New Firmware Update for the NW-A1000/1200/3000

[Ishiyoshi]

NW-A1000/1200/3000 Firmware Update 2.01

Finally, the much anticipated firmware update that enables WMA support for the NW-A1000/1200/3000 is available as of December 26, 2005 from Sony. The firmware update is of version 2.01 and amount to approximately 3.2MB.

New feature enabled:

WMA format support.

note: WMA file should have sampling frequency of 44.1 KHz and bit rates:

CBR 32/48/64/80/96/128/160/192/256/320 kbps

VBR 40-75/50-95/85-145/135-215/240-355 kbps

WMA files which are copyright protected cannot be played from the Network Walkman

Affected units:

Network WALKMAN NW-A1000/1200/3000 with firmware version 2.01

<HR noShade SIZE=1>

DOWNLOAD LINKS:

NW-A1000

Sony Europe | Sony Japan | Sony Asia-Pacific | Sony Canada

NW-A1200

Sony Japan

NW-A3000

Sony Europe | Sony Japan | Sony Asia-Pacific | Sony Canada

<HR noShade SIZE=1>

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

Please follow the procedure below to check the firmware version installed on your NW-A1000 WALKMAN:

1. Press and hold the BACK button until the HOME menu appears.

2. Press settings , (up) / (down) / (left) / (right) to select (config) and then press (play).

3. Press (up) / (down) to (Unit information) and then press (play).

4. Confirm the firmware version

--> Create the following folder on the C:\ drive of your computer: : FWUP

--> Read the disclaimer at the bottom of the page and click I accept to download the program: NW-A1000_V2_01.exe - 3,224 KB.

--> Follow the instructions and save the program to C:\FWUP

--> Check that the downloaded file is 3,224 KB. If not, delete the file and repeat the download steps.

<HR noShade SIZE=1>

UPGRADE PROCEDURE

Once the download is finished, please follow the steps below to upgrade the program.

Before updating the firmware, return all music files and data files of the unit to the computer. After firmware is updated, it may not be possible to use the music files and data files on the unit. Sony is not responsible for music files and data files that cannot be saved on your computer due to the updating.

1. Connect the unit to the PC.

2. Click Start button on the task bar and click Run - The Run dialog box will be open.

3. Browse to C:\FWUP\NW-A1000_V2_01.exe in the Open text box and click OK. The program will be started.

4. Follow the following screenshots:

*If “Charge the device before performing the software update.” is indicated, this means that the battery needs to be recharged. Then, update the firmware again.

5. Accept the License Agreement and click Next

6. Connect the NW-A1000 to your computer and click OK.

7. Close all the programs and click OK.

8. Click OK to start the update process.

9. Safely remove the USB device from the computer and Click OK

10. After a few seconds the firmware will update automatically on the device. Once finished, it will restart. Click OK

<HR noShade SIZE=1>

AFTER UPGRADE

Please confirm the version when the upgrade program is installed successfully with the above steps. The upgrade program installation is succeeded when “2.01” is shown on the screen.

<HR noShade SIZE=1>

[Dinko]

Are you saying it played back Song 1 from the same album? That's even weirder if you have it in normal mode and not on Repeat.

[Ascariss]

Scratch that it didn't, it just paused song number 1. Testing the same album on the A3000. Same thing sadly happens, the song skips to 1 and stops playing, it pauses though.

but with a full album I ripped, since the other one was just singles organized into an album, same thing happens as before, it stops playing. Odd it worked before. this is using normal play mode.

I now switched to repeat. The the first song of the album plays and doesn't pause. I would guess if you had repeat on them then the playlist or album would keep playing non-stop.

So scratch that initial post that it was solved, it isn't. But the repeat option would fix that problem I guess. I had the same thing happen to me on my MD, if repeat wasn't turned on, the player would turn off after the MD finished.

[Dinko]

Just when you gave me hope. Oh well... maybe in the next firmware.

