A question about solid state memory cards at DVinfo.net

Dylan Couper · January 5th, 2009, 12:45 AM

Just wondering, who makes the memory chips that go inside CF and SD cards? Is there just a couple massive manufacturers, or do a lot of the "brand" companies (SanDisk, Lexar, etc...) make their own?

Dave Blackhurst · January 5th, 2009, 01:15 AM

I believe Sandisk manufactures their own, and there are a few chip suppliers of the raw memory chips - Micron and Samsung come to mind offhand...

THAT said, be careful where you source memory cards, there is a fair amount of cheap Chinese knockoff (meaning labelled with name brands, but it's counterfeit junk) memory running around (especially on a site that rhymes with FLEA-HEY). I only mention this from personal bad experience with counterfeit Memory stick Duos, and fake mini-SD cards...

Counterfeit memory comes with special features like... the cards/sticks won't mount properly, give error messages, aren't the size listed (remarked 4G sticks with "8G" labels!), or cause data loss. Gotta be careful out there when trying to save a buck or two! Know your source!

January 5th, 2009, 12:45 AM	#1
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	A question about solid state memory cards Just wondering, who makes the memory chips that go inside CF and SD cards? Is there just a couple massive manufacturers, or do a lot of the "brand" companies (SanDisk, Lexar, etc...) make their own? __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

January 5th, 2009, 01:15 AM	#2
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	I believe Sandisk manufactures their own, and there are a few chip suppliers of the raw memory chips - Micron and Samsung come to mind offhand... THAT said, be careful where you source memory cards, there is a fair amount of cheap Chinese knockoff (meaning labelled with name brands, but it's counterfeit junk) memory running around (especially on a site that rhymes with FLEA-HEY). I only mention this from personal bad experience with counterfeit Memory stick Duos, and fake mini-SD cards... Counterfeit memory comes with special features like... the cards/sticks won't mount properly, give error messages, aren't the size listed (remarked 4G sticks with "8G" labels!), or cause data loss. Gotta be careful out there when trying to save a buck or two! Know your source!