Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Fake memory cards being sold openly in IT mall (Sim Lim)
Research from the Internet...
Currently, there is a huge batch of fake memory sticks in the market. It looks so real that even supplier can't see the differences.
While walking around Sim Lim today, I also spotted some shop selling fake SONY memory stick pro duo. As I have known, there are currently 3 brands of fake memory stick pro duo products and 2 of them are in Singapore. They are:
- Sony
- Sandisk
- Lexar
Mostly will ask.. HUH!! SANDISK (note.. not SCANDISK is SANDISK)!! Serious or not!! yes.. serious!! THERE IS FAKE SANDISK MEMORY STICK PRO DUO!! lol
Anyway this short tips here will tell beginners on spotting the fake SONY memory stick pro duo products. The sandisk one I'm still doing the investigation. All the informations given below are based on web infos + SONY given infos.
1 - Prices
The prices of fake MS Pro Duo are very cheap at retail shop... unless the boss is doing a closing down sales. The price are usually ranging bout $200-$250 for a 2GB one, and this price is actually the supplier price for an original one.
2 - Seals
Original Sony Package Seals have Long Staple like Seal, and it is sealed in using heat. Fake one have round seals, and the seals are sealed up using glue.
3 - Capacity
Fake 2GB MS Pro Duo have 1948MB and 1959MB of memory space when it is shown on devices like PSP. Genuine one have a capacity of 1909MB while some devices will read 1910MB.
For the old batch of 1948MB Fake version, I actually feel quite shocking... because it indeed can save up to 1948MB!! Tested and Proven by myself!!
For the 1948mb newer version and 1959MB Fake version, all I have to say is good luck. although it is written 1959MB, the size actually cannot hold more than 1GB.. which is reported by a lot of people, so it means that it is the "cheat" which makes the software reads 1959MB.. while the card is only around 1GB.
4 - Transfer Speed
The transfer speed of real one is at about 80Mbps. Fake one will have slower transfer speed. 1948MB one actually can go on 65Mbps to 70Mbps... 1959MB one ... at most 60Mbps.
To test timing, try transfering a 1GB file to the stick and use the stopwatch to calculate the time of file transfer. This is the easiest way.
5 - Structures
Fake MS Pro Duo is thicker than original one. Try fitting it into an adapter, and you will find that the fitting have problems. It doesn't seems to fit into the adapter.. (feel like squeeze it in). The newer fake version even have problems fitting into PSP.. as reported by Sony as the memory stick is stuck inside the PSP. (newer one are the 1959mb versions)
The words carved behind the Fake MS Pro Duo card is printed on... while the original is engraved into it. The know if it is printed on or not... just use your thumb to feel it. Fake one.. the words u feel is like a bit of pop up.... the original one u cant feel the words.
The metallic stripes, also call the connectors, for fake one... should have black holes seen on the metal stripe as the metal stripe did not cover fully, and this happen the most common on the 1959mb version and the 1948mb newer version. The original one is fully covered to the bottom without showing any incomplete-ness.
6 - Package
The Fake package.. actually looks totally alike compare to the real package. No one can actually see the differences!! Even the hologram seems so real!! The package... if u take a look properly... u will know that at the side of the package there is 4 pictures. Notice carefully!! some packages pictures are not in order!!
Some people told me to look out at the PSP compatible logo at the top corner. If got, means fake one. But just take note, the PSP compatible logo is AVAILABLE on the japanese version of original MS pro duo.. and it cannot be used to determine whether it is fake or genuine.
turn it to the back of the packge.. and look at the black printing.. for fake one... u will see white spots on the black part of the printing. Good quality printing by sony will show that there is NO white spots!
For those now holding the old 1948MB version, I might just say U are lucky for a while, as there is still not much problem on this card. Those with newer 1948mb and 1959mb that can actually hold only 1GB of data... take care..
INSIST on a warranty card if u r getting sandisk one... for the 5 years warranty. Sony one im not too sure bout the online warranty status... but keep the receipt!! if u discover that it is a fake one... bring it down to SONY with the receipt!!
---END---
Currently, there is a huge batch of fake memory sticks in the market. It looks so real that even supplier can't see the differences.
While walking around Sim Lim today, I also spotted some shop selling fake SONY memory stick pro duo. As I have known, there are currently 3 brands of fake memory stick pro duo products and 2 of them are in Singapore. They are:
- Sony
- Sandisk
- Lexar
Mostly will ask.. HUH!! SANDISK (note.. not SCANDISK is SANDISK)!! Serious or not!! yes.. serious!! THERE IS FAKE SANDISK MEMORY STICK PRO DUO!! lol
Anyway this short tips here will tell beginners on spotting the fake SONY memory stick pro duo products. The sandisk one I'm still doing the investigation. All the informations given below are based on web infos + SONY given infos.
