pata2001

AtracCD is only playable on an AtracCD device. There is no way to copy the tracks back to the PC.

I agree. Sony should have at least followed what is "standard" on the market, which is MP4/M4A container and Apple tagging. I don't understand why Sony picked the 3gp container in the first place, unless they want to mobilize contents to be usable both on their cellphones and DAPs. My Sony W600i has no problem recognizing M4A AAC tracks ripped via iTunes, so depending on your cellphone, you can cut down your library form 3 to 2 (itunes and SS). Funny thing is that Sony is one of the developers of AAC codec itself.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but although ID3 is the standard tagging used for MP3 (and Sonicstage obviously support it), I have to pressume that tagging of Atrac files is whatever propietary method Sony uses. Also I don't understand why the fact that Sonicstage can edit ID3 tags is being overly stated while a software like winamp (and pretty much most audio playing software) have been able to do this for ages. Even winamp can read unicode tags.

Well, the A1200 is 8GB only, so if you don't want to re-rip all your music to a lower bitrate, set Sonicstage to transcode anything being transferred to the A1200. You can do this in the transfer setting screen, and force Sonicstage to transcode to a lower bitrate. You probably won't be able to fit all your music in the device unless you sacrifice sound quality to the extreme by using 64kbps of 48kbps.

1. You can upload iTunes purchased tracks from your iPod to the newly registered laptop. 2. Sony has to allow re-downloading tracks (which actually never works for me since it doesn't actually add the number of transfer permission) because backing up your purchased music is painfully a hit and miss. With iTMS tracks, you can just backup the songs normally (normal copy is fine), and authentication will be handled when you log-in to the service. iTunes is universal (1 installation for all regions), unicode, and gapless capable on MP3 and AAC tracks. Sonicstage is not. I think iTunes is still better than any other jukebox software mainly because of its Smart Playlist feature and built-in podcast management. Of course, it's even better if you're on a Mac since it integrates with iLife apps. The S70x series just shows again and again, Sony knows how to make great hardware, but not the software. Pretty much all reviews since the HD3 indicated around the same conclusion for Sony, good hardware, bad software, and yet Sony has yet to learn (remember the super buggy connect?). I mean, the S70x can play AAC gaplessly, but not the software? How stupid is that.

How I can be wrong when you specifically said pauses of less than 2 seconds? A pause is a pause. The gap might be really short/almost negligible, but a gap is a gap. I have the E99, and while it does not add any gaps when playing back MP3s, there are still gaps during track change, simply due to the MP3 format itself. If the 2 tracks are played overlapping with each other, maybe it's more a buffering issue/bug, not a feature.

Yeah, I'm sure all artists are using Sony walkmen to listen to their works during recording.

A pause is a pause (gaps). Yes, Sony players don't add extra gaps, that is not new, but doesn't mean it's gapless.

Well, things happen if you delete IE. IE is so integrated with windows, that if you try to do anything to it, it can screw up windows. Do you really install IE7?

Is it even possible to uninstall IE? Update windows and use IE7.

After reviewing my own experience, anecdotes, and comments, I guess it all depends on how large your music collection is. If one only has a small music collection, then a Sony device should be fine. If one has a large music collection, iTunes + iPod combo is more usable and practical to enjoy one's music collection. Software is the holy grail of modern DAPs, and Sonicstage is far from iTunes' usability. What's the point of SQ if you have to jump through multiple hoops just to transfer your own music, or to be able to use kanji characters. Many people love iPods simply because their are easily usable to enjoy music. So, to enjoy the original quality of the music, Sony has to apply modifications to the music? By logic, iPods flat response will relate closer to the original music as intended by the artist.

This is simple. I don't have any of those, yet I can say the answer is HD5. It's metal, has standard USB port, removable battery. The A3000 lost because of propietary connector and non-metal body. The only problem with the HD5 is the cracking buttons.

I can only say that the E00x series have noisy/hissy output. Sony probably use cheap components for those models to lower the price point.

The A608 is UMS compliant, so if the audio system in the car support playing MP3s from UMS devices, you can just drag-n-drop MP3s to the A608 via explorer. Downside is of course, those MP3s won't be recognized by the A608 itself. Controlling the unit directly is dangerous in driving situation. Please avoid this option for safety sake.

Good for you. Let's face it, as much as Sony makes good hardware, their software sux so bad. Enjoy your iPod. Anyway, I have had SS and iTunes choked on certain MP3s, mainly some old MP3s downloaded from the net, encoded with some non-standard crappy encoder with messed up tags/header. Best way is to use another program that can read the MP3 (eg. winamp/foobar tends to be more forgiving), and transcode the file to MP3 again properly (or any format of choice).

It's back on woot, $60 for the 2GB. Damn, maybe I'll get one just because... If Sony can actually set these prices as MSRP, they would sell tons of these, and put a dent on the iPod shuffle's sales. Of course, we know how "smart" Sony is.

Knowing how stupid Sony USA can be, they are probably waiting until the iPhone is released, so nobody will care about the A800 anymore. Either that or they are trying to eliminate any hints of kanji capability on the device.

Sooner or later, Sony will probably abandon Atrac. Nobody else is using it except Sony. With the rapid adoption of AAC by Sony, it's pretty easy to see where Sony is going. All newer Network Walkmen support AAC. PS3, PSP, Sony Ericsson, all support AAC. AAC is also part of MPEG4 standard. Sony will probably see how far they can drag Atrac, and at the same time, build up AAC support so they will have something to fall back when they want to ditch Atrac. It's not like Sony is improving Atrac in a significant way. I mean look at LP2. Has Sony even bothered to improve the most widely compatible Atrac format? Instead, they introduced more complication by bringing in Atrac3+, and even on Atrac3+, Sony cannot make they devices fully compatible with it.

Huh? NWA3000 HD5? Which one do you have? In any case, both models support MP3 natively, so I don't see the point in transcoding to Atrac. The battery life gained is not worth the severe decrease in sound quality.

From the way you say it, looks like they're your friend's music, not your music. Install Sonicstage, re-initialize the player, rip you CDs, and transfer them to the player.

Yes, I believe there is another member that got a Japanese version, and managed to set it to english.

So this is what TBR mentioned. Hey, the VP doesn't support Atrac lossless. Don't mislead people.

THANK YOU!!

QUOTE(shane_b @ Apr 28 2007, 01:58 AM) ←I have a sony HD5 and i had to format my computer, when i re-installed everything including SS it said iahd to initialise it again, so that means i can't transfer anything onto my HD5 or get anything off without formatting the HDD on my HD% and i have like 20 gigs of songs which i did not backup because they are my albums so what can i do without getting rid of everything and uploading my albums again ?Well, welcome to the world of Sony. Yup, another same question again and again. In short, you probably have to bite the bullet, re-initialize your player and re-rip your songs. Next time, use Asia Pacific versoin of Sonicstage instead. It's funny how many people are having the same question in the past couple of months, yet I don't see many people helping/explaining things.

Wow, another question regarding initialization issue. Maybe somebody should just sticky the info. In short, you probably have to bite the bullet and re-format your HD5. If you already deleted the tracks on your PC, you have to rip them again. Next time, don't use US version of Sonicstage. Use Asia Pacific version instead, unless you need connect.