jagmondragon
6th Dec '07 Thu, 16:56
How to identify counterfeit Sony Memory Stick PRO DUO MagicGate Cards
- Don't be foolish thinking you got a "CHEAP 4GB / 8GB" MSPD deal, in fact you were paying for a corresponding "VERY EXPENSIVE 1GB / 2GB" MSPD. The sellers are laughing their way to the bank!
- Check with us for a list of notorious eBay Powersellers who have over 10,000 positive feedbacks (with also many negative feedbacks) who are selling nothing else but only FAKE Sony MSPD and/or SanDisk Extreme CF! Hence you MUST always do your homework before buying otherwise you may end up giving your love ones a Christmas 2007 present that is FAKE! Hence avoid buying from all eBay seller accounts registered in China and Hong Kong, especially avoid listings with 'Buyer: User ID kept private'!
- Why risk losing your irrecoverable valuable moment and capture? The FACT is there are NO Cheap Genuine cards, there are only Cheap FAKE cards. We can't be more precise!
Since many have not seen genuine production Sony unit and counterfeit is now made to appear like 90% genuine, it is indeed difficult for most people to tell them apart. From the pictures submitted by eBayers all over the world, we are exposing the physical difference in the counterfeit which you can benefit from whether you intend to purchase one or make comparison with your own. Beware of sellers that are using original Sony web download pictures to sell counterfeit Sony as they do not represent the actual item that you will receive!
Clue #1 False SONY Part Number or MagicGate not supported
All Genuine SONY Memory Sticks have exactly the following part numbers:-
PRO series: 1GB (MSX-1GS), 2GB (MSX-2GS).
PRO Duo Hi-Speed series: 1GB (MSX-M1GN), 2GB (MSX-M2GN), 4GB (MSX-M4GN).
PRO Duo series (previous): 1GB (MSX-M1GST), 2GB (MSX-M2GS), 4GB (MSX-M4GS), 8GB (MSX-M8GS).
PRO Duo series (current): 2GB (MSX-M2GS/X), 4GB (MSX-M4GS/X), 8GB (MSX-M8GS/X). *BEWARE some newer fakes are now also showing the correct Sony part numbers, hence MUST check the color coded round label below*
Below are easily identifiable FALSE Sony part numbers with extra letter T, these are FAKE Sony!!!
PRO Duo: 2GB (MSX-M2GST/X), 4GB (MSX-M4GST/X), 8GB (MSX-M8GST/X).
For PSP owner:- In your PSP Menu screen, go to Memory Stick, press the Triangle button, then select Information. Genuine SONY will display as MagicGate Supported. If you see Unknown or Unsupported then you know you have a FAKE Sony!
Clue #2 Retail Packaging view
Genuine retail blister packaging has 9+6+9 (some has 3+2+3) long-staple-shape heat-pressed seals along the Left, Top & Right edges of the pack indicated by the positions of the yellow arrows while fake always only has 3+0+3 round dimple or long glue seals along the Left, Top & Right edges with NO seals at the Top edge indicated by the encircled red arrows. This applies to all 1GB/2GB/4GB/8GB retail packaging products.
Genuine has COLOR CODED round label: 1GB/GO is Light Blue, 2GB/GO is Light Green, 4GB/GO is Purple Blue, 8GB/GO is Red. Fake Sony has similar color codes for 1GB, 2GB and 4GB so not as easy to differentiate, except FAKE 8GB/GO is Light Blue which can be easily identified.
Genuine retail blister packaging will have a golden metallic 3D 'SONY holographic sticker' at the front as pictured. Newer fakes now also have similar identical holographic sticker. Bring the packaging to your nearest SONY retail outlet and ask for a SONY Anti-counterfeit Handy Viewer to tell if your item is genuine. The viewer has 2 see through Lens. Genuine hologram will appear as complete BLACK when see through the Left lens and Normal on the Right lens. Counterfeit hologram will appear as Normal through both Left and Right lens.
-http://i17.ebayimg.com/05/s/000/77/47/1189_2.JPG http://i10.ebayimg.com/05/s/000/77/47/11b3_2.JPG
Counterfeit 8GB extra T - Genuine 8GB
-http://i4.ebayimg.com/06/s/000/77/44/7620_2.JPG http://i12.ebayimg.com/04/s/000/77/44/761e_2.JPG
Counterfeit 4GB extra T - Genuine 4GB
Clue #3 Front view
Genuine uses print ready/control vector art technique to print all the letterings. Fake uses inferior hi-res bitmap to copy the genuine, so zoom in a bit to see the printing flaw. The font on the fake usually is bolder, messy, out of focus and rub off easily. Newer fakes have exact print now.