1 - Prices
The prices of fake MS Pro Duo are very cheap at retail shop... unless the boss is doing a closing down sales. The price are usually ranging bout $200-$250 for a 2GB one, and this price is actually the supplier price for an original one.
2 - Seals
Original Sony Package Seals have Long Staple like Seal, and it is sealed in using heat. Fake one have round seals, and the seals are sealed up using glue.
3 - Capacity
Fake 2GB MS Pro Duo have 1948MB and 1959MB of memory space when it is shown on devices like PSP. Genuine one have a capacity of 1909MB while some devices will read 1910MB.
For the old batch of 1948MB Fake version, I actually feel quite shocking... because it indeed can save up to 1948MB!! Tested and Proven by myself!!
For the 1948mb newer version and 1959MB Fake version, all I have to say is good luck. although it is written 1959MB, the size actually cannot hold more than 1GB.. which is reported by a lot of people, so it means that it is the "cheat" which makes the software reads 1959MB.. while the card is only around 1GB.
4 - Transfer Speed
The transfer speed of real one is at about 80Mbps. Fake one will have slower transfer speed. 1948MB one actually can go on 65Mbps to 70Mbps... 1959MB one ... at most 60Mbps.
To test timing, try transfering a 1GB file to the stick and use the stopwatch to calculate the time of file transfer. This is the easiest way.
5 - Structures
Fake MS Pro Duo is thicker than original one. Try fitting it into an adapter, and you will find that the fitting have problems. It doesn't seems to fit into the adapter.. (feel like squeeze it in). The newer fake version even have problems fitting into PSP.. as reported by Sony as the memory stick is stuck inside the PSP. (newer one are the 1959mb versions)
The words carved behind the Fake MS Pro Duo card is printed on... while the original is engraved into it. The know if it is printed on or not... just use your thumb to feel it. Fake one.. the words u feel is like a bit of pop up.... the original one u cant feel the words.
The metallic stripes, also call the connectors, for fake one... should have black holes seen on the metal stripe as the metal stripe did not cover fully, and this happen the most common on the 1959mb version and the 1948mb newer version. The original one is fully covered to the bottom without showing any incomplete-ness.
6 - Package
The Fake package.. actually looks totally alike compare to the real package. No one can actually see the differences!! Even the hologram seems so real!! The package... if u take a look properly... u will know that at the side of the package there is 4 pictures. Notice carefully!! some packages pictures are not in order!!
Some people told me to look out at the PSP compatible logo at the top corner. If got, means fake one. But just take note, the PSP compatible logo is AVAILABLE on the japanese version of original MS pro duo.. and it cannot be used to determine whether it is fake or genuine.
turn it to the back of the packge.. and look at the black printing.. for fake one... u will see white spots on the black part of the printing. Good quality printing by sony will show that there is NO white spots!
For those now holding the old 1948MB version, I might just say U are lucky for a while, as there is still not much problem on this card. Those with newer 1948mb and 1959mb that can actually hold only 1GB of data... take care..
INSIST on a warranty card if u r getting sandisk one... for the 5 years warranty. Sony one im not too sure bout the online warranty status... but keep the receipt!! if u discover that it is a fake one... bring it down to SONY with the receipt!!
---END---
Fake memory cards being sold openly in IT mall
Fake memory cards being sold openly
They look like the real thing and are sometimes sold alongside them
Source: The New Paper
AT first glance, these memory sticks look identical. Look closer and you'll see some subtle differences.
One's a genuine Sony memory stick and the others a counterfeit. The trouble is, more people are falling for the fakes.
Counterfeits of other storage media like secure digital (SD) and compact flash (CF) cards - both often used in digital photography - are also commonly sold.
Engineer George Yap, 29, told The New Paper that he has seen fake memory sticks and cards being sold openly in a popular IT mall.
'Sometimes, they sell genuine ones along with fakes,' he said.
Mr Yap said he became suspicious when he noticed that a 1GB Sony Pro Duo memory stick was selling for just $70 in a shop here.
An original one costs about $150.
A fake 2GB SD card can cost $20 less than the $50 original. A fake 2GB CF card costs about $40, compared to about $76 for an original.
Mr Yap said those unfamiliar with these devices are unlikely to notice the differences.
'The fake memory sticks generally work fine, although their quality is probably inferior,' he said.
A spokesman for Sony Electronics Asia-Pacific said it was aware of counterfeit memory sticks being sold in Singapore.
However, it has not seen 'any noticeable impact on the sales of the genuine products'.
'We understand that the numbers are minimal,' he said.
The spokesman added that Sony encourages customers to buy products only from authorised retailers.
The counterfeit problem seems to be worse online, prompting several Netizens to start online forum threads cautioning against these fakes.
One eBay Singapore user, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The New Paper that many fake memory cards have surfaced on online auction sites, like eBay and Yahoo Auctions.
