Ascariss

Just check sonystyle canada, if it isn't on the site, it has been disontinued. Notice no A3000 anymore only the smaller A1000s, and some E600s on that site, only the new E005s with 2 gigs. the older E500s, E300 and E100s remain, not sure why, they are obselete.

Ok so I was reading up on anythingbutipod today and saw that the Gigabeat S30 uses a Freescale MCIMX31LVKN5. So I remember somone mentioned a freescale chip in the sony's in this thread: http://www.atraclife.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1080 So this got me thinking. Why not read up on this processor and see what it can fully do? I grabbed the service manual and decided to check up to see what information is there. The units seem to use hitachi or seagate harddrives. I would prefer the seagate drives myself, but anywho. Funny in the service manual, there is chart on page 3 that has which colour models are available in each region. The US is there with all the colours, even gold black. The seagate is a ST1.2 drive, here are some quick specs for it from zdnet: Product Short Spec: Hard drive size: 8 GB Interface type: CompactFlash Buffer size: 2 MB Average seek time: 2 ms Spindle speed: 3600 rpm Mean time before failure 100,000 hour(s) Min operating temperature 32 ° Max operating temperature 158 ° (in fahrenheit) Specs for the hitachi, there are 2 models, the 3K6 and 3K8, with the former being for the 6 GB model and the latter for the limited edition 8GB model. 3K6: Capacity: 6GB maximum capacity Size: 42.8 x 36.4 x 5.0 mm, 16g Reliability: 200G operating shock, 2000G non-operating shock Performance: Sustained data rate up to 9.4MB/sec High performance disk storage Low power consumption 3K8: Capacity: 8GB maximum capacity Size: 40 x 30 x 5.0 mm, 13g Reliability: 400G operating shock, 400G operating shock Performance: Sustained data rate up to 10.0 MB/sec As for the A3000, I can only guess. But assuming it uses the same chip and brand of hard drives, I came up with these solutions. The LD25 from seagate, up to 80 GB, or the EE25 (20, 30 and 40 GB), I have a hunch it's the ST18 (60 GB). Perhaps the hitachi in the A3000 is the C4K60, 1.8" drive (20, 30, 40, 60GB). As for the chip. There seem to be 3 versions of it. SCF5249 SCF5250 SCF5251 The A1000 uses the SCF5250 one (assuming A3000 uses the same one, no point for it to use a different one). The 5251 model has also ATA in addition to IDE. I'll mention some quick info on the 5251 and what it can actually play or display, codec wise: -MP3 -WMA -mp3PRO -AAC -Ogg Vorbis -SRS WOW -JPEG -MPEG-4 decoding -MP3 encode ***** -ADPCM (adaptive differential pulse code modulation) recording, basically PCM recording like the MDs. -finally microsoft's PlaysForSure As well, the company provides info on parts for 1.8 inch drives, colour LCD, support for jpeg, mpeg-4 and USB 2 OTG. I was a bit shocked when I read this, and wonder now what chip sony can stick in the new HDD units? Unless sony will only just release somthing using the same chip 5250 and different body. Difficult to say what sony will do. 3 options, either leave the 5250, upgrade to 5251 or a completely new chip. The 5251 has the IDE option that hte 5250 doesn't, but basically the 5250 in the A series is almost identical to the 5251. Checking up on the 5250 on various sites, it has USB, USB 2 and USB on the go. Even though there is no firmware, the processor can handle wma, and wma DRM 10 as well as jpeg and mpeg-4 video. ok like the 5251 it does have all this: -MP3 -WMA -mp3PRO -AAC -Ogg Vorbis -SRS WOW -JPEG -MPEG-4 decoding -MP3 encode ***** -ADPCM (adaptive differential pulse code modulation) recording, basically PCM recording like the MDs. -finally microsoft's PlaysForSure So all good. As well it has the ability for VCD, or mpeg-1 layer 2 decoding. In addition to ADPCM recording it also have MP3 recording ability! (jackpot) As well Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC) support was planned for july 2005, so we are past that date and I am sure that these sonys have that added on. In addition: -JPEG and MPEG4 decode (20 fps at QCIF resolution while simultaneously playing audio files) -SRS WOW and other third-party algorithms -ADPCM voice record crazy, Imagine where Sony could have taken this player? To the top of the market and easily could have competed against the best. Shame really. Perhaps this is what sony has coming up next for us this upcoming fall/winter 2006? As well I found out the iAudio X5 uses the same chip. If you want info on the X5 check it out here: http://www.cowonamerica.com/products/iaudio/x5/ or I'll list some quick ones. -colour LCD -video playback -USB OTG -test and image viewer -high quality voice recording -direct mp3 encoding -FM although that is not part of the chip lol -EQ -lyrics display -clock -dynamic playlist -m3u playlist (already have it kinda) a lot more information here: http://www.cowonamerica.com/products/iaudi...#specifications It boggles the mind to what sony COULD have done. Basically, we could look forwards to a brighter future, with a lot more codec support, basically ALL, video, recording, possibly easier mneu design, play lists on the go and more. I just hope Sony you are reading this, because in the world of DAPs and now DMPs, Sony is falling heavily behind. I'll use a simple analogy using cars. Why buy a more expensive car with less options, when your competitor is offering something for the same price or less with more standard options? Rank over. (sorry for the long read) So opinions, comments, complaints, errors?

