Lexar Media today at Photokinaintroduced two new Professional CompactFlash Readers designed to address professional photographers' needs... Built with material similar to a digital camera, with a unique industrial design of hardened plastic and rubber over mold, the new card readers can be easily stacked and daisy-chained together for concurrent download of images. In addition, the new card readers support Lexar's ActiveMemory(TM) System for improved photography workflow.

Delivering image read and write speeds in excess of 10MB per second, Lexar's new CompactFlash Readers are available in USB 2.0 and Firewire formats. The Firewire units can be daisy-chained together directly, while up to four USB 2.0 units can be connected to execute simultaneous downloads via a 4-port USB hub. The firmware of both card readers can be upgradeable for possible future enhancements.

"Beyond performance specifications -- that are among the most impressive in the photography business -- the card readers are designed with the creative, professional photographer in mind," said John Omvik, director of professional product marketing, Lexar. "Developed to save time in the professional's day by providing an exceptionally fast rate of transferring images, the cards also provide for simultaneous downloads from multiple CompactFlash cards. In addition, our industrial designers considered the photographer's working environment and created card readers that will appeal to a broad user group."

Part of Lexar's ActiveMemory System, the new card readers will also deliver even further optimized workflow and will enable users to achieve enhanced productivity both in and out of the photo studio. The ActiveMemory System streamlines the professional photographer's workflow by reducing administrative redundancies and saving valuable time in the work day.

Lexar's Professional Series Firewire and USB 2.0 card readers are compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems and will be available in the fall of 2004.