I think the MP3 functionilty is still over hyped on this device. Yes you can use MP3 files that you have on your PC, but you can't move the files onto the device other than by using SonicStage. The file is kept in its native MP3 formate it cannot be transfer back onto the PC at a later date if you want to back up a copy of the files.
The HD3 is very small in comparison to other deviced out there including the baby iPod, better looking than the iPod, and feels lighter to carry. Its definitely lighter than the standard iPod.
At the end of the day, it does what it says on the tin and very well aswell. Especially when it comes to mixed compilation albums, I have used players that have a slight pause in between tracks and you could swear at it when you are enjoying yourself to head a bit of dead noice; The HD3 cues up the next track and there is no gap at all, its like listening to the original CD.
Battery life has been quoted at 30hr which by far exceeds the iPod 9 hours. However the 30 hours is dependant on the type of files used on the deviced and whether or not you are the type of person that fast forwards and rewinds regularly.
The only negative on the device that I have is that when it does a Shuffle, its doesn't shuffle tracks from different album, it sticks with one album and when all the tracks are played sequentially to finds another random album. It can play random track within an album, but then you have to go looking for the next album which is not ideal when you are on a downhill ski slopes.
Pricey, could do with better headphones than those provided(Probably why Sonystyle is now offereing them with new head phones) But its small and compact and has to be one of the bext on market at the moment. Sony have got its right in performance but it still lets itself down with file management.
PS. I did have a problem with the first one I got, came up with Error 32 and then there was no life from the disk at all. I think it was a problem model that the shop tried to pass on a new goods. Its all good now babes
Additional comments: Baby iPod, 4GBhard disk, ~100g weight, 90mm h *51mm width ~1000 songs and 8 hours play back time (worst price £179)
Brick iPod 20GB hard disk ~160g weight, 102mm h * 62mm width * 20mm d ~5000 songs and 12 hours play back time (worst price £219)
Sony NWHD3 20GB hard disk ~130g weight, 62mm h * 90mm w * 15mm d ~5000@128kbps 10000@64kbps, 22-30 hours playback. (worst price £249, best price £219@Amazon)
The variation in playback due to the type of file format.. I have mostly MP3 and have managed 20 hours with me messing around, going backwards and forward.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Where do they go next - the NW HD5!!!!
Gave you a helpfull rating - not the longest and most detailed review ever, but enough to give a reasonable opinion.
buracb 24.02.2005 13:03
Hi, I've read your review for the SONY HD3, and was very helpful. Thanks ! :-)) I really want to buy it as well, but before I buy, I have to find some more info about the playlist / shuffle function, and I can't seem to be able to find it anywhere on the web. As you already have the gadget, maybe you know the answer. The reason why want to buy a gadget like that is because I want to use it as a jukebox, i.e. I want to record selected songs from my CDs (not full albums), classify them in folders or genres or playlists (more than one if possible, because songs could be classified up to 3 genres actually), and then chose a playlist and let the specified songs play in shuffle. Is that possible at all with HD3 ? or HD1 ? I've read somewhere that you have to re-record the songs for each playlist. If that's the case, I'd probably go for an i-pod ? Do you know anything about these functions ? I'd really appreciate some feedback. Thanks
Burak
Advantages: Great design, hi-quality sound (Better than iPod), easy to use, smaller than iPod, better software than iTunes. AMAZING battery life. Disadvantages: Menus on Walkman if you have a lot of albums to get through - are a little bit time consuming to navigate.
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