doclloyd

@Kurisu, I've followed your coverage of CES over at atraclife.com and I will say thank you for your time and efforts on this. However, as others have noticed, there was no word of Minidisc from Sony... however, there wasn't anything saying the format was disappearing either. Did you happen to see anything else that wasn't reported yet? Perhaps they're pushing off Connect Player in the US to include the new Video service along with other functionality like "legacy" device support? Do share whatever you can. Thanks!

The site home/blog page does have some good stuff... I'm definitely looking forward to what else will be unveiled. I'm personally intrigued by the new Sony Ericsson Walkman phone. Part of me knows why it's not integrated with Connect/Sonicstage (ATRAC files), but someone like myself would appreciate it, esp. since other products like the PSP can play those files back. Thanks to all admins/reporters on this site who are bringing great information on the future of ATRAC devices.

Agreed with nw_lover. I was perusing sonystyle.com and for now there are no HDD players listed for sale! The HD5 is no more apparently. I would expect a formal announcement for the NW-Axxxx series to come tomorrow perhaps... maybe other personal/portable audio announcements as well, such as more information about the Connect player software? The speculation and suspense is almost too much. Thankfully, I have other things to worry about in the meantime ;-)

Hey Kurisu, Are you getting excited about this trip? It's coming up very quickly! I for one will be most interested in hearing about what you find out. How much will you be able to update the site while you're there? I imagine there will be LOTS of activity, but faithful readers of the site will definitely want to know as much as possible while it's happening. Have a great time!

Lots of things, some of which others have mentioned already: - More bitrate options/tiered pricing on bitrates. - Video downloads! It seems like an obvious evolution, especially with the PSP being compatible with SS. - Plug-ins to convert more audio formats to ATRAC, like OGG, FLAC, etc. so we can play those files back on all those Sony devices we own. - I would prefer a better layout to the store. I sort of like the Connect Europe design, but it's not quite what I think would work best either. I like the news bits about artists, etc. - Ease up on licensing for music and make stuff from Japanese and European artists available via the US store (and vice versa). It would be a bold move that other online stores haven't done (AFAIK.) - More indie music, maybe allowing people to search based on region/locale. - customer reviews on music, similar to Amazon. - Easing up on DRM, like Warner Bros. only allowing you to transfer tracks to 3 devices. - Somewhat tied to the store and SS is making moving your library to a different computer - or even a different location on a computer, easier. The backup tool blows, takes way too long and shouldn't require internet access to work (except to authorize any tracks you may have purchsed from the Connect store.) - More HTML/CSS compliance so they can one day move off IE required integration. I look forward to seeing what changes may come in Connect store. Small, slight changes are being made to the music store. It would be interesting to see SonicStage/Connect Player have the ability to play back video, though, especially since it has no ability to do that now.

I think the poster is talking about visualizations, similar to what iTunes or WinAmp provides. That's been gone for a long time and it seems the priority to put it back in is quite low. As far as animations/transitions between screens, see what jadeclaw posted for that info...

Where did you find the link off of Sony's US site? That's odd that it's even there, considering no devices that are known to be compatible with it have been announced or released here...

Boards of Canada - the campfire headphase

Any feedback you can provide to the community regarding this higher capacity battery? How much extra time are you getting? Is it worthwhile?

FWIW, The Sony USA esupport site has the A608 in the list of devices to select from now... nothing of interest there right now, but there's a placeholder for it... when will the US announcement come?!

I think a lot of things are still speculation that some are defining to be truth. We've only heard one report from one user... I'd like to wait and get more feedback as the software is more readily available and more reviews come online before we declare Connect Player a failure or success. But that's just my take. I like to have as much info as possible before making any judgments.

Bought Imogen Heap's "Speak For Yourself" this week.

Does it sound any different to you on the device? How about playback quality off the file on the computer? This version of SS is most interesting. I look forward to trying it out with MD's and my other ATRAC devices to see if it really can watch playlist changes between device and computer.

