Shinji Ikeda

Nice Review asianmoomoo. Pink is a bold colour. A strong colour. How good to you think the FM reception is?

If you are proficient in Japanese . I suggest getting a Japanese computer . Seriously , the Japanese version of SonicStage required that your computer be Japanese. The best method is to use Microsoft AppLocale and to adjust the regional setting on your computer. I do not know of any other work around. Please refer to the following like to change the regional settings on your computer: http://www.kurnspatrick.com/Support/keyboardmapping.htm

Hello Dura, With SonicStage 4.3 you will have to change the genre for each album individually. Once a new genre exist, you need only to select it from this list in Genre: in Album Properties. When changing the genre for the Album each track in that album genre is also changed. Note that this process takes time, since SonicStage will update the files on your computer. For the quickest method. Start from the first Album in the SonicStage library, using Album view. Open the first Album Properties and change the genre if needed. Select next button, and update that Album genre if needed. Repeat until you reach the last Album and select OK once finished. This does not change the genre on your ATRAC Audio Device. This has to done independently when the ATRAC Audio Device is attached to the computer.

How do these players play MP3? By transferring the MP3 files in your library to the NW-A800 player. There is an option for this in SonicStage? In the transfer setting for SonicStage 4.3 by setting the 'Transfer Mode Settings' to 'Standard Transfer Mode'. Now MP3 files will be transferred as MP3 files to NW-A800. SonicStage is a media Library manager. You have to let SonicStage know where your files are on your computer. By dragging-and-dropping files or directories into SonicStage, SonicStage will store the location of these files. SonicStage also imports CDs, and create files on your computer that can later be transfered the NW-A800 player. SonicStage 4.3 - Download music from Connect (region that computer is connected to has a Connect store) - Import files (either audio files or CD files) - Transcode to ATRAC - Manage audio files on NW-A800 and computer - Transfer audio files between NW-A800 and computer This works with Memory Stick's and various Network Walkmans (which include NW-A800 and NW-S600/S700 series).

The quality of the screen and how it feels suggest that it is glass. Which feels very firm when pressed against. I would be surprise if it was a high quality plastic, but not disappointed. For now I will state that the screen is a clear strong polycarbonate or glass.

Most members believe that Sony will release a higher capacity hard drive to compete which other players in that category such as the Video iPods. The largest capacity flash drive players are 8GB, but some ingenious people have replace the hard drive in iPods with flash drives. The best suggestion is to wait, and see what Sony releases over the next months.

Both the NW-A806 and NW-S706 support AAC, WMA and MP3 formats natively. The supplied software only transcode to ATRAC format. The NW-A806 and NW-S706 are both excellent units, but work different. The major advantages of the NW-S700 series is built-in noise cancellation using the supplied headphones. The major advantage of the NW-A806 is 2" colour screen, which give you access to more detailed information. The form factor of both device are different. What would be your primary purpose for the DAP?

I had purchased the case and NW-S706 within a couple days. I notice a scratch on the screen about a month after purchasing the case . I suspect that the scratch occurred when I placed the case on, since there is a large screen on the inside of the case. The scratch on the NW-S706 is unnoticeable , but stands out because of the larger scratch on the case. The NW-A808 is extremely thin, and light. What Samsung model are you talking about aob9. It has been reported that the Samsung is slightly bigger than the NW-A800, but I can not find the review with those pictures.

I know how you feel. I tested the NW-A800 for about a minute, and then had a problem in deciding the colour. Which colour did you get? You said it looked extremely cute. The NW-A800 seem extremely durable with the metal finish, and glass screen. Don't think protect, think accessories .

OMG??? I thought that meant Open Media Gate . The instructions are for SonicStage 4.3. Please give us a review, with details. A nice long review .

