MDX-400

Oh okay... I just tried and it works (WMP says it doesn't know the file type but if you tell it to play it anyway it works) but I guess WMP can't read ATRAC tags, eh? So that kinda defeats the purpose (trying to have the song title still displayed on my MSN, for example). I guess there is no way to do that with ATRAC files?

[sonicStage] then it gets to 99% (which is where I assume it starts to convert to ATRAC?) and then that's when the trouble begins. SS takes up like 100% of "both" CPUs at that point (using an HT CPU) and like everything on my computer becomes absolutely frozen. Can't multitask or use the PC at all after that except during the very brief periods where SS is reading the CD and not converting (i.e. when it is not at "99%" of the track). Okay yeah not Sony's fault. It was my CD... LOL Sorry. For some reason that CD was not reading well in my drive. It was scratched up a bit, but not that bad, weird. Anyway yeah it is working fine now

Sorry if this is a "noob" question... I've had SonicStage installed on my computer since v2.x but I never really used it. Well, I did use it for MD titling (of tracks not even recorded from SS) but that's about all I've done with it. I've ripped a good many CDs already to my PC in MP3 (--alt-preset insane) but I like the fact that ATRAC3plus has higher bitrates and I have an HD3 on the way... I'd like to change over to ATRAC3plus but I'm wondering is there any way to play ATRAC3/3plus in different programs yet? Like can I use WMP or MusikCube? If not (I'm already guessing you can't) is there at least an MSN plug-in for SonicStage (for the Now-Playing/What I'm Listening To thing)? Sorry if I'm sounding "stupid" but I mean what use is ATRAC3plus going to be to me if I can only use it with SonicStage and on the HD3?

Yes well I understand that, but keep in mind the upgrade isn't free, you have to pay for it! Even if they are giving the upgrade at a loss right now, they could simply increase the price past that date. Also Windows 3.1 and 95 aren't the greatest analogies. Windows 3.1 was useless anyway, lol. And the HD1 is not over 10 years old. Plus I'm sure you can still get drivers and updates for Windows 95 up until they stopped making new drivers/updates. It's not like those drivers and updates just disappeared off the face of the planet thereafter. You can still viably use Windows 98 and ME if you really wanted to, it's not like all of a sudden all the past drivers/updates that were around for them have disappeared of the face of the planet. Plus you can still get stuff from MS like DirectX for older OSes like Windows 98, Windows ME, and Windows 2000. (The very latest version of DirectX is still available for those OSes.) MS didn't just set a date like 2 years after XP came out and say "that's it no more Windows 98 support" and even if they did the last DirectX update (for example) they made for that OS would still be available. Well yes there is that, but it isn't like their repair/warranty technicians (especially those in the US I'd imagine) work on R&D for new products. How does repairing/updating older products through their service network stop them from concentrating on new products? Perhaps it's true that the techs do have to learn how to work on and repair new products that are released but that's their job; just because they learn how to work on a new product doesn't mean they just throw out everything they know for older products! Part of their job is knowing about the technical aspects of past products and learning about new ones.

I think out of all the testimonials and reviews for this product this is the first one I've read that is bad. And I've read a fair number of reviews. I don't think this is possible with the UniLink architecture anyway. All UniLink has to "scroll" as you put it, is it's LIST up mode. A maximum of ten, 8-character Custom File/CD-Text (only the first 8chars for CD-Text displayed in LIST up mode) can be displayed in LIST up mode. The problem isn't just the adapter, Sony's changer control itself (though very advanced compared to most car audio changer protocols) just wasn't designed to handle something like this. Considering UniLink is perhaps almost 20 years old, it's no surprise to me. I think perhaps you were expecting too much from the connection. Furthermore I don't think any (or at least not many) iPod car integration adapters allow you to do what you mentioned either. Perhaps on some newer HUs with changer protocols and interfaces that were specifically designed to handle the iPod, but other than that I don't think you can scroll through albums like that with most of them. Uh, isn't there a "HOLD" feature on the HD3? The complaint about iPod adapters is actually the opposite. iPod has two remote modes, through its dock connector... Simple remote and full remote. In order to get display output capabilities adapters have to use the full remote mode. The downside of using that mode is that all controls on the iPod are disabled. There are people on the Connects2 and other forums that actually complain that their car interfaces are such that you cannot also control the iPod from the iPod itself when they are connected. This isn't a problem with the interfaces of course, but a limitation of the iPod. With Sony at least you have that choice. Yes this has been mentioned a few times by myself already. It is a limitation of Sony's again. There's nothing Connects2 can do about this. Even Sony themselves, if they had made their own adapter, would not have a way around this. With an HD3, my idea is to hard-mod the unit; and that is really all you can do. Yes Crutchfield has a good returns policy. Keep in mind, however, Connects2, if purchased directly through them provides the same good returns policy. If you buy an adapter from them and it isn't what you wanted you can return it to them for a refund. They are very good that way I share that frustration, however, keep in mind if Sony made an adapter it would be no different from the Connects2 adapter. Also the Sony iPod adapter, I can't see that being any different functionally than the Connects2 Walkman adapter or the Connects2 iPod adapter either. I can't see what Sony can do to make something like album scrolling come true on UniLink--it just doesn't have that capability (unless they can somehow use LIST up for more than 10 things, which I doubt). No this is not explainable, except for the fact that Sony USA probably won't release it because they don't want the headaches associated with Connect software which blows. Otherwise check out the Sony does senseless things thread for more unexplained Sony phenomena, lol. Yes I think that has been a consideration of many people and likely why Sony has lost so many customers and Apple has gained so many. It's true that the iPod has far more aftermarket accessories than Sony and any other manufacturer--it is like the Honda Civic of the MP3 world, lol. But based on your consideration of the functionality of integration with car head units, the Apple iPod is really no better. There may be more interfaces out there, but that's about it.

