Sony expands line of professional storage with rugged, portable RAID products

Sony’s expanding line of professional storage technologies now includes two distinctive, rugged, and portable RAID (dual 3.5 inch HDD) products for ultra-fast data transfer on location in 6TB and 4TB capacities and a new 256 GB SxS PRO+ memory card. Each new model has the transfer speeds and high performance needed for 4K production and deliver effective high-capacity content workflow options from the field to the studio.

Unlike current HDD RAID products, Sony’s offerings are optimized for the transport, back-up and quickly transfer of content on-the-go, and are equipped to handle the demanding file requirements of 4K production. The new RAIDs — PSZ-RA4T (4TB) and PSZ-RA6T (6TB) — are convenient solutions which feature a handle on top for easy carrying and are designed to support increasing file sizes in a resilient and reliable housing.  The new models offer rapid transfer speeds of up to 440MB/s (read/write), reducing the transfer time for all files, including large 4K video files.

Sony’s RAIDs are highly durable, and shock and vibration resistant as high as MIL50G/11ms (in non-operating mode), and are equipped with dampers to absorb impact and protect the disks from damage.

The systems support multiple workflows and feature connectivity options including USB3.0 and two Thunderbolt 2 ports, compatibility with several RAID modes including RAID 0, RAID 1 and JBOD.  Users can also daisy chain up to six units via Thunderbolt.

Rounding out a pro card lineup that supports a diverse range of sizes, formats, prices and production needs is Sony’s newest SxS PRO+ memory card, which doubles the current capacity to 256GB.  Providing users with a high-speed data transfer solution of up to 3.5Gbps (440MB/s, read) and compatibility with a number of devices, the 256GB SxS PRO+ memory card can record up to 40 minutes of 4K footage (at 60p).  The cards, which are part of the new SxS PRO+ D Series, also come in a 128GB and 64GB model and are pre-formatted in exFAT for quick startup.  SxS PRO+ cards come in a protective hard case.

“As 4K content rapidly becomes a standard in the industry, the demand for larger capacity, mobile storage options has grown,” says Bill Cubellis, Director, Professional and Storage Media Sales & Marketing, Sony Electronics.  “Sony’s entry into RAIDs and higher capacity memory cards offer solutions that meet the needs of today’s content creators, who require a fast, efficient, portable and dependable workflow, and the ability to store all of the action from a day’s shoot in one place.”

Using Sony’s Memory Media Utility software, the RAIDs display device information like capacity and mode, available free space and disk status check to determine optimum replacement time, as well as media formatting. The new version supporting Sony’s professional RAIDs will be available in October.

The new Sony PSZ-RA4T and PSZ-RA6T RAIDs are planned to be available in November with suggested pricing to be determined.  The 256GB SxS PRO+ memory card will be available in October with suggested pricing to be determined.