LuLu

I have used my 806 to watch stuff while on the subway. With the warmer weather I ride my bike or walk a lot more. I don't think I will try to walk/ride and watch at the same time! The strap seen in the picture is the one that came out when the E-00X units were released. There were two sets of different colours (Black/Blue/Green and Pink/Violet/Clear). I have the clear strap on my 806 and the black one on my E-005. See pics: Although I consider my 407 to be superior to my E-005 I've stopped using it. It is heavy and doesn’t have the radio. I think it is better because of the way SS handles playlists on the 407. It allowed you to delete files from the playlist rather than moving back to the Artist or Album view. It also allowed you to move the order of the files in the playlist around AFTER you transfer. The older version of SS called playlists something else (anyone remember?) and it worked a lot better! I'm not sure if this is another case of "feature removal" or the hardware in the E-00X series (and the 80X) does not allow this. LOG

Thanks. I was using the supplied earphones at the beginning. They are ok. The sound is good but I much prefer the MDREX71SL because of the shape. But since I'm still using my NW-E005 I have been leaving those 'phones with that unit. Recently I've been using the Bluetooth earphones (DRBT10CX) with my NW-A806. The ear piece with these is closer in design to the MDREX71SL. What about yourself? Do you like the earphones that came with it? What have you been using your unit for? LOG

Now I see what you are referring to! The post has two servers (one with Sony Asia-Pacific, the other Sony Japan) for the same file! There is no difference between the file found at these two links, they are just using two different servers to distribute d/l'ing. LOG

I updated my NW-A806, purchased in Canada, made in China with the firmware I found at this site. It worked fine. Even the files I left on the unit were intact after the upgrade. LOG

It retails for $79.99 CAD but after I registered my NW-A806 I received a $20.00 off coupon that I reimbursed when I purchased it. So I got it for $59.99 CAD. To me it is worth it. I can use it and not be tethered to or stuck using earphones. Once I started listening to podcasts along with all the music I already listen to it really increased the amount of time I was using my Walkman. I don't mind wearing earphones when I'm out but at home I would rather stream it to the bookshelf unit or have the option of using headphones to give my ears a break. So I would consider it for the above listed reasons: it gives you option of walking around your home with ear/headphones and without carrying your Walkman (perhaps something to consider given its delicate viewing screen) or if you can stream it to bookshelf unit/Bluetooth compatible speakers. I haven’t tried to pair it to my Bluetooth capable laptop yet but that’s another option to consider. LOG

Here ya go! Front: Back: Side with volume control: Bluetooth adapter: LOG

I noticed that the Bluetooth adapter for the S700 and A800 series is different than the version sold in Canada. UK version: Canadian version: The UK version has two lights (presumably the blue/red combination described below) and “OPE” written on the on/off button. The one sold in Canada has only one light and nothing on the button. Does anyone know why? The two colour coding system does come in handy when pairing and connecting as the system works by using quite a complex series of blinks. For example, this adapter lists the following blinking functions: Status: Indicator Power on: Flashes twice Power off: Flashes once Pairing in process: Flashes quickly Pairing successful: Flashes twice Connecting in process: Flashes (at about 1 second intervals) Connecting successful: Flashes twice Connecting: Flashes slowly (at about 5 second intervals) Connectable: Flashes (at about 5 second intervals) Who knows what the difference is between “Connecting” and “Connectable” since the interval is the same! When you are pairing with another device that uses both blue/red light sequences it can be tricky to follow what is going on. For example the headphones (DRBT50 and also the earphones - DRBT10CX) use the double light system: Also I found the mode switch to be attached in a rather flimsy way. The switch came off when I was removing the adapter from the unit and it accidently flew across the room and landed on the floor. I was able to get it attached again but it frequently comes loose. I expect I will lose it one of these days. Another thing you need to get used to when using these Bluetooth devices is the constant blinking. When using the headphones I have the system paired to my bookshelf stereo. The lights on the 'phones blink to let you know the connection is on. So out of the corner of your eye you will see a light flashing...every five seconds! I have watched small video clips on my NW-A806 along with the Bluetooth earphones or headphones. In that case there are two sets of blinking: one on the unit, the other on the 'phones. Quite noticeable if the room is dark! LOG

