Sony's NW-HD5 Network Walkman in black and red

Figured we'd post up the rest of those pics of Sony's new 20GB NW-HD5 Network Walkman before Amazon.co.uk realized their mistake and pulled them off their site.

This one looks a bit �shopped.


Another shot of the Sony NW-HD5 Network Walkman in black.

[narco @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

Wow, the red and silver ones are awesome. Finally, Sony has done well. Watch it be totally ruined by the specs.

Fishes,
narco.

[TuNiSiaNo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

Why a brand like sony have imitate IPod ???
Sony can do better...

[Totalfixation @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

It looks nice, but i dont think its going to do good in this market. People would rather have a Ipod rather then that, there is nothing revolutionizing about it, just another copy of the ipod. I just think people would rather have the popular IPODs with there massaive third party selection. Only thing that can make it work is long battery life, color display, and super light weight. i just dont think its going to make it. just wanted to add, Knowing sony, how if they cant make it work big right away, they will just come out with something else, which just alienates the current owner of sony walkman

[arkowi @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

those buttons look stupid.

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

The red one does actually look pretty sweet.

I'm actually all for different colors. Did manufacturers learn nothing from the DeLorean? "Available in any color you like, as long as it's silver!" More choices are good... up to the point where it starts to affect manufacturing efficiency, of course.

[Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

You know, as long as I don't have to convert everything to Atrac3, I might actually consider this one.

Oh, and it better not use MemorySticks...

[Switzler @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

I think the color red is too bright.
I like the red-wine color better than bright red

[otakucode @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

Monochrome screen. Yawn.

[n8 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

Well, it looks pretty tiny, and if Sony's smart this won't be more expensive than the iPod, it'll be cheaper. $250 and it sells.

[Tyler @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

Just because something is vertically oriented (but in this case, both vertical and horizontal) and plays audio from a hard drive, it's an iPod ripoff?
Judging by the scale of the headphone jack, though, for 20 gigs, this thing looks prety small.

[semi @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

sony will do better to go touch screen and colour screen

i'd like to sony slap the guy who came up with those buttons

[Tomas @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

I think the H10 iRiver is much better looking. Yeah I know its only 6GB...

[mike @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

you think this is good looking?! it actually looks too wide.. you know.. for a human hand.. what a lame design.. a STOP button? jeebus..

[Victor Healey @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

This looks like a great alternative to the iPod. A similar player from Sony the HD1 lasts for 30 hours on one charge.
There is an interesting hack on the UK Amazon web site for the HD-1 that may work on this player when it is released.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002V85EU/qid%3D1112718724/202-7659245-6428650

Look in the user reviews under the following heading and read the post
great! i've found how to make it louder too!, March 1, 2005
Reviewer: london_cat from East Sussex United Kingdom

I like the way the HD5 display can be flipped to horizontal.

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

"Just because something is vertically oriented (but in this case, both vertical and horizontal) and plays audio from a hard drive, it's an iPod ripoff?"

Frankly, yes. These days, anyway.

Unless you want to say they're all a ripoff of the Archos Jukebox 6000, which was really the first vertically oriented hard-drive based player (the iPod was the second). But if you compare the look of that thing with the look of any of today's players, I think it's pretty obvious it's not the Archos that's influencing design these days. (Google it if you've never seen the Archos before.)

Of course, Diamond had vertically-oriented flash players before even that, and I'm not diminishing the influence of the Rio 500 - I think Apple copied a lot of Diamond's designs. But do you think Sony went out last month and said "hey, let's copy the Rio 500!" No, they're obviously taking their design cues from the current market leader, and the one that has defined what consumers expect portable players to look like.

[semi @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

so a portable tv, with a screen at the top and buttons at the bottom is what?
what abt a mobile phone..with screen at top and buttons at the bottom?

are those copies of ipod too?

dude, its BASIC design, its not called copying, its how everything is coz u can hold it and operate it with one hand,

ah..appeople these tdays...

[Matt @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

Why wouldn't they copy the iPod?

Its one of the best mp3 players on the market.