[sh33p]

wait Ascariss what is the problem you are referring to? Are you saying that the fact the player pauses after it has played every item in the playlist is a problem? The point of REPEAT is so that the playlist is repeated... I don't see why you would want the player to repeat when repeat play is both enabled and disabled.

If I'm going to bed and I want to put on some music I'll run an album playlist but I don't want it to play all night or until the battery dies, I want it to stop playing when it's played everything in the playlist. That applies to regular listening too. I don't want to listen to an album 3 times in a row, I want to know when the album is finished so I can chooes another playlist to listen to.

Edited December 30, 2005 by sh33p

[Ascariss]

sh33p, it really doesn't matter to me on the A3000, or A1000, but it did on my minidisc which could only do LP2 at the best compromise for me. Dinko mentioned this as one problem so that is why gave up on the A1000, so I thought this was changed in v2.01, but it isn't.

Oddly enough, the A1000 did around 13 hrs of constant play at 192 or greater mp3 volume 13 and EQ on, so I can safely assume the larger A3000 wouldn't last the entire night playing no problem.

[Dinko]

wait Ascariss what is the problem you are referring to? Are you saying that the fact the player pauses after it has played every item in the playlist is a problem? The point of REPEAT is so that the playlist is repeated... I don't see why you would want the player to repeat when repeat play is both enabled and disabled.

If I'm going to bed and I want to put on some music I'll run an album playlist but I don't want it to play all night or until the battery dies, I want it to stop playing when it's played everything in the playlist. That applies to regular listening too. I don't want to listen to an album 3 times in a row, I want to know when the album is finished so I can chooes another playlist to listen to.

←

Bit of a misunderstanding there.

The problem isn't repeat playback, its "stop playback". See, virtually every player out there that I've come across plays one playlist, then the next, then the next.

If you want to play one playlist repeatedly, you can choose to do so by "Repeat". If you want to play one Album and stop the player, you often have the option of playing just one album.

At the very least, there is some way to either make the player play all the time, or stop after a specified playback period. Which the A*000 does not. It's always plays one, then stops. And I could find no way to make it play every playlist one after the other, or every album one after the other.

Now, I can see where you're coming from, but the player should have one of two options:

1) Either it plays everything, and allows you to tell it to only play one playlist/album and stop afterwards (RCA Lyra being one example of a company that does that), or

2) It plays only one album or playlist at a time, and gives me the option to play everything in a row (Apple iPod being one example) until the battery dies.

The new Sony models forgot about that. They just stop and give no options. Something that should be easily corrected in future firmwares.

[sh33p]

oh i get it now... yes come to think of it it would be nice to select if the player automatically moved to a new album once the current one was finished or stopped playing and turned off.

[CEBEP]

guys, I have newly bought NW-A1000 and have updated it immidiately to the new firmware 2.01. the thing is that I have artisti link and all kinds of favorites as not working. I have teh error message that I have to connect and load some connectivity.

I use my player for one week, perhaps these functions will work after I use it for longer?

eve the favorites taht I have marked manually 4, 5 stars onces selected to play them comes up with the same error message.

donno weather it is related to the new version as I did no use it with previouse one (have immidiately updated to 2.01 before use)

anyone can help?

[Ascariss]

The favourite 100 and play history are only updated after you use it and then hook up the unit to the Connect Player which then updates the lists. As for the artist link, there is a thread about there someplace.

Artist link needs the info from gracenote to connect artists more or less, but when filling in ID tags, fill in as much as possible before transfer.

[sc_bond]

My file was slightly bigger but it really doesn't matter cos it's still the same bloody file and a magical impostor from Apple who is working at Sony hasn't changed the file for a virus that is ever so slightly bigger. I upgraded without a reason other than to see how it upgrades, I don't use wma files nor did I start to cry and panic when the file was slightly bigger!

