SanDisk has introduced a 4-gigabyte SD High Capacity (SDHC) card. The new SDHC cards are rated Class 2 for speed and performance and can store more than 2,000 high-resolution pictures, more than 1,000 digital songs or up to 8 hours of MPEG4 video.

The 4GB SDHC card will be bundled with the MicroMate USB 2.0 reader at no extra charge. These new readers work with both SDHC and SD cards. SDHC cards require an SDHC-compatible reader.

SDHC is the new designation for SD cards larger than 2GB that adhere to the SD 2.00 specification, a completely new design that is required for cards and hosts to support 4GB to 32GB capacities. The specification was developed by the SD Association, an industry standards board, which also defined three speed classes for speed and performance capabilities.

Though standard SD and SDHC cards look identical in size and shape, only SDHC-compatible products will be able to accept the new SDHC cards. SanDisk differentiates its new cards with the new SDHC logo on the card and retail package.

“Demand for high capacity cards continues to increase as storage-intensive applications such as digital cameras and digital video camcorders capable of taking high-resolution pictures and recording high-quality video clips come into the mainstream,” said Susan Park, retail product marketing manager at SanDisk.

“In order to provide the easiest and most compatible solution for 4GB and larger capacity SDHC cards in the market, SanDisk chose to bundle its new MicroMate USB 2.0 SD/SDHC compatible card reader, which normally retails for $19.99, with this new card,” said Wes Brewer , vice president of consumer product marketing at SanDisk.

Suggested prices are $199.99 or €159.99, excluding VAT. The SanDisk 4GB SDHC bundled with MicroMate will be available this month.