Reviews Written by kuldip

This thing is COOOOLLLLLLL!!!!!!

Pros: Size...Looks, extra's, easy to use, nearly 27 HOUR playback on a single charge..and err SIZE

Cons: Sonic Stage software is a bit basic... no playlists.. thats its really.. wheres the remote you get in Japan?? ;0(

This thing make the iPod look like a brick, its SMALL, stylish and very easy to use. By weight its only .2 gr over the ipod mini but at 20 gig its ALOT better value. The only qualm you'll generally hear relates to the fact the machine does not currently offer native support for the so-old-it-need-a-zimmer-frame Mp3 format, all files must be converted to Sony's ATRAC3 format. For me thats not an issue, as i've been using it on my Sony CLIE for a while, so i know its a good audio format. Sonic Stage (the sony software for your PC), will automatically convert it for you (I just left my MP3 collection overnight... hey presto 7 gig of ATRAC the next morning), whilst all new CD's i rip straight to ATRAC. Sonic Stage is no iTunes but then i think iTunes is a masterstoke of software design (pity the ipod itself is so poor), SS is functional with the occasional nice touch, but there are no playlists per se etc, lets hope the software improves with time or some one comes up with something better when sony offer native Mp3 support for the HD1 shortly.
B4 anyone starts to complain about this audio issue remember both Apple and Microsoft use propriatary formats on their machines as well(WMA and AAC) and also remember that MP3 is now in its teens, age wise and is therfore near archaic in tech terms. A 64 ATRAC sounds as good as a 128 MP3 and is noly half the size.

After that its all honey... Did i mention it was small :0)... nice 7 line LCD on the unit, easy to use 5 way navigator, come with a rather cool docking station (which even locks the device in place, until its release, so you cannot knock it over), it has a built-in shock protection in-case you drop it or decide to go for a jog and in my own tests the battery lasted 26 hours and 47 min... yes thats right nearly 27 HOURS on a single charge. The body is metal with the name engraved on the case..nice!!. Given the size and weight they even have a lanyard fitting so you can were it around your neck.

The best bit for me was that after the BIG dissapointment of not getting the Japan only remote control (are we not worthy SONY :0( ), i decided to see what would happen when i plugged in my remote from a 6 yeart old sony minidisc player (RM MZR55)... the thing WORKS... well kinda. The LCD on the remote will not show track info, but almost all other functions work perfectly, eg playmode, vol, frw & rev, stop, etc.

Overall, i have to say this is no question ALOT better than ANYTHING else on the market, it offers a brilliant music player in a fantastic package. If you can't get over the ATRAC thing stick with the second rate iPods (i've owned one....very poor value for the money) and such like. If you want the best get the Sony HD1 ...