Brewsky

I agree, these reviewers and thusly the general public are stressing themselves on the fact that Sony has decided not to allow direct MP3 uploading to its products. But since the files are automatically converted to the ATRAC3 format during transfer, what's all the bother? The issue is speed. People want speed. People are lazy. Why do you think fast food joints are so popular? Most people don't care what's in their food, as long as they get it fast and it's near decent. This exact problem exists between the public and Sony's upcomming HDD players or even the new Minidisc walkmans. People read that the files are converted and instantly they think that this process takes longer. They don't care than the ATRAC3plus format has a MUCH larger capacity for music, rather they feel it is a waste of their "important" time. Ironically, I was at a friends house and she was comparing her ipod to my then excellent minidisc walkman (my cousin dropped it out of a 5th storey balcony, may it rest in peace). I had brought over a CD with me for her to copy it to her ipod, and I was surprised to see the time it took to set up everything and to transfer. It first had a problem with a copyright issue and finally when it worked, it went no faster than the transfer time for my MD. I think people look upon MD's as a tool for a nerd and look at the ipod in another light, seeing it as sleek, stilish and hip. Similarly, they may look upon an HDD using ATRAC3 as nerdy. I've turned a lot of people on to the minidisc, I just hope that this new HDD player takes off because Sony certainly does a great job with its electronics. I don't think there's a room in my house that doesn't have a Sony product, whether it be a TV, DVD player or even a shower radio and I've never had a problem with a Sony product. Contrastingly, the IMac's at my middle school were plagued with problems. I just hope people remember Apple's previous track-record in the computer industry and are not as dimwitted as I perceive them to be and make that connection. If I don't purchase the MZ-N900 on July 31st, I may wait an extra month and a bit and invest in Sony's new HDD player, and I suggest you look VERY closely at Apple's Ipod before you make a decision, because I'd hate for you to have to send your Ipod back when the almost useless 8 HOUR battery dies to get it replaced. Oh, and for you to pay for the battery AND the shipping. :grin:

Amid the excitement of the new portable Hi-MD walkmans, I'm wondering if anybody has heard of plans to release a Hi-MD home theatre deck. I was looking at the sonystyle website (.ca, not .com) and I noticed the section on home MD decks was gone. I guess my question is, has anybody heard about home theatre Hi-MD deck?