Sony Data Sticks - Any suggestions?

[gvec]

I see that there are two types of Data sticks. One has the newer 'MagicGate' capabilities.

Is there anything to keep in mind when purchasing one of these off of ebay (in new, unopened condition).

Like are there more models than just two? Also, are the lexmark and SanDisk compatible models faster or slower?

Or are data sticks just that - data sticks?

Thanks in advance guys!

[colmag]

From what i can tell (i stand to be corrected), the only need for the MG sticks (the white ones) is to play Sony ATRAC format audio files.

I just bought a purple lexar 64MB stick, and it works fine. I can play MP3's from it, run apps from it etc etc.

Couldn't comment on the potential speed difference though, other than to say that running apps from the memory stick is nowhere near as fast as running them from the built in memory.

[stupot42]

I've got a Lexar mem stick (the blue 128mb) which I bought, and it's great... as far as I know, there is no difference between any of the memory sticks... they all work the same, just paying for a name with the Sony ones.

The MagicGate Sticks are only needed to play the ATRAC format music, which according to the info supplied can only be transfered to and from the same computer, but I've not done it, so I don't know if there's a way around that. I believe you also need the MagicGate mem stick to play movies on your Clie.

I play MP3's off my blue mem stick, and it works great.

Just thought I'd add, I believe that they're releasing the 256mb sticks some time after Xmas, so if you want a big one ;) and you can wait, it might be worth waiting that little bit of extra time! :D

[gvec]

hmm...need magicgate to play movies? so If I had an mpg attachment, I couldn't watch it unless I had magic gate?

doesn't the file have to be encoded with magicgate 'keys' or whatever?

I think normal AVI's and MPG's wouldn't be.


Thanks for the advice guys!

[stupot42]

Just o let you know I've been doing some experimenting, and I was wrong about the movies thing... they play off the normal mem sticks fine! :)