LuLu

I can confirm this works. I have all the MP3s that are accessed through Sonic Stage on my external drive (also backed up elsewhere) by using the above method and pointing SS to external hard drive. LuLu

I'm so glad you posted this message (not that you're having trouble but that you reminded me to also ask for help!). My problem relates more conversion (I have an A-806). I can get files transferred to the device but it takes a ridiculous number of steps and time. The first thing I noticed was that most of the videos I wanted to use on my player were not in a format the Image Converter would recognize. I was interested in viewing videos that had been embedded in web sites (eg. YouTube) or presentations (things like the TED talks, although these you can also download). When embedded these files are usually in flash (.flv). To grab them I’ve been using a product called Replay Media Catcher. This works fine. Then I found this software, AVS Media. It comes with three applications (AVS Video Converter, AVS DVD to go and AVS Capture Video (for web cams)). AVS DVD to go converts DVD movies (this part works fine, BTW). The AVS Video Converter will handle flash (.flv) and will output in many options (.avi, .mp4, .mpg, .mov, .wmv). The .mp4 offers a format tailored for the PSP so I picked that since this is also a Sony device. But even after that Image Converter still insists on converting it again! In fact there are some situations in which files of the same format require conversion by Image Converter and others do not! Because this is done in real time (the video plays while it is converting) it can take hours (one hour for Replay Media Catcher to record it from the web site, another for AVS Video conversion tool to just to convert and how ever long Image Converter takes to convert before I can see it on my player). It is hardly worth the effort. Then there are the videos that I buy through iTunes. Of course they are DMR. Since I paid for it I think I should be able to view it on whichever device I want. So I had to get another application, Tunebyte to convert those. I didn't install the codecs for mpeg 4 so the only other option is WMV, which of course Image Converter has to convert. If anyone is also doing this type of thing but has figured out how to do it with fewer steps please share. Also if anyone is using AVS Video Converter with a format/output option that does not require conversion with Image Converter I would appreciate knowing about it. Thanks. LuLu

Thanks for your response. I'm not sure if you are addressing my question or not. Neither of the two things you have written say anything about transferring video that has been recorded on a Walkman back to a PC. On another note: Television broadcast stations in North America will soon be using digital only soon. See this article: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/digitaltv.html for more information. LuLu

How are you sure? Remember how long it took us before we could transfer recordings we made using MD devices back to our computer? In this case you are recording video material that is known to be copyrighted. LuLu

According to this translation of a Sony site in Japan it is compatible. The specs are: ● audience segment broadcasting video, music playback when convenient "Walkman" dedicated mono speaker ● A910/A820 series of chips that came to stand still use the chance to wear mini-speakers ● cap with convenient portability ● compact size. Power is the "Walkman" from supply ● overall output of 400 mW ● WM PORT-equipped "Walkman" only Anyone guess what the second one about chips coming to a stand still means? I was also wondering if the content you record from your television using this player can be transferred to your computer? I doubt it given the copyright issues but it would be useful. LuLu

Thanks for posting this link aob9. Does anyone know if the port on this device is the same as the WM-PORT (22pin) found in previous DAPs? I'm interested in the external speaker that goes with the NW-A820. I find it a bit of a pain to show video clips to friends using my A806 and not be able to both hear the sound because one of us is using the earphones. LuLu

They have also released a new E series line. Here's the link: http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/20/sony-ge...eries-walkmans/ These new models have interchangeable "shells" to change the look of the device. Also note the display will handle cover art. I take it that the version released in Japan will have SS but it won't be included for releases beyond. LuLu

Does anyone know why SS is being discontinued everywhere but Japan? LuLu

This is a great unit. I've had mine for about a year and a half and use it constantly. I like the USB connection up front that I occassionally use as a quick charge rather than looking around for my adapter or turning my computer on. I also use this feature to play stuff I have on my DAP (like podcasts) so I can listen without earphones. I've paired headphones (DRBT50) with this and the bluetooth works great. I also stream my A-806 so I can watch videos downloaded from the Internet and hear them through the stereo speakers. It has allowed me to use media on one device (normally my computer, which is located in my den) usable on other devices (that I want to be located in my living room). I find this separation essential for content that entertainment oriented (I'm sick of watching/listening to stuff for fun in my den). Overall I've managed to find a use for almost all the features this unit has to offer. Can't beat that price either LuLu