Did you install the firmware on a full battery?

On sale in canada as well, with more models coming in non stop, ie different colours and sizes.

If you want to use the device as a storage media it should be possible, but you cannot listen to mp3s you transfer over using windows explorer. but like any removeable media, you can easily transfer songs to it using windows explorer. I don't understand why you do not try it out yourself, and see if it works, there is no harm in trying before asking. I never moved over mp3s to the device using Windows explorer since i have no need to, but try it and see what happens, if the files don't retain their mp3 file format, it only means that the device is wrapping DRM onto the file to prevent you from sharing it, but I highly doubt that will happen.

perhaps charge it? or press the reset button at the bottom of the device.

Even when the program transfers files over and you get an error and the program crashes and corrupt database or no database is found on the devise, all you do is reconnect the player and the songs will reupdate, but won't have to transfer again. this happened a few times for me with early versions of connect player, the first one mostly, not so much the later versions, and with the latest 2 updates, no errors what so ever. I guess this is why I prefer Connect Player, much simpler, faster and easier to use. anyways, whatever floats your boat.

a bit more than just a colour screen, hopefully some news will appear soon or by late summer at least.

track number? check the song on the player with those and then check your id tags for #s in the track area.

think ipod video but better.

the A3000 and A1000 are capable of more than just what you see in these units.

check the player, if there are duplicates there is a problem, but I think you are mixing up with transfer and updating the device which also looks like transferring.

Using a remote with the new units is pointless in my opinion, so much faster using the device itself.

249 CAN vs 353 US ouch. for 353 US I could have easily gotten the larger one.

why use an adapter? AC100-240V ~ 50/60Hz this is a global AC adaptar, unlike before. the plug should be the same from japan to US and from canada to US. europe to US would require only a plug adapter nothing more.

No thanks, I'll stick with my CP, easier to use and so much simpler.

not feature wise, but sound quality and battery life, it easily beats the ipod, besides i looks better than the bland square ipod lol. like kamil has in his signature, I am no itrend.

Artist link. the stupidest gimmick sony introduced in my opinion. You are aware you can order the songs by album? album artist? by clicking at the top both for the library and as well the playlists? other than that you are on your own, sorry.

How'd it go?

Does it really matter? take 2 routes, the easy then hard, first import all your mp3's, since you have to do that anyways, then connect the unit, see what happens, if nothing happens format it, simple as that.

There is something wrong with that playlist, and its not the mp3s. I did what you told me and did get 3 more duplicate files from the playlist I imported. I removed them, and deleted the playlist again. I went forth and added the mp3 files to winamp and saved over your playlist and reimported that playlist, no duplicate files appear then on my pc. Of all the playlists I import, I never have gotten a duplicate, so again not sure why thsi is happening, a bug? perhaps, but unlikely, only happened with your playlist and files, and then corrected quickly right after. there is no need to re-format the player you can delete individual tracks on the player no problems, I do it in CP all the time. As well try this, save the m3u file into one of the test subdirectories, not a seperate directory, see what happens then. example Root directory --> test folder 1 (save the playlist in this folder 1) -->directory --> test folder 2 (mp3s in here)

I've never had this problem, ever, have you tried looking for the file on your pc and checking to see if its duplicated elsewhere?

Most people are not having the problems you are mgillespie, maybe there is something a miss on your end not the software.

Ok here is the thing, sony already has access to the latest tech via the mobile phone side of things. So it's only a matter of adding that tech to the hdd player. basically the new player has to have this, otherwise sony can forget any chances of fighting it out with apple -touch screem -easy and quick navigation -battery life of at least 20-30 hours at a good bitrate, mp3 128-192 not ATRAC -small size -colour screen (either lcd or oled, more likely the latter) -ease of transfer to the device -superior sound quality -competitive price -software that IS NOT buggy -availability in the US and the rest of the world at the same time feel free to add more if you guys see the need.

I use both my A1000 and A3000 on the same PC with no problems, just when you are transferring files over, remember to choose to which unit it's going to in the transfer screen on the left.