Well I guess you're surprised then... LOL.

What's the point of this though? It's just a firmware upgrade right? So they don't actually have to replace any hardware, correct? So what's that big deal? Why must they stop doing it altogether when all they're doing is loading new firmware onto the thing? It's not like they are really losing anything from upgrading firmwares--it's a nearly costless operation. What happens to the firmware after they stop doing the upgrades just delete it from existence and then pretend it was never available? That is "teh weirdness"!

Just looking at information about the HD1 and upgrading it for MP3 on the USA website I found that Sony seems to be saying right now that the firmware upgrade offer expires on March 31st, 2006... I don't know whether this means the $20 price will change or whether you may not be able to upgrade it at all after that date, or what... But I thought it would be useful to inform anyone here that is planning on upgrading an HD1 or getting one, about this date Sony USA has specified as of right now. Here's the link to the support issue @ Sony.com... http://esupport.sony.com/perl/news-item.pl...WHD1&news_id=63

Looked on Sony's UK site didn't see anything about the upgrade. In fact it specifically shows the HD1 as not capable of playing MP3 files on it's little comparison of the HD1 and HD3 in the support section. Surely they must have the upgrade though? Contact Sony Service in your area and find out, that's the best way to go about it I think...

Some HD1s would have had the firmware upgrade before they shipped (later models did I thought). But it would probably say on the box somewhere that it plays MP3 natively if it is one of those ones. Otherwise yeah you'll have to send it to Sony and pay the nominal fee (in the US I think it was like $20 or something) for the upgrade. Depending on your location you will have to speak to Sony in your area regarding getting the upgrade.

HAHAHA LOL!!! My real name is Roland, does that ring a bell for any reason? 'Cause I'm thinking I might have been the same person that replied to you on the Connects2 forum! Well yes, you'd still be plugging in the remote into the phones/remote port of the A1000; however with the stand you *should* be able to use the line-out from the dock regardless of whether a remote is connected or not. From the Connects2 box there will be RCA outs (from the audio it gets from the phones minijack) which connect up to the Sony HU (or DSP or MCA, depending on your system configuration). Instead of connecing that RCA set, you'd connect the output from the dock's line-out and that would take care of getting line-level audio. Oh you mean does it have RCA wires permanently attached to it? I dunno I've never seen what it has for a line connection really as I've only seen pictures that did not show the connections on it. I imagine it would not have wires coming out of it (or at least not very long ones if it did). Yes it was to fix the lineout, you'd still have to use the remote port for the Connects2 adapter; unless they make an entirely different adapter to plug in the bottom instead (which remains to be seen). But then if they did that you wouldn't need the dock either. Well you could forego the steering wheel controls, that'll knock 50 quid off of things, lol; unless you *really* want them I'd think you could go without them, no? However I'd say not to skimp on the HU (I think it was the GT200 you were considering? I think a good starting point is the GT705X (or last years CDX-M7805X/M7815X) but I guess that is going to be a lot more expensive, especially in the UK), but th HU selection is another story anyway... I guess it is expensive particularly if you don't have the HU already... I *think* however that Connects2 actually makes different interfaces (for the Walkmans) for specific makes/models of cars, but you'll have to check with them if a. that's true or not; and, b. if they make one for your particular vehicle and factory head The price of the interface itself, however, I'd say is very reasonable. Many of the iPod adapters that are out there (for various brands of HUs and for various factory systems) cost the same or more. I can understand how people would think $100 is expensive but for the added features and integration you get, and comparing it to similar interfaces, it's worth it IMO.

