Who needs innovation when you have shiny metallics?
Sony's portable audio products may still carry the iconic Walkman name, but frustrations with proprietary music formats, maddening music management software and ho-hum features have relegated many of its MP3 players to the lame basket.
After a few years of samey players, Sony fans began to yell "show us yer innovation!"; by mid-2007 things seemed to be looking up. The July NW-A800 series led the way, garnering praise for its ripper sound quality and gorgeous screen. Later in the year, in a move that sent dentists broke by quelling teeth-gnashing, Sony ditched its woeful SonicStage software in favour of Windows Media Player and good old-fashioned drag-and-drop.
In the wake of February's impressive NWZ-A818, the company has this week introduced two new members of the Walkman family: the NWZ-A720 and the limited-edition, Bluetooth-enabled NWZ-A826KB.
The A720 comes in 4GB (AU$199), 8GB (AU$269) and 16GB (AU$389) models. It's slimmer and more streamlined than the slightly chunky NWZ-A818, and features a 2.4-inch (61-millimetre) TFT display. The screen and button layout is similar to iriver's E100, but the metallic casing — in black, white, pink and gold varieties — gives the Sony player a flashier look.
As for the numbers and letters, the player supports MP3, AAC, WMA and WMA (DRM) audio, as well as the rather more obscure Linear PCM. JPEG images and MPEG-4 videos get a look-in, as does high-quality AVC (H.264/AVC).
The limited-time-only-so-run-like-the-wind NWZ-A826KB only comes in one capacity: a measly 4GB. (Has no-one told Sony that the price of flash memory has plummeted?) Other than stereo Bluetooth streaming, the player is identical to the A720. Its AU$289 price tag includes a pair of DR-BT21G Bluetooth headphones as well as the standard earbuds.
All up the players look promising, but the features are a little on the bland side. With competing manufacturers offering devices sporting expansion slots, higher flash capacities and FM radios at comparable prices, it's hard to get worked into a tizzy over these models.
We'll be testing the new players in the coming weeks, so hang around for the full review.
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Tony
15/05/2008 10:55 PM
The problem with Sony, though, is that their manuals still say that only mp3 files encoded with mpeg-1 audio layer 3 can be played. Is anybody experiencing problems with this?
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grillface
16/05/2008 09:52 PM
Well... I did originally purchase a Creative Zen 16GB, but it had a fault (a loud rattling noise when I shook the player...something BIG was moving in there) so I had to return it. They had no other stock of the model, so bye-bye ZEN. Dejected at the lack of other 16GB players (apart from the iPod Touch, and I do not want an iPod), I popped into the Sony Store only to be informed about this beauty! As soon as they are released in June, I'm off to pick up a 16GB model. They come with great earphones too!
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eagl467@bigpond.com
19/05/2008 12:10 AM
If you just want high quality audio look no further. Sound quality is what this product is about, and it does that exceptionally. The Bluetooth is a breeze to use (Just press a button) and audio quality through a set of Plantronics P590's is excellent. The MDR-EX headphones that ship with the units are superior in quality to any standard equipment headphone supplied by any other manufacturer. A set of Sennheiser E500's further proves the products capabilities. Some may find the more traditional button and switch operation a retrograde step. But I found it a refreshing change to the touch based systems offered on the majority of players. I purchased the 16Gb NWZ-A829 model and was disappointed with Sony's lousy decision to only include a Bluetooth headset with the 8Gb model. On top of this, if you decide to use the proprietary software provided you will incur an additional online expense for full functionality. These two issues really detract in value from an outstanding sound performance in terms of value with the 829, model and will cost Sony seriously in sales as higher flash memory capacities are within the budget range of the majority of purchasers. But If I spend the additional money that buys the most expensive model in a series I expect the full range of accessories as provided with a lesser model. And fully functioning software if it is provided. Otherwise sound performance cannot be faulted and exceeds other manufacturers offerings. The unit is attractive in design. Build quality is excellent with a user replaceable battery, and outstanding play times. Sound and video formats are well catered for and the drag and drop system makes the proprietary software redundant, thankfully. If you want exemplary sound performance with a minimalist approach, and good quality video, without all the bells and whistles, you cannot do better. But Sony again fails the customer, and lets down those faithful to the brand, by including the Bluetooth headset with the 8Gb model but failing to include it with the 16Gb model. It is this sort of petty issue that makes you think twice with Sony. Sound performance 10/10. Value for money 6/10.
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qasec
04/07/2008 04:16 AM
If you just want high quality audio look no further. Sound quality is what this product is about, and it does that exceptionally. The Bluetooth is a breeze to use (Just press a button) and audio quality through a set of Plantronics P590's is excellent. The MDR-EX headphones that ship with the units are superior in quality to any standard equipment headphone supplied by any other manufacturer. A set of Sennheiser E500's further proves the products capabilities. Some may find the more traditional button and switch operation a retrograde step. But I found it a refreshing change to the touch based systems offered on the majority of players. I purchased the 16Gb NWZ-A829 model and was disappointed with Sony's lousy decision to only include a Bluetooth headset with the 8Gb model. On top of this, if you decide to use the proprietary software provided you will incur an additional online expense for full functionality. These two issues really detract in value from an outstanding sound performance in terms of value with the 829, model and will cost Sony seriously in sales as higher flash memory capacities are within the budget range of the majority of purchasers. But If I spend the additional money that buys the most expensive model in a series I expect the full range of accessories as provided with a lesser model. And fully functioning software if it is provided. Otherwise sound performance cannot be faulted and exceeds other manufacturers offerings. The unit is attractive in design. Build quality is excellent with a user replaceable battery, and outstanding play times. Sound and video formats are well catered for and the drag and drop system makes the proprietary software redundant, thankfully. If you want exemplary sound performance with a minimalist approach, and good quality video, without all the bells and whistles, you cannot do better. But Sony again fails the customer, and lets down those faithful to the brand, by including the Bluetooth headset with the 8Gb model but failing to include it with the 16Gb model. It is this sort of petty issue that makes you think twice with Sony. Sound performance 10/10. Value for money 6/10.
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