I purposely wrote the last question that way to acknowledge the fact that ATRAC is tied to SS. I think the comments posted under the poll pretty much sum up the thoughts that have been shared here over the past few months. As for the poll so far...quite a few people like ATRAC, some don't and others are on the fence. Drag and drop is pretty much evenly divided as are feelings about SS. With one quarter to one third being neutral on all three questions it may demonstrate that those who prefer ATRAC or drag n drop are using it for something specific. For example, I think one issue related to a desire for ATRAC is gapless. Perhaps those that like drag n drop use their DAP in many different computers and relying on SS would be a barrier. It is a small sample size so far so hard to make any conclusions at this point. I wonder if the comments on Amazon are markedly different than the ones here and if so, this is based on participants here being more part of a community, having read other's opinions that helped shape theirs? LuLu

Hi all, We haven't had a poll for a while and the new 800 series that support drag and drop have been out long enough to get some feedback from those who are using them. Vote now! LuLu

Try googling the exact error message, "A Service installation section in this INF is invalid". There is a lot dicussion about this. It seems as though the message is not specific to Sony DAPs. Perhaps you can find a solution from those that are posted elsewhere. Please report back what you learn. LuLu

What other applications can you install on an external hard drive that would function without the OS (somehow) also being installed? LuLu

Thanks for pointing this out Clockwork. I checked the manual and under "Power source" (page 134 in my version) it states that it contains a "rechargeable lithium-ion battery". However, in the troubleshooting section under "battery life is short" it states, "The efficiency of the battery will be improved by repeatedly charging and discharging it" (page 112). So my suggestion of letting it run down completely is incorrect but the idea of repeatedly recharging it appears to be correct.

I'm not sure how long mine lasts as I often end up adding new files (and charging it as it is connected to the computer) before the battery runs down. One thing is for sure. It runs down a lot quicker using the video part. It also depletes faster if you are using the video display when listening to Mp3s (you don't have the screen saver on). You may need to "condition" it. Let the battery run down completely then recharge completely. Do this a few times then use it "normally" and see how long it lasts.

Are you applying the cover art when you are in "import a CD" mode (one of the options across the top under "Music Source" where all the tracks are listed and ready to be imported into SS)? Or are you applying the cover art by dragging it while you are in "My Library" mode (again, option across the top) with "All tracks" showing (this option is found on the left hand side of the screen under "View")? The cover art will not appear in SS until you click on the song and begin playing it. It should then appear across the top in the section below the menu items "Music Source", "My Library" and "Transfer" (beside the play, stop, next track, last track buttons). This might be what's happending when you write that you can't see it in SS but it shows up on the device.

CKL-NWA800B. I found it at Amazon and eBay.

I believe the stuff you have linked to (in your post later in this thread) is for the NW-40X and NW-50X series from a few years back. I don't think it will work on the NW-A1000.

No but I may have been using a more recent version of Tunebite. I do recall it being a bit "aggressive" (including some kind of scary waiver or legal form) during the installation. Make sure you set a restore point in Windows before installing!

I found the application "Replay Media Catcher" through a simple Google search. Just download and install. Pretty much works the same as Tunebite. It works by capturing the video as it plays on your computer. Unfortunately there is no way to download the file and convert it without playing it (in any of the applications that I've mentioned in this thread). I guess that's how they get around the DRM issue.

Well, I bought Amy Winehouse's "Rehab" video on iTunes assuming (I don't know why) that I could watch it on my A806. Of course it would not convert due to DRM. I searched around and found this program Tunebite. It is considered "legal" because it records the video while playing it on your computer. Works no problem. So now I have AVS Video Converter to change video files to a format that Image Converter will transfer to my A806. I also have AVS DVD to go to convert movies on DVD to a format for my A806. Then I got Replay Media Catcher to grab YouTube and other imbedded videos. I've learned a lot trying to get videos onto my A806!!

I have done this successfully using Tunebite.

I believe the tags that carry that information only work on files that are in MP3 format. What format are your songs in before you convert to ATRAC? Are you importing into SS via CD? If so, are you also using Gracenote to grab the song information? In cases where you are importing an MP3 file you change the tag using another program. The iTunes was one solution to roll back the version of the ID tag before bringing it into SS. I'm sure other programs will also do the same. But obviously the songs have to be in MP3 format.

Sony has a device called the E-Book reader. You use it to read books, PDF files etc. Has anyone seen this on an MP3 player device? It would have to have the kind of design like the video players and not an Mp3 player.

Try 2.2 or lower. This is what I had to do to get it to work. I didn't end up converting all of mine though because I got tired of it.