Cool well we're working on the same project! Well for me I already know exactly what I'm planning to do though my solution is a little extreme in some ppl's view... All I need now is the HD3 (just purchased off eBay) and the Connects2 ASONWHD001 / MSC-01 adapter (probably within a month of having the HD3). However you need not be as extreme as me because you have an A-series unit... [i'll continue with that thought in a minute...] First off you're right about your two main options. Those are the only two that should be considered acceptable, IMO, if you want to keep any kind of definition of sound quality. (FM solutions blow, lol.) Also I'll agree 100% that using the AUX input plus controlling the unit by fumbling aroudn with it is highly annoying, so that's out. This has already been confirmed for me as I asked the exact same question in another thread. One user even took a picture of the unit with the remote plugged in to show the message on the screen. So no line-out with remote. Someone had reported the HD5 works in line-out mode with a remote but that was only one report so far and it's already been confirmed that the A-series cannot. Yep this one's also been covered. The answer is in the affirmative as well (sound quality will be noticeably affected with volume control maxed v. line-out). Unlikely. Sony has pretty much already shown their colours with that God-awful iPod adapter of theirs. It's like they're stabbing their customers in the back with that! The thing is the only place I found the alleged Walkman interface advertised with the HUs was in the UK. Unless someone wants to start up a class-action against them for false advertising (which they rightfully deserve if they really aren't releasing an adapter) I doubt one will be made by Sony. No it won't be rubbish quality, especially since you have an A-series (as I was saying before). See now you have two more possibilities... Connects2 have not verified the operation of the A series with the current adapter (the one that goes in the phones/remote port) yet. It could be already working fine or they could just do a firmware update. Alternately Connects2 *might* decide to make a new adapter for the As because they can now utilise that bottom port (though I'm not sure if that provides display capability). So now if they release a new adapter using the bottom connection you'd be all set. If they don't and simply continue using the current MD/HDx remote port adapter, you are still not completely screwed. Myself, I'm going to have to hard-mod the HD3 I'm getting since there is no such connectivity port on that player for line-out and there are no stands, docks, etc. made for it. But for you, you can go one other route... You can buy the ~$50 US dock/sand for the A-series units which features Line-Out on the base. Then, you'd have to install the Connects2 adapter and then instead of running the audio RCA to the HU, you'd leave that disconnected and connect the RCA from the line-out of the stand. Downside is, of course, you have to buy that dock as well (well either that or hard-mod the unit). Yeah not a problem--as you can see I went through a very similar series of headaches trying to figure out how it would work right in the end. In any case, kudos to Connects2 who is supporting us users of Sony HUs and Sony Walkmans; and @#$% ^&#! to Sony who have clearly gone and slapped us in the face by not even supporting their own products, and in favour of supporting the iPod at that!

Hmm, I see--I didn't know that! I know the technologies are separate and different and I'm ususally very careful not to confuse them but it seems I have here? Most OLED displays are colour though, no? That's the whole point of it I thought, a colour display that can be *paper* thin, thus trumping even the LCD in display thinness. OEL displays are usually monochrome or only 1-3 colours but the colours can't usually display in the same places (i.e. one section of the display which is orange must always be orange, a green section of the display must always be green). Since the NW-A seems to have a monochrome display (truth be told I've never seen it in person) I figured it was OEL and not OLED. Edit: Actually I was correct. The screen, accoriding to SonyStyle.ca is Organic Electro-Luminescient (OEL), which does make sense because of the display being monochrome and having to have the brilliance/contrast/sharpness to be visible through the mirror-tint finish of the unit. Though it is very easy to confuse the two because of similar acronyms. Well no I'm not going to say never, obviously, lol. But I was just commenting more that it was a humourous statement rather than a comment on piracy/intellectual rights/etc. No I actually agree with what most of what you said... My previous post was really in a humorous tone that I guess didn't come across that way, lol. Oh you mean in my profile or something? Yeah that has to be a mistake/typo. I have no [non-MD] ATRAC devices, but I just won an auction for a used HD3 on eBay so that will soon change

