SONY SHIPS QUALIFICATION S-AIT DRIVES AND MEDIA TO OEMS DELIVERS FIRST TAPE FORMAT TO STORE OVER ONE TERABYTE PER CARTRIDGE

SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 16, 2002 — Sony is now shipping qualification units of its first-generation Super Advanced Intelligent Tape ™ (S-AIT) drives and media to tape library automation OEMs.

The new SAIT-1 drive stores up to 1.3 terabytes (TB) of compressed data (500 GB uncompressed) on a single half-inch tape cartridge, making it the industry's highest capacity tape drive. It also features a sustained transfer rate of up to 78 megabytes (MB) per second (30 MB/sec native).

The S-AIT format is a new concept in high-capacity, high-performance tape recording that combines the data density advantages of helical-scan recording with the longer and wider tape usually associated with linear tape drives. The format delivers a storage capacity unrivaled by any other available tape product with a half-inch media cartridge and 5.25-inch drive design.

"S-AIT technology provides the near-line speed, reliability and cost structure to enable high performance database and mission critical application backup in storage intensive industries," said Steve Baker, vice president of marketing for the tape storage division of Sony Electronics' Business Systems and Solutions Company. "Large customers in the media content, medical imaging, video production, broadcast and document imaging fields have been waiting for a product like S-AIT, which provides high throughput, unparalleled density and a very low cost per gigabyte in demanding backup environments."

"Sony's on-time release of S-AIT drives demonstrates their ability to execute on their commitment, and immediately positions them as a provider of leading-edge tape technology," said Robert Abraham, president of Freeman Reports. "S-AIT's combination of capacity and performance offers a compelling solution for the automation market."

Plotting the S-AIT Roadmap

Based on advanced helical-scan recording technology, which is known for its high data density, outstanding data transfer performance, reliability and durability advantages, S-AIT provides a new benchmark for cost per gigabyte.

The current S-AIT roadmap extends to a fourth-generation, with the aim of continuing Sony's intention to double capacity and performance from generation to generation. SAIT-4 technology is expected to deliver up to 4 TB of uncompressed capacity in a single cartridge (10.4 TB compressed).

The First S-AIT Drive Incorporates the Following Features and Innovations:

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Based in San Jose, Calif., the Tape Storage Solutions Division of Sony Electronics' Business Systems and Solutions Company markets storage solutions through OEM, commercial and industrial distributors, retailers and resellers. For additional information about Sony storage products visit Sony's World Wide Web site at http://www.sony.com/news or http://www.storagebysony.com.