NW-A808 - SonicStage hang/crash

[juli_]

I just almost suffered a 'breakdown' after I renamed an album on the 808 from within SS (in the device menu).

I've done this before with no problem at all.

But this time, when it got to "Writing 100%", SS froze. So I waited about 5 minutes, but still the hourglass didn't budge.

I knew from past experience NOT to disconnect the player while SS was frozen, so I tried to shut down SS via the X symbol - but it didn't work.

So I did ctrl/alt/delete and saw SS wasn't 'responding' so I ended the process from there as there was nothing else I could do.

When I unplugged the player, I got the dreaded message: "No songs available for playback. Please connect your device". So I re-connected it and it then went through the process of updating the database. . . and after 5 nail-biting minutes, all my 700 songs re-appeared!!

My concern is this: Is there any other way to shut down SS (while the player is still connected) - if it's 'not responding' what can I do? And has anyone else had this happen to them before? I remember getting the 'No database' message on my 706 twice and losing everything on it, but that's because I unplugged the player when SS froze instead of closing SS down first.

But I couldn't shut SS down in the normal way this time and I've never had the 'No songs available for playback' message before.

Should I be concerned? Could this be a sign of bad things coming????

[Ascariss]

Hmm i don't think there is any method that I can think of.

I wouldn't recommend doing anything drastic in SS, it is like a wild animal, the slightest touch will set it off. Not even connet player is this jittery.

Juli, I have a feeling that sony is prepearing a firmware update to coincide with the new media manager release. Perhaps gapless will be added to the NWZ models. maybe you could opt for a change in models if that occurs?

[Debbie]

Did you try the "Safely remove hardware" thing on the bottom toolbar? (sorry for the lack of technical terms!). SS sometimes freezes when my A3000 is connected and apparently busy transferring/updating/whatever, but left-clicking on the green icon at the bottom lets me remove my A3000 with no ill-effects. Most of the time, the updating has been done successfully but, if not, reopening SS and connecting my A3000 gets the job finished.

[juli_]

Did you try the "Safely remove hardware" thing on the bottom toolbar?

I didn't think to try that method this time to be honest. I have tried it before (not in exactly the same circumstances) and I got a message that the device couldn't be disconnected - I assume because it was still in use?? But I'll definitely try it next time, I know there's going to be a next time

But I'm encouraged by the fact it's happened to you before and you've managed to fix it by disconnecting and starting it again.

The reason I got so worried was seeing those dreaded words: "No tracks available for playback". . . nobody wants to see that!!

Ascariss If the NWZ-A818 gets a firmware upgrade which allows it to play gapless, I would definitely get it. I wouldn't get rid of my 808 though, I'd just have 2 - and the 818 is currently cheaper than the older 808. I think it's been cheaper since it was first released.

[Debbie]

When SS freezes, I don't get the message saying my A3000's still in use. Even though SS and my A3000 look like they have unfinished business, left clicking on the bottom green icon gives the message that it can be safely disconnected. I wouldn't disconnect if I got the message saying it was in use.

I have noticed at other times (when it doesn't freeze), when SS has finished transferring tracks and they are showing up on the A3000 bit on the RHS, if I try left-clicking too soon after it's finished, I get the "in use" message, but simply left-clicking again a few seconds later lets me safely disconnect. So try at least twice.

[kino170878]

I have a feeling that sony is prepearing a firmware update to coincide with the new media manager release. Perhaps gapless will be added to the NWZ models.

This is great news for those who use MP3, WMA, and WAV formats.....but probably no room for Atrac? Or is there?

[Ascariss]

well I believe normal lame mp3 can do gapless, as can aac and wma, I have no clue what chipset the 818 has. anyone know?