willykyu

I've got exactly the same problem. Impossible to use CONNECT Player anymore, since it freezes on the splash screen for years! I event tried to wait a whole night (while I was sleeping of course), and in the morning still that ugly CONNECT player splash screen. I guess there was a crash during the tracks import, but well, it's hell ! impossible then to create a new clean library, or else... imagine you spent time to play rating your songs... and then bye bye beacause of a stupid bug... So anyone has any ideo of how to fix this? (SONY takes time to answer... CONNECT store repiled that they were hard at work for the upcoming updates... well... as it is today, we 'd need one update per day...or even per hour!!!!).

Encore l'oeuvre de ces surdoués de français! Stuge, it is French biensûr!!

Funny I was wondering the same thing for a while!

Catastrophy! after a crash when intalling your very cool program and checking codes, my HD5 became unreadable. Then, I reinitialized the hard drive, apparently back to normal. BUT, when connecting to Sonictsage to transfer my tracks again, a message appear, and says it looks for tracks that had been erased and wants to bring back rights... every time I have an error message with a long list of "no title", and keeps on giving me the same message of searching tracks to bring back play rights... there is no end to that! So I wondered how to return to the real initial configuration! like when I bought it, to use my HD5 again with sonicstage!!! I'm scared to have lost my HD5, sniff sniff!!! thanx in advance for your help, and bravo for your program I checked a little... too bad I had no time to really use it!!! UPDATE: SOLVED: I don't know what I did, but filling the HD5 with MP3 through MP3 manager, then using new version of your program, and then using SS 3.3 again, everything was alright! MP3 were displayed in SS 3.3 and I can transfer again. Life is beautiful.

Justify_sinner, I absolutely agree with you. The same here with my brand new A-3000, wich amazes me with its looks! I'm blown away by its beauty! I found it ugly on pics, and I'm wowed evert time I look at it, hold it or watch it on its cradle (wich is also a real piece of art!!!)! The controls and menus are wonderful, so many ways to get to a track, etc. And the display is really really nice! I have the silver version (wanted grey to match my vaio!). Connect is probably the worst software I ever used in my life! so promising, much more than disappointing. It's scary to see that sony, talking about rebirth, sell this soft with such a wonderfull player. Sonicstage is an extremely advanced software next to it. Unfortunaltely, lacking of unicode (worst of my nightmares), synchronisation, and cool options. But, it works fine now. It's also so easy to organize music, change album and tracks infos, even tag mp3 and atrac etc. As you mentioned I have exactly the same problems as you, the last update (the only one out so far) doesn't change anything (except crashing and freezing...as they say), and more, importing and deleting lead to errors, and remaining tracks, transfered, even if they're not in the library! I re-initialized the A-3000, and deleted it from CONNECT list! now I have 2 A-3000 in the list! on wich does'nt exist, and the other! No infos about progress, no time remaining, etc. Importing an album with several artists results as as many "same" album than the number of artists in it (super! very convinenient), and no way to change the properties of an album, or several tracks in the same time! no easy pick up with scrolling menus... hell!!! Best of it: importing a jap cd is useless. Once the infos are brought by CDDB, they display correctly on the screen, then you import it, and then the album doesn't show the title, and put the cd in "unknown genre", and won't play any tracks! "there's an error while playing the track". Let's not mention thestrange reactions, the neverending freezes before it moves again (for simple action like scrolling the track list), the list always recenters, etc etc etc. Verdict; absolutely unusable. Did Howard Stinger use that piece of cap before letting his compagny selling? I'm sure he uses Itune and an Ipod! HAHAA Today, the automatic update made me install the same update again... very strange. I really thought they came with a new revolutionary update... But you know what? it would take weeks to list everything which is missed, and put a list of upgrades they have to do quickly... I didn't even found a way to use the ratings from sonicstage. It doesn't seem to work. Why did they implement this in 3.3 if you can't even transfer it? strange. I'll prey SONY gives us something else than a big bugged beta version for christmas...

I know my friend. I checked that before importing, and even tried to rip the cd again from SS, put the same artist name, same album name (copy/paste) etc. But nothing changed...Then this MEGA bug of invisible tracks, impossible to delete... so no other solution than format. I also had lots of problems with Sonicstage, which did not want to show me the "transfer" window with applocale... I'm just waiting for an solid update now...

Thanx....I formated... and installed a new fresh SS3.3 and CONNECT player. CONNECT works a "little" better. But still a pain. When importing, it puts tracks of the same album in several different "same" album... I dicided not to use connect 'till they make a solid version (obviously, this is a beta version...). Thanx for your answer.

I also have a strange problme with Connect Library. I imported my collection from SS 3.3. I took forever, but it was there. The problem was some infos wre wrong, and some album were split in pieces...(one album of the same name for one track...). So I dicided to delete all the library content, to arrange this in SS. BUT, while suppressing, there has been a crash (how surprising...). Then, once I onpened CP again, it says there's about 500 tracks, but there are a few tracks displayed, and the rest invisible... and I can't delete what's in my library anymore. I tried to re-install the progam after uninstall it, but the library infos won't go away... Does anybody know how to get rid of connect 'memory'? (when uninstalling, I also deleted the connect folders in the program files directory. But it did not change. Connect memeory must be hidden somewhere. Then I'll be able to make a clean library from the start...). PS/ Connect version is the one sold with A series on a cd, then updated. Thanx very much in advance.