What version of SonicStage are you using? AVLS is a volume limiting system. Here are more simple instructions. This assumes that you know how to drag-and-drop into SonicStage. Intro: SonicStage will not add album art to tracks the ATRAC Audio Device. It is possible to rename albums, and edit tracks. Editing tracks include changing Title, Artist, Album and Genre. Tracks that edited in SonicStage's library, will not be transfered to the ATRAC Audio Device if it already exist. It is recommended that you do a test on one album with about 10 tracks, before you do your entire collection. Instructions: Connect the ATRAC Audio Device and start SonicStage in this exact order. Select Transfer (large blue button) then ATRAC Audio Device. Note: The thumb nail image from the album is a circle with a hole, while the thumb nail image for a track/song/audio file is a music note. Please ensure that tracks on the ATRAC Audio Device are in SonicStage's library. Delete any album from the ATRAC Audio Device that does not have a thumb nail album image. If any of these track are not in SonicStage's library, YOU MUST transfer the tracks to SonicStage's library first.. Go to SonicStage's library (labeled My Library). Select any album by right clicking, this cause a pop-up menu to appear. Select Properties, which is the last item on the list. Under Cover Art, select Remove to remove all cover art for the album. They will be labeled Cover Art(1), Cover Art(2), etc. Remove the check mark from Compilation, which is below Title and Artist. Select OK. Double Click on the same album. Select the first track by right clicking, this causes a pop-up menu to appear. Select Properties, which is the last item on the list. Under Cover Art, select Remove to remove all cover art for the track. They will be labeled Cover Art(1), Cover Art(2), etc. Remove the check-mark from Tracks in Compilation. Select Next, and repeat for all tracks. When Next can not be select (this will be the last track), select OK. Finally, Select the Up button. Now add the cover art that you want, by dragging-and-dropping it. Double check that the album that you have just updated is not on the ATRAC Audio Device. If they are then deleted them from the ATRAC Audio Device. Now transfer the album that you have just updated. After SonicStage has finished transferring the tracks for that album do not disconnect the ATRAC Audio Device. Now double check that the album art appears for the album in the ATRAC Audio Device while it is still connected to SonicStage. Final Test: Disconnect the ATRAC Audio Device, and check that the Album art appears for the album you updated in SonicStage. For Compilation Albums: Album are must be dragged and dropped to each individual tracks. Also, compilation must be selected on each track and album. It is recommended that for compilation, that album art be not added using the Properties box, but on the main screen of SonicStage. Conculsion: These instructions should resolve what are causing SonicStage not to update information on your NW-S705 or any other ATRAC Audio Device. SonicStage does nothing if the tracks are on the ATRAC Audio Device.

Discussion 1: http://www.atraclife.com/forums/index.php?...c=3358&st=0 Discussion 2 (with image): http://www.atraclife.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1924 You can create a compilation in SonicStage. SonicStage is case sensitive when naming artist, album, and group. Ensure that you are using the same case from the names. With language such as Japanese, Chinese and Korea case sensitives is not a issue (this is obvious). Ensure that the names are written identically. In discussion 2 you add album art to individual tracks using the same method, but you are required to select compilation on the Album. For compilations only the album name is required to be the same. SonicStage supports both drag-and-open and import-file method. Drag-and-drop is the easier method but you must be careful. One final item. Albums and tracks can different album art. If the songs are not part of a compilation album, remove any additional album art from all tracks. This is not required but should be done. Under Cover Art: select Remove. Any more questions, please ask.

I transcode all my podcast to ATRAC 48kps. Hearing someone talk is not work MP3 at 128kps. Unfortunately, SonicStage only transcode to ATRAC. Also, depending on your settings SonicStage saves the converted files on your harddrive. Depending on the device SonicStage supports various ATRAC formats. It would be good if Sony was consistent across their products, this would greatly reduce confusion.

Thanks for the correction.

The display rotation feature was something that might have been dropped from the final product. the NW-S700/S600 series screen can not be rotated. However, being right handed I find it easier to use in the left hand.

Congrats asianmoomoo, Answer 1. The NW-S700/S600 and NW-A800 support something call advanced mode. The unit is either in simple mode (by default) or advance mode. These modes are for how the library works when the network Walkman syncs with SonicStage. In advance mode SonicStage will update Intelligent Shuffle (My Favourite Shuffle, Artist Link Shuffle, Time Machine Shuffle) on the NW-S700. Method A. Tools --> Options ... Select Transfer under the Category: Select ATRAC Audio Device Transfer Settings ... Advanced ... Select the Intelligent Features Click on the box next to Use Intelligent Feature. Method B. Connect the NW-S705 and Start SonicStage Transfer --> ATRAC Audio Device Select the tool box icon and follow the same instructions as listed after Transfer Settings in Method A. Answer 2 There are instructions for this problem on this site. I will send the link unless, someone does it before me.