Genuine card is often thinner than fake. Try fitting the card into an adapter and you may find that it has problem as it doesn't seems to fit into the adapter easily (feels like its squeezing in). Newer 2GB fake (1959MB version) even has problem fitting into a PSP (PlayStation Portable).
-http://i7.ebayimg.com/01/s/07/f0/12/b0_2.JPG http://i24.ebayimg.com/06/s/07/f2/c3/e4_2.JPG
Genuine - Counterfeit
Clue #4 Back view
The font face, font size and printing technique are the main criteria to differentiate the genuine from the fake, so you must take notice.
Genuine has the letter 'S' in 'MSX-4GS' as Italic than the 'S' used in other writings such as 'BBSC1000000'. Also notice the OPEN top letter '4' for both 2GB and 4GB cards. Fake is using identical normal font face throughout!
On the 10 gold metal stripes/contact, genuine is covered fully by the black plastic housing from the top to the bottom end. Fakes may have small black holes on the some metal stripes, some have its gold metal stripe not fully covered by the black plastic housing. Some fakes have internal green color PCB board exposed as pictured displaying its inferior manufacturing defect.
Genuine uses print ready/control vector art technique and has all golden letterings engraved by laser-etched into the plastic shell of the card. Fake uses inferior hi-res bitmap to copy the genuine, so zoom in a bit to see the printing flaw. The font on the fake usually is messy, out of focus and rub off easily. To know if it is printed, just use your finger to feel the surface as the letterings are a bit raised.
-http://i22.ebayimg.com/01/s/07/f2/6f/60_2.JPG http://i10.ebayimg.com/04/s/000/77/44/75e9_2.JPG
Genuine 2GB - Genuine 4GB
Clue #5 Exposing internals
On the inside, genuine has Sony-marked PCB (Printed Circuit Board) and usually use Samsung flash memory chip wheares the fake does not use the same Sony-marked PCB and is unmarked with unmarked/unknown brand flash memory chip.
Genuine uses BGA (Ball Grid Array) memory chip where the pin connections are beneath the chip whereas the fake uses TSOP (Thin Small Outline Package) chips where its pin connections are on the edge. Fake always perform unreliably.
-http://i12.ebayimg.com/05/s/07/f5/04/0b_2.JPG http://i23.ebayimg.com/04/s/07/f2/d7/25_2.JPG
Clue #6 Capacity and Transfer Speed Test
Genuine 4GB displays default capacity as 3839MB and genuine 2GB displays default capacity as 1909MB while some devices will read them at 1910MB. Some older fake 2GB shows 1948MB and 1959MB of memory space when being tested. Newer fake 2GB may now show any of these figures including the 1910MB of a genuine. However some 2GB fakes only have a true capacity of only 512MB/1GB. Try transferring as much data as possible to your card and also READ BACK from the card to see if it will actually hold close to the stated capacity with no sign of data corruption.
Genuine hi-speed card (with red-stripe) has a transfer speed at about 80Mbps. Fake has a slower transfer speed with 1948MB fake actually can do about 65Mbps to 70Mbps and 1959MB fake at most 60Mbps.
Clue #7 SONY Counterfeit Hotline & Contact
http://reviews.ebay.com/SanDisk-Sony-Kingston-counterfeit-Hotline-amp-Contact_W0QQugidZ10000000001517978
What to do if I have acquired a counterfeit item! Who is responsible?
Selling counterfeit items deceiving as genuine is considered as FRAUD, not merely a simple mistake. It is seller's sole responsibility.
Consumer protection laws are designed to protect all consumers, the gullible as well as the shrewd. The fact that a false statement may be obviously false to those who are trained and experienced does not change its character or take away its power to deceive others less experienced. Our consumer protection laws were enacted for the protection of the people, many who are trusting and naive about the wolves of the business world who come dressed in lambs' clothing.
Counterfeit items are NOT covered by genuine manufacturer's LIFETIME warranty.