Out of all the manufacturers I can think of I have to say Sony does the most senseless things possible. Honestly I have no idea what they are thinking when they choose to do things. But the worst part about it is that you think about it as a regular person and it makes absolutely no sense. If Sony were a person, they'd be a real idiot, LOL. There have to be MANY examples of this with Sony but here's a few I can think of (not in any particular order just ones that come to mind first). Sony Mobile Electronics 2005: -Sony markets/promises a Walkman Controller in the UK for 2006 (and earlier) HUs, marking many as "Walkman Ready". -Sony never releases said adapter/controller and this year instead releases iPod controller??? 2006: -Sony releases MEX-1GP "GigaPanel" Head Unit. Internal CD player plays CDs/MP3 CDs/ATRAC CD as usual. GigaPanel offers fixed memory of 1GB in the faceplate, not much over the already .8GB offered by a CD. Adding insult to injury the FP does not support MagicGate and therefore does not support ATRAC--you can play ATRAC CDs but not ATRAC files from the FP. -Putting an MS Pro slot on the HU instead would obviously make too much sense for idiot Sony--they must have forgot they used it years earlier on the MEX-1HD... (can't remember what year, perhaps around 2002?): -Sony releases the DVX-100 10-disc DVD changer. This changer comes with it's own display panel and remote. Sony does not make the changer UniLink compatible. -Sony then releases an obscure and not-well-heard-of adapter for the DVX-100 to use UniLink. Adapter costs over $100. -At the same time Alpine made a similar mobile DVD changer with similar control panel. However Alpine's was also Ai-Net compatible right out of the box, no need to purchase a $100 adapter over the already high approx. $700 MSRPs both had when they were released. -Sony also had several MP3 capable car CD changers (CDX-T70MX, etc.). These changers could connect to any UniLink HU but instead of making it simple and running the ID3 tag information through the same means as CD-Text information to the HU, HUs older than the 2000 model year will still operate the changers but will not display ID3 tags because Sony wanted to be stupid about it. Nevermind that they already produced two other UniLink devices (MagicGate Memory Stick Reader and XM Satellite tuner) that utilised MD changer mode and MD-Text. Why the same could not have been applied with ID3 tags and CD-Text remains a mystery. Sony Portable Electronics: -Sony offered a "joint-text" capability on some PCDPs which was compatible with some MD units. However only top-level MD units had the feature. Later they discontinued it quietly on PCDPs while some MD units still had it. To top it off it apparently works very poorly because, again, Sony is stupid. -Sony offers MP3 ability on Hi-MD, but it's reportedly crippled and sounds terrible compared to ATRAC. -Sony released the HD1 and HD3 which are incapable of having a remote connected and Line-Out mode engaged at the same time, this despite their plans to make a UniLink adapter that would have to use the same headphones/remote port. -Sony puts a connector on the HD1 that enables it to sit nicely in its stand/dock--fair enough. Sony then continues to use this connector on the HD3 which has no dock at all and cannot fit in the HD1's dock, and Sony does not plan or produce any dock/stand accessories for the HD3. The port can do nothing electrically other than power input and USB. In case of loss or damage, the USB/Power adapter for the HD3 is sold by Sony for a whopping $55 US, when they could have just put USB and power ports on the device like they did with the HD5. -HD1 released pretty much everywhere. HD3 and HD5 are released in the US (and likely everywhere else) but not in Canada. NW-A1000/A3000 are released everywhere in the world (including Canada) but the US? What exactly is the reasoning behind any of this? Do they just like to keep things random? What morons decide these things? -VAIO Pocket... The remote port on the VAIO pocket is incompatible with Walkman remote ports. For what purpose exactly??? Yes I know they were made by two design teams/divisions, but this is just silly. Why rework an interface they already have? Does the VAIO Pocket's remote display more information that would be available on the more advanced Walkman remotes? -Other devices. Some devices (particularly older ones) FORCED the user to use ATRAC while other ones didn't support ATRAC at all? Sony Home Electronics: -S-Link and Control A1-II. Very nice protocols for comminication and integration of components. Very poorly implemented. Many devices do not have connectivity or have limited connectivity (receivers with one but not the other). This is actually a huge and complex issue so I won't get into it, but needless to say they made something that was a very good idea into something that just went forgotten and unused because of their unwillingness to implement it well. There are tons of other examples, feel free to add yours! All of this kind of foolery leads me to think that the people at Sony have never used a Sony product before and therefore put no thought into what they design and therefore devices come out completely unintuitive in many cases.

