Sony 2 GB Walkman Video MP3 Player (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you are looking for an audiophile's review, go check out the review on the NWZ-A816. As for me, let's just say my RCA Lyra (the first one) has served me just fine over the years for what I've needed, until recently, in an portable player. But needs, and collections, grow until it seems like everyone has an iPod but you.

However, the iPod did not stir that "gotta have" feeling. And iTunes... bleh. Then I came across a blurb on the upcoming release of this Sony Walkman series. What's that you say? No DRM or extra software required (so long as you can get what you have into a supported format)? The write up was Windows-biased, and yet there seemed hope for the Linux (and OS X) user if you read between the lines. So while waiting for the actual release, and confirmation of specs, admittedly a small trip down memory lane with a girl just knee high and her first Walkman was taken. I was hooked enough to bite.

Luck was with me and I am not left with a bad taste in my mouth. Even though the packaging and manual fairly scream "Windows only", and very specific versions at that, the device was beautifully recognized on my Fedora 7 box... well, once I plugged it into a USB 2.0 port. Up popped the new device window, opened the auto-mounted disk, and there were the "Music", "Picture" and "Video" folders. Drag-n-drop some of my MP3s, ripped from CDs I own thankyouverymuch, and we had sound, beautiful sound.

No problems with creating folders under "Music", if you are an organized sort. If you like video, then mencoder or ffmpeg will be your friend. Just look for the tutorials on converting for use with iPod or PSP and make sure you have the latest versions of mencoder or ffmpeg (options change slightly over time). Display orientation of the video can be changed to three different positions - up, left, and right.

Specific file music formats supported, as listed in the manual, are: MP3 (MPEG-1 Layer 3), ASF, MP4, Wave-Riff; and the detailed list of music codecs then follow: MP3, WMA, AAC-LC (excluding copyright protected), Linear PCM. For video the specific file formats listed as supported are: MP4, "Memory Stick"; and the detailed list of codecs follow as: Video - AVC (H.264/AVC), MPEG-4; Audio - AAC-LC. It can display JPEG photos too, in DCF 2.0/Exif 2.21 file formats.

The unit itself is small, but solid feeling. Controls give a good tactile feedback. Volume and EQ settings are quite satisfactory for my needs. Navigation is straight forward. I normally despise ear buds, but the ones included are very nice, comfortable in-the-ear-canal though you'll think the cord split placement is odd at first.

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Product Description:
Listen to your favorite music, watch crystal clear full-motion video and enjoy your photos on a beautiful color-rich screen with the NWZ-A815BLK Walkman Video MP3 player. The slim-line player lets you see it all on its high-resolution 2" QVGA LCD screen. Small enough to slip into a bag or pocket, the 2GB NWZ-S815BLK Walkman Video MP3 player can store up to 1,150 songs, hours of video or hundreds of photographs, giving you the delight of multimedia entertainment anytime, anyplace. Also available in pink, silver and white.2GB Built-in Memory/Stores up to 1,150 Songs
Store up to 1,150 Songs or up to 7H 10M of video on your Walkman video MP3 Player and never be without your entertainment again.
High Quality Video Playback
Playback your favorite videos right on the player using MPEG 4 and M4V profile at 30 frames per second.
Battery Life
With up to 33 hours of audio playback and up to 8 hours of video playback you don't have to worry about charging your player.
2.0" QVGA LCD Screen
Easily view your movies, photos and music information on the high quality, 320x240 display.
Compatible with Secure Windows Media Audio
Giving you more options than ever for downloading and listening to music.
MP3/WMA/AAC Audio Codec Support
Supports playback of MP3 and WMA DRM and non-DRM audio files downloaded from multiple sources. Also supports non-DRM AAC content, giving you multiple options for downloading music the way you want.
4 Clear Audio Technologies
Utilizes 4 Clear Audio Technologies to reproduce crystal clear, CD-quality audio:

Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) restores the higher sound frequency lost when creating compressed music files.
Clear Bass enhances the bass sound while minimizing distortion.
Clear Stereo reduces signal leakage from one channel to another.
EX Series headphones deliver deep bass sound from a closed design that's compact, lightweight and comfortable to wear thanks to changeable silicon rubber ear-buds that also help isolate outside sounds.

Time Machine Shuffle
Shuffle play among songs from a randomly selected year. (Information will come from CD information that is downloaded from the Gracenote CDDB)
Music Search
Search for music on your Walkman video player by All Songs, Album, Artist, Genre, Release Year, Folder and Playlists.
Initial Search
Use the first letter of the song, album or artist to easily find the music you are looking for.
Bi-Directional LCD Display
Watch your videos and view your photographs either vertically or horizontally by adjusting the screen to the orientation you prefer.
What's in the Box
NWZ-A815BLK Walkman Video MP3 player, USB Cable (22 pin to USB), MDR-EX082 Headphones and extension cord, CD-ROM with Windows Media Player 11 and MP3 Conversion Tools, Quick Start Guide, Adaptor Plate (for optional 22 pin cradle)

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