Zizone_

SONY USA updated their site: NWZ-A820 and NWZ-A720 series are open for pre-order (release date: March 28). NWZ-A720 is same as A820 but lacks bluetooth and is cheaper.

Nice work even though I personally dislike touch screen; just not practical in my opinion.

In the case of Microsoft updating their things, Sony will most likely release update for SonicStage as well. Just like when Sony released security update for SonicStage recently.

I like the return of this aluminum thing from NW-A910 and NW/NWZ-A820 too. Also, your avatar/picture is so funny

from: http://www.ecat.sony.co.jp/walkman/product...&KM=NW-A829 it says... it is possible to record "VIDEO" from TV, Camcorder, or DVD recorder WITHOUT using PC via VRC-NW10 (that cradle I think). *record in analog mode (but still nice considering the size of screen, it will be hard to tell a difference from analog from digital). If you use MEDIA MANAGER FOR WALKMAN (atleast for Japanese version, since I haven't read from non JP Sony site), you can transfer internet video from PC to your Walkman (MPEG-4, AVC(H.264/AVC) Baseline Profile). *non-DRM only I am also expecting that this Walkman will be compatible with previous cradle that works for NW-A810, NW-S700, NWZ-S620 series, because it supplies the adaptor that fits to the cradle like previous models. side note: doesn't this NW/NWZ-820 has this MZ-RH1 feel to it??? by the way, has anyone mentioned about new NW-E020 series?

well, one thing that I really like about it is this direct recording function; probably need a cradle but still nice. http://www.ecat.sony.co.jp/walkman/lineup.cfm?Series=A click video and PCレスで

at least it supports linear PCM (which is most important for me) unlike e.g. Samsung P2 which supports neither PCM nor FLAC (or anyother lossless). The price is not out yet, since so many people don't care about NC (especially in US), which drives up price, I think US will get one without it. Also, NWZ-A820 uses LCD; I think you were referring to previous comment but... just wanted to clarify it since I found some people were confused about it (also does not use SonicStage).

I think that's a mistake on Sony website. Because, I don't recall seeing firmware 2.0. I personally don't think, firmware 2.1 adds any important options besides: New Features: Support for accessing Rhapsody® music channels Enhanced artist information Important Notes: After the update is applied, English is the only Display language available.

Let me clarify the translation a bit. It's the argument the site is making that NWZ-A820 series is the international version derived from NWA-910 for having built-in Noise Canceling function (NC), and similar frontal design with larger screen but with additional function, blutooth. The site says that there is high chance that Sony will show NWZ-A820 series in Germany considering the sale time (release date) of the Walkman (may I point out that I mentioned this few days ago? ). -My persnal thoughts: I expect NWZ-A820 series to be much thinner compared to NW-A910 series since the former does not have this TV function. Considering the thickness of NW-S700 series, it could be pretty thin. The player will be release in Europe and N. America but I don't know about in Japan... (maybe NW-A820 instead of NWZ?). Also, if the price comes to be an issue for those who don't give much credit for built-in NC (as happened for NW-S700 series) maybe Sony might release NWZ-A820 without NC.

The link you have there, says that it does have built-in NC. Also, it's showing NC earphone. But, I am not sure if it is official spec though... If Sony decides to release with NC, then the price will be higher compared to others; I hope they won't received criticisms liked happened for NW-S700 series in US. Because people only look at storae size but not at NC for price.

Well, they haven't released NWZ-A820 design yet. Only thing that people know for sure was one scatch of rear view from FCC. So, who knows how it will look like from front and side? Or did you mean that you wanted to see a shape other than rectangle? or have they released a pic and I just totally missed it... Edit: Ahh now I saw the pic but is it official?... I see where you are coming from now Stuge, and I do agree with you on some points.

They only made a statement, but failed to provided how they came to that conclusion; no supporting evidence provided. I would like to see how they found this out, if it were really the case.

So, is the reviewer saying that NW-A3000 series is trans-coding MP3 into ATRAC3 in real-time, that is as the music is being played? Consiering even PC takes some time to transcode, it's highly unlikely that the NW-A3000 is doing that (or is the NW-A3000 faster than PC?????). Who is the reviewer anyway? Plus, where is the evidence to back this? Also, just as pata above mentioned, battery life difference between MP3 and ATRAC3 would be great, if that were true. In other words, I don't believe that's true.

They should support everything... Drag-n-drop, SonicStage, WMP 11, etc. and same goes for codecs.

