...) Then, by one of those flukes of nature which makes you believe there's a God, i stumbled across this beast, the Sony Walkman NW-A1200 8GB.
My first thought was actually. "That looks rubbish, it doesn't even have a screen." I couldn't be more wrong. In fact, the screen was cunningly disguised ... Read review
Advantages: sleek and attractive design, light, spacious, sufficient battery life Disadvantages: slighty (and i stress slightly), pixelly screen
...stumbled across this beast, the Sony Walkman NW-A1200 8GB.
My first thought was actually. "That looks rubbish, it doesn't even have a screen." I couldn't be more wrong. In fact, the screen was cunningly disguised to be nonexistent when it was turned off, and when the Dixons (sorry, that's 'Curries Digital' now - ah, how the originality astounds) staff member turned it back on, low and behold, what was previously just a black ... ...special feature apparently unique to SONY (according to erm....SONY), it is called G-sensor technology and supposedly protects the internal HDD even if it falls from a height of 1 m. Personally i will try and avoid that test, so you can ask someone else for assurance on that claim! But if you believe the jargon, it sounds pretty good.
CALL IN THE BOMB SQUAD...WHATS IN THE BOX?!
The software supplied with the MP3 player ... more
OVERVIEW AND DESIGN
Well, well. I must admit, at first when i was looking at MP3 players, it was one of two manufacturer choices for me. Either Samsung, or the mightly, (faulty) Apple iPod. I wanted four particular things: an attractive design, long battery life, a lot of space for storage and a small, portable, lightweight size. The Samsung options met all of these bar storage space, and the Apple met all except battery life (which was never as much as it boasted and judging by reviews this hasn't improved - i don't know who Apple are kidding...) Then, by one of those flukes of nature which makes you believe there's a God, i stumbled across this beast, the Sony Walkman NW-A1200 8GB.
My first thought was actually. "That looks rubbish, it doesn't even have a screen." I couldn't be more wrong. In fact, the screen was cunningly disguised to be nonexistent when it was turned off, and when the Dixons (sorry, that's 'Curries Digital' now - ah, how the originality astounds) staff member turned it back on, low and behold, what was previously just a black casing, became a 1.5" screen alight with beatiful white writing, introducing me to it's main menu.
Stunned at the originality of this slick little touch from SONY, i missed the first few things the guy said about it, and had to ask him to show me again. Yes - that really is actually how cool the design is. A black and silver pod (or to escape the Apple patented term) - capsule. Thats what it is really: a capsule which can store up to 5200 songs (at least thats what it claims. I haven't put it to the test yet - i've got about 2000 songs on it, but there is space left on albeit perhaps not enough to fulfil their claim). It also stores other data files such as word files and picture files - whilst you can't view them, it acts like a memory stick so you can transfer documents from computer to computer without any hassle. This is enabled because it has an 8GB internal hard disk drive memory (much more than your average memory stick.)
IS IT USABLE OR ALL JUST STYLE (like the iPod...)?
In actual fact. In terms of usability, it is very similar to a mobile phone. Three circular buttons are located at the bottom of one side, doing the following things:
- a directional button for selecting artists, genres, songs etc. - a "back" button (for when you accidentally select that crap band which you accidentally transferred and never got round to deleting.) - an "options" button for selecting mode and type of playback. These "options" include: repeat shuffle, playlist, random play, all tracks repeat and one track repeat. The shuffle is a feature that the normal iPod video doesn't boast (as far as i'm aware. Feel free to lynch me if i'm wrong and please let me know before i am sued by Apple for slander...) although i have to admit that the iPod shuffle does. No surprises there then.
If your worried about compatibility with your music formatting, don't be. This is compatible with pretty much every music format out there, including: ATRAC, MP3, WMA, AAC etc. I've not had any trouble with that side of things anyway.
The sound quality is as good as any other mp3 player i've heard. I think this is often dependent on the compression of the song and the headphones, but even at louder volumes, the WALKMAN copes well. As an aside, it might be worth noting that the higher quality you compress your songs, the more space they will take up, and therefore the less songs you will be able to store. I think their claim of 5200 songs storage is probably on a very low quality setting, so don't expect this. More realistically, i'd say comfortably 3000 songs.
AS DURABLE AS SOMETHING HARD TO BREAK...
This portable MP3 device boasts one particularly special feature apparently unique to SONY (according to erm....SONY), it is called G-sensor technology and supposedly protects the internal HDD even if it falls from a height of 1 m. Personally i will try and avoid that test, so you can ask someone else for assurance on that claim! But if you believe the jargon, it sounds pretty good.
CALL IN THE BOMB SQUAD...WHATS IN THE BOX?!
The software supplied with the MP3 player to make all of this magic possible, is none other than SonicStage® CP which comes on a CD in the box (but is also available for download on the internet). It is easy to install, consuming very little time and is straightforward to use, with a clear interface and good help section. Whilst previous versions of this software have had considerable problems and caused SONY a lot of trouble early on (not to mention the customers), they have addressed this, and the newest version of the software seems to be perfectly adequate.
Also provided is a set of headphones which are certainly good enough for the average listener, and they have a long enough cable to be comfortable, but not too long that it's always getting in the way and your cramming a load of black wire in your pocket with the actual player. They are comfortable for a medium length of time, but then inevitably, as with any set of headphones, they do seem to dig into your ear after a while. This can be annoying, but is no different really to any other portable music device.
The Hi-Speed USB 2.0 cable provided allows for fast transfer of music to the device, although the first time inexorably takes ages (depending on the amount of music you have of course.)