Oh wow I didn't realise they had realased a new set of models for 2006 yet. I was very impressed with last years offerings particularly the Specialty Series, after 5-6 years of solid crappy Sony mobile products. Hopefully the Specialty Series is still around? Really liked the CDX-M7815X and above from last year's lineup. The only thing I don't like the "GT" name prefixes--makes them sound cheapy. Dunno why but that's just the way it sounds to me. Some of them are also rather disappointing now that I look at it. Seems the GT705DX is supposed to be the replacement for the M7805X from last year? But the GT has only 2 pre-amp outputs? pata, I noticed the EQ thing too. However, at least some of them seem to have a new EQ13 13-band EQ, but it looks like instead of the lower-cost units having EQ7, they have EQ3? That kinda sucks for those who would purchase the lower-priced models. Oh wait, once again Crutchfield is wrong... The GT705DX is the replacement for the M7815X (it is an SS model) and does indeed have 3 sets of pre-outs, plus the X-DSP (which I think facilitates EQ13). I do have to say I liked last years' styling better though--the 2006 models look a little plain and boring. I'm not really feeling the swing slider things on the RA series. Nomenclature is also a little weird. Like last year the 7-series had the M7805X as the standard model and the M7815X as the SS model (15 instead of 05 generally meant SS). This year they are replaced by the 705DX and GT705DX respectively. But then the GT designation has nothing to do with it being SS or not because there are several non-SS models that have "GT" on them. Makes it confusing too, like say for example that you wanted to get the GT705DX, it's easy to see how you could accidentally buy the 705DX instead as they look pretty much identical and the model name is nearly the same. Also the GigaPanel one is certainly stupid as I said when it was first unveiled/announced. I can't believe Sony actually released that in the US. What's the point? No ATRAC3/3plus on the FP (MP3 only for unknown reasons) and 1GB isn't much more than a 800MB CD-R/RW can hold. Why they didn't just stick with the MS slot that a few earlier car units had, is beyond me. MS would have supported MagicGate and therefore ATRAC3/3plus and would have been more versatile (you can carry more than one MS, sizes are bigger than 1GB, etc.). Plus I'd hate to see the replacement cost for that FP, in case it gets broken/lost/stolen. Most of them are already in the sky, that one is probably even worse! PS, everyone: Here is the Sony USA Press Release--seems to be a bit better than the Crutchfield info right now (I'm sure Crutchfield will update as they get these things in.) http://news.sel.sony.com/pressrelease/6420 The Walkman adapter from Sony has actually been cancelled I believe, in favour of them releasing (of all things) an iPod adapter instead. Absolutely stupid? Yeah I'd say so. However you can still get the Connects2 ASONWHD001 (known in the US as the MSC-01) Adapter which will give you Walkman integration. It's like Sony figured since Connects2 made one they didn't need to. But then again Connects2 also has a Sony HU to iPod integration adapter as well. What is really annoying is that didn't Sony market all of last years models in the UK as being "Walkman Ready"? And now they decided to just forget about that and make an iPod adapter? I wonder how they are going to back up the claim of Walkman Ready now? Just tell people to buy the Connects2 adapter? LOL

This is one of the funniest statements! LOL. I know, like what is it with Sony and their insistence that people not make illegal copies of stuff? So totally bothersome! Like the other day I was trying to stab someone and along came a police officer and I was like "hey what's up with this, why does the state insist on me not doing this, it's totally hampering me". LOL. Now obviously I'm being sarcastic (and wasn't trying to stab anyone, lol) but you get the point. I mean be realistic now... What do you expect Sony to do? Say "Woohoo here's the PSP! Feel free to make illegal copies of games and sell them to your friends, family and strangers!"??? Though the insistence of companies and the law the law that you not make illegal copies of music, games, and music may "hamper" your pirating lifestyle, keep in mind there is actually a reason behind copyright and patent laws. Regarding this, I don't know if it is so much that you have a greater selection in the UK, it might be more that you have the stuff he's listening to/looking for whereas it is harder to get here. I'm sure the reverse could be applied as well where things available over here might not be available over there. I don't see how this is stupid. OEL display technology is quite good really. It consumes less power and is visible from pretty much any distance and at any angle, and remains sharp/clear. I remember I had a Motorola Timeport phone that used OEL and the display really couldn't be beat. The only time it didn't fare too well was when it was very sunny outside, but then again I had it set to nearly the lowest brightness because inside it was blazingly bright/clear. And that is still no loss from a colour LCD either, which will usually wash out just as easily in sunlight. Furthermore given the design of the A (the mirror/tinted type of finish it has), a regular colour LCD would have required a clear window part on the unit making it completely stop the flow of the design. Whereas on the other hand the OEL shines through nicely. How does it make it any better to have a colour screen on a music player? It doesn't really. Obviously if we're talking about a video or photo capable device then there's a need for a real colour screen on there but for just audio, colour doesn't really do anything. I think people put too much emphasis on the "ooh ahh" of a colour screen (eventhough they shouldn't since like every cellphone has them nowadays, they're nothing special), without even thinking about the functionality. IMO, going back to the OEL wasn't a step backwards at all. Maybe a step sideways (there are both advantages and disadvantages compared to a colour display) but definitely not backwards.