Use play-list. First create play-list, by adding songs in any order as you wish, then name that folder (i.e. play-list). Then simply transfer the play-list to your Walkman. If the song in the play-list is already in the player, the song will not take additional space in the Walkman. There was a post regarding how to use play-list function in SonicStage previously. Should you need further instruction, search for the post. Hope this helps. Edit: I just found old post: If you wish to transfer playlists, you have to transfer songs from playlist from the SonicStage to players. Simply transferring songs that are in playlist but not tranferring from the playlist does not create playlist on the player. one of the member, theFanboy, wrote simple instructions for the playlist "in sonicstage, in the mylibrary box, on the right side you see a small box to select called create/edit playlist. Select that. list of current playlist section will open on the right side. now on left side (my library column), select all the songs you want and click the blue arrow, all selected song list will appear on right side, choose an appropriate name for the current list and select close edit. now on the left most column, select view as albums/playlist. my library will show all the playlist. select appropriate ones, transfer to your device (by theFanboy)." so basically, 1) click "Create/edit playlist" on the right side. 2) Choose songs for the playlist and transfer. Once you created playlist, close the playlist 3) on the left most column, select view as "albums/playlist" 4) from the "playlist," transfer to your device link

I dont' know if there is other line up besides NWZ-A820 series to be released with it.. Anyways, I am expecting Sony to release NWZ-A820 series (4, 8, 16GB) in Spring 2008 in N. America and Europe (at least pictures and full spec, most likely in early March in Germany). Sony USA is certainly is on move to sell remaining NWZ-A810 series (suggested by their promotions) and A810 did well pretty well in US with most positive responses from consumers compared to their previous line-ups and to other products from their competitors. Besides Apple's Ipod, I believe most sales of DAPs are highest on mid-range capacities, which makes me think why Samsung and Sony both had highest sales in 4gb although they offered 8gb option. So, probably, at mid-range capacities is where there is most room for the market while the highest capacities are dominated by Apple. That's my guess. The question I have is whether NWZ-A820 is going to be released in Japan...

Well, one could argue that Walkman is released with a lot of functions so not as much updates are needed compared to others. Samsung's P2 was first released with WMA (no VBR, no Lossless only basic WMA) and MP3 only. Then released, after couple months, AAC support update. Whereas, NWZ-A810 series supported: WMA (includes VBR, supports DRM and non-DRM), AAC, MP3, linear PCM (WAV) from day-one. Personally, I'd rather have all on my first purchase than waiting for update. But, I do agree that unless there is a specific problem with the player or new software that works with Walkman comes up, there is small chance of update. For example, there was update for NWZ-A800 when some noise problem was detected with EQ settings. NW-A1000/3000 series had update when new software SS.4.0 with some new codec support was released. I don't think anyone forces you to buy a product; it will be forced if the player stops working when they release new product, but this is not the case (my MD player released in 1998 still works with SS 4.4). Also, as far as I understand, Sony and others, including Samsung, Apple, etc, aim is to make profit; I don't find why people have negative opinions about any companies for making profit, when it is the primary agenda for all companies.

I always thought the plastic cradle fitter that comes with the Walkman would fit into stereo system just like it fits into BCR-NWU3.

Hello, NW-A800 series does support linear PCM (WAV) playback. EDIT: Sorry I confused with A810 series. I think it only support ATRAC Advanced Lossless. Following formats are supported: NW-A800 series: MP3/ATRAC/WMA/AAC/ATRAC Advanced Lossless. NWZ-A810 series: MP3/WMA (both DRM and non-DRM playback; also supports VBR, variable bit rate)/AAC (non-DRM only)/linear PCM (WAV).

I thought "S" stands for "specialized".

considering it's NWZ, it will allow drag-n-drop and support for WMP11 and other programs. But... I wish Sony will release their software as well, as another option, not something like media manager for walkman, which is really bad software. It will be nice to have a program dedicated for Walkman, that is good one, in addition to other programs and drag-n-drop if people wishes to use others. It probably won't happen but it will be nice to see a good software from Sony for once (if I may name something... Walkman Player 1.0).

Well, ever since Sony entered gaming market, they gained a lot hatred from fanboys of other brands. I guess we can't expect everyone to behave with least amount of manner; besides, it's engadget keeping its tradition of biased reports. Remember when they criticized Sony's NW-A1000/12000 series about its HDD was fragile? while they praised Toshiba Gigabeat??? I mean NW-A1000 series used Toshiba's HDD... Personly, I think Gigabeat is a nice player. What I am saying is that Sony products get a lot of criticisms for having Sony logo on it (not that all criticisms ill intended but there are a lot of them which are). About the player, I really do hope Sony will improve it's sound quality even further. e.g. like reducing hissing noise (though they have been reducing noise with newer players). About OLED... if Sony manages to produce their new OLED TV quality then yes. If not, I'd rather have LCD as well.

by the way, since NWZ-A820 series is going to support bluetooth, I really hope they will see MD remote size bluetooth receiver WITH 3.5mm connector... as an accecessary... HBH-DS980 looks nice but no 3.5mm support, only works with built-in headphone...

I also prefer buttons over touch screen. Touch screens is just not practical e.g. accidently changing tracks and hard to carry it around without careful attention. Most importantly, my hand is in my way from viewing the screen. Anyhow, I am going to get this A820 series because I just broke A810 series by dropping from great height, accidenlty...

One improvement I noticed in SonicStage 4.4 is... when I drag album art to the folder (so that the album art will be applied all the songs within the folder) takes less time compared to SS 4.3. In fact, much much faster. Edit: hmm, maybe it's faster for WAV only. It takes same time for other formats (or bit less)... Sorry