbit flash memory technology, dynamically supports both 3.3 and 5 volt systems -- it can be used "plug and play" to transport images between 3.3 volt cameras and standard PCs using 5 volts. CompactFlash is extremely
rugged and reliable and has a shock resistant rating of 2000 Gs -- equivalent to a 10-foot drop to the floor. CompactFlash also has tremendous resistance to electrostatic discharge and it protects against voltage levels exceeding 10,000 volts making it far superior to alternative solutions for small form factor storage devices. SanDisk's built-in controller ensures the highest level of data reliability, integrity and protection from any kind of corruption during the many future years of CompactFlash operation. In addition, the controller provides compatibility between systems or peripherals using CompactFlash independent of the silicon technology and voltages used.
Headquartered in Sendai Industrial Park, Japan, FUJIFILM Microdevices is a subsidiary of Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. It is dedicated to the design, manufacture and marketing of multimedia products including: CCD image sensors, digital ICs (image/audio compression, image processing, high speed serial bus interface IEEE 1394) and a variety of PCMCIA cards.
SanDisk Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets industry-standard, solid-state data, image and audio storage products using proprietary, high density flash memory and controller technology. SanDisk has strategic alliances with Seagate Technology, Matsushita Electronic Corp., NEC Corp. and LG Semicon. Seagate holds a 25 percent equity state in SanDisk. The company is based in Sunnyvale, CA.
Note to Editors: CF is a trademark of SanDisk Corporation. SanDisk's web site/home page address: http://www.sandisk.com.
Contact:
FUJIFILM Microdevices, Japan
Shigeharu Ochi
81-(3)-3269-2178
SanDisk Corporation, Sunnyvale
Nelson Chan/Bob Goligoski
408/542-3456
or 542-0463