I guess if everybody complains in mass, they will start to figure out they made a very, very, very big mistake. I feel like being stabbed in the back: remember Stinger's speech about the importance of software and service!!! bullshit, once again! I find really insulting the fact that sony sells their beautiful devices with such a horrible soft, worst than anything. Knowing that Itune is easily downloadable, and a really good and well thought application (though it is quite ugly and old looking), with cool and basic options (normalization, cross fade transitions etc.), with a fantastic mp3 store, fast and easy, with excellent ID recognition, you can use up to 5 pcs,..........well, it just drives me crazy! I love sony devices, I love my HD5, but sh***! I'd like to have a killer apllication, not to worry about ripping 40 times my entire cd collection, and have neverending incompatibility problems due to unicode or DRM! Can't they just understand that? do they make marketing researches? I really wonder!!! and when you ask something, nobody's able to answer, 'acuse they have to see the technician, and never answer again!!! how many times it happened to me! Sorry about that, but, I'm not gonna change for an Ipod or anything else, so I 'd just like SONY starts to be really competitive!!! Having bugs is a thing, you can correct that by quick updates, but huge lack of option,ease of use and service is not to be forgiven this time! Connect player HAD to be as good as itune, it was at least what SONY could do when the A series came out. Big mistake I say, one more bad soft reputation...

I was wondering if this is why the A series comes out later than Europe in Japan. Maybe were they waiting for some feed back from Euope about bugs with connect player. But I doubt SONY can have time to change the indtall cds in such a short amount of time. They hit store next friday I guess and are sold on saturday. Maybe than, they will provide a better update... wait and see

US I don't know. Asia, I don't know if you mean China etc. But in Japan, it's November 19th, next week's saturday. It's written everywhere in specialised stores with the presentation of all new A series walkman.

I Absolutely do agree with you. It's driving me crazy! We shouldn't use Applocale AT ALL!! and we shouldn't touche the registry either!

Same here!

I'm not so happy... I'm testing this program for more than an hour. I have to say that SONY went backwards. I guess this type of savage instalation from the update might alter our judgment from a true normal installation, as the full installation may be different in terms of bugs, though I don't believe it too much. Well, I "scaned" the sonic stage folders, containing all my Atrac files. It was long, painful. You don't have any idea of the progress, that's a shame, for it slows down the connect player while scanning. Then, once done, I was pleased to see my japanese titles are displayed correctly (I use Vaiozone to name files in japanese, as it is unicode). Then, I tried to import a jap cd. Connect player looks like a very basic product, next to it, SS looks like the king of programs. So I imported it, and then, impossible to hear a sound of the imported files. the SS imported files play fine! that's strange. And the CD cover doesn't appear either. The infos before importing don't have a scroll menu, with previous entries-stupid! you have to type again the genre, if it doesn't match to the ones of your library. Well, I'm kind of horrified of this application. Managment looks complicated. It looks cheap also. It looks like Open MG jukebox somehow in terms of quality. There is no cool option, and the fact it is automatized is not always convenient. It seems that Connect player does what it wants. Why not manual control choice? For example, this auto watch folder could be cool, but it imported twice a cd I ripped from this very same application. (???!!!). I don't know if it was the same for you, but it's impossible to use "properties" on an album. And when you enter these "properties" setting, you've got to type everything. No scroll menu to pick a previously entered info (like SS). How do we change the "genre" if it is wrong or personalized? I didnot figure out... Well, this is scary for what's coming next. So far with this version, my thoughts are: worse than SS in a lot of ways, far far behind Itune, slow, clunky... the only thing I love is the jap caracters display. BUT the player doesn't play the tracks once imported. What's the point??? I'm soooo disapointed. Worse than I thought really. I'm waiting for a real instalation file. But the features won't change before a true next update (coming sooner than I think... as everybody's going to complain...). Instead of copying itune looks, I'd prefer they copy its basic fonctions. And it's not so pretty at the end... Connect store looks integrated like an internet site, like in SS, not like Itune (fast, easy etc.). Oddly, the connect sore is the american one on this update. Wait and see for the next evolution... 'till then I pray sony for an update for Sonicstage, to make it unicode once for all.

UNICOOOOOODEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!???????? is that what you mean!? great news!!! too bad you can't throw your stuff to HD5 nor PSP! but great news! PS: I installed Connect player too from the update file. I'm trying it right now

They just forgot to put the Connect player program HAHAHAHAH! (Sniff sniff)

The fact they provide so quickly a first update for connect player on the euro site gives hope though. Now could they just upgrade HD5/NW4xx and PSP to work with Connect player, it would be great, and give a chance to sonic stage to be unicode, if it is the only way to use our good old Hi-Md players/recorders friends... When they will merge the two programs in one, compatible with all devices, I think they will have made a great step.

