Problem transferring tracks to my new NW-HD1, PLEASE HELP!

[rscheppers]

Hi, this is a step by step of what I did, and hopefully someone will be able to help me fix the problem I have

After converting all my CD's to Atrac3Plus (64kps) with the SonicStage2.1 software provided with my NW-HD1 and recharging my NW-HD1 for the first time the required 3 hours till the charging light went off, I connected it to my Laptop (3.2Ghz, 500Mb memory) and it was detected and was ready to use.

I then opened up SonicStage with all my files ready in my library for transfer, and was given the option of automatic transfer, to which I clicked Ok and my files began transferring seemlessly

Now here's where the problem started, about half-way through the tranfer my laptop crashed, don't ask me why, think it had something to do with the power (and yes my battery is gone).

But anyway, the songs transferred to that point were all on the player and could be played, so I tried to transfer the remaining tracks but it got stuck on the first album, like it wouldn't expand to show the transfer bars for each track, but the albums below it were expanded. I tried again in reverse order and same thing happened, first album on the list wouldn't expand to show the transfer progress.

So I decided to delete all the files on the player (through SonicStage) and do a fresh install. After initializing the player through it's menu I tried again and the same thing happened, it would get stuck on the first album, and transferring just the album names to the player but without the tracks. Tried this a few times with the same results, even after formatting the player.

So I tried copying all my files to my usb drive and then to another laptop, and with that it actually doesn't get stuck on the 1st album anymore during the transfer but instead goes through the entire list like it did when it first transferred successfully, but without the tranfer progress bars, but at the end a message pops up "Cannot load the rights information for the selected tracks" and lists all my tracks.

It's so frustraing, they are all my tracks I spent what seemed like an eternity converting, and now it's like I can't even use them if it's not on the computer I converted them on.

Please can someone help me, is there anyway around this?

If I uninstall SonicStage on the original computer with my tracks and install it again (or a higher version) will it mean I will have to convert my Cds again because of the Rights Management shit?

Also if anyone is masochistic enough to want to buy my player email me and make me an offer. I just took it out of the box yesterday, it does work, the problem is obviously with the freakin Digital Rights Management through SonicStage. My ROQ-IT mp3 player looks like a 10 out of !0 compared to this crap. Last time I buy a Sony that's for sure

Anyway, please help!

[rscheppers]

What a f'n joke, now I can't even play the files I converted on the computer I converted them on!

I get this message: "There is invalid rights management information in the OpenMG content"

Is there any way around this, or have the hours and hours I put into converting my collection to atrac3plus gone to waste?

What with this DRM rubbish. If Sony don't want people ripping CD's why do they sell MP3 players?! Makes me sick

Edited May 27, 2007 by rscheppers

[aob9]

Take a deep breath, you've now learned that Sony DRM is a pain( judging by the expletives).

First of all, don't sell the DAP...It's an excellent player.

The important question is this.....Has the firmware been upgraded to allow your HD1 to play MP3 files? If not do a search on this forum for the relevant instructions on upgrading.

Secondly, right off your atrac files, all sorts of things go wrong with DRM if a failure occurs during a transfer.Sony are quite clear about this in their instructions. Delete the whole lot of them.

Now, remove SS2.1, download and install SS4.3. Go to Sony Europe Support site ( can't remember the address....Google it )

In the settings on SS.4.3 set the music library folder to the standard Windows 'My music' folder by using the browsing feature and select your chosen ripping format as MP3 and whatever bitrate you like. You may have to do a bit of familiarising here.

What we have done here is ensured that yoyr music is ripped without DRM and the files have not been buried somewhere in Windows where you can't find them, i.e they are all in your 'My Music' folder in MP3 format. Next time a transfer goes wrong or you do a system restore your files will remain intact and usable.

You can now transfer your music to the HD1 in MP3 format. ( with all devices connected to the mains supply)

BTW this works for me, I am sure there are others witha different approach. The point here is your ATRAC files are probably trashed and you don't want the same thing to happen again.

Good Luck.

[rscheppers]

Thanx for the reply.

I searched for that firmware upgrade, apparently Sony's offer to upgrade the player expired 31 March 2007. I had to send it off to Sony in Texas anyway, and that would've been a little difficult living in Australia..

