shirleywhite_

Ok friends. I've calmed down a little bit now !!!! Although it's still not certain whether there will or wont be a firmware upgrade ................. you've reminded me that the 800 series is still a great little player!! If there hadnt been any 810 at all I'd have been perfectly happy to carry on as I started - I think the Atrac codec is excellent ( in terms of a decent quality at comparative lower bitrates - I've no particular problems with Sonic Stage ( ok - would rather have full drag &drop - but i've been using the various versions of SS for years with minidiscs/hd series etc - it's much better than it was!!) So what was all the panic about??? I guess it was that nagging "consumer been had" feeling ............bought something only weeks ago - but now same/better thing out and cheaper too!! Thanks to all who replied to my rant!! Guess wait and see is all we can do!

I know there's other threads relating to this topic - but thought I'd bring this back up to the top (!). There seem to me to be more and more "responses from local Sony reps" being mentioned which either state "no firmware update" or at least denying any knowledge. I wrote to UK Sony support asking for clarification about a week ago - still not received any reply. Wondered what latest thoughts were from the people who said had a definite "yes" from Sony?? I'm getting worried that the longer this drags out Sony will just let the 800 "wither on the vine" and say if you want drag and drop then get an810 !? Having said that I wandered down Tottenham Ct Rd in London today - lots of 800's for sale (£30 cheaper than I paid only 2 months ago! )- wonder if many Joe Publics think they are getting a drag and drop "Ipod killer"!!?? I cant believe that there would be many who bought an 800 series who would ditch it after a matter of weeks/months to get an810? Surely Sony would lose those early adopter fans (like me!!) if they didnt provide the same functionality for 800's ??? Someone reassure me please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've got one of my 2 808's with me at work and it's got a couple of dvd's on it - i'm trying to remember exactly what I did ?!! Probably used DVDDecrypter ( but PocketDivxEncoder is a possibility) - I also use SUPER to re-encode or change formats/bitrates etc etc Then it's the Sony Image Convertor software to load onto the 808. (Sorry that's all a bit vague...........i've got a Creative Zev Vision and an Archos604 too - and my computer at home is awash with different versions of videos/music plus all manner of converting software etc ) All I can say is ................ it might be a bit messy/complicated ................BUT you can get dvd's onto these splendid little players!!!!!

I think it's slightly more complicated to be honest. The folder MP_ROOT has a sub folder called 100ANV01 which has video files in (mp4's) together with the associated thm (thumbnails). But there is also a folder called VIDEO too. The Image Converter program seems to put videos in the 100ANV01 folder. I've manually put videos in the Video folder. Both seem to list on the player and run ok?! To be honest would have thought that a format would create all the folder structure anyway!! Good luck.

This has got to be excellent news!! And a big thanks to all those who emailed, phoned or just generally posted re this ( in what seems like many different threads and forums!!) I'm wondering just what exactly is meant though!? A firmware update to make our older 800's behave fully like the 810's is one thing. But making wmp11 recognise the 800 is not quite the same ?? (Havent quite thought all this through yet !!! But new firmware to make both my 808's pure drag and drop/recognised as external hard drive would be heaven!!)

I use my hd5 with line out into a Pocketamp 2v2 then into etymotic 6i's or UE Superfi 5 Pro's. The sound is excellent (IMHO!!) ( Got 4 small velcro hook and loop "dots" to fix player and amp together back to back. ) For great sound and volume it's an excellent setup! Having said all that - I regard the above as my "winter" rig - ie when I have coat/jacket/shirt etc with a pocket. My summer/minimalist approach is the NWA-808 on a neck lanyard with just the Etymotic phones - dont think you can get any lighter/smaller!!??? I call it my "matchbox" rig !! ( Actually strictly speaking it's my "altoids/mint tin " rig - cos phones and player fit in a small (lined) mint tin and slips into a small pocket perfectly!!!!

I had the same/similar problem with my 2 808's!! ( Mentioned in another thread - but maybe worth repeating - sorry, that's not meant to be having a "dig" at the original poster!!) The missing /different features - like "rating" etc are in Advanced mode but not Simple mode. As Shinji Ikeda says - it's a setting in Sonic Stage when you tranfer music that sets your 800 to be in one state or the other. But I first thought that under tools/options in Sonicstage it would be the "simple" setting. It's not!! That's just to put a "simple skin on for the "look" of Sonicstage. What you need is the "intelligent features" tick box - which is in the Transfer settings /advanced tab. If you tick "yes" then all the year/rating etc details is transferred too. (and your player is then in advanced mode. ) If transferred originally with that off - then player is in simple mode. I dont think there's any way to "switch mode on/off"!? I think you have to "retransfer" to do that. ( Correct me if i'm wrong!) PS Am very very happy with my 808's. Use one mainly for videos on bus/train - 2nd one for music when walking/running. Excellent sound and build etc etc. Got Sony leather case on one - but the Noreve leather is much better(IMHO) -though expensive I think worth it! Regards.

