Sony NW-A800 Series Launched
Surprisingly exactly on schedule, Sony's NW-A800 series of video-enabled Network Walkman players have hit the virtual shelves in Europe. The 2GB NW-A805, 4GB NW-A806, and 8GB NW-A808 can be preordered now in the UK for an outrageous $235, $294, and $392 (respectively) in black, white, pink, and violet. Certain models can also be ordered with accessories like a speaker cradle ($647 with A808), leather case and neckstrap ($420 with A808), and Bluetooth dongle and headphones ($490 with A806).
The players measure 3.46" x 1.72" x 0.36", have 2" QVGA displays, and support the usual onslaught of audio codecs. Battery life is exceptional at up to 30 hours for ATRAC playback and 8 hours for MPEG4 videos, but is it $400-for-8GB exceptional?
No word on when the NW-A800 series will be available in the U.S. (or how much it'll cost when it gets here), but UK orders are expected to begin shipping in April.
[Product Page (UK) via Engadget]
Comments
Mike on March 1, 2007 7:28 AM
It costs 300 Euros on th German website, which probably means it will come out around $300 in the U.S. That's generally how stuff tends to be priced, despite the fact that the exchange rate is around 1.3:1. (Factor out 20% value added tax and it makes more sense; the rest is just getting away with however much they can from the European consumers, but pretty much all companies sell their products in Europe this way.) Anyway, point is the price is likely going to be $300 in America, not $400. Still overpriced, but not quite as much.
What I'm really wondering is if it still requires SonicStage software. My guess is it does. Oh well, screw ATRAC and screw SonicStage, one more Sony product I won't be buying because of their proprietary lock-in schemes.
James Biehl on March 2, 2007 12:54 AM
i am SO TIRED of these flash Video players that would be great with like maybe, MORE than 8 gigs? maybe 30 - 60 - 80?? When are some new players like that going to come out? something comparable to Vision:M... I want.
Inveo on March 2, 2007 9:40 AM
I hear Sony is going to release higher capacity player soon.
It supplies $50+ headphones.
It plays more than ATRAC. AAC, MP3 and WMA.
Also, SonicStage no longer locks music Mike.
Don't be biased if you haven't used latest SonicStage.
Reo on March 2, 2007 9:41 AM
Man, does the writer know anything about market?
Simple conversion of another currency into US Dollar doesn't mean anything. Most likely, things are going to be cheaper in US while most expensive in Japan and intermediate price in Europe.
Tom on March 2, 2007 9:43 AM
Yes it supports AAC, MP3, WMA, and ATRAC. Also, you can uncheck DRM when importing music with SonicStage. So it no longer "locks" users like half decade ago. Infact, SonicStage is pretty good now.
Mike on March 2, 2007 11:49 AM
2 things:
1) Can you transfer music from the player to another computer?
2) Can you use it with Mac OS X (without using Parallels or Boot Camp)?
I'm guessing the answers are no and no.
P.S. Even though I like iTunes a lot better than SonicStage, I don't appreciate it any more than in Sony's case that Apple makes you use it.
Tom on March 2, 2007 11:17 PM
1) yes if your files are non-DRM (when you import musics from CD, files will not have DRM or from other non-DRM source).
2) i don't think it works on Mac.
RES on March 3, 2007 10:26 PM
The price for the NW-A800 series is as follows:
US$150 for 2 GB, $200 for 4 GB and $250 for 8 GB according to technewsworld.com
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MJ on December 25, 2007 4:03 AM
can i tranfer music from the player to another device or video or photos ...???
plz answer me :)