GQ Smooth Congrats on your purchase. I really what to hear your impression about the player. About the included software. You should use the installation CD. The installation CD will install SonicStage 4.3 (if not installed), Image Converter, and the NW-A800 series operation Manual. The installation process should not effect anything. My system when from SonicStage 4.2 to 4.3 with no problem. Only the files that need to be updated are. It will not effect your libraries. Nice story, we are waiting to hear more.

Using SonicStage 4.3 it is possible to a have your tracks on different devices. I currenly have the same tracks MemoryStickProDuo (PSP), NW-A808 and NW-S706F. However, if you have any track that you purchased from Connect you will have to de-authorize your player before you can transfer them to the NW-E016. You do not have to worry about the tracks on the NW-E005.

Jrome, The material that is used from the silicon case is not transparent, so unlike the plastic case there is an opening where the screen is suppose to be. The Sony branded silicon case here comes with one or two screen protectors. The screen protector is a must, based on my opinion not matter which case purchased.

MiKE, the only suggestion is to transfer your files in segments. I do not know how long it would take to transfer 3500 mp3, since each has to be converted before being transfered. SonicStage, converts each MP3 individually, then transfers it. I would suspect that the problem is with the conversion. How many songs are transfered before the problem occurs?

Jrome, you definitely not nuts. Overly protective like me, definitely. The NW-A800 is very durable, with the metal casing and glass screen. I have used different methods to protect my gadgets over the past. Anyways, I would like to welcome you to the club. Jrhughes, I bought the leather case and two screen protectors with my NW-A808. More because it hides the NW-A800 better. However, the unit seems to slide around in the case which can make operations difficult at first. Does, the plastic shell have a opening for the hold switch?

Thanks for the comparison review. DSP you did a great jobs, and very well balanced. An addition to what DSP, mentioned earlier. The NW-A800 series seem to turn on with one press. With the NW-A800 the lag time between when you press the any button to the time it turns on is very short. This is the time from when you press any button to the time that the screen turns on. It seems instantaneous. Jrome, There is nothing that can compete with iPod, because the iPod owners are very influential. However the best advertisement for the NW-A800 and other Sony products are those who actually use the product. So, Jrome if you show this product to more people, then Sony will be more successful. Apple success is based on this type of advertisement. Jrome here is a though for you. When you reach the last track on the NW-A800 how can you get to the first track? How do you do this on the iPod-nano? I suspect that the NW-A800 acts more logically, but I may be wrong. On the NW-A800 just go to the next track, give it a try.

4:3 Video playback is very good. About sound quality. I got a surprise today while listening to the NW-A800. I was surprise by the sound quality of a track, and how well the stereo sounded. I decided to replay the track and to turn off some the audio setting. It was then that I realized that only Clear Stereo was on. Of course this was with the stock headphone, so the sound quality would be better with higher quality headphones. One off my major considerations is battery life. When it comes to sound quality, I expect it to be good. Like you I will pay the extra amount for better sound quality from my media player, even if it is significantly more expensive. Having to spend more money on a good headphone, when I could get media player that has great sound quality with the stock headphones. When something becomes a commodity then it no long seems intriguing.

My first impression of the NW-A800 was that it was possibly one the best media player. The thing that I noticed was that it can be hard watching videos that a 16:9 aspect ratio. The NW-A800 has possible the best screen, both being crisp and bright. I prefer watching videos on my PSP. I also do not think the video playback is a gimmick, not being able to view videos on the NW-A800's screen would be a waste. I would agree that it is well integrated into the whole package. Oh well. Only those have used this can honestly appreciate the work that Sony put into designing the NW-A800.

It would be more convenient to purchase it in Canada, since the price would be about the same. NW-A800 would be about 2 dollars less in Japan than Canada. All prices in Japan include the 5 percent tax. Also, the warranty would be for one year with Sony Canada. In Japan the NW-A800 is more expensive than the iPod-nano. In certain features the NW-A800 is much better than the iPod-nano, but the reverse can said. Wow, kakaku.com list one retailer selling the NW-A808 for 27,000 Yen. The site is all in Japanese however.