Here's the most interesting info from the upgrade page: http://www.sonydigital-link.com/DNA/SonicStage/sstage_dl.asp May have to try this on a separate PC today. SonicStage Version 3.3 Upgrade Program. File Information * SonicStageInstaller.exe ( 784 KB ) For Hi-MD Walkman / Net MD Walkman / Network Walkman / ATRAC CD Walkman / ATRAC CD Personal Audio System / Micro System Customers We are pleased to offer registered owners of the above products a free software upgrade to SonicStage v3.3 Features: * Dynamic Playlist is available.This allows you to select genres and artists of tracks and to specify the order of tracks to display, to make Playlist by Date Imported/ Rating/ Playback Count/ the Number of Transfer and the Number of Tracks/ Playback Time/ File Size, dynamically. * New Playlist updated on My Library renews existing Playlist on an ATRAC Audio Device, transferring the Playlist to an ATRAC Audio Device. * Ripping an Audio CD in ATRAC Advanced Lossless format is available. According to new audio-compression technology, an Audio CD can be recorded into My Library without any sound degradation. And this new technology allows to record an Audio CD with the size of 30~80 percent with ATRAC3 or ATRAC3plus current audio-compression technology, in order to keep compatibility with current devices. * Ripping an Audio CD in WMA format is available. * A cover art of an Audio CD can be displayed on SonicStage automatically, when inserting an Audio CD into the CD Drive. * The option Add copyright protection is available in OpenMG, when ripping an Audio CD. * The bit rate for ripping an Audio CD with ATRAC format (ATRAC3plus/ATRAC3) has been modified. The bit rate for SonicStage Ver.3.3 is: o 320kbps/256kbps/192kbps/160kbps/132kbpsAC3)/128kbps/96kbps/64kbps/48kbps o Added bit rate: 320kbps/192kbps/160kbps/128kbps/96kbps ATRAC3plus o Eliminated bit rate: ATRAC3 105kbps/66kbps * Tracks recorded on Hi-MD devices can be imported to My Library unlimitedly. (New function of Ver.3.3) * Memory Stick PRO and Memory Stick PRO Duo are supported. Only with a Memory Stick Pro and Magic Gate compatible device. Check that your VAIO computer or your Memory stick card reader has the “Memory Stick Pro” and “Magic Gate” logo. * Ripping an Audio CD in MP3 format is now possible with the following settings: o Format;MP3 (MPEG1 Audio Layer3) o Bit rate; 320kbps/256kbps/224kbps/192kbps/160kbps/128kbps/112kbps/96kbps o Sampling frequency;44.1kHz * Tracks recorded from microphone or analog inputs on Hi-MD devices and Network Walkman can be uploaded to SonicStage and saved in WAV (PCM) format. * The function of Create an ATRAC CD, Create an Audio CD and Create an MP3 CD is available. * Tracks can be converted at a specified bit rate and then transferred to devices or media. * SonicStage launches automatically when an ATRAC Audio Device (e.g. ATRAC HDD) is connected to PC via USB. * Window for online music stores (CONNECT music store) is wider and easier to view than before. * Tracks in My Library are easier to manage than before. For example, see the followings: o Shows additional track information such as released year and composer. o Right click on the index list (e.g. Artist, Genre, Track Length) to add or delete. o Re-order index by drag and drop. * Album or track editing feature has been renamed Playlist (previously, My Compilation Album) and has adopted drag and drop functionality. * The track in My Library can be transferred unlimitedly.Imported music from CONNECT Music Store is controlled for transferring by music distribution dealer. * Editing for track information from CONNECT Music Store is available. Note: Track information such as music title, artist name, genre, album title on copy protected discs being released by SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT copied onto computer cannot be edited. * CDDB (A distributed network CD database that contains information about most Audio CDs in circulation) is available. Notes: 1. Bit rate ATRAC3 105kbps/66kbps for ripping an Audio CD is not supported in SonicStage Ver.3.3. 2. In SonicStage Ver.3.0 or later, tracks stored in albums in My Library are automatically sorted, based on the artist name and album name* registered to each track. Because of this revision, if you have been using an earlier version of SonicStage (Ver. 2.3 or earlier), the structure of the albums stored in My Library may change when upgrading to SonicStage Ver. 3.3. For example, if the album name registered to a track with SonicStage Ver. 2.3 or earlier was No title, it may be sorted into a new album for all tracks with an album name of No title. For the details, refer to the Help For Users of Earlier Version of SonicStage, Album Revision, after upgrade completes. Album name is called Source in SonicStage Ver.2.x. 3. The default setting of the CD Recording Format is ATRAC3plus 64kbps. 4. When upgrading from SonicStage or OpenMG Jukebox, it will be overwritten. 5. When upgrading from SonicStage Simple Burner, it will be installed additionally. 6. For the owners of a NW-HD1 or NW-HD3 Network WALKMAN who use the bundled version of SonicStage, upgrading to Sonicstage 3.3 will remove the Operating Instructions manual (PDF file) from the Start/Programs/SonicStage menu. The Operating Instructions manual will be accessible via the desktop icon. 7. When upgrading to Sonicstage 3.3, the following functions are not available any longer: EQ-Equalizer, Effect Vocal Canceller, Visualizer, recording by WMA, an audio CD direct ripping to connected portable devices with computer, CD back up function, Recording from CD by OpenMG Audio(PCM) file format and analyzer display (level meter, spectrum, waveform). 8. Function of creating an MP3 CD is only available in MP3 files in My Library. SonicStage is not able to convert OpenMG Audio files (e.g. ATRAC3plus) to MP3 files and to create an MP3 CD. 9. In this upgrade service, the language of the program will be according to the language of the OS installed in your computer. (Only for English, French, German, Italian and Spanish) 10. Imported music from Connect Music Store is controlled for transferring by music distribution dealer. 11. Track information such as music title, artist name, genre, album title on copy protected discs released by SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT copied onto computer is not allowed to edit. 12. Connect Music Store is available only in Austria, Belgium, France, Ireland, Germany, Luxemburg, Monaco, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Switzerland at this time.