If your item is from high volume sellers, don't be left ALONE in the battle, kindly advise and encourage all buyers in same situation as you are to take action.
- Don't be foolish thinking you got a "CHEAP 4GB / 8GB" MSPD deal, in fact you were paying for a corresponding "VERY EXPENSIVE 1GB / 2GB" MSPD. The sellers are laughing their way to the bank!
- Check with us for a list of notorious eBay Powersellers who have over 10,000 positive feedbacks (with also many negative feedbacks) who are selling nothing else but only FAKE Sony MSPD and/or SanDisk Extreme CF! Hence you MUST always do your homework before buying otherwise you may end up giving your love ones a Christmas 2007 present that is FAKE! Hence avoid buying from all eBay seller accounts registered in China and Hong Kong, especially avoid listings with 'Buyer: User ID kept private'!
- Why risk losing your irrecoverable valuable moment and capture? The FACT is there are NO Cheap Genuine cards, there are only Cheap FAKE cards. We can't be more precise!
Since many have not seen genuine production Sony unit and counterfeit is now made to appear like 90% genuine, it is indeed difficult for most people to tell them apart. From the pictures submitted by eBayers all over the world, we are exposing the physical difference in the counterfeit which you can benefit from whether you intend to purchase one or make comparison with your own. Beware of sellers that are using original Sony web download pictures to sell counterfeit Sony as they do not represent the actual item that you will receive!
Clue #1 False SONY Part Number or MagicGate not supported
All Genuine SONY Memory Sticks have exactly the following part numbers:-
PRO series: 1GB (MSX-1GS), 2GB (MSX-2GS).
PRO Duo Hi-Speed series: 1GB (MSX-M1GN), 2GB (MSX-M2GN), 4GB (MSX-M4GN).
PRO Duo series (previous): 1GB (MSX-M1GST), 2GB (MSX-M2GS), 4GB (MSX-M4GS), 8GB (MSX-M8GS).
PRO Duo series (current): 2GB (MSX-M2GS/X), 4GB (MSX-M4GS/X), 8GB (MSX-M8GS/X). *BEWARE some newer fakes are now also showing the correct Sony part numbers, hence MUST check the color coded round label below*
Below are easily identifiable FALSE Sony part numbers with extra letter T, these are FAKE Sony!!!
PRO Duo: 2GB (MSX-M2GST/X), 4GB (MSX-M4GST/X), 8GB (MSX-M8GST/X).
For PSP owner:- In your PSP Menu screen, go to Memory Stick, press the Triangle button, then select Information. Genuine SONY will display as MagicGate Supported. If you see Unknown or Unsupported then you know you have a FAKE Sony!
Clue #2 Retail Packaging view
Genuine retail blister packaging has 9+6+9 (some has 3+2+3) long-staple-shape heat-pressed seals along the Left, Top & Right edges of the pack indicated by the positions of the yellow arrows while fake always only has 3+0+3 round dimple or long glue seals along the Left, Top & Right edges with NO seals at the Top edge indicated by the encircled red arrows. This applies to all 1GB/2GB/4GB/8GB retail packaging products.
Genuine has COLOR CODED round label: 1GB/GO is Light Blue, 2GB/GO is Light Green, 4GB/GO is Purple Blue, 8GB/GO is Red. Fake Sony has similar color codes for 1GB, 2GB and 4GB so not as easy to differentiate, except FAKE 8GB/GO is Light Blue which can be easily identified.
Genuine retail blister packaging will have a golden metallic 3D 'SONY holographic sticker' at the front as pictured. Newer fakes now also have similar identical holographic sticker. Bring the packaging to your nearest SONY retail outlet and ask for a SONY Anti-counterfeit Handy Viewer to tell if your item is genuine. The viewer has 2 see through Lens. Genuine hologram will appear as complete BLACK when see through the Left lens and Normal on the Right lens. Counterfeit hologram will appear as Normal through both Left and Right lens.
-http://i17.ebayimg.com/05/s/000/77/47/1189_2.JPG http://i10.ebayimg.com/05/s/000/77/47/11b3_2.JPG
Counterfeit 8GB extra T - Genuine 8GB
-http://i4.ebayimg.com/06/s/000/77/44/7620_2.JPG http://i12.ebayimg.com/04/s/000/77/44/761e_2.JPG
Counterfeit 4GB extra T - Genuine 4GB
Clue #3 Front view
Genuine uses print ready/control vector art technique to print all the letterings. Fake uses inferior hi-res bitmap to copy the genuine, so zoom in a bit to see the printing flaw. The font on the fake usually is bolder, messy, out of focus and rub off easily. Newer fakes have exact print now.
