Sony's next try at the iPod, Sony HD5 *PIC*

[Byatt]

The more i think about it, the more sense it makes that the search function will be more useful than the clickwheel at getting through thousands of songs.

I'm eager to find out

A search function that uses letters, input by a non keyboard UI? Not going to be faster for anyone who knows their own music collection even remotely well, I fear.

Someone needs to realise that you can make a scrollwheel with the same no-moving-parts tech and put it on the side of the player (you'd run your finger up/down a pad) much like the older sony phones. I can't see any other way of beating the ipod ui...

[Marcos]

A search function that uses letters, input by a non keyboard UI? Not going to be faster for anyone who knows their own music collection even remotely well, I fear.

Someone needs to realise that you can make a scrollwheel with the same no-moving-parts tech and put it on the side of the player (you'd run your finger up/down a pad) much like the older sony phones. I can't see any other way of beating the ipod ui...

It uses initials i have heard, still waiting for the first (english) reviews

[utdmleach]

Boo, yet another ATRAC system, won't be giving it a second glance *looks lovingly at his zen touch 20gb*

[Marcos]

Boo, yet another ATRAC system, won't be giving it a second glance *looks lovingly at his zen touch 20gb*

What the....

Did you even read anything on that post? I swear people just love to jump on the bandwagon with no thought whatsoever.

Sony has dropped the Atrac-only act, it stated months ago that it had made a mistake and is now going to support MP3 on all future network walkmans and even MD.

[utdmleach]

'Following in line with other players – the unit will ship with SonicStage3 software allowing both MP3 and the highly compressed ATRAC3 Plus files to be transferred and played back'

My mistake, just saw ATRAC on the pic of the player and saw red, good move by sony to finally support mp3. Other than the picture I saw no mention of sony dropping ATRAC-only and using mp3

[Marcos]

'Following in line with other players – the unit will ship with SonicStage3 software allowing both MP3 and the highly compressed ATRAC3 Plus files to be transferred and played back'

My mistake, just saw ATRAC on the pic of the player and saw red, good move by sony to finally support mp3. Other than the picture I saw no mention of sony dropping ATRAC-only and using mp3

I made a bullet point stating 30hours MP3 playback, 40 hours Atrac

no worries though

[pickers]

I've found a review http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/fullrev...p?reviewId=951

It is rather scant on details but it would appear that the search function basically sorts all your track names/artists into alphabetical groups so you can skip down to your Zero 7 album faster than having to scroll all the way down through every artist in your way.

[Marcos]

I've found a review http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/fullrev...p?reviewId=951

It is rather scant on details but it would appear that the search function basically sorts all your track names/artists into alphabetical groups so you can skip down to your Zero 7 album faster than having to scroll all the way down through every artist in your way.

I made a similar thread on another forum with tons more links, i'll go scour that thread and post all the links here.

I believe that is the only english "review" to date, although it isnt very in depth

[Byatt]

Sudden thought - guessing no support for any other codecs? (ogg?)

[Marcos]

Sudden thought - guessing no support for any other codecs? (ogg?)

Not likely, only stated MP3 and Atrac so far

[charltonfan1]

not sure i like the looks tbh. initial prices at £250. A colour higher res screen would have been a good move

[Marcos]

not sure i like the looks tbh. initial prices at £250. A colour higher res screen would have been a good move

Sony have stated that its aim is to release this player at £200 or less, unless things have changed lately

[pickers]

Any news on a release date, I want to get my hands on one of these as soon as poss

[Marcos]

Any news on a release date, I want to get my hands on one of these as soon as poss

I've only read that they stated a May release,

They also stated an April release for the Flash players but i havent seen any reviews or in stock yet

[BenW]

I'm a member of another forum with a few sony obsessed guys and one guy high up in sony. I'm also the owner of an HD1

Some more pics:












Some more Info:

Sony today has upped the ante on the battle of MP3 players with the announcement of a new network walkman. Building on the NW-HD1 and NW-HD3 the new player called the NW-HD5 is smaller than the previous versions, but still offers 20Gb of storage.

Sony suggests this is the smallest 20Gb player on the market and with a weight of just 125grams and measurements of 5.6cm x 8.9cm we have to say we believe them. Sony are also promising an easily removable and replaceable battery that will last 40hrs and cost around £30 in the UK to replace.

As with previous models the new player will also be available in three colours; silver, red and black. The player will also featuring Sony's new Follow Turn Display function, where the display window can change from landscape to portrait depending on the orientation it is being held in.

Following in line with other players – the unit will ship with SonicStage3 software allowing both MP3 and the highly compressed ATRAC3 Plus files to be transferred and played back.

The player will have a street price of £199 in the UK and be available in May.

Some more features not mentioned:

• Native support for playlists
• Charges via USB2 or AC Adapter

[Marcos]

I forgot about collecting the links from my other thread.

Ben, can you PM me a link to said forum you are a member of (if you dont mind, if its personal then no worries)

Also, any hint of on-the-go playlists?