What do you think the likelihood is of Sony doing something with Connect player for the PSP like Apple has done with iTunes and video? Right now, they have a separate website where you can download some free content and copy it to your PSP. Do you think they've thought about integrating video into Connect player, to provide a more fluid experience in putting content on the PSP itself? It would make sense and be a start for them to sell videos (movies or music videos). I imagine they could even do rentals this way. I imagine the DRM available in MPEG-4 or Sony's Connect player software would allow for this. Thoughts? Let's discuss!

I just noticed today on Apple's website that the new Powerbooks have optical digital input AND outputs. Note here from http://www.apple.com/powerbook/ What's cool is that they are using the same line-in and headphone ports for this functionality, so there aren't additional ports on your computer to get confused by. Just to think Sony could do this for all their portables (combo optical out off the headphone jack), just like they already do with the line-in jack. In either case, I thought it's cool that you could record to your MD digitally (albeit in real-time) from your Mac Powerbook without additional parts.

I just picked up a PSP tonight, a 1GB MSPro Duo card and 2 games for now: Lumines and Namco Museum. The local Fry's had a Japanese import version which appeared to have other games, but I couldn't read the Japanese writing to confirm. Unfortunately, the first thing I noticed when turning it on was that there are a few pixels that aren't working. They are stuck or dead. They stick out badly when the screen is all black. So, I will be taking my brand new toy back to the store for a return already. I hope this doesn't count as my extended warranty return, especially considering I just picked this up less than 4 hours ago. So far, though, so good. I'll now be able to post thoughts and questions about yet another Sony product. They must be happy I'm a customer.

Is this truly a player only unit? No USB connections as well? The more I look at the pics, the more this becomes apparent it probably is... hmm... you'd think adding some USB download only abilities would make sense.

It's to see new players being released, even if they are only players. But the battery life listed is quite impressive, IMO. I'm actually intrigued to consider purchasing it. I don't really record much on MD these days except for my church, but I could let them use my NH900 for most things (I love finding ways to justify unnecessary purchases.)

Looks like Sony may be starting its push to get rid of old inventory, even though no official announcement about new flash players have been made in the US. http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP....mory&Dept=audio Kinda makes you wish they started the models at these prices. I think a lot more people would've gone for them... oh well.

I'm excited to hear a member of the boards (and in this case, main admin) is going to such an event... it seems funny and ironic to possibly interview all these people, possibly Stringer himself with a device that is maybe on the chopping block. We all look forward to what you find out and report back to the community!

It is sad to read this, even if it's not totally confirmed.... it's like much of Sony's doings lately... they don't advertise anything! I work in the IT dept. for a marketing/promotions company. A current client wonders why nobody is visiting a new site we did for them. Well, they put out almost no budget to advertise it. Funny thing happens when you don't tell anybody about a product or fail to spend money to promote it: nobody knows about it, it doesn't sell and then they scratch their heads wondering why it failed. Perhaps it's speaking to a deaf audience at Sony, but with ALL their products, not just MD, *START ADVERTISING!* People will actually know what you have instead of forcing them to go to a SonyStyle store in only a few markets or make them visit your website. Let's hope something smart happens for Sony out of this whole shake-up with the new CEO...

Just picked up PVD's Politics of Dancing 2 yesterday. Nice 2-disc mix. Disc 2 is much harder, gives me that feeling of actually being in a club... good stuff.

You take some amazing photos. Sony should hire you to take product pics for them... I think more people would buy MD's just based on your photos. Heck, it's 1AM where I'm at right now and I feel like I need to go get more blank discs and put some music on them. :-) Thanks.

Nice pic of the bottom of the unit. I was concerned they were going to just have a funky connector for data transfer again, like the HD1/HD3. But the inclusion of a mini-USB port is great. And the Line-out port is also quite a surprise. I think it will make a lot of people quite happy.