[Jesse @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

All successful MP3 players of this nature will inevitably settle into a similar form factor to the iPod. It's NOT because they're "ripping off" the iPod - it's because it is a tried and true, successful, and comfortable design. It's the most logical way to arrange the controls and display on a device of that size. Apple just happened to be the company that capitalized on this realization (note that I didn't say 'discovered'; as was pointed out above in regard to the Archos and Rio players having designed the first players of this style).

Think of it like a car - all cars have the same basic elements and the same basic design. Wheels, chassis, body, and engine placement are quite obviously de facto standards (generally speaking, of course). The only difference comes in the variations of accessories, body styling, etc - not the basic design of the structure. No one is accusing any car company today of "ripping off" Henry Ford, are they?

Or better yet, think of it like a piece of paper. 8.5x11" portrait layout is the accepted standard. Why? Because it's the most efficient way to organize information in that application. The same with DAPs - Microdrive players with displays are simply most effective when applying that basic form factor.

Now if this Sony had a touch-sensitive scroll wheel in the center, a polished white finish, the same blue LCD, etc - it would be an 'iPod ripoff'. I don't think the shape of the device in any way constitutes a copycat though :
(Just my .02)

[All Music Site @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

It looks cheap.

[Piers Fawkes @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

How do these work with the Flash Drive mini walkmen?

[julio @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

Has anybody noticed that www.sony.com has a new model of mini disc player listed?
I wonder why nobody has been talking about it.
Here is the link:
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?CategoryName=pa_DigitalMusicPlayers_MiniDisc_HiMDWalkman&ProductSKU=MZRH910&INT=sstyle-pa_MiniDiscPlayers-catpfeature-MZRH910

it is listed for just 199.95

[Hannes Wolf @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

If you want more detailed info on this device, just look at my blog at http://TeddyTheBear.blogspot.com
BTW: I posted the information on monday evening!

[TuNiSiaNo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

Its one of the best mp3 players on the market ?

It's the most spread... we got used getting things because of popularity.


Why wouldn't they copy the iPod?

Sony can do better and will do us a favour stop focusing on IPod model.

[Allan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

I got the VGF-AP1L and love it. I think it was a good experiment for Sony, and it looks like they took the best of the NW-HD1/3 and the VGF-AP1L and came up with this, especially since it seems like it's using the G-sense technology.

If it had a color screen it'd be better, and I'm surprised that Sony is sticking with 20GB and not offering a 40GB (the AP1L is the only 40GB they offer, and quite frankly, a steal at $399 these days).

I'm not selling mine to get this, but I do think Sony is going in the right direction - especially if this supports more than MP3 and ATRAC natively.

What's more important is that the newer Sony players are gapless (at least mine is). That's more important to me.

[Ben @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

"Why a brand like sony have imitate IPod ???
Sony can do better..."

Is it me or are all Ipod fan boys think all MP3 players that come out to the market is copying Ipod?

I bet the PSP is copying Ipod because it plays MP3 players too right?

I think it's a pretty slick device, looks neat but I think instead of arrows for direction, I think it should be a touch pad shaped like a donut!

[Barry @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

"Sony can do better..."

Umm...I don't get it. They're in the dark on current technology. No, they *can't* do better. They're desperately scrambling to catch up with Apple. They'll continue to do so. This is 2005, people. If they knew what they were doing, they'd be making 100GB players that size, beating the iPod on ergonomics, and selling it at cost to get back into the game. Nope, this one isn't even treading water. *Yawn*.

[JonathanC @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

I'm an iPod fanboy but I like this Walkmen because of that d-pad. As much as I like the iPod wheel, I always thought that a video game style d-pad would give better control.

Mmm, smaller, lighter, removable battery, nice design. Very tempting.

[mike @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

I'm an iPod fanboy but I like this Walkmen because of that d-pad. As much as I like the iPod wheel, I always thought that a video game style d-pad would give better control.
-----

Then you realized there were more buttons for.. lmfao.. VOLUME.. and.. ROFLMFAO.. STOP!?