An AC Adaptor for the rechargable battery also comes as standard, and a "Quick Start" Manual is also included (detailed below in the Help section.)
THE TIME IS RUNNING OUT...
Not on this beast it isn't. Battery life is an impressive 20 hours long, possible due its clever energy saving features, like turning the screen of after a few seconds of inactivity. I think as with all electronic devices, the manufacturer probably exaggerate the battery life slightly, but there's a pretty much guaranteed 15 hours which should be fine for most people.
HELP? WHAT HELP?
With regard SONY's customer service, i can't really comment since with this particular item i have had absolutely no problems. It simply does what it says on the tin...err...box (i am reviewing an mp3 player here not paint right??). However, in the past with other SONY products, such as my home stereo system, their customer service has been concise and helpful in solving my problems, although i did have to wait for quite a long time for them to get round to me.
The manual is to the point and contains easy steps and diagrams/ illustrations so even the most stupid amongst us should be able to fathom what they are talking about, and put the item to use. It concisely explains the necessities such as working the player and transferring music, and the menu on the actual WALKMAN is very explanatory, so this doesn't need much explaining.
THE VERDICT
The truth is, whilst this probably reads like one long advert. I actually haven't got any issues with this product as yet, although i have only owned it for just over a week, so don't quote me. ; )
Considering the price up against it's competitors it is a steal.
Oh and before you ask, the price is about £160 depending on where you purchase it and what colour (for some strange reason Black is most expensive...)
Sony style: £159.99 Amazon: £159.06 Euro PC: £155.81
Advantages: pleasant look, excellent sound Disadvantages: slow connect software
...letter. This little Sony is formed of a designed shape I can only desibe as being like a personnel bar of musical soap held comfortably in the seats of your hand, but, I would not go so nicely in your pocket. E.g. When I attempted, at climbing high into the trees and churches as I could, the little Sony got slightly scratched on the surface. The back choice and keys work very precisely, so that you contort your incher/finger to have the luck of reaching ... ...not concentrating on the buttons. Sony designed this player with a very useful form of navigation; it helps by saving a history of the songs you have played. You can also search by playing recently transfered tracks. The navigation is what makes the little Sony a 5 star player. On a carefull control, you press from the outside left edge; a tedious little artist link button it makes a link to a similar artist to the one that is playing. But this does ...
lovelyben 20.09.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Sony Walkman NW-A1200 8 GB
Advantages: Sleek Design, Unusual Interface Disadvantages: Easily Scratched, No cary case
...product. The materials used by Sony complement eachother nicely and when it activates the lighting display is spectactuar. The interface is simple to use , much more so than an ipod, and it has unique features such as an artist link and a efficient filing system. However after nearly a years use , there are a couple of things that just bug me! (athough many have been corrected by a recent software update from sony.)
Its unusual shape and tendancy ... ...that has been solved by sony in their recent update was the lack of a clock feature, the clock that i recieved through the update is very good, as was the update in general.
Overall this product is very good ,and i certainly wouldnt change it for an ipod or other mp3, its just those little problems that u wish werent there! But im confident that Sony will iron these out with later models and updates. ...
siemc99 01.10.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Sony Walkman NW-A1200 8 GB
...there that you want, the Sony machine is amazing. Good sound quality, excellent menu's and jaw-dropping good looks. It has more style and sound quality than an iPod but is a bit heavier and a fair bit thicker.
A word of advice. Buy some form of carry case, this player wil scratch up easily without it. Avoid the Sony Speaker Dock like a bad cold though. £100 buy's you second rate tinny speakers, with all the controls on the back where you can't get ...
michaelpoulton1 15.10.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Sony Walkman NW-A1200 8 GB
Advantages: Holds many songs, Stylish and unique, Easy to use Disadvantages: Scratch easily, Delicate
The device is very simple to use and reliable. The packaging was well presented and suppiled in a storage box so you could keep your product safe.The product come with step by step instructions leading to easy installation on your computer. The software with the MP3 has all of the essentials needed for the mp3, allowing you to upload cds, import files and many more. The MP3 has its unique style and the smooth outer case complimens this.The buttons ... ...buttons are also multi functional and when known how to use can display different sections of the menu. Overall this is a really stylish and reliable device but I would not advise it for careless people as the downside of the product is it can scratch easily and probably smash. ...
com235 26.07.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Sony Walkman NW-A1200 8 GB
...The elegant Sony NWA1200, has space for up to 5,200 songs.
Has a stylish and futuristic design excellent sound quality; is compatible with MP3, unprotected AAC, unprotected WMA, and ATRAC3 includes useful, intelligent playlist and artist link features; replaceable battery; decent value. This also has features such as Repeat, Shuffle, Repeat all and Random. It has up to 20 hours of battery life when fully charged
The Walkman also features a revolutionary ... ...to an artist or track and you press the artist link button the new Walkman will search, find and display similar artists in that genre.
The Bad: There are some bad points though such as has no extra features such as FM, recording, and photo viewing; its monochrome screen is impossible to see in daylight and is easy to scratch.
I also was not a fan of the Connect Player software that comes with it for addign and removing songs to the walkman its ...
scousedevil 16.04.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Sony Walkman NW-A1200 8 GB
1 x USB, 1 x headphones ( mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm )
1 x USB
1 x remote control
Manufacturer's product description
Chic design and an incredibly long battery life combine to make the NW-A1200 a must-have. Store your songs in MP3 or high-quality ATRAC format on the hard disk embedded in a device no bigger than the palm of your hand. The NW-A1200 is extremely user-friendly: with a 1.5-inch easy-to-navigate OEL screen, the attention to detail in the design of the player is obvious.