Yes, mine is black. With this particular case there is an opening in the back for the hold button. In fact all the buttons, including the reset, are operational using this case. I haven't had much need for the hold button with this unit. I think each device I have ends up being used in a different way. For example, my MD players were stored in their cloth case and carried my bag or pocket. I operated them by using the remote on the earphones. I think I had the hold button "on" for the main unit but “off” on the remote so I could operate it quickly. It has been a while since I used it If someone starts talking to me I usually take the earphones out of my ear rather than stop the player. I definitely have not used the hold button since moving over the flash players. In essence the unit functions as the remote. Which case are you using? LOG

Thanks. Here's a pic from the Sony Style (Canada) web site: I will take some of the case on the Walkman and post them soon. LOG

I'm pretty sure Sony's releasing of products to Canada before the US has been going on before the NW-S700/S600 series. It may have even started during the MD days. It happened with my NW-407 - I think that was 2005. I follow new product releases online and try to read as much as I can before purchasing. I recall looking for information on the NW-407 and noticing the product was not listed at the US Sony store. LOG

What are you using to check the byte size? Are you right clicking on the file and using "properties"? If I do this on the firmware upgrade for the e000 series firmware update (NW-E000_V2_0.exe) I get 4.43 MB (4,646,552 bytes). If I look at the "details" layout using Windows Explorer I get 4,538 KB. Try using Windows Explorer/My Computer and see if the file size is the same as what is listed in the post. LOG

I didn't even notice there were two versions! I just downloaded whatever the link posted here and installed the d/l. Yikes! Where did you buy your device? Look on the back and see where it was manufactured. For example, my A806 was made in China so I would go with the Asia one over the Japan version. LOG

In my version of SonicStage (4.3) for a device sold in Canada (and on my previous versions of SS) Connect refers to the online store. When I first started using SonicStage (way back when I got my MD, probably in 2002) there was no Connect store as it could not be accessed in Canada. Not sure why there is no mention of the firmware at the Sony site. I asked this question in another thread but no explanation yet. BTW I upgraded my firmware on my A806 (Canadian version) and have had no problems at all. Can you explain what you mean by "Connect Player"? LOG

Try here Note: that link is for the Canadian models. Change the country in the upper right hand corner using the drop down menu. LOG

Which version of Connect (SonicStage) software are you using? I advise you upgrade to 4.3. or use the installation disc that came with your A800 so you also have access to Image Converter. LOG

Yes, that's it! Thanks for sharing this tip. It works no problem (except there is no way to copy the URL from "Podcast" information). Since you only have to type it out once this shouldn't be an issue. I will still keep using iTunes, if only to find out about new audio and video podcasts. LOG

That's the thing. There is no reference to the firmware update at the link I provided (Sony's own support site). I now suspect this is because the site is for US, America Latina, and Canada only. Since the A80X has just been released in Canada and not yet in the other countries (?) I guess they haven't got around to adding the firmware. Thanks for the explanation. I meant audio files when I wrote "MP3". I have also manually deleted video files without incident. However, when I tried to view videos I had manually copied (or use the upload feature found in the AVS software I mentioned in the first post it did not work. Apparently there were conversion issues. BTW, I stopped using the Walkman Launcher almost immediately. Instead I created shortcuts for the SonicStage and Image Converer executables. The problem is no matter what video setting (and video file) I use I cannot see any difference LOG

Thanks Shinji for explaining the FULL, AUTO and OFF. I now see what you mean. It may have taken me some time to have figured that one out A few other things have come to mind... Why is there no stop button? Is that because there is an off button?Why can you delete MP3 files and not videos? Does this have something to do with how they are transferred (SonicStage and Image Converter respectively)?I found it odd that the firmware upgrade is available here but not at Sony's own site for this product. LOG