Genuine card is often thinner than fake. Try fitting the card into an adapter and you may find that it has problem as it doesn't seems to fit into the adapter easily (feels like its squeezing in). Newer 2GB fake (1959MB version) even has problem fitting into a PSP (PlayStation Portable).
-http://i7.ebayimg.com/01/s/07/f0/12/b0_2.JPG http://i24.ebayimg.com/06/s/07/f2/c3/e4_2.JPG
Genuine - Counterfeit
Clue #4 Back view
The font face, font size and printing technique are the main criteria to differentiate the genuine from the fake, so you must take notice.
Genuine has the letter 'S' in 'MSX-4GS' as Italic than the 'S' used in other writings such as 'BBSC1000000'. Also notice the OPEN top letter '4' for both 2GB and 4GB cards. Fake is using identical normal font face throughout!
On the 10 gold metal stripes/contact, genuine is covered fully by the black plastic housing from the top to the bottom end. Fakes may have small black holes on the some metal stripes, some have its gold metal stripe not fully covered by the black plastic housing. Some fakes have internal green color PCB board exposed as pictured displaying its inferior manufacturing defect.
Genuine uses print ready/control vector art technique and has all golden letterings engraved by laser-etched into the plastic shell of the card. Fake uses inferior hi-res bitmap to copy the genuine, so zoom in a bit to see the printing flaw. The font on the fake usually is messy, out of focus and rub off easily. To know if it is printed, just use your finger to feel the surface as the letterings are a bit raised.
-http://i22.ebayimg.com/01/s/07/f2/6f/60_2.JPG http://i10.ebayimg.com/04/s/000/77/44/75e9_2.JPG
Genuine 2GB - Genuine 4GB
Clue #5 Exposing internals
On the inside, genuine has Sony-marked PCB (Printed Circuit Board) and usually use Samsung flash memory chip wheares the fake does not use the same Sony-marked PCB and is unmarked with unmarked/unknown brand flash memory chip.
Genuine uses BGA (Ball Grid Array) memory chip where the pin connections are beneath the chip whereas the fake uses TSOP (Thin Small Outline Package) chips where its pin connections are on the edge. Fake always perform unreliably.
-http://i12.ebayimg.com/05/s/07/f5/04/0b_2.JPG http://i23.ebayimg.com/04/s/07/f2/d7/25_2.JPG
Clue #6 Capacity and Transfer Speed Test
Genuine 4GB displays default capacity as 3839MB and genuine 2GB displays default capacity as 1909MB while some devices will read them at 1910MB. Some older fake 2GB shows 1948MB and 1959MB of memory space when being tested. Newer fake 2GB may now show any of these figures including the 1910MB of a genuine. However some 2GB fakes only have a true capacity of only 512MB/1GB. Try transferring as much data as possible to your card and also READ BACK from the card to see if it will actually hold close to the stated capacity with no sign of data corruption.
Genuine hi-speed card (with red-stripe) has a transfer speed at about 80Mbps. Fake has a slower transfer speed with 1948MB fake actually can do about 65Mbps to 70Mbps and 1959MB fake at most 60Mbps.
Clue #7 SONY Counterfeit Hotline & Contact
http://reviews.ebay.com/SanDisk-Sony-Kingston-counterfeit-Hotline-amp-Contact_W0QQugidZ10000000001517978
What to do if I have acquired a counterfeit item! Who is responsible?
Selling counterfeit items deceiving as genuine is considered as FRAUD, not merely a simple mistake. It is seller's sole responsibility.
Consumer protection laws are designed to protect all consumers, the gullible as well as the shrewd. The fact that a false statement may be obviously false to those who are trained and experienced does not change its character or take away its power to deceive others less experienced. Our consumer protection laws were enacted for the protection of the people, many who are trusting and naive about the wolves of the business world who come dressed in lambs' clothing.
Counterfeit items are NOT covered by genuine manufacturer's LIFETIME warranty.
If your item is from high volume sellers, don't be left ALONE in the battle, kindly advise and encourage all buyers in same situation as you are to take action.