Is Sony's NW-HD1 really an MP3 player?
posted July 1st 2004 11:25AM
There seem to be conflicting signals flying around on whether Sony's latest Network Walkman, the 20GB NW-HD1,
actually plays back MP3 and WMA files or not. The English
press release states that "It plays back ATRAC3(R) and ATRAC3plus files and supports the most popular Internet
audio formats, including MP3, WAV and WMA files"—note the difference between "plays back" and "supports". A comb
through the Japanese specs released by the Sony mothership yields what looks to be the truth: under "supported audio
compression formats", ATRAC3 and ATRAC3plus are listed, followed by "audio formats supported by SonicStage software:
ATRAC3, ATRAC3plus, MP3, WAV, WMA". In short, it looks like you'll need to convert MP3 files to ATRAC3 using Sony's
software in order to transfer them to the NW-HD1 and play them back. You have to admire Sony's persistence, if nothing
else.
[Thanks, Kakyou]
i have got one and there in no option for 128kb/s only 256 or 48 that really pissed me off. it also took all night and day to convert @ realtime. its super sexy and small but it just disapoints me
The Atrac3 Plus format is a better codec then MP3 for overall sound quality. If you have ever had the opportunity to attend any of Sony's demonstrations they do a very thorough comparison of the two formats at different bit rates and the sound quality from Atrac3 is significantly better. Another thing that is not advertised by Sony but is discussed at the demonstration is the build quality of NWHD1 the unit can dropped from chest level "I'm 6 foot, so do the math" and the units harddrive will not get damaged nor will the unit. The device has a velocity modulation sensor that pulls the reader of the disc during an accidental drop. I watched the demonstrator drop the unit three or four times from a height that would have killed an iPod and the unit functioned just fine. Anyone who dismisses the battery life issue is an idiot as well, what is the point of having 40GB if your units dies after 8 hours, I have been on business flights that last longer then that. 30 hours compared with 8 hours...Sorry I'll put up with the conversion process of Atrac to get those extra 22 hours. You know why Sony's battery lasts longer...not because of better batteries, guess which companies rechargable cells are in the iPod? Thats right their Sony cells, you can verify this online if you look hard enough. The reason the Sony charge lasts longer is because Sony's unit is more energy efficient due to intergration and design. Also you want MP3 compatibility...you'll get it via a firmware update...and it will be drag and drop. Anyway all this hard drive talk is a flash in the pan, Flash players are the next wave and Sony already has the smallest unit and even with the new MP3 drag and drop option on their new series I'll still convert my files to Atrac because I can fit nearly twice as many Songs with comparable audio into the same memory space and I get 70 hours out of a single battery. What the hell are you all complaining about. You all act like your tech wizards here and you have all the answers. My recommendation is to do your research before you start bitching about a manufacturer. If your not sure about the quality or technology the don't open your mouth. Thats the problem with these review sites, you get a couple of "know it all geeks" in one area and they all want to piss in the ring. If you need the real specs for the iPod and The Sony Hard Disk player let me know I'll post them for you all and you'll see that the Sony unit squashes Apples unit. If you need comparisons between Atrac3 and MP3 I'll post those too and we'll see who comes out on top. Oh and by the way the beta format was better then VHS and Sony made millions off the format when every single news station and security camera all over the world went to beta max and kept using the format right up till today. Being a Sony hater is just trendy bullshit on this site.
So, I hear Sony has decide to play with everyone and SonicStage has an MP3 Add-on Program (according to the SS Help screen). Does anyone know where to find it? Also, does anyone know of a program I can use with a NW-E99 instead of SonicStage?
As Posted by Liam on Jul 16, 2004;
I would really like to know if you can delete the atrac3 files from your pc after downloading them to the walkman, so the files don't take up too much space on the pc?
If this is not the case then sod HDD and stick to MD. Please tell me (I have money on this with the missus).
I got one of these NW-HD1 players for Christmas. Already I'm selling it. I, like many others, have been taken in by Sony's marketing blurb saying that it is "MP3 compatible".
I am not stupid - I did my research before I chose it. I knew the truth - that the NW-HD1 cannot play MP3s directly.
However, it's worse than this. Quite simply, Sony's SonicStage software, which Sony says can be used to convert MP3s to ATRAC for storing on the NW-HD1 does NOT work. It crashes whenever you attempt to import an MP3 file. This is with the latest version of software which came with the NW-HD1 and Windows XP Professional on a P4 3.2GHz machine.
When you thought it couldn't get worse than this, I have found that Sony will not support you if you are running SonicStage on your own computer! In the operating manual, they state that if your computer is "personally constructed" they will not support you.
I have been able to import direct from CD using SonicStage, but this is of no use to me (and I expect most other people) who already have a huge MP3 archive. In any case, the conversion is slow and seems to result in a poor quality result.