[CEBEP]

guys, is there a chance that SONY would increase the volume of A1000 models somehow in next firmware updates. I use Etymotic ER-6i and I feel the volume is not really that high. the Auto Level feature is off of course. I had a chance to compare only with my SE K750 which I was using as an mp3 pleer.

also is someone knows would SONY add any other sound enhancement systems. Like theis MegaBass system or something. The user EQ does not entirely suit my needs.

many thanks and Happy New Year to everyone.

[pumbachow]

guys, is there a chance that SONY would increase the volume of A1000 models somehow in next firmware updates. I use Etymotic ER-6i and I feel the volume is not really that high. the Auto Level feature is off of course. I had a chance to compare only with my SE K750 which I was using as an mp3 pleer.

also is someone knows would SONY add any other sound enhancement systems. Like theis MegaBass system or something. The user EQ does not entirely suit my needs.

many thanks and Happy New Year to everyone.

←

follow this link to unlock the volume limiter on the a1000. it worked great for me!

http://www.atraclife.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=509&hl=

ATRACLife Colloquium -> Europeans: Boost the Volume of the NW-A3000/1000

Edited January 3, 2006 by kurisu

[e9225794]

I don't use WMA, but upgraded nevertheless.

My NW-A1000 seems to be a bit faster and responsive with the new firmware update.

However the behaviour of the orange light when pressing the "artist link" button, has changed. Sometimes it's white instead of orange... doesn't make sense to me at the moment. Anyone got any idea about that?

[CEBEP]

yeah, I found that topic and unlocked the volume. it's really nice now.

but does anyone have an idea if SONY would implement some extra sound features? like mega bass etc.

thanks

[sh33p]

Some how I don't think it's likely.. Creating a custom EQ profile doesn't work?

I haven't noticed any changes with my ArtistLInk button, but then again I don't play with it much. I like to treat it as an aesthetic add-on more than anything else. Never, ever seen it turn white.

[kiara]

i'm new to this forum, so happy new year everybody.

for a change, i'm having a problem with CP... i think it may be related to the firmware update somehow, because after i installled it on my A3000, the device worked fine, but my song library on CP keeps disappearing every time i shut it down. the songs are all on my computer, but only the first 112 of about 2500 appear in the library when i start the program. i have tried importing the other songs again several times but they always disappear again. also, any changes to the information on any track (even the 112 that always stay) is forgotten, along with any playlists i create. and any playlists i create on CP don't transfer to the device for some reason...

has anybody else had this kind of problem? i'll be grateful for any help!

[e9225794]

I haven't noticed any changes with my ArtistLInk button, but then again I don't play with it much. Never, ever seen it turn white.

Sorry, I was a bit inaccurate on that part. The artist link button never turns white on my NW-A1000 either. It's the other controls that are sometimes white now. Before the update pressing the artist link button always resulted in ALL the controls backlight to turn orange. Now it only turns orange sometimes. No idea what it's supposed to mean.

[sh33p]

yeah i think somebody else mentioned that. to be frank i don't remember what colour the main buttons used to be, i have a vague impression they were lit orange, but memories can be created by influence. i can't complain, they look fine lit in white and they distinguish themselves from the AL button, so whatever.

yes the main buttons are always white for me. yours aren't?

okaaay!!!! that's f***ing weird!

i think the way it works is if the lights/screen are off and you press the artistlink button, the main buttons will glow in orange. if the lights are already lit pressing ArtistLink won't affect the main buttons which stay lit white. is this what everyone else is getting?

Edited January 4, 2006 by sh33p

[rubenlentz]

yes, mine does that too

[guillaume]

these sizes are all the same :

3,301,056 B = 3223,6875 kB = 3,1481 MB (ratio is 1024, not 1000). So don't worry, you can go further with the file.

Guillaume

[shanef]

A quick one! Now that the firmware is updated, does Connect Player need to be upgraded to see the WMA files.

thanks in advance

Shane

[Ascariss]

Well if you have the latest version of CP, which is the best idea if you want the most stable CP, then there will be no problems importing WMA files.

