SanDisk offers mobile video playback

SanDisk is using the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin to launch V-Mate, a memory card writer which allows people to copy video from devices such as a TV or DVD player, and play it on mobile devices such as a phone or Sony PSP. 

"The V-Mate is an affordable easy-to-use way for millions of people to use their mobile phones to watch video content that usually resides in the living room," said Wes Brewer, vice president of consumer product marketing at SanDisk.

The V-Mate plugs into a video source, such as a TV, DVD, PVR, VCR, satellite, cable or Freeview box, and has a number of slots for memory cards, such as varying flavours of SD, MMC and Memory Stick.

The user puts the memory card from their mobile device into the appropriate slot and records video content at a resolution of up to 640 x 480.

Depending on the resolution chosen, the V-Mate can record up to 3.5 hours of video per gigabyte. The device is expected to go on sale in October priced at $129.99.

SanDisk is currently facing a legal battle after it was accused of using the MP3 format without a licence.