Don't think there's a download available ? If there is I can't find it

Anyway, forgetting the DRM issues, I think ATRAC3PLUS provides pretty good quality for the compression. I compared a few songs ripped at 64kbps ATRAC3PLUS against 128kbps MP3 versions of the same songs and the quality difference was negligable. I was planning on having 10,000 songs on the player. Already had 3,500 ready to go till that mishap. So there is no way to rescue my files? Damn, this is soul destroying

You know I was connected to the mains, it was just a freak occurrence the power shorting out at that exact moment

I think the best way to go for me will be to rip my cds at 320kbps MP3 to get maximum quality possible in MP3 and then convert them to ATRAC3PLUS once I've got them all done, which is what I was going to do with the other 6000+ songs I had in my MP3 collection.

Is there a quality difference from an ATRAC3PLUS file ripped straight from Cd to one ripped from a 320kbps MP3 file? Or should I consider ripping from CD to WAVE first (how much space would 10GB of ATRAC3PLUS at 64kbps take up if they were in WAV format?)

And what would be the best program (main focus being quality) to rip Cd's into MP3 format?

[aob9]

With SS4.3 you can rip in ATRAC3plus format without copy protection.At least you won't have the DRM to potentially trip you up.Click>music source>import cd>settings ( the little toolbox icon ) >Atrac settings>untick add copyright protection.I would still make your music folder the default windows music file. It just makes locating your music easier later.

Alternatively, you could rip in high Quality MP3 and convert to ATRAC afterwards. You can do this in the settings for transferring to your player.Select Transfer>'Atrac Device ( your player)> settings ..tick'convert to specified format and transfer' and select whichever you like.If you click 'Advanced' you will have the option to remove the converted files from your PC after transfer to save HDD space.

(how much space would 10GB of ATRAC3PLUS at 64kbps take up if they were in WAV format?)

A HUGE AMOUNT OF SPACE considering a CD is approx 800mb.

And what would be the best program (main focus being quality) to rip Cd's into MP3 format?

SOME PEOPLE HERE SUGGEST SOMETHING CALLED HYDROGEN AUDIO ( I THINK) but I can't comment on that.If you use third party software to rip you will need to import the files to SS.Not a problem but an extra step in the process.

[markey]

I take it you bought the HD1 recently? This is an older model that doesn't support the many different codecs the newer Sony players do today. I think you would have been a lot happier with a more recent model, but if you give it a chance I'm sure you will come to like the player

Edited May 27, 2007 by ANGRYBADGER

[Terence Kelly]

I would follow the advice to get the latest version of SonicStage and to make sure you rip your CD's without copy protection. The lower bitrates of Atrac3plus are superior to comparable MP3 files and without the firmware upgrade you will have to use Atrac anyway. You might try moving just a few albums at a time initially. A number of people have reported problems moving large amounts of music at one time. Be aware that the HD1 can only be used with one computer unless you establish a CONNECT account and register your HD1 and computers. I believe Apple does the same thing with the IPOD. The HD1 is an excellent unit. Once you have a stable installation of SS it will serve you well.

TK

[rscheppers]

Thanks to everyone for their help and advice

I think I'm gonna go with Lame and Exact Audio Copy, seems like a popular combination across the net. Just rip my CD's to high quality MP3 or VBR and then I can convert them to Atrac3Plus whenever I need to

Um, about SonicStage 4.3, is the only way to get it through internet update or is there a standalone installer that can be downloaded anywhere?

Cheers

[aob9]

Thanks to everyone for their help and advice

I think I'm gonna go with Lame and Exact Audio Copy, seems like a popular combination across the net. Just rip my CD's to high quality MP3 or VBR and then I can convert them to Atrac3Plus whenever I need to

Um, about SonicStage 4.3, is the only way to get it through internet update or is there a standalone installer that can be downloaded anywhere?

Cheers

1....Be careful with VBR, some people have had problems converting MP3 VBR's to Atrac, I personally haven't but be warned.

2...........SonicStage 4.0 Full installer here......http://www.atraclife.com/downloads/details.php?file=19........not for Vista and doesn't have Connect Music Store.You can also upgrade to 4.3 from within the program if you wish.............Good Luck

[kerfuffle]

Thanks to everyone for their help and advice

I think I'm gonna go with Lame and Exact Audio Copy, seems like a popular combination across the net. Just rip my CD's to high quality MP3 or VBR and then I can convert them to Atrac3Plus whenever I need to

Um, about SonicStage 4.3, is the only way to get it through internet update or is there a standalone installer that can be downloaded anywhere?

Cheers

If you're picky about gaps between tracks, it's better to rip directly from the CD straight to ATRAC3plus. Edited May 30, 2007 by kerfuffle