He had posted on a forum thread on the eBay website in response to another user's complaint about a fake memory card bought on the website.
He has bought a couple of memory sticks online, knowing that they were fake.
OBVIOUS
Like Mr Yap, he said the most obvious sign of a fake is the unusually low price. Fake 1GB memory sticks sell for about $40, while 4GB ones sell for about $70.
When he uses the fake memory stick with his PlayStation Portable, he could tell by an on-screen indicator that it is counterfeit.
'An original memory stick should show the MagicGate (a copy-protection technology by Sony) as 'supported', while a fake one would show it as 'unknown',' he said.
He added that to his knowledge, most of the eBay sellers of fake memory sticks are from Singapore.
'That's because they're so widely available in shops here,' he said.
Users of popular online forums, such as ******* and ************, have posted forum threads teaching users how to distinguish fakes from genuine products, complete with pictures.
However, Mr Sam McDonagh, director for marketing and marketplace development at eBay Southeast Asia, said that the auction site has yet to receive any feedback on sellers of fake memory cards and sticks.
There are heavy penalties for those found guilty of selling fake IT products on eBay.
Mr McDonagh said: 'Those found selling fake IT products will be suspended. We have recently toughened up standards and taken action against those who do not adhere to our rules and guidelines.'
He said that globally, 'tens of thousands' of eBay sellers hawking fake IT products have been suspended.
They look like the real thing and are sometimes sold alongside them
Source: The New Paper
AT first glance, these memory sticks look identical. Look closer and you'll see some subtle differences.
One's a genuine Sony memory stick and the others a counterfeit. The trouble is, more people are falling for the fakes.
Counterfeits of other storage media like secure digital (SD) and compact flash (CF) cards - both often used in digital photography - are also commonly sold.
Engineer George Yap, 29, told The New Paper that he has seen fake memory sticks and cards being sold openly in a popular IT mall.
'Sometimes, they sell genuine ones along with fakes,' he said.
Mr Yap said he became suspicious when he noticed that a 1GB Sony Pro Duo memory stick was selling for just $70 in a shop here.
An original one costs about $150.
A fake 2GB SD card can cost $20 less than the $50 original. A fake 2GB CF card costs about $40, compared to about $76 for an original.
Mr Yap said those unfamiliar with these devices are unlikely to notice the differences.
'The fake memory sticks generally work fine, although their quality is probably inferior,' he said.
A spokesman for Sony Electronics Asia-Pacific said it was aware of counterfeit memory sticks being sold in Singapore.
However, it has not seen 'any noticeable impact on the sales of the genuine products'.
'We understand that the numbers are minimal,' he said.
The spokesman added that Sony encourages customers to buy products only from authorised retailers.
The counterfeit problem seems to be worse online, prompting several Netizens to start online forum threads cautioning against these fakes.
One eBay Singapore user, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The New Paper that many fake memory cards have surfaced on online auction sites, like eBay and Yahoo Auctions.
He had posted on a forum thread on the eBay website in response to another user's complaint about a fake memory card bought on the website.
He has bought a couple of memory sticks online, knowing that they were fake.
OBVIOUS
Like Mr Yap, he said the most obvious sign of a fake is the unusually low price. Fake 1GB memory sticks sell for about $40, while 4GB ones sell for about $70.
When he uses the fake memory stick with his PlayStation Portable, he could tell by an on-screen indicator that it is counterfeit.
'An original memory stick should show the MagicGate (a copy-protection technology by Sony) as 'supported', while a fake one would show it as 'unknown',' he said.
He added that to his knowledge, most of the eBay sellers of fake memory sticks are from Singapore.
'That's because they're so widely available in shops here,' he said.
Users of popular online forums, such as ******* and ************, have posted forum threads teaching users how to distinguish fakes from genuine products, complete with pictures.
However, Mr Sam McDonagh, director for marketing and marketplace development at eBay Southeast Asia, said that the auction site has yet to receive any feedback on sellers of fake memory cards and sticks.
There are heavy penalties for those found guilty of selling fake IT products on eBay.
Mr McDonagh said: 'Those found selling fake IT products will be suspended. We have recently toughened up standards and taken action against those who do not adhere to our rules and guidelines.'
He said that globally, 'tens of thousands' of eBay sellers hawking fake IT products have been suspended.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
What is Memory Stick (source: wikipedia)
Memory Stick is a removable flash memory card format, launched by Sony in October 1998 [1], and is also used in general to describe the whole family of Memory Sticks. In addition to the original Memory Stick, this family includes the Memory Stick PRO, a revision that allows greater maximum storage capacity and faster file transfer speeds; Memory Stick Duo, a small-form-factor version of the Memory Stick (including the PRO Duo); and the even smaller Memory Stick Micro (M2). In December 2006 Sony added the Memory Stick PRO-HG, a high speed variant of the PRO, to be used for high definition still and video cameras.
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