alfablue

Well of course there is still much to be done, but this is a much more significant improvement over the "sticking plaster" applied in previous updates. Obviously they are starting with a complete nightmare of a program, but now it is useable and I am hopeful they will maintain progress. I am sure they will get it right in the end (after all, they have invested heavily in the Connect brand with the music store).

The latest version of Connect functions okay (but slowly) so I am sticking with it for now. Mine takes about 5 minutes to start up too. I have it all set up as I wish and apart from the speed I prefer it tpo Sonic Satge because of the dedicated functions. Yes, its rubbish waiting so long for startup, but I have just got used to it and go get some coffee while I'm waiting. I am still hopeful there will be a proper fix in an update sometime soon(er or later). If the speed issue were fixed I would be reasonably satisfied with it (and if there was built-in podcast subscription, even more so). Now the latest version actually does what it is supposed to (after a fashion) I am presuming Sony think they have the fire under control and will probably not issue updates until there is a major - and stable - improvement. Frequent incremental updates without enough time in beta testing could get them and us in hot water all over again, so it's best to wait a bit until there is a genuine improvement. Just my guess, anyway.

I don't really see the problem, when you buy stuff and it is not in perfect condition, the vendor should replace it. Most reputable companies will do this with little or no hassle, if there is hassle, give them hell. I don't believe gaps are acceptable, even if they don't bother you cosmetically, they must make the unit vulnerable to ingress of dirt and subsequent malfaunction. If the vendor is not helpful you can get Sony to replace it, though normally this will be a bit slower, and also you are giving up the rights you have with the vendor (with whom you have the contract). Gaps and creaks are not normal, mine is perfect, don't accept them.

yes indeed - they offered me a discontinued digital camera, a 40gb Vaio portable music thingy, or an NW-A3000. It did make me wonder if this was a sign of their own feelings about the product! Maybe Vaio-Europe thought they would get me off their backs by diverting me to the Walkman support team! It has probably worked!

I believe the same remotes work on the NW-A3000, I am using the RM-MC35ELK I think the NW-A3000 may actually be more robust - yes it will scratch but it won't dent, and mine has no scratches yet with use of soft case since day 1. Battery life is brilliant, never run down on me yet. 30GB got to be better, but 20 is enough for me. But I wouldn't have turned down a bargain NW-HD5, but my A3000 was a free gift from Sony (because they messed up my Vaio laptop repair!)

Well, Connect just emailed the solution and it worked: I think deleting cookies did it, this was probably messed up with the multiple connect player installs that were necessary. So thumbs up for Connect Europe for responding rapidly (was unexpected), slight thumbs down that the problems occurred in the first place....or is that a bit mean?

I haven't yet travelled with the NW-A3000 but I have done so extensively with other electronics (pda, laptop, digital cameras), all of which would appear to have more potential for moisture ingress, and I have never had a problem. Of course using a decent case not leaving it in sunlight is sensible. Somewhere in the tech specs you may find operating temperature limits, but my guess is that it would cope okay in temperatures up to 43 degrees C as my other devices have.

I have tried repeatedly to register with the Connect store. What happens: I click on the “Not registered yet?" Link or the registration button, and the screen refreshes without loading a registration page. At the bottom of the Connect screen it says loading, 1%...2% then jumps to 100% and reverts to the page I was on. I have tried the following: Using a stand-alone Internet Explorer window (version 6.0 SP2 all the latest up dates) Using the store window within Connect Player software (latest version 1.0.03.13130) Using the store window within Sonic Stage 3.4 I have tried with my Antivirus, Spy ware and Firewall disabled I have tried with ensuring Internet Explorer security is on the lowest settings, and allowing cookies. Pop up blocker disabled. System I am using Windows XP Professional (SP2) on a Sony Vaio VGN-S2XP, Centrino 1.8ghz; 512mb ram, 1mbps ADSL. For once I think it is a problem with me / my system, as I presume others have registered okay. But it may be Sony... I am keen to use my free album download voucher, but I cant! Any ideas? Much appreciated...

I think the standard neoprene case is just about perfect - simple, cheap, cleans smears from the device when removing it, not bulky, reasonable protection. I have a remote so lackof screen visibility isn't a problem

The database is probably corrupted, and even a uninstall / reinstall won't help probably because original folders remain. I had this and I unistalled everything and made sure I removed all folders manually after this. Connect works ok now, just slow (eg 5 minutes to load, 5 minutes to sync), but at least all functions do seem to work.

i download to a watched directyory then copy to a playlist (would be nice if there were a better way). Troble with genre is it doesn't always = podcast, for instance my BBC r4 (Today) and R5 (Mark Kermode's film reviews) come up as speech.

i have 3 and they don't get scanned unless i do so maually

Sorry if asked before - not in FAQ's and search disn;t help. Simple question: Do (or should) the watch folders get scanned on starting up Connect or does this need to be done manually each time? I ask because I am saving podcasts to a watched folder and would like them added each day when I connect my NW-A3000, but it seems that I have to manually get the watch folders scanned. It would be slicker if I didn't have to do this (in MusicMatch there is a setting to scan at startup). I am using the latest (feb 06) update of Connect

Honeymoon over - and I must eat humble pie... Connect is now getting stuck on opening graphic, and outlook and other software is crashing! I hope they hurry up with the connect replacement.

yes I heard the news, weird thing is the day before I gave up with SonicStage 3.3 as a bad job, and tried connect. It's far from perfect (speed ad functionality) but it does actually do the job ok wthout errors and is better than SS IMHO. (using NW-A3000, windows xp, mx of mp3 and atrac files)