For all those who remember, i've been writing a screenplay wish is nigh on finished. I will be posti...
For all those who remember, i've been writing a screenplay wish is nigh on finished. I will be posting it online shortly. Watch this space. Regards all! x
Member since:11.08.2000
Reviews:52
Members who trust:25
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) AppleiPod. 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
Hope you enjoyed reading - sorry it's a bit long!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Hi, I am so lucky - I was cycling across a field in a not-so-busy corner of Aberdeen a few days ago, and somehow on that bright but misty morning, i managed to spot a mobile phone looking thing in the short grass. Indeed, as you said, this mobile phone looking thing turns out to be a really good mp3 player. Someone must have lost it while they were out jogging or something, but if i hadn't of picked it up, someone else would have, or the rain that came down in the afternoon would have ruined it. If you've got any ideas where I can get hold of a usb lead/charger please could you let me know. Thanks.
Liam_lfo 30.12.2006 22:44
Just bought this and you've put my mind at rest that I've chosen the right one. Any idea how long the initial charge takes?
kamallan 08.10.2006 17:22
I have a one gig sony which was purchased a couple of years ago and am looking to upgrade. I really don't want the ever faulty apple and my friend has the 20gb equivilant of the one you have reviewed. I think I will seriously look into this as a Christmas present to myself!! Thanks, Kirst x
Sep 6th, 2006
exceptional by (6%):
very helpful by (94%):