[shanef]

Well if you have the latest version of CP, which is the best idea if you want the most stable CP, then there will be no problems importing WMA files.

Version I have is 1.0.02.11170

Is this the latest? I have clicked on Check for updates and get nothing back, also the auto updater has found nothing?

thanks in advance

Shane

[sh33p]

yeah even the newest version reports itself as 11170. as long as it says there are no updates available then you will be fine.

[shanef]

Hmmm , interesting. Ok, connect wont play it and I cant move it to the a1000 , I thought I understood how this worked, Ill convert it, I know that works. Thanks again

shane

[Greymortis]

Firmware download for nwa3000 for Europe with Sony has been down for 2 days. Anyone got an alternate link that is reliable?

[Ishiyoshi]

Firmware download for nwa3000 for Europe with Sony has been down for 2 days. Anyone got an alternate link that is reliable?

I just verified the European link. It works just fine. Please try again.

[Greymortis]

Well it doesn't work for me on IE, and when I tried it with Firefox, I got this:

[Ishiyoshi]

Once again, I have verified the European link via both IE and Firefox. Both browser works just fine at my end. It's possible that the problem lies with your service provider. Nonetheless, I have attached the European firmware for your convenience. Please let me know once you've downloaded it.

-->

[Guest Stuge]

Now Firmware Updatever2.01 & 2.0 for A1000/3000 is also available for download via "Sony Asia Pacific Support "

http://www.css.ap.sony.com/

[Greymortis]

Got it, thanks for your help. I will let you know how I get on.

EDIT: Update went smoothly, thanks again!

Edited January 14, 2006 by Greymortis

[sh33p]

For the next firmware update, I hope that the player will stop returning to the Now Playing screen after the backlight goes off. It's a bit annoying when I want to queue the next track that's in a different album and I can't just come back to the player and press play, I have to keep pressing buttons to make sure the menu stays "Alive".

With my MZ-N10 the player would stay in the menu forever until you quit out. I wish for the same with the A3000...

My $0.02

Edited February 5, 2006 by sh33p

[chriswyatt]

Yeah that sounds like a good idea, you could always use bookmarks to cue up tracks but thats probably too much hassle. It would be cool to have a Now Playing playlist that you can add to.

I'd like to see an option to turn off the screensaver and just have track information, perhaps the screen could revert to a lower brightness setting after a set time to save power.

[mercury_in_flames]

Can anyone tell me if the update for the A1000 has made the artist link function work??? Has it made transfering files faster? Are you able to edit the title of the tracks and properties of the files through Connect player like with Sonic Stage???

[djmalice]

yeh the artist link doesnt work for me too !!!! grrrrrrrr

[Guest Stuge]

I just want to clear this that SonicStagever3.4 is still not fully compatible with A-series ..

Artist link fuction is already present on your A1000 only if you use Connect player ..Mercury in flames ,please try new updated Connect player .

[mercury_in_flames]

lol, yeah connect works with artist link but stupidly, theres no setting to stop it downloading info for EVERY SINGLE TRACK, which is a bit of a joke. Ive got 1300 tracks, a 2mb internet connection, and STILL it takes fricking AGES to get the info, pffft. Still a piece of poo next to using sonic stage.

[chriswyatt]

In the next firmware I'd like to see improved performance, and the ability to rate tracks as you browse through your tracklistings, currently you can only do it at the Now Playing screen. Also, a playlist would be cool so you can select the next track you want to hear whilst you still listen to the current one, perhaps one of the Bookmark lists could be changed to a playlist. It could be wiped off when you switch off the player.

[Guest Stuge]

In the next firmware I'd like to see improved performance, and the ability to rate tracks as you browse through your tracklistings, currently you can only do it at the Now Playing screen. Also, a playlist would be cool so you can select the next track you want to hear whilst you still listen to the current one, perhaps one of the Bookmark lists could be changed to a playlist. It could be wiped off when you switch off the player.

Till now we only know that the next firmware will enable AACsupport in A3000/A1000