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#1 |
Fully Converged
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Karma: 14021202
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Switzerland
Device: Too many to count here.
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Sony NW-HD1 - Sony's iPod Killer?
![]() So far so good. But the reviewer goes on: While the new Sony is smaller than the iPod and has much better battery life, it is markedly inferior overall. It has a confusing, complex user interface that makes it hard to use; weak software for the PC; an oddball music format [yes, it CANNOT play MP3s or any of the other standard formats!] that makes loading it with songs tedious; and a companion music download service that offers less than Apple's. The iPod wins this round, and remains champion. At least, the Sony is a bit smaller and lighter (3.8 ounces vs. 5.6 ounce) and has a better battery life (27-22hrs play compared to iPod's 12 hrs). |
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#2 |
MR prodigal son
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Karma: 1083739
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Australia
Device: Kobo Aura H2O
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Competition is still a good thing, and helps drive prices down and features up. I'm a bit disappointed it won't support mp3 or other popular formats...
And maybe one day I can talk the wife into letting me buy one ![]() Craig. |
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#3 |
Groupie
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Karma: 6622
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: United States
Device: Palm Tungsten T3
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No way I buy anything that does not supply MP3 support. They need to re-think this.
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#4 |
just kinda geeky
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Karma: 30
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Oakland, California
Device: iPhone
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That's the whole point...
Sony is all about trying to get the world over to their propriety formats and products, forcing people to choose either their whole electronic family to network amongst itself or to juggle different formats and conversion rates and stuff. For example, I liked some of the Clie's I saw, but I'm a die-hard SD guy, so no memory stick for me.
I think Sony is a marketing company who does electronics and will still make money on this product by appealing to the great unwashed masses who fall for shiny advertising. POL9A |
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#5 |
Guru
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Karma: 3410461
Join Date: May 2004
Device: Kindle Touch
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Sony will never learn. They are doomed.
DBS. Don't Be Stupid, Don't Buy Sony. |
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#6 |
MR prodigal son
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Karma: 1083739
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Australia
Device: Kobo Aura H2O
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Spoken like a true Clie owner!!
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#7 |
mechanoholic
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Karma: 1000217
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Sarasota, FL
Device: Nook STR/iPhone 4S/EVO 4G
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I don't know what the Japanese market is like, but it is madness to use a proprietary music format here in the States. What can they possibly gain from that? What can they be thinking? If they came out playing mp3, wma, and ogg they could stand a chance of taking Apple's crown. But like this they are just wasting their time.
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#8 |
MR prodigal son
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Karma: 1083739
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Australia
Device: Kobo Aura H2O
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I'm starting to get the impression that Sony doesn't really care all that much about it's market outside Japan. I still love my slow little T615C, but it doesn't see much use any more; the ipaq is my main tool of choice now.
Craig. |
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#9 |
Member
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Karma: 38
Join Date: Jul 2004
Device: Sony Clie NX70V
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I wonder when Sony will learn. Why must they insist on a music format (Atrac) no one wants ( I think we all know the answer). It is the same mistake they made with the Clie line of proprietary hardware.
Thank goodness some very smart people out there got around their mistakes. I enjoy my Clie even more now but I will not buy a Sony product that is so restrictive. |
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#10 |
Enthusiast
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Karma: 10
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Singapore
Device: Palm m515, now TX
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I've been contemplating myself on whether to buy the i-Pod (it's expensive no matter how you look at it), a 2nd rated product from Creative, i-Rivers, Panasonic, etc., or just buy a new Tungsten/Zire which supports mp3. I would have expected SONY to come with it's own "fashion statement," something different, a "wow factor." But I guess this product will belong in the 2nd rated group, and worst, it may end up becoming the Betamax of portable music player. Did they learn anything from that mistake?
Oh yes, another option is to retire my 6610 and get the latest hand phone with an mp3 player function. But for serious music, why would any one choose other than an i-Pod? Regards, Deva |
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#11 | |||
Junior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2004
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Of all the comments, I guess it's always the last one that people reply to or comment on....
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But don't worry about my silly comments, you go out and buy yourself an i-Pod. Have fun with it, stroke it, kiss it, lick it, insert it wherever you feel is necessary, but there is no need to pass judgement on it's rivals. Especially when it is either the closest challenge to date, as good as, or better. ![]() |
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#12 | |
Groupie
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Karma: 6622
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: United States
Device: Palm Tungsten T3
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Quote:
Now I like the Sony unit, especially the size. But let's face facts; the iPod is the best and everyone else is trying to catch up. |
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#13 | |
Junior Member
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Karma: 14
Join Date: Nov 2004
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Quote:
I have all my CD's on a PC in top quality WAV files as I am not a fan of the quality of ATRAC or MP3. But both of these formats are fine for a personal, as top quality isn't exactly a must. So either way I would have to convert them so that I can compress and get more on either the i-Pod or the HD1. I was ready to buy an i-Pod about 3 months ago, but the HD1 changed my mind. As a consumer I want the best device for my needs, but obviously everyones needs vary. My argument is not if the HD1 or the i_pod is better, but the bull from the muppets that think they know which is better and try to ram it down everyone else's throats. It's a shame that "up themselves" owners of the i-Pod feel the need to slag off everything else just for the sake of it. Especially now that there is something on the market that really is challenging it. I really can't wait until early next year when Sony release the new version of the HD1 that does support MP3 without converting it to ATRAC. Then we'll see your next poor excuse to slag it off!!!! |
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#14 |
Junior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2004
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It can play MP3 and other formats, you just need to convert it. In fact it covers more formats than ipod.
Before you trash Sony on their decision to stick with ATRAC3, let me tell you some reasons why they decided to do it. First of all songs encoded in ATRAC3 produces much better sound quality than songs encoded in the MP3 format. Listen to a song encoded at ATRAC3 256kps, and compare it to a song encoded at MP3 256kps. The ATRAC3 format sounds phenomenal (truely digital) whereas the MP3 format simply sounds louder... The ATRAC3 format also results in a significantly smaller file than the MP3 format which in turn allows the player to fit in more songs. Additionally the ATRAC3 format is less draining on the battery than the MP3 format which is why all modern Sony players have such superior playback life. People complain about the the time it takes to convert songs/MP3s into ATRAC3 and then onto the player. However programs such as Simple Burner allows for the simultaneous conversion and burning to happen at the same time. It's incredibly quick. The verdict is that ATRAC3 allows for better sound quality but at the same time a smaller file than the MP3 format. Sure it takes time to convert and transfer the files. BUT the extended playback battery life means you'll have to charge your player less often, which in turn balances everything out. In fact the new Sony NW-HD1 has a battery life that lasts 3.75 times longer than the iPods. You'll basically find that most MP3 players have tedious battery durations. I HATE the fact that my ipod needs charging every two days! and the fact that it won't even last me half way on my flight from L.A to Sydney! On another note my Sony Hi-MD player (yes I'm a gadget freak) has an astounding 100 hours playback and I only need to charge it about once a month. All due respect to the ATRAC3 format. Last edited by Fredreck; 11-28-2004 at 01:36 AM. |
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#15 |
Addict
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Join Date: May 2003
Location: Asia
Device: Tungsten T5
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first mp3 compatible walman's unveiled:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.j...technologyNews |
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