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The DSvision with MicroSD card  (Source: dsvision.jp)
Nintendo DS users in Japan will soon be able to download video, images, books legally

Generally speaking, little devices for the DS that make use of MicroSD memory are bad for Nintendo’s business – but coming soon for the Japanese market is a fully-licensed Nintendo DS cartridge that will accept MicroSD flash memory as a storage medium to deliver video, images and text onto the handheld.

Developed by Dai Nippon Printing and AM3, the product called DSvision will appear much like any normal Nintendo DS game, except that on its side is a slot to accept a MicroSD card. Users of the product will be able to utilize a download service to load TV shows, comics and books for viewing on the Nintendo DS.

The DSvision will come packed with the Nintendo DS cartridge, 512MB MicroSD and a MicroSD-to-USB adapter for 3,980 yen ($36). Users will use the adapter to load media on using a PC when the program launches in March 2008, though details on pricing for the download service are not clear.

Unlike some other MicroSD devices for the DS, the DSvision is fully licensed by Nintendo. Other similar devices, such as the R4, are sold as gray-market devices and can be used to pirate Nintendo DS games with relative ease.

“We are keeping a close eye on the products and studying them. But we cannot smash all of them,” a Nintendo spokesman said, referring to the popular Nintendo DS piracy tool. But, as the saying goes, if you can’t beat 'em, join 'em.

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Why not SD/SDHC
By gradoman on 12/3/2007 2:04:26 PM , Rating: 2
I'm not sure I understand why some devices simply don't support regular SD/SDHC -- it'd make my life easier instead of having to buy a microSD adapter and the card itself and transferring stuff over to it.

It's just more money to spend instead of just being able to swap out my card normal SDHC card from device to device.




RE: Why not SD/SDHC
By Omega215D on 12/3/2007 2:08:12 PM , Rating: 3
The slot for regular SD takes up quite a bit of room (I see this after opening up my PDA and Cowon D2). The micro SD was meant for smaller devices such as cell phone where space is typically limited.

It would be nice if the DS already had a microSD slot already built into it.


RE: Why not SD/SDHC
By OrSin on 12/3/2007 2:11:26 PM , Rating: 2
If they allowed any media, pirating would be too. As it is its still pretty easy to pirate, but at least it stop the avergae Joe from pirating.

Why do people complain about a product they already own. You paid for it, knowing it limitations. It's not like it suddenly block SD cards.


RE: Why not SD/SDHC
By Gholam on 12/3/2007 2:55:07 PM , Rating: 2
MicroSD/TransFlash cards are generally sold with adapters, thanks to the fact that all the said adapter needs to be is a piece of plastic with a few contacts - the interfaces are fully electrically compatible - thus making the adapter cost virtually nil.


RE: Why not SD/SDHC
By glenn8 on 12/3/2007 3:06:05 PM , Rating: 2
I think the OP's issue is that he already has SD card(s) with media on it and wants to simply swap from one device to another (to the DS) without changing cards or even buying the DSVision.
But IMO it's not that big a deal. The microSD cards always come with some form of SD adapter like you mentioned, and also they're pretty cheap these days. 2GB cards can be had for $15-20.
Also IMO if media is what you're after, you're better off with a PSP.


RE: Why not SD/SDHC
By afkrotch on 12/3/2007 3:49:07 PM , Rating: 1
That's why I kind of like Sony. Sure, I'm stuck with the stupid memory stick duo pro or whatever it's called, but it'll work with my PS3, PSP, and digicam. Would have been much better if everyone simply said "let's all use SD!" At least some form of SD.

I'd be happier saying,"My sd card works with my PS3, PSP, digicam, Xbox 360, PS2, Xbox, cellphone, stereo, rail cannon, etc."


RE: Why not SD/SDHC
By Gholam on 12/3/2007 4:12:13 PM , Rating: 1
Uh, no. There are over 20 different flavors of Memory Stick around, and surprise surprise, most of them are not compatible with each other.


RE: Why not SD/SDHC
By afkrotch on 12/3/2007 4:45:57 PM , Rating: 2
I have a 4 gig memory stick pro duo. Works with all my stuff. Granted, I need an adapter for my PS3, but the stick came with one.

Also the only Sony memory sticks that aren't compatible are the original ones back in 1998. Even then, an update would make your old reader compatible with the Pro series.

Even the memory stick M2 is compatible with the Pro series. All you need is an adapter. So all in all the 5 different flavors of memory stick (20 was way off) are compatible with each other.


RE: Why not SD/SDHC
By MemoryStickFanboi on 12/3/2007 8:31:38 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
...memory stick pro duo. Works with all my stuff. Granted, I need an adapter for my PS3...

Actually you DON'T need an adapter for the models of the PS3 that have card reader slots, There is a fancy mechanism built into the slot which allows it to take both the larger original MemorySticks and smaller Duos with NO adapter. It seems a little stiffer when inserting the Duos, but it still goes in at approx. the same angle as the original sized MemorySticks, just not as deep of course.

It works great too, I use the Duos I have with no adapter in my 60gb PS3 all the time.


RE: Why not SD/SDHC
By mmntech on 12/3/2007 8:32:23 PM , Rating: 2
Why did you need an adapter for the PS3? The slot supports memory stick duo without the need for an adapter. Only Memory Stick Micro needs one.


RE: Why not SD/SDHC
By jajig on 12/4/2007 12:16:12 AM , Rating: 2
My Sony Cybershot (DSCP 7.1) from 2002 doesn't accept any of the new memory card even with adapters, so I'd have to say you date of 1998 is a bit off.


RE: Why not SD/SDHC
By MattCoz on 12/3/2007 6:56:57 PM , Rating: 3
Simple, a regular SD card wouldn't fit inside the DS card.


Hmmm...
By Clauzii on 12/3/2007 3:43:31 PM , Rating: 2
So it won't accept BOTH a game and a microSD memory?




RE: Hmmm...
By Gholam on 12/3/2007 4:13:03 PM , Rating: 2
My guess is, not unless you figure out a way to fit in two cartridges simultaneously...


RE: Hmmm...
By glenn8 on 12/3/2007 4:24:43 PM , Rating: 2
Here's a paradox... a DS game can't fit in the DSVision, but a microSD card can. However a DS game can fit in the microSD card. :)


RE: Hmmm...
By Clauzii on 12/3/2007 4:28:19 PM , Rating: 2
So a suggestion to Nintendo would be: Games on microSD NOW!


RE: Hmmm...
By Clauzii on 12/3/2007 4:32:29 PM , Rating: 2
Oh, AND a dual-microSD slot instead of a single one.


RE: Hmmm...
By kmmatney on 12/3/2007 5:08:28 PM , Rating: 2
Dual slots would be sweet! There is plenty of room for that. Have one be the master, and the other for additional storage (in the case of the R4 chip).


RE: Hmmm...
By hcforde on 12/4/2007 3:03:58 AM , Rating: 2
DS lite has been out what, three-two years now? PSP just went through a 'change/update' maybe this time next year the DS Lite2 will be introduced.


RE: Hmmm...
By MattCoz on 12/3/2007 6:57:51 PM , Rating: 2
Can you watch media and play a game at the same time? No? Then why is this a problem?


RE: Hmmm...
By Clauzii on 12/3/2007 7:08:00 PM , Rating: 2
No need to fiddle around with the cards all the time. OR as double storage.


Load from the PC?
By