Thanks for the reply. I remember now that there's a "sonicstage" setting!!! I'm at work now (with my new 808) and havent got SS here. So was initially thinking it was a player setting!! I've just used my work computer to update the firmware - but when I get home i'll be hooking up to my Sonic Stage etc Thanks again.

Hi all. I've just bought a second 808 (!). The plan is to keep mostly music on one - mainly videos on the second. I've updated the firmware on the new one to 1.02 like the first. But just noticed a small difference. Under settings/common/unit info there's "library" - on my older one it says "simple mode" but on the new one it says "advance mode". I thought that both units would be identical ? Anyone know what this means? Is it an (obscure) setting I've missed? ( I vaguely remember reading somewhere that it relates to the usb connection but not sure in what respect)?! Thanks.

Hi Williamvdn. Thanks for taking the trouble to confirm this. Good to know that the pictures on the Proporta site are definitely wrong and that the case is ok! I too have a Proporta case for an HD5. But for my 808 I bought an early Sony leather case. I've got used to it now - but with hindsight would either have gone Proporta or more likely the Noreve one! Still loving this tiny player to bits!!!

Thanks to all for replies. Firstly (for Ishiyoshi) - I havent actually got a proporta case! (Well, not for the 808. I have one for my HD5!) My 808 is in the Sony leather case. I was just concerned that others might buy the proporta one and be disappointed! The Sony case is good(IMHO) Has a "covering flap to protect the screen. Some might not like that the flap hasnt got an actual "clip"/fastener but reies on a tiny magnet embedded in the leather. Personally I would prefer the Noreve for a leather case - but obviously it's very much a personal taste thing. The clear plastic case is good for protection and all functions available ( the Sony leather has access to all EXCEPT the hold switch.) RE the (gentle) query re "best ever"!!!?? Perhaps I'd add that my previous flash based player was the 70D !! ( and thus an 8gb 808 is much better than a player which maxed out with a 128mb memory stick!!) I still have an HD1 and HD5 ( as well as various minidiscs) but I dont think you can really compare the 808 with those. ( soundwise - my hd5 with dedicated line out lead into a headphone amp cant be beaten..............IMHO!! BUT .............. the instant response, build quality,battery life etc of the 808 makes me say ...................."the best"!!) My view on sound is that with no eq /bass etc but straight into superfi pros the sound is perfect ......FOR ME !! But this is so very much a subjective judgement that I almost hesitate to give an opinion!! If anyone hasny yet found them , the Headfi forums (both headphones and amps) make very interesting reading!!) Thanks for info re "folders" - will research further and try alternatives transfers.............. to be honest not a huge problem by any means ..................was more "intrigued" than anything. Regards to all!!

Hi ceres. Thanks for responding. I checked the pdf for the 808 player itself but didnt see anything specifically re video folders. ( I found the references to photo folders - "dcim" etc on p73? ) Did I miss it - or did you mean Image Convertor manual/help file?? Agree drag and drop probably best - especially for people who have never used SStage before - personally I've got quite used to it - and using version 4.3 is certainly much better than some of those early (2.x? 3.x? ) versions!!!

Hi all. Had my 808 about 3 weeks now - still immensely pleased with it. Got a couple of points. Firstly - the images of the Proporta case on their website are wrong. It shows an 808 in upsidedown ( such that you'd have no access to headphone socket if case was closed) If you put the player in the other way up - the pictures seem to show that the closure strap would still block the headphone socket - apparently that isnt true. I emailed proporta and they have sent me revised pictures - seems to show the closure strap is "centered" - so would be able to plug your headphones in!! My second point is a question. I've loaded a couple of videos onto the 808 - used the Sony video convertor software - which puts the video files (mp4's) into an mproot\100anv01 subdirectory ( like a psp!?) But noticed there's another directory called "video" - if I have some video clips which are already in playable format - do I copy across to the "video" directory or to the "100anv01" directory? Does it matter? Why the 2 different directories etc?? Overall I think this is the best player Sony have produced - love the build, the instant response, like the sound etc. Some have commented re not enough output volume (?) - i'm using superfi pro phones which are plenty loud enough for me! Everyone I show it to wants one. If only music had been drag and drop it would be the absolute best for all ( NB I'm used to Sonic Stage from N1,NH1,RH10,HD1,HD5 days - so no big deal to me to use SStage/Atrac - but for "Joe Public" maybe drag and drop is better) ??