For sure. If it was cheaper to design and make one they probably would have. What's interesting is that the SCF5250 supports video. Well that isn't that interesting but the fact that they put it in the A1000/A3000. I'm guessing they are already planning for video support in the next player?

Functionally, it actually seems there are few differences between some models, particularly the HDx series... I've asked myself this same question (differences between the HD1/3/5) and I couldn't see much difference either; except, IMO, the HD3 looks the best. When you say the HD3 has Digital Audio Preset I'm assuming this means the same 8 step Bass/Treble from MD units with the feature? Also I thought that was only applicable to MP3 files, while ATRAC3/3plus files got the multi-band EQ, correct? Does that mean the HD1 has no sound adjustments at all for MP3s (since it lacks Digital Audio Preset)? Also the HD1 has an OEL screen as well? Seems there should be no difference in playback of MP3 files sound quality wise with the HD1, the HD3 and the HD5 because they ALL use the exact same Sony CXR704060-201GA System Controller / D/A Converter IC in them. The HD1 has that nice stand/dock thing too... Does the HD3 have any other differences over the HD1? Is the user interface any different? Is the battery life any better?

Hmm, I fail to see what that really has to do with a video playing DAP being released by Sony. Actually I fail to see what it means at all. MD from the start was not ever designed to "support MP3"; MD was it's own format for use in the consumer market long before PCs and MP3s gained popularity and started to go hand in hand as they are nowadays. MPEG-1 Layer 2 audio was actually based on PASC and therefore the format of MD competitor DCC. Why on earth MD would ever come to support the third audio layer of MPEG-1 was not even a consideration or possibility. By the time MP3s were getting popular Sony's answer in the beginning was to use ATRAC3 (MDLP) alongside original ATRAC (SP). Later that went on to NetMD; which there is considerable evidence that was being developed ever since MDLP was designed. Yes NetMD did convert such files as MP3s to ATRAC3/3plus and the transcoding loss makes it even worse but was that really the fault of Sony or the people that only had their music as MP3s? Because NetMD used a computer connection, I think too many people were expecting MP3 support just because of that, when the truth is I don't think ever made any sense in MD's hardware "roadmap", at least not until MP3s and devices like iPods really started taking over and Sony was years late and plenty of dollars short with Hi-MD MP3 implementation. Yes you could argue that MP3 support could (or should) have been implemented prior to this in MD and that Sony dropped the ball there but, IMO, MD was never designed with MP3 in mind and that is why it was never implemented until the last generation of MD. Even at that the MP3 capability of the few Hi-MD units that have it, is pretty lacklustre. I don't see why people cannot just separate MP3s and MDs just as they would separate MP3 from WMA or Ogg/Vorbis or whatever other formats have you. To me (and I know other people don't see it this way) asking why MD didn't support MP3s before is like asking "why doesn't WMA support MP3?"--it just doesn't make any sense. Now the HD1 not supporting MP3, I'll agree on. What Sony was thinking there is beyond me. And it's clear the device can do MP3s without a problem they just didn't implement it until later with the firmware upgrade. Were they just rushing this thing out to the shelves before they had firmware written to use the hardware for MP3? Hmm, but can't you play video fairly freely on the PSP, which is another Sony device? Why would you get DRMed to death if they released a video-capable HDD player? As for good hardware and poor software, I'd definitely agree in the case of Connect Player (which is so bad it seems that Sony is pulling the plug on it!). SonicStage isn't that great either. But personally I'd rather have great hardware and not-so-great software than average hardware and excellent software--but that's probably because I'm willing to put up with headaches here and there with using software as I've been doing for over 10 years with all kinds of computer-related stuff anyway. I think Sony could definitely have competitive hardware out for a video-capable HDD-based DAP device by the next generation of Network Walkman. Whether they'll have competitive software is another story--they've been fumbling that ever since NetMD started.