Right! the big question is "is it unicode at last". But after thinkig of it, I realized it was cool, BUT, if connect player doesn't recognize any of the previous devices (psp included, which is absolutely impossible to understand!), what's the point? well, it's still a relief to have a unicode program where you can burn you 70% japanese CD collection, without screwing with your computer, but if you can't even transfer it to your sony devices except A series, I don't see the point. Still, these updates might be surprising. I just can't imagine SONY not providing an update with full devices compatibility, etc.etc. Well, if they don't, maybe it will be time to send tones of mails to sony... I heard they were more responsive these days (though I haven't seen any change).

Well, it's nice though... But, well, where are the.....OPTIOOOONS???!!! I mean, smooth transitions, etc etc. every little otions you find on Itune and never implemeted in Sonicstage!!! and if somebody can tell if the program is at last unicode...don't hesitate! HAHAH Ah by the way, how Connect store is integrated this time? same way as SS? or different, as an Itune like? thanx

It's juts.........SCARY!!! no no NOOOOOOOOOO! It's just impossible to believe! what have they done??? By the way? did you try plug to the Connect Player and older Atrac device such as a MD/HiMD/HD-1-5? maybe you don't have one... And secondly, is connect player unicode? did you try ripping a japanese cd? maybe you don't have one either... I mean, I'd like to know if foreign caracters are displayed... Well, I 'm still very shocked about what you said. Fortunately the "auto-updates" will be of some benefic use.

Unfortunately, Vaiozone 5.0 isn't available for my vaio. It's a VGN-A217S, and as told by e-support service, there is no other version than the 2.5 one. The new A vaio series have the latest version pre-installed... I don't understand SONY's policy! Why every same program on every platform hasn't the same updates???!!! I just don't get it. It's just too bad, VAIO ZONE is an atrac player too! it is UNICODE!! it shares the sonicstage library, which isn't unicode...but vaio zone lacks of cool control stuff, and that's just a shame! you can control it with the very cool remote, but there is no shuffle for example, and no intellignet search fonction (you have to scroll through the entire alphabetical list to get to the genre search... silly!). It doesn't look like there's gonna be any serious evolution on SONY softwares, I mean the Vaio ones. But you know what, if SS was unicode, it would be the start of a new life!!! so I pray everyday that Connect player IS unicode AT LAST. Itune is! Vaio Zone is! so, what's ahppening to Sony's mind??? the bugy and inconvenient applocale and register changes is NOT a cool solution... and makes the files compatibility between Vaiozone and Sonicstage worse! If Sony keeps on ignoring this, I think I'm gonna start making a petition!!!

Exactly! this VAIO version seems to be exactly the same! I wonder what differences there may be... strange. Well, one thing though: This time, the assistance of VAIO (E-Support) won't have any excuses not to help us with the never ending lists of issues and incompatibility between sony softs. Last times they said they couldn't provide help as they did'nt give SS.3.x in download section...but only up to 2.3!!! Ishiyoshi San, do you really beleive in this "patch"? they just should make a better Do Vaio/Vaio Zone, with plenty of updates right? Have you a good day everybody.

So this is my "review" of this wolnderful little case for HD5. I bought mine directly on ELECOM site in Japan. I wouldn't be able to tell you how to find it some other way. I didn't manage to find it in big stores in Tokyo either. If you come here, you'll maybe have more luck? AVD-PACL03 for the NW-HD5 It's very "classy", very good quality, and very pretty. There's a hole on the bottom to plug earphones and also any remote. But no hole for the usb and ac plugs. it was not necessary. Just open the case and plug it then. The case protection has scratch type attachment. I don't know how long it will last. These type of things usually don't work too long ... we'll see. I guess I would have prefered a pression button type. But well, these scratches are good quality too. On the left side, there is a VERY useful thing, where you can enrole your phones cable to dicrease its length. VERY CONVINIENT!!! When opened you can perfectly access your HD5 commands. There's a plastic protection over. Perfect not to abvoid scraches on your screen. I have to say that it is the best case I had for a device. Beautiful, good quality, very well thought... looks like my HD5 has become a cool new device! Sony official one on sonystyle japan is neat too, but doesn't sem to let you access to the HD5 fonctions. And you can roll the wires either... and it's more expensive too! I payed tis one about 2730Yens (23 US$/19Euros). If you want a case for your HD5, I guess you won't have so much choice, but this one seems absolutely perfect to me!

Just to say that the Sonicstage upgrade has been added today through VAIO UPDATE (Euro) program, for the ones using a vaio of course. It's been a long long time there hadn't been an upgrade for SS for Vaio. The last one available was 2.3 'till now. I can't say right now if it is 3.3, but the auto update is 70 megs and is called "Sonic satge update program". I'm installing it. I'll tell you if there's something special, like new vaio-only features, or bug fixes (Vaio zone full compatibility for example).

I did too. But nothing cures.... sniff... Impossible to access the transfer window with applocale running, SS crashes. My registry is changed to jap, I created a new shortcut. And it doesn't change anything... well, too bad for me I guess... Thanx for your quick answers by the way!!!! Atraclife.com is wonderful! (PS: I tried-of course- to unistall SS, reboot, install again, reboot, and retry. The same thing happens.)