Has anyone noticed that the AC-U50A is 500mA whereas the AC-NWUM50 is 800mA? Does this matter? They both connect via USB so they should charge any device with this type of connection, right? LOG

I know. I liked the remote as well (from my MD player days). I think it might have something to do with Bluetooth. The Bluetooth earphones (DRBT10CX) I have allow you to remotely control the volume on the NW A800. The headpones (DRBT50) allow you to control the volume, move to different folders and fastforward/rewind. No need for the remote. LOG

I purchased my Sony NW-A806 (Black) on April 21st as soon as it was available on the Sony Style (Canada) web site. It was delivered April 26th. I happened to be in a Sony Store on April 25th and saw the product for sale. I was told by the sales guy that it had arrived that afternoon. This is the second time the store has scooped the web site. It happened when I purchased my NW 407 a few years back. I was stunned at how small (and thin) it was yet how comparatively large the screen appeared. The display is stunning (much better than my television!). The trailer for the Spiderman film did not appear “small” or cut off on the screen. It showcased the video function quite nicely. Nice choice Sony! In addition to the player I also bought the CKHNWA800 hard carrying case. I think it provides superior protection without comprising function. You can access all the buttons and the screen is protected. Unlike the leather case (CKLNWA800B) the video screen is protected. Ditto for the clip style (CLPNWA800) device, this also provides no protection for the screen. Although the silicon skins (CKMNWA800) come with a protector sheet I was concerned it was not sturdy enough. I also ended up purchasing a carrying strap. Video I’ve been using some video software (AVS Video Tools) to convert videos to a format that could be played on this unit. This product converts to and from a variety of formats including MP4, which works well on the A806. I use this software to convert YouTube clips (they are in .flv or Flash format). In addition, AVS Video Tools came with another application (DVD to Go) that converts video from a DVD to various formats including Sony PSP, which I assumed would work with the A806. I converted the entire “Alien” film from DVD and transferred it to my A806 using Image Converter. It worked beautifully. I subscribe to many video podcasts through iTunes (note: I do not have an iPod, I just have the application installed on my computer). This is a great way to get started on podcasts in general. I did not have much luck using the RSS feed feature in Image Converter. Many of the feeds I chose were no longer working or I got error messages. Anyone else tried this out yet? Other features I’m quite used to Sonic Stage having migrated over from the MiniDisc players. I haven’t uploaded many of my songs as I’m still using my NW-E005F for music, partially because of the radio function. Anyone know if there’s going to be an FM adapter for the A80X, perhaps using the WM-PORT? I uploaded some photos I had taken. I changed the name of the photo directory while it was connected to my computer using Windows Explorer. No problems with that. I haven’t had much use for this feature but I will say the photos also look great. The battery life is pretty good but it takes forever to charge. I must have been spoiled by my NW-E005F and its quick charge! The charger is not a bad idea if you don’t have your computer on a lot of the time. BTW, does anyone know what the word “AUTO” that appears beside the battery indicator when the videos are playing means? It appears in the same location that “FULL” appears when the battery is completely charged. Bluetooth® Accessories I have the WLANWB1 Bluetooth® Adapter. It pairs perfectly with my CMTU1BT bookshelf unit allowing me to listen to my A806 without using ‘phones. I bought both the DRBT10CX Bluetooth® earphones and DRBT50 Bluetooth® headphones (ya, I have a lot of gear!). Both pair and work beautifully with the A806. I have had some drop-outs but I live in densely packed part of the city where there is a lot of potential for interfering devices. I have used the earphones quite effectively on the street with the A806 tucked away in my pocket. LOG

Just a head's up - for anyone using the Sony's WLANWB1 Bluetooth® Adapter accessory with your Video MP3 Player you will need to go through the pairing process with all your BlueTooth accessories again after installing the Firmware update. LOG