Just out of general curiousity... What in the world was Sony thinking when they decided to use that stupid connector on the bottom of the NW-HD3? (I think the HD1 uses the same connector?) The one where the power and USB connect, only you need the BCA-NWHD3 to connect to it first... No audio can go through there, no control can be accessed from there... All it is, is USB and power. Why didn't they just put USB and power connections there? Is it really that small that they couldn't have used a very small DC-in jack and just a regular mini-USB connection? The reason I ask is because Sony charges like $56 US for the part that connects there. $56? Are they nuts? For a little plastic connector with some contacts in it? LOL. At least with the HD1 they had a dock/stand and with the A series they have docks as well. The HD3 has nothing... No docks, no stands, nothing. What is the point of that connector? I guess it is nice since you can keep a USB cable and the adapter plugged in all the time and just connect one thing, but it is really that much more difficult to connect two things instead of one? IMO, it's just to make Sony money when someone loses it or it gets broken... Sure they'll sell you a new one, but it will cost you like 1/4th of what the player cost you! And no they are no cheaper on eBay...

I dunno whether I should be laughing or just plain puzzled... You "ripped" MP3s from CDs on a 386?!?!?! That is pretty much insane. Are you sure it didn't take you longer than that? LOL. It seems like such an operation would be more of a slow painful tearing rather than "ripping". The MP3s must have encoded in less-than realtime eh? ROTFL! Plus I can't see the CD drive in there being especially fast either, getting the wav information must have been pretty slow as well. And then how big was the HDD in that thing? Like 800MB if you're *really* lucky (unless you put in something bigger but still without overlays a 386 BIOS could probably only handle like 504MB or 2.xGB tops eh?)... This list of how this seems to be a ridiculous operation could go on I suppose--like I said doing that on a 386 is sheer insanity. The funny part is the MP3s you made with the 386 probably wouldn't even playback on that same computer! I remember that 486s in the range of 100-120Mhz could not handle MP3 playback well. This just *begs* the question, why on earth would you make MP3s from CDs on a 386??? It boggles the mind! LOL Anyway all that aside, try a program called Tag & Rename. It's a great tagging program and can do a lot of things including downloading track/album/artist/etc. information from Amazon (.com or .co.uk and perhaps other Amazon sites); or from CDDB; and I believe from another service as well. So it's got you covered multiple ways there. Also you can rename filenames from tags and vice versa. It is actually amazing (to me at least) how many things you can do with MP3 tags with the program... Of course I doubt it would run on a 386, so let's hope you don't still have that thing kicking around! hahaha

Yeah this is a good question. It's mainly that there is very little in the way of aftermarket devices for the Sony players. They aren't that popular, so no companies (even Sony themselves) bother to make stuff for them With the A1000/A3000 you have that connector at the bottom though that can supply audio output for such things as a dock/stand. The HD3 has no such facility to my knowledge (only USB and power can go in it's "bottom connector"). I'm really just happy someone like Connects2 came along and made such an adapter because otherwise this wouldn't even be an option at all. The Sony dock someone pointed out for the A3000 does indeed have line-out through the bottom. Connects2 say they are still testing compatibility with the A3000 and their adapter--it will likely require a firmware update to work though. What one could do, in that case would be to connect the adapter to the A3000 and then instead of using the RCA audio output on the adapter (that would normally connect to the car audio HU or MCA) use the line-out audio from the dock instead. Fairly simple. Unfortunately it can only be done with the A1000/A3000 and at that with a $50+ dock accessory. Also keep in mind that the iPod integration adapters are not all cradled and nice as you might be imagining. Most of them just plug into the bottom of the iPod and that's that. You don't necessarily get a stand/dock with them. There are probably ones that have dock/stand/holder things but most of the ones that I've seen have no such thing. Also I think the point (for many people) of the integration adapters is not to have your DAP out and on display but hidden away in the glove box or centre console--somewhere out of sight--while retaining full control and display capabilities from the HU. Really? The HD3 is not recommended? I was kinda set on the HD3 because I don't see much different about the HD5 or the A3000 even. They're just more expensive it seems... The HD5 looks ugly (IMO) too and the button cracking issues don't really make me too keen on it. Plus the HD3 is made in Japan which is nice. Unless the UI on the HD3 is *terrible*, I'm pretty sure I could live with it.... The A3000 is nice but it's expensive. As for the mod, I'm pretty confident it will work (because it makes perfect sense--that is how the main controller commands the headphone amp IC to switch to line out mode). The "ghettoness" of it would only be trying to put in a switch somewhere outside to be able to switch back and forth. Depending on if there is any space inside the casing and if I can find a very small switch (like a DIP) there may even be the possibility of adding the switch to the unit internally and making it look quite "factory". Or I could just forgo the ability to switch back altogether. Oh so simply grounding it should do it? That's cool. I haven't gotten an HD3 yet but I will have to test it out if/when I do. Thanks!

