What should I know that Sony don't tell me.

[Olav.NET]

Hi just got a Sony mp3-player from Santa.

Just want to know what I need to know that Sony don't tell me in their instructions.

I am esp worried about this DRM thing getting in my way.

1. Which format should I use (for ripping)?
2. Should I use SonicStage for all ripping?
3. Is 64kb/s enough. (Seems very low for my desktop)

Thinking of placing the SonicStage folders as sub-folders of "My Music".

4. Is that ...a good idea? (Seems like it shows up in Windows Mediaplayer).

Would like to use the device to transport other data. (As a memory stick).

Then I need to quickly delete music.

Can I do this without the player getting confused?

5. How? By using GYM?

Olav

[MDX-400]

1. Whatever format you want to use, lol; provided the player supports it of course.

What model/capacity player did you get?

2. If you plan on using ATRAC3/3plus then yes you'll have to use SS for all ripping. If you plan on using MP3 then I'd recommend using something like EAC to rip from CDs and LAME to convert to MP3 (LAME and any other command line encoder is supported in EAC, so it can be done in "one step".)

3. No, not in my opinion it isn't. Some people use rates that low but I wouldn't personally. But again, back to #1, use whatever you like yourself.

4. Yeah sure, it's not a big deal, put the folder wherever. If you're ripping to ATRAC3/3plus WMP won't be able to read the files though really. Well actually it will if you have the runtime/library installed but it won't show track information for ATRAC IIRC.

4.5. Yeah you can transport data no problem, the device will not get "confused". Deleting music quickly on the other hand, you'll want to stick to SS to do that so you don't run into problems. SS isn't really that slow at deleting music but just don't go trying to find the music files on the player and delete them because it probably isn't a good idea.

5. GYM is used only to get MP3s (not ATRAC files) and transfer them back to the PC; and to play MP3 files on your device, AFAIK. If you plan on using ATRAC3/3plus GYM isn't really a good idea (as it will mess up your ATRAC files on the device).

Honestly I don't see what Sony hasn't told you in the instructions though...