SAN FRANCISCO--SmartDisk Personal Storage Systems, formerly VST Technologies, announced today that it is now shipping units of its 120GB VST FireWire-based RAID array (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) for FireWire-equipped Apple(R) Macintosh computers. The VST FireWire RAID array was demonstrated at the Seybold San Francisco/Publishing 2000 Exposition August 29-31.

The VST FireWire RAID array is a compact, portable tower that supports up to four VST FireWire hard drives which can be used separately or together for the efficient storage and rapid transfer of digital data. RAID arrays are typically used in demanding professional applications, such as video and audio broadcasting, where large amounts of digital video, graphics, and music must be captured and manipulated in real time for storage and/or editing. Used as a RAID array, multiple drives provide significantly increased capacity and performance. The VST FireWire RAID array is one of the first FireWire solutions that offers users both a compact size and a built-in battery pack.

Using the VST FireWire RAID array, Web designers and publishers, television film crews, 3-D animators, musicians and audio engineers, as well as millions of digital video and music fans, can capture and store large amounts of digital data on location and in a portable manner. The VST array is also well-suited for field editing, providing the power previously found only in costly editing rooms. This allows content producers to quickly and inexpensively complete their projects without compromising technical quality or sophisticated effects.

"SmartDisk is pleased and excited to announce the shipment of our FireWire-based RAID solution," said Vincent Fedele, Chief Technology Officer, SmartDisk Corporation. "High performance from such a small array that is both portable and reliable will help make possible many mobile applications that previously were unachievable. The VST FireWire RAID array embodies SmartDisk's mission of providing solutions that help millions of consumers and professionals simplify their use of today's digital appliances and applications."

The VST FireWire RAID array includes custom hardware and software that allow multiple FireWire hard drives to be used together. This significantly increases rates of data throughput via a data streaming process called striping. The array also provides for mirroring. Mirroring creates an identical copy of the data on two drives in the array so that a single drive failure will not result in loss of important data.

Availability

The VST FireWire RAID array is available now in total storage capacities ranging from 20GB to 120GB. Prices range from $1,995.95 to $4,699.95. Built-to-order configurations are also available.

For more information or to view a photograph of the VST FireWire RAID array, please visit www.vsttech.com.

About SmartDisk Corporation

SmartDisk Corporation completed its acquisition of VST Technologies on March 6, 2000. SmartDisk's products are designed to simplify the transfer and storage of digital photographs, video, music, voice and data among personal computers, the Internet and digital appliances. The company is using its proprietary and patented technologies to capitalize on the growing demand for digital applications and increased usage of the Internet. SmartDisk's business partners and investors include Toshiba, Hitachi, NEC, SanDisk, SCM Microsystems and others. VST Technologies, now called SmartDisk Personal Storage Systems, is a market leader in the design, engineering and marketing of high performance FireWire and USB personal storage solutions for the Internet and computer industries. SmartDisk's products are marketed under the VST brand name and by leading OEMs, including Apple Computer, Fujitsu and IBM. For more information, go to www.smartdisk.com or www.vsttech.com.

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