Oh it does eh? That's good to hear... In the other thread a user tried it out for me on the A3000 and it refused to go into line-out mode. The HD3, I'm not sure about but according to Connects2 themselves, they say max. volume is the only way to do it. I wonder why the HD5 would be any different? Is that with an LCD remote connected or a non LCD remote?

Hmm you really think it will be noticeable? Have you tried it yourself before to hear the difference? iPod??? I *REFUSE*!!! LOL. If it were up to me Apple would go bankrupt. I hate Apple. No and not just the iPod, I hate everything Apple including QuickTime. I'm definitely not getting a POS iPod that's for sure; I'd rather have no DAP at all than have an iPod of any flavour. And as for unparallelled car support, I'd say it has an awful lot of "car devices" out there yes; but, they aren't all great devices. FM Transmitters are even more of a POS/waste of time than the iPod itself. Yes there are many factory and aftermarket head integration adapters but some of them are not that great (e.g. features like folder support missing). Also those adapters don't cost any less than the Connects2 ASONWHD001 adapter (in fact most iPod interfaces cost more than the ASONWHD001). iPod for me = completely unnecessary. I have a Sony HU and Connects2 makes an integration adapter for the HDx, so why would I buy an iPod? I can't believe Sony decided not to make their own Walkman adapter in favour of an iPod adapter for UniLink--it sickens me! Anyway, I think I'll have to get an HD3 and if the line/volume difference is really that large, I'm definitely going to attempt to hard-mod the HD3 so it stays in line-out mode with the remote connected. If I can find a really small DIP switch or something, I figure I might even be able to have a switch to go back to the player controlling IC3401 if I ever need to connect headphones...

Given the information I was inquring about earlier in this thread: http://www.atraclife.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=550&hl= It's clear that if a remote is connected to an NW-HDx/Axxxx unit, the LINE-OUT mode is automatically disabled and cannot be reset until the remote is removed from the port... The end result of this (for me) is that getting the Connects2 Walkman-to-Unilink adapter would require the use of the volume control set to max instead of the more desireable LINE-OUT mode when connecting up to the car head unit. I contacted Connects2 who further confirmed setting the volume control to maximum is the only thing to do when using the adapter which utilises the phones/remote port. So first of all I'm thinking how much worse is the headphones output dialed to maxium compared with the actual line-out mode when one of these units (HD1/3/5 or A1000/3000) is connected to a receiver or amplifier? Has anyone tried this out to see how much difference it makes? I still have not purchased one but am still considering the HD3 (though I'm pretty much stuck getting a used one now). I'm really trying to squeeze all the quality out of this as I can. I'm really not that keen on using MP3s to start with (I encode with 320kbit/s CBR @ --alt preset insane) and I'm not the type of person to be at all satisfied using something like an FM transmitter or FM modulator. So I really want the line out (plus HU control/display) when connecting it up in the car. If the Line-Out really makes enough of a difference (compared to max. volume) I'm thinking about possibly hardware modding the unit so it stays in line-out mode permanently! The unit is pretty much only going to be used in the car or connected to a receiver/amp, so I don't care about getting the headphones output at all. I checked the service manual for test mode options but it seems there is no way to software-enable line-out mode regardless of the remote being plugged in From the service manual I can see that (in the HD3) IC4301 takes care of the headphone amp and the line-out facilities. It seems pin 16 on IC4301 is the "HP_LINE_SEL" signal and connects to pin 162 (PR6) on IC1003 (he main system controller IC). I'm guessing this is an on/off type signal and depending on if it is "pulled high/low" that enables the line-out mode on IC4301? In that case it should be a relatively easy bypass, no? Simply disconnect pin 16 from the system controller and then connect it to the appropriate signal/voltage somewhere on the board and the headphones amp should stay in line-out mode permanently, correct? I could even wire a [somewhat ghetto] switch in to the outside of the unit for a line-out/headphones amp switch if I wanted to I think. But I'm wondering if anyone can take a quick glance at the service manual and give me a little help/let me know if I'm on the right track?