My point is that I downloaded an English language version of SS 2.3 on Friday that works perfectly with the NW-HD3 when you say that one wasn't available.
In fact, my situation was virtually identical to yours and I had a successful outcome. I guess I was lucky and you were'nt.
NB - I got my NW-HD3 from Sony UK & my company is a supplier to Sony, so feel free to take my comments with a pinch of salt if you are cynically inclined....but I am trying to be objective here.
In the past I have owned a number of MP3 players from Creative Labs, Archos and Apple.
When I first got my iPod I was massively impressed - stylish, fantastic interface, large storage....but I hate iTunes because it ignores Windows standards (I use anapod explorer instead) and I hate the very poor battery life. That said, I still think it's one of the best gadgets I've ever owned.
With the NW-HD3 my initial impressions were also positive - stylish, large storage, superb battery life, excellent sound quality (the EQ settings are great & I think the ATRAC songs sound 'richer' than MP3 on either NW-HD3 or iPod)....interface is ok, but iPod is better....SonicStage also ignores Windows standards so I'm not overly keen on it but I did manage to easily import 1500 MP3s, rip 6 CDs to ATRAC, buy & download 3 albums from Connect and transfer all of these to the NW-HD3 in less than 2 hours including time to find the albums I wanted to buy.
Personally, I think I'll use the NW-HD3 more - I do a lot of travelling and the long battery life is a big plus.
One thing that I do find with ALL HD based players is that I keep listening to the same tracks again and again - I'm beginning to think that a flash based player that will hold a few hundred tracks may be the ideal device for me.
I'm sorry mavis, but non-Japanese SonicStage 2.3 was definitely available as a download when you wrote your review - I downloaded it on Friday evening in the UK. It has been avaiable since the start of December. The upgrade from 2.2 is on various Sony websites and the full version is on the Sony Connect website.
Col
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My point is that I downloaded an English language version of SS 2.3 on Friday that works perfectly with the NW-HD3 when you say that one wasn't available. In fact, my situation was virtually identical to yours and I had a successful outcome. I guess I was lucky and you were'nt.
NB - I got my NW-HD3 from Sony UK & my company is a supplier to Sony, so feel free to take my comments with a pinch of salt if you are cynically inclined.. ..but I am trying to be objective here.
In the past I have owned a number of MP3 players from Creative Labs, Archos and Apple.
When I first got my iPod I was massively impressed - stylish, fantastic interface, large storage.. ..but I hate iTunes because it ignores Windows standards (I use anapod explorer instead) and I hate the very poor battery life. That said, I still think it's one of the best gadgets I've ever owned.
With the NW-HD3 my initial impressions were also positive - stylish, large storage, superb battery life, excellent sound quality (the EQ settings are great & I think the ATRAC songs sound 'richer' than MP3 on either NW-HD3 or iPod).. ..interface is ok, but iPod is better.. ..SonicStage also ignores Windows standards so I'm not overly keen on it but I did manage to easily import 1500 MP3s, rip 6 CDs to ATRAC, buy & download 3 albums from Connect and transfer all of these to the NW-HD3 in less than 2 hours including time to find the albums I wanted to buy.
Personally, I think I'll use the NW-HD3 more - I do a lot of travelling and the long battery life is a big plus.
One thing that I do find with ALL HD based players is that I keep listening to the same tracks again and again - I'm beginning to think that a flash based player that will hold a few hundred tracks may be the ideal device for me.
Col
I'm sorry mavis, but non-Japanese SonicStage 2.3 was definitely available as a download when you wrote your review - I downloaded it on Friday evening in the UK. It has been avaiable since the start of December. The upgrade from 2.2 is on various Sony websites and the full version is on the Sony Connect website. Col