[James @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

i think this beats apple. 40 HOUR USER REMOVABLE BATTERY (user removable as in press a button and remove the battery)
http://www.jp.sonystyle.com/Walkman/Gallery/Nw-hd5/Images/03/glry_img_01.jpg

[James @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

http://www.jp.sonystyle.com/Walkman/Gallery/Nw-hd5/Images/05/glry_img_01.jpg

[Peter @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

Why compare with Apple? First of all Sony isn't copying anything. The ignorant folks should get that out of their minds.

Apple did not invent the MP3 player. They followed suit and created their own mp3 player and there were already other brands on the market.

With that in mind I wouldn't say Apple creates the best products either. Yes Ipods are good but due to popularity (NOT FEATURES) other companies like Sony will never catch up, even if their devices are much better.

Stop saying that iPods are the holy grail of mp3 players (I'm not supporting sony either so don't get all defensive)

Anyways this thing sure looks sexy.

[Joe @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

People keep talking about touch screen this color screen that well no duh if it didn't cost any money to implement then it would've had it...morons. How is adding a bigger color touchscreen gonna help the price huh genius? Yeah that's what I thought.

[tony cole @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

It would be great with a colour screen, but the 40 hour battery life, relatively cheap and replacable battery beats the pants of any iPod. Now, if only they'd have it play WMA files and others rather than sticking with their technically great but comercially suicidal and stupid ATRAC and hissy MP3 it would really be the player to beat.
Incidentally, in my view apple do a great job of ripping people off with their proprietary products and do a great job marketing on the on the basis of "looks" not much else - especially if you sit back and take a look at all the other great players there are around now, including this one.

[Joe @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

Actually SONY products are always overpriced with emphasis on style but no substance.

[Ben @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

It sure looks sleek, and with the 40 hour battery life and the fact the it's removable, that's almost enough to sell me. Having never actualy heard an ATRAC song, I will reserve judgement until I hear it, but until then this looks like a winner.
Pity there's not a 30 or 40 GB version.

[Celery the Brit girl @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

there actually IS a 30 or 40 GB option (can't remember @ present), but its a spec. ed. If you like silver, then you're sorted. Thats the only colour the spec. ed. comes in though.

Getting mine tomorrow - looking foward to it, bt the software is a total arse until you get used to it. There are some fab reviews on amazon.co.uk, well worth checking out.

Lets face it people, that REMOVEABLE batt. is unbeatable as yet. And the style... wow!

As for Atrac3 music, it plays as good as anything else. And one can cram more onto stuff with Atrac with no missing on quality. As i said though, arse to figure out if you're even a tad wizz like with computers.

Other than all that though, I LOVE IT! keep 'em coming Sony, keep 'em coming!

[Kamil @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

IPODS SUCK AND ARE FOR TRENDWHORES.

There, i said it, im tired of seeing people praise that piece of crap ipod as if it was the best mp3 player around. Only the ignorant and lazy much such claims. Anyone buying an ipod obviously has not done their homework on which mp3 player performs best, sounds best, lasts, size, etc.

Sony, iRiver, and iAudio put the goddamn ipod to sham. I had an ipod, and if 200+ dollars wouldnt mean much to me, id take it and smash it against a concrete wall with a sledge hammer, using THAT overpriced peice of crap was a nightmare (cheap battery life, always had to recharge and always died on me when on the go)

Sony was king of portable music for a reason: because they do things RIGHT.

However, the sony really needs: OGG support, no use of Sonic Stage, and Mac OS X compatible. Then it really owns everything. As for now, it still is #1, but could be better.

ps. Screw iPod, anyone saying its an ipod rip off is a complete moron.

[Maren @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM]

why are people all over the internet complaining about sony's design? if i was to buy a player for its looks, it certainly wouldn't be the posh-looking "please cover my behind with fatty finger prints" ipod - oh no, i'd go for this red retro-style game boy-lookalike. do all ipod-lovers wear pearls and fur? i just don't get it... and fair enough, i'm not sure whether to buy this one, but it's competition certainly isn't an ipod.