I would NOT recommend this to anyone, unless the NW-HD1 can be modified or reconfigured to support MP3 files natively. It's a very nice piece of hardware, but Sony have turned it into an expensive paperweight.
i just got this thing for chrismas as well and i dont see nothing wrong wit it... yeh i do wish it played mp3 directly but it really isnt a big deal to me... and you can be on any computer as long as you have an account sony's connect music store which is free... then u can add any computer to the list which may be a hassle to some... but i dont see the need to be able to get music from any computers... overall i like it alot... it also comes with a docking station which can be used as a USB port or as a charger... i was leaning towards iPod because i knew it was more user-friendly and EVERYONE has it... most people seem to like it but i've come across quite a few people who had trouble with it... somebody said that it was made so that you have to go in the apple store periodically to get something... not sure what though... but i think they are both great products...
In reply to "Robins" comments about his computer crashing, im sorry but i have a 1.2 GHz speed computer and whenever i import tracks, it does not crash, bit of a problem there for you mate. Your computers not as good as you thought it would be.
There may be a helpful advantage being released soon which solves all of your problems relating to the MP3 format of the HD1. An upgrade is available allowing the user to simply use MP3 formatting and not ATRAC. look at the website below.
http://www.sonydigital-link.com/DNA/Hotnews/NWHD1_Upgrd.asp?l=en
thanks
I've just ordered a HD3 player and cant wait to see it. I loved the IPOD but what use is 8 hours playback if I go on a long flight or similar, the long playback and small size swayed me to Sony, I also love Sony products.
I've been using Sonicstage with my Net MD player, must admid it kept crashing on my hi spec home PC but worked fine on the laptop and slower PC at work. For the Size and Battery life and the fact it looks well nice I can live with that and once my music is on there I wont need to keep updating it that often.
When I used Sonic Stage I got around the copyright thing by deleting the atrac files (I had MP3 files on another drive) and just re installing SonicStage Software, a little hassle but nothing much really.
I just got this and so far i dont mind the Atrac3....the only bad thing about it is some wasted time and some people say space but i keep all my music on my computer anyway for lan parties and such, its also good to have a backup copy of everything....The Screen is very nice and is lit up in green, ive got another MP3 player made by samsung and the only problem i have with that one is that it only holds 128 megs of music where as this one just owns it.
I wish i could put the 2 together so i could have my radio tuner MP3 format and recording options...also my samsung one has a good settings control where i can chnage the color of my backlight, thats pretty cool.
i wouldn't recomend getting this MP3 player unless you are a music fanatic and H8 apple like myself...ive got tons of music and like all kinds of it so i think this was the right move for me.
the only other thing i wish it woulda come with is a window in the carring case so you could use the case to protect it even when ur not changing the song so you dont have to rip it out everytime you want to do something...
carring case is nice soft velvet though
if u have a mac ur an idiot
the computers are slow and rubbish compared to any computer on the pentium 4 or 3 for tht matter
and they cost soo much for soo little
i have a sony and it doesnt even take long to put the songs on player
infact its jus about quiker thann my brothers ipod and it is built and looks bettr
Just picked one up. Upgraded from being a minidisc user so I am already familiar with the quirks of SonicStage. Yes, I know that in two weeks here in the US the NW-HD3 is coming out and will play MP3s natively but frankly I want ATRAC, I have done simple listening tests side by side and agree ATRAC is a richer, warmer sound than MP3.
It depends on what kind of user you are I guess. All my music comes from burnt albmus so converting to ATRAC doesn't bother me. If I were someone who had a hard-drive full of MP3s from Kazaa then admittedly this wouldn't be the best choice for me as far as file-format is concerned.
But all that said, I'm already extremely pleased with my purchase. It's true - until you get one in your hand, or your pocket you don't realise how small and light this thing is. The 30hr playback for me was a big seller as I use the unit all day listening to music at work, and have gotten use to Minidisc batteries lasting these kinds of lengths. Side by side with colleagues' iPods it just feels so much smaller and lighter.
I did a lot of research and wanted to add some information that might help people thinking of taking the plunge, because I feel this is a unit that has a had a lot of unfair bad press - a chance to right some wrongs, and agree with others on some matters:
1. Volume. The unit has been cited as having low volume. It definitely depends on the headphone match-up. With in-ear solutions like the fontopia headphones, you'll never be able to blast past 1/2 - 3/4 of the total volume before your ears explode - believe me it's plenty loud enough, but with my DJ style headphones it is noticeably quieter. This can easily be corrected with a custom EQ of your choice which noticeably increases volume the moment you play with it but some tracks can get drowned out by the NYC subway.
2. Shuffle - some reviews have stated that the unit can't shuffle. Not true. I agree it is not as immediately obvious as an ipod but once you understand how it works you'll see that you can shuffle at multiple points in the folder-tree, such as shuffling the whole HD, or shuffling just an artist, or just a genre, or just an album. Plenty of flexibility here once you understand it
3. Sonicstage - seriously it's not that bad, and growing up through the various versions with my minidisc I can tell you it's a lot better than it was. My only real frustration is that you only see items on the unit displayed in the order you put them on the HD, but you can drag and drop this order to your taste. Hopefully future versions of sonicstage will address this.
