Will HD1/2/3s Ever Get Upgraded?

[Calza]

I really like my HD3 but one thing is worrying me is that it still hasn't had a update. Its almost a year since its been out and seems like sony don't give a **** about their customers. I not really asking for the new stuff on their new players but like support for the new codecs, compatitly with Connect Player and most importantly PLAYLISTS. It justs leaves to think that the Hd3 was like a test and not a proper model.

Anyway if there isn't a update by the time the NW-A3000 is released then i think i'll have start wearing white headphones

[BandBPeterson]

I agree Calza. We've gotten an HD-3 because it's a nice deal right now and still there is haven't been any firmware upgrades that address things like the new bitrates offered in SS 3.2 or the ability to import playlists like you said.

Hopefully they will do something soon.

[lxrichbirdxl]

Absolutely!

[Ryzir]

I doubt they will do a firmware upgrade for these models. They aren't "firmware upgradeable". You have to send them into Sony for the firmware to be upgraded just like the HD1 firmware upgrade for native mp3 playback.

[veezhun]

Is there any particular reason you dont want to buy or not like an ipod? I am not an ipod person myself, hence i would like to hear your reasons...

They are firmware upgradable.. The hd1 gets native mp3 playback through a firmware update..

cheers

[Ascariss]

I doubt sony will upgrade the HD1/2/3s since I don't think it is econimical or to their advantage. The HD5 on the other hand made sony some profit and I am sure they will continue to support that unit with future upgrades and etc. With the release of the new players, my bet is that sony will first focus on the new models.

If you don't like the look of the new players, and etc, I recommend getting a new HD5 while you can, it is basically like your HD3.

[Calza]

I think it bull**** if Sony say they not upgradable as its not even a new codec its just the bitrates (and the vaio pocket i think had a FREE mp3 update). And just make the groups playlists and sort them out so they don't occur in the albums. Though if they didn't allow Connect Player they that probably would be it

Well i just prefer Sony as its Gapless and think it sounds better.

And i don't really want to get a HD5 as the MP3 player i want to get must have a colour screen

[Guest Stuge]

I doubt they will do a firmware upgrade for these models. They aren't "firmware upgradeable". You have to send them into Sony for the firmware to be upgraded just like the HD1 firmware upgrade for native mp3 playback.

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no u r not right

[Guest Stuge]

I really like my HD3 but one thing is worrying me is that it still hasn't had a update. Its almost a year since its been out and seems like sony don't give a **** about their customers. I not really asking for the new stuff on their new players  but like  support for the new codecs, compatitly with Connect Player and most importantly PLAYLISTS. It justs leaves to think that the Hd3 was like a test and not a proper model.

Anyway if there isn't a update by the time the NW-A3000 is released then i think i'll have  start wearing white headphones    

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Remember sony will not release any firmware until or unless there some problem with these players.As there was some problem with (hang during start [in some players]) Nw-Hd5 they put new updated firmware .Don`t think that these players r released only for test .Every new player is test for every company.They check faults in old players if there and make new models according to them.

Edited October 26, 2005 by Stuge

[BandBPeterson]

Is there any particular reason you dont want to buy or not like an ipod? I am not an ipod person myself, hence i would like to hear your reasons...

Yeah, there are a few reasons. iPods are far more expensive than Sony's HDD players. With iPod, you are still paying a lot for a name. For instance, I just bought an HD3 for $150 brand new. It's got a 20 GB HD and 20 or so hours of battery life. The only difference it doesn't have a color screen and or apple's nifty control pad.

As for quality of sound, the ability to play atrac3 is of utmost importance in a player that I own, because atrac3 doesn't have gaps between the tracks like mp3. I listen to mainly classical music which, unlike popular albums, often has continuous streams of music with track labels added superficially. In opera, particularly, the music never stops. Yet with mp3 rips, there are horrible gaps between each of the tracks even if its in the middle of an aria. It might sound like a ticky-tack thing, but I assure you, it can be quite jarring to listen to repeatedly.

Personally I also think that for softer recordings (i.e. opera, concertos) atrac3 is the superior codec. I've done side by side comparisons, and it certainly seems to me that atrac3 offers fewer transients and sustains the original stereo separation than mp3 for them at lower bitrates. I must confess that louder recordings (i.e. popular music, hard rock) the difference between the two is negligable. I do think that the bass levels for mp3 across the board are a bit weak, but that's not really a problem if you can compensate for it with hardware.

[Dimitri]

iPods are far more expensive than Sony's HDD players

That may be true for discontinued models (like the HD3) but for current models the two are pretty close. In fact, ipods are generally a better value for capacity/features. HD5 is $279 retail but for $20 more you get 50% more capacity, much larger/colour screen, more features, better software, lossless playback, etc. Less battery life and lack of gapless are its two biggest cons, though.