NW-A1000/1200/3000 Firmware Update 3.00

[Ishiyoshi]

NW-A1000/1200/3000 Firmware Update 3.00

Finally, the much anticipated firmware update that enables AAC support for the NW-A1000/1200/3000 is now available for download. The firmware update is of version 3.00 and amount to approximately:

1. NW-A1000 - 6,037KB
2. NW-A1200 - 6,037KB
3. NW-A3000 - 6,038KB

DOWNLOAD Links: Japan/Asia-Pacific: NW-A3000 | NW-A1200 | NW-A1000

NEW FEATURES ENABLED:

• Playing back with AAC format* is available without any format change. Therefore, AAC format files in SonicStage CP can be transferred without converting them to ATRAC format.

  *Note:

  i. Sampling frequency: 11.025/12/16/22.05/24/32/44.1/48kHz

  ii. Supported bit rates: 16 - 320 kbps, VBR (Variable Bit Rate).

  iii. Copyright protected AAC files cannot be played back. In addition, it is not guaranteed that all of AAC files can be played back even if the above conditions are met.

• The Artist Link Shuffle mode is added to the Intelligent Shuffle.
• The clock display and calendar display functions are added. If CONNECT Player or SonicStage CP is used, the unit clock synchronizes to the computer when the Network Walkman is connected to the software.
• The screen saver is selectable.
• Group +/- can be operated using the compatible stick controller (RM-MC35ELK). Playback can be adjusted to the beginning of the first track in the previous or next group from the current group, regardless of the starting position or the playmode. It is also possible to move to the first track of the group in Playlist, Bookmark, Trash Bin and Favorite 100.

IMPROVEMENTS

• The sorting order is based on the album track number rather than alphabetical order when Artist ALL is selected from the Artist tree of the List search.
• The animation design which appears while the HDD is accessed is changed.
• The resume track information reset is prohibited with the recharge operation.

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INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

Please follow the procedure below to check the firmware version installed on your NW-A1000/1200/3000 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

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

--> Check that the downloaded file corresponding to your device (1) NW-A1000 - 6,037KB (2) NW-A1200 - 6,037KB and (3) NW-A3000 - 6,038KB. If not, delete the file and repeat the download steps.

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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-Axx00_V3_00.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-A1000/1200/3000 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

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AFTER UPGRADE

Please confirm the version when the upgrade program is installed successfully with the above steps. The upgrade program installation is succeeded when “3.00” is shown on the screen.

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[Jimstuch]

Thanks for the Firmware update - I was wondering if at all possible you could post Sonic Stage CP v4.0 if you have it - I can't get it from the Sony CSS site because of my damn college firewall. Any help much appreciated. Cheers.

[Guest Stuge]

Thanks for the Firmware update - I was wondering if at all possible you could post Sonic Stage CP v4.0 if you have it - I can't get it from the Sony CSS site because of my damn college firewall. Any help much appreciated. Cheers.

Welcome to AtracLife!

SonicStage CP4 (full version{offline installer ]) will be released soon

[mooghead]

Does installing the new software reset the volume hack?

[ub_]

Does installing the new software reset the volume hack?

You mean firmware?, No it doesn't reset it

[darrenm]

quick question to try avoid the connect hassels if i can, do i really need to take all 987 songs off the player before i can upgrade.

another quick question, i curently only have version 1 does that mean i have to upgrade to version 2 and then to 3 or can i just upgrade to version 3

[jof]

same question as DarrenM (u r not from swansea are you??)

any advice?

[matt_com911]

1. it is not necessary to remove the songs to upgrade firmware

2. 1.00 > 3.00 should not be a problem

hope i could help

[darrenm]

matt thanks for your help, no problems with the upgrade and find that sonic stage is alot easier than connect to use espescialy when making playlists.

jof, im australian, living and working near melbourne in victoria.

and anyone who is wondering the upgrade doesnt affect the volume hack.

[Borat]

Thanks - the clock and calendar displays are excellent additions. Haven't tried out the other new features/improvements yet though...

Edited June 5, 2006 by Borat

[jof]

CHeers all

DarrenM - my mate is DarrenM, which is why I ask ! I am off to Oz in August for 6 months - couldn't put me on to a camper van for sale could you !!!

ok - slightly off the point . sorry forum members

[justified_sinner]

Right, whilst pleased with the new additions, updating to Firmware 3.0 has completely messed up the listing of CDs. The alphabetical facility has entirely gone and is replaced with a simple A-Z. But in fact it isn't alphabetical in the slightest which is a real pain with over 900 CDs loaded - everything's completely mixed up and it's changed from a nicely arranged library to a total mess!

