The SD Card Association - the group behind the format - expects to finalize specifications for a new high-capacity SD memory card soon.

Called SDHC, expect the spec to enable SD cards to easily go way beyond the current generation’s current cap of 2 GB. This advancement would include moving SD to the more memory-intensive FAT 32 file system.

In addition to capacity expansions, the specification would also set forth a guaranteed minimum SD Speed Class Rating - for video products equivalent to MPEG-2 video – to help give manufacturers the confidence that their needs will be met by the new memory card format.

SD Card Association executive director Paul Reinhart says, "The new SDHC card specification will allow manufacturers to develop a new world of digital devices with the advanced features and functions consumers are clamoring for."

SDHC Memory Card will integrate three additional content specific sub-specifications (SD-Audio, SD-Video, SD-Binding) as well.

SD-Audio will enable users to more easily move music libraries between a variety of SD-enabled devices, including cell phones, portable audio players, computers, car stereos and other mobile devices. The SD-Audio specification provides content protection via CPRM which is built into each SD card, to prevent theft of data.

Similarly, the SD-Video specification allows consumers to capture video, even MPEG-2 quality, and move it to an SD-Video enabled product securely. SD-Video will soon let users record and watch h.264 digital TV programs from their SD-Video enabled cell phones.

The SD-Binding specification enables mobile operators to provide security for content downloaded handsets used on their networks. The content is bound to the cell phone and prevents unauthorized copying to other devices or computers.

Tiny Cards
In related news, SandDisk announced it would increase the capacity of microSD cards (formally TransFlash) from 512 MB to 1 GB and miniSD cards from 1 GB to 2GB. Both formats are offshoots of full-size SD cards.

The larger of the two is miniSD. The 1 GB miniSD card will now list for about $120 and new 2 GB card for $200.

Tiny microSD devices are the smallest expansion cards available. Owing to the microSD's ultra small size (15 x 11 x 1 millimeters ), it is not intended to be handled or removed on a frequent basis. As with miniSD, they usually come with an adapter for standard SD slots though.

Verizon Wireless will offer the 1 GB microSD card first in the U.S., as part of V CAST Music; the first service of its type in the U.S. to allow users to download songs to their handsets directly over the air.