4. Gapless playback - yes it's here - and if you call yourself a music fan you should demand it. It allows you to hear albums in the manner in which they were intended without false stop-gaps of silence occuring between tracks that were designed to blend together.
So there you have it - hope you have the information you need to make an informed decsion. I din't want to become another white-earbudded iPod zombie (NYC is crawling with them). I care about build-quality, battery life, and most of all sound-quality. In the display case next to the Sony the creatives, iRivers and Apples really just looked so plasticky.
Hope you enjoy yours.
If I may set a few points straight !
1.
The HD-1 DOES NOT play mp3 files (unless you shell out more money for the special sony mp3 upgrade ((at this point Id like to scream loads of expletives)))
2.
The HD-3 DOES play mp3 files (so why dont sony reward its consumers by saying "hey, we know you spent £300 on our portable audio system, so heres a firmware upgrade "FREE" instead of letting us shaft you for another £20)
3.
The ATRAC format is every bit as good as MP3, It all depends on the stats of the encoding...
And to finish.....
I bought one of these for a xmas prezzie for my girlfriend and she loves it - and I was so impressed with it until I found out it wont play MP3, Now, the logic is silly cause it converts quick and the quality is great - Ive put loads of albums on it and they only take up a very small space... - So why am I pissed off ? - Well, The reason is that I asked in the shop for an MP3 player and It was included in the items the shop assistant showed me.. - sometimes its pathetic to be doing things as a matter of principal, but the damn things going back if I cant find the firmware upgrade free somewhere on the internet.. - I have bought a wonderful device - but I cant help[ feeling as though Ive been lied to..
During 2004 I bought the Sony MZ-NHF800, installed the included SonicStage software on both the desktop and laptop computers, then upgraded on prompt to version 2.3. I started to enjoy the included AM/FM radio and HiMD format, recording my mixes and transferring them to the PC. After this I then became frustrated as many on this forum have, when unable to edit the MD recorded material, (like live band mixes from my own gigs), after it was transferred from the MD to the PC. I heard of a software available that converts OMA to Wav, and thankfully Sony now has a link on its website to download its own version of it. Then when i had to head out on an interstate trip, i took the MD player and several MDs of gigs to edit. Imagine my surprise when unable even to transfer to the Laptop because it said "The selected tracks originated from another computer". All i had done was transfer them at home, and name them on the MD media. I hadn't removed them from the MD, and now it was restricting my OWN music recording. Wake up Sony! Does anyone know how to get around this as i need to finish a backlog of work!!
Hi everyone!
I get a HiMD a few days ago and the sonic satge crapware almost ruined all the fun.
Later, searching on the net for a solution or hack or pacht to skip/avoid the use of that prog i ended founding this solution:
http://www.minidiscussion.com/boards/mp3/index.cgi?read=10381
If everything goes fine, the optional tools to get rid of sonic stage must be Nero and the Simple Burner; maybe Daemon if that suport .nrg image files.
ok, i hope this can be of help of ppl out there.
The Sony Network Walkman NW-HD1 and NW-HD3 will play MP3, WMA, ATRAC3 and ATRAC3plus. You do not need to convert you library to the ATRAC3 format and you can have a mix of MP3, ATRAC3, etc.
I have a big collection of songs in MP3 format but recently have realized that the ATRAC3 format is far superior! So, all new CD's that I transfer to my Sony NW-HD3 is now in the ATRAC3 format. You can compress more and not sacrafice sound quality as with MP3!
Fret not, YOU DO NOT have to convert you library! So, this great walkman with 30 HOURS of battery life is the best player on the market... right now. It scans your songs and shuts down the HD while playing back saving tons of battery juice! Another great product by Sony and it is Made in Japan which suggests that it is far superior to the junk from China! I rather pay more for a top notch item from Japan then pay a 50 dollars less and get a crapola from China!
Rock on Sony!
I uploaded some songs onto some MDs before formatting my PC.
Reinstalled everything, now Im trying to get my songs back onto my PC and I get the following message:
"The Selected Tracks originated from another computer....Cannot transfer the selected tracks"
Does nayone know how to bypass this!
" Ipod headphones not compatable with any other. (WTF are you gonna do if it breaks?)"
Are you demented?
Hi, I am really interested in the problem that Creog (#64) wrote about. Does anyone know how to solve it. It´s a major and a annoying flaw that I would like to go around. I got some interviews recorded on my MD that would be nice to transfer to my laptop.
Please help me,
Niclas
Hi, I am really interested in the problem that Creog (#64) wrote about. Does anyone know how to solve it. It´s a major and a annoying flaw that I would like to go around. I got some interviews recorded on my MD that would be nice to transfer to my laptop.
Please help me,
Niclas
I am the owner of the NW-HD1. The following things sucks-
1. It needs a power connection to connect to PC. So you have to create a the wirey mess everytime you want to transfer and it does not become handy.
2. The conversion of MP3s to ATRAC files. Its a pain, takes a lot of time before you start enjoying the music.
I am still making me use it and not go in my showcase. If it does, I should have preserved the price tag too.