Features Standard USB Interface for Direct Image Downloads, Allows Viewing of Digital Images on TV

LAS VEGAS (PMA, Booth #M30), Feb. 11, 2004 - Offering a portable, PC-free solution for burning photos directly from digital still cameras to mini CD-R, Sony introduces Photo Vault™ Mini CD-R Station.

Weighing only 8 ounces, Photo Vault Mini CD-R Station adds convenience and flexibility to digital photography storage. Users can burn images directly from their camera to 8 cm mini CD-R using the Photo Vault device's standard USB interface. Photo Vault also features a built-in photo album capability to display photos on a television screen using a television's standard AV input.

"Photo Vault is the perfect travel companion for anyone who owns a digital camera," said Michael Lucas, director of marketing for consumer and convergent media products in Sony Electronics' Media and Applications Solutions Division. "It eliminates the worries of exceeding the capacity on a camera's memory card, or of needing a computer to store and view your digital pictures. Additionally, the mini CD-R format can instantly preserve the images for archiving, sharing or future printing."

The Photo Vault device also features a Memory Stick® media interface which is compatible with all Memory Stick™ formats including Memory Stick Duo™ and Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media with adapter. Additionally, photos stored previously on USB-enabled flash memory devices such as the Sony Micro Vault® USB storage media can also be burned to CD using the Photo Vault's USB interface.

The device can be powered using either the supplied AC adaptor or standard AA batteries using the supplied battery pack. Each 200 MB mini CD-R disc holds between about 50 to 200 digital images, depending on image resolution.

The new Photo Vault™ Mini CD-R Station will be available later this year through retail outlets and www.sonystyle.com.