Thanks for this info Simon. I'd seen those cradles - which I guess would be pretty good to play an 808 through a home hifi setup - but was thinking more re a portable setup with a pocket/portable headphone amp - which would be much more "elegant" if just a small dedicated cable! Maybe someone/third party will make one?! Thanks again for info.

Hi all. Had my 808 for a couple of weeks now - very pleased. Build excellent and sound very very good too! Wondering about possibility of line out (from the wm port - as no switchable headphone/lineout option a la HD1/HD5/minidiscs had) Would obviously need a dedicated cable - and a kind person over in the AV forums pointed me at the WMCNWR1 lead. Most sites list it as "for 600/700 series" but a couple also mention the 800's now. Seems to be a wmport plug at one end and a normal 3.5mm jack at other. BUT........ they all list it as a "recording lead". In other words ( I assume) to get music from various sources ONTO your player. So my basic question is.............would this lead enable you to play music OUT of the 808 INTO a hifi system or a headphone amp etc etc?? Does it depend on how the lead is "wired up"? Or if it works "one way" will it also work the "other way"? ( Pardon my ignorance here!) Would be very grateful if anyone with this lead ( or knowledge of any other to achieve line out) could confirm please!! Many thanks.

Oh dear!! Oh dear!!!! I'm old enough ( and ought to be wise enough) to remember the first rule of computing/sonicstage/atracs or whatever.............!!!!!! CHECK THE ..........CABLE!!! As a final thought (which ought to have been first thought!!) I switched to another usb cable I'd got - the 70D connects fine!! (For the record so does nh1,rh900.hd1 and hd5!!! ) Apologies to all for my premature scare story!!

Been using SS3.3 fairly happily for quite a while - upgraded today (direct from sony-europe site/installer.) All seemed to go ok. Downloaded and installed everything(including "uninstalling previous version") Browsed around new (ish) screens, played a couple of tracks ........... but then plugged in my NW70D (flash based player)- using usual usb lead to cradle. It's recognized in system tray as attached etc. But in SS nothing!! Click on "transfer" and expecting to see the 70D in the drop down list as before(with3.3) But only get the 3 "burn cd/mp3 etc" options?? Any ideas please? Is 3.4 not backwards compatible with 70D? Is there a chance the install "missed some drivers or something?? If I have to - how can I roll back to 3.3? Can I use SS backup utility - the uninstall - but how / where do I get 3.3 again?? Any help appreciated.Thanks

I think Sonic Stage "3.3" says it all!!! Whilst not perfect - it's been through quite a number of iterations and (imho) is pretty good now! Connect 3.3 (!) might not be so bad!! LOL

Hi all. Am slightly embarassed to admit that i've only just found this forum. Having used Minidisc and AV forums quite a lot I'm not sure how/why I missed "Atrac"!!?? Anyway - a quick couple of thoughts re SS 3.2 - I installed on a "spare" computer (my main machine got SS3.1 on it ) - ripped some cds at 320 kbps and transferred to hd5. SS3.2 reported "cant transfer because tracks from another computer on device" Said I had to delete all tracks first. ( Though I believe that "authorising" - which i'd never bothered with - is a way to be able to use muliple computers?!) Rather interestingly though - I clicked transfer - SS transferred but converted to 192 on the hd5. ( with tracks in library still at 320 ) The tracks wouldnt play on the hd5 though. Rather like an earlier poster I'm thinking of starting afresh with a clean version of SS3.2 and a fresh hd5 - but need to decide what bitrate to use. ( I'd already done a firmware update to 1.2 on the hd5 - I'm not 100% sure if a further update is needed for all the newatrac plus bitrates?!) My second thought/point was re the flash based 70D which I occasionally use. I believe biggest card it can use is 128mg memstick duo. Wondered if with SS3.2 etc and/or firmware update there's any chance of bigger sizes? ( Like an earlier poster too I still use a Clie ( N760) as a pda - no chance there I guess of more bitrates I suppose!! )