Any help?

[Bewarethefoxxx]

Don't know if anyone else had this issue.....

I downloaded the firmware v3 and the file size was not 6,038KB as stated. It was 5.89MB.

I tried several times and the file size was never 6,038KB. The instructions tell you to try again if the file size isn't as stated.

I tried from a different pc and the download file was still 5.89MB.

So I thought, what the heck and installed it, and it all seems to have worked. Have Sony got this wrong (seems to be a theme here!) because try as I might the file is NOT 6,038KB!!!!!!

Just wondered if anyone has had this?

[rodc]

If you divide 6038KB by 1024 (KB per MB) you will get 5.89MB. The file size was correct, just being reported differently.

[Bewarethefoxxx]

If you divide 6038KB by 1024 (KB per MB) you will get 5.89MB. The file size was correct, just being reported differently.

Good enough....although not all of us know to divide by 1024!!! They should put it in their instructions and make it clear for us non techy people, but Sony don't like to be helpful!!!!!!

[Guest Stuge]

Good enough....although not all of us know to divide by 1024!!! They should put it in their instructions and make it

But most of us know that

[Bewarethefoxxx]

But most of us know that

Show off!

Actually not true! I just asked a load of people in my office what 5.89MB was in kilobytes and they said 5890kb! So Mr Joe Public doesn't know this. Hence there being help forums!

Also if you divide 6038KB by 1024 (KB per MB) you don't get 5.89MB. You get 5.90MB because you'd have to round up (and the reverse, if you multiply 5.89 by 1024 you get 6032 kb). If Sony want to make statements about checking the file size is correct they should specify it in both kb and MB to save confusion and calls to their helpline!

Anyways just posting this on here so others can read it if they had the same issue.

[chriswyatt]

Of course, the big companies like to divide by 1000 when it suits them, take hard drives and flash media for example, when they say 1 GB that's usually 1 * 10^9 bytes, not to mention the space the filesystem secretly takes up.

[VieloAiposh]

anyone else find that, after updating, the player now takes ALOT LONGER to think about things.

for example, before the update, it was quick and easy to search through the a-z and find the right artist....but after the update, it takes a good 2-3 seconds to through EACH LETTER.

i think this is very frustrating because i updated, thinking it would IMPROVE the player, but its made it ALOT WORSE, because it now takes me a good 5 minutes just to find the artist im looking for

::EDIT::

WOOOHOO

not sure if this i ognna last long or, whether i just got unlucky the first time round? but i just reconnected the player to the pc....DIDNT open sonicstage....but performed disc check, choosing to fix all errors automatically, etc etc.....then defragmented.....disconnected....and now its bck to tis old speed.....BUT STILL HAS THE ADDED FEATURES

luvlly jubbly

-x-x-x-

Edited June 25, 2006 by VieloAiposh

[Debbie]

I've only just found this forum - what an amazing discovery! Having been reasonably happy with Connect and A3000 firmware v1, I finally plucked up the courage to switch to SonicStage CP and firmware v3. I was gutted to find out how much slower my A3000 was. Just followed the instructions above about defragging and bingo - normal service is resumed. Many, many, many thanks from a very grateful newbie

Edited November 4, 2006 by Debbie

[dark_fool]

hey, I'm new to this site.

I was just wondering, does it make any kind of a difference if i just go to the sony euro site and get V3 from there?

cheers

dave

[stn]

Hi guys when I install this update that what has happened

[chriswyatt]

Do what it says I suppose, but you could risk losing all of your music, but if you've got this backed up on your computer then that's alright.

I think what it wants you to do is copy all of the files and folders from your NW-A3000 (there might be some hidden files and folders as well which will need to be copied also), initialise the player by going in to the menu on the player itself (can't remember if they call it initialise or format), then try updating the firmware again, and then move the files back across again and cross your fingers.

Don't blame me if it all goes tits up though :/

[flyco]

You wanted to say, the display is excellent added.

[aafuss]

Can you use this firmware on a Australian model of the NW-A1000?

[aafuss]

The download links no longer-all they do now is take you to this page:

http://renewal.viena.jp/index.html