Posted by axxxr
Sony fully comes through on their MP3 support promise with announcing a new version of their small 20GB MP3 Player - Sony NW-HD3.
The new Sony NW-HD3 supports MP3 files natively besides the Sony ATRAC3plus. The follow-up model to the Sony NW-HD1 and NW-HD2 also improves on battery life with now 30 hours of play time (ATRAC, 22Hours for MP3). The NW-HD3 features a 1.5inch LCD display.
The Sony MP3 Player measures 90.0× height 62.1× depth 14.8mm. Compared to that the Apple iPod, which measures 104.6x60.2x14.5mm, the new Sony MP3 Player is 14mm shorter. The weight is 130g. The iPod weighs 159g.
The Sony NW-HD3 will go on sale December 10th in Japan in four colors (Silver, Black, Blue and Grey).
I am not sure if the Sony NW-HD3 has it to beat the iPod. In a Reuters story the price of the NW-HD3 is stated with $462.70 for the UK, where the Sony is supposed to be available still this Christmas. In the UK the iPod sells for about $392. I think Sony has to realize that it is not the leader in MP3 Players. If they want to capture the market they have to be cheaper than the Apple iPod.
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WHITEHOUSE
[ This Message was edited by: axxxr on 2004-11-30 10:26 ]
Posted by methylated_spirit
They wont beat the ipod on looks, anyway, not with designs like that. Looks very bland and ordinary.
Posted by axxxr
I don't think that the Sony will ever be able to beat the i-pod in terms of looks, but in terms MP3 players i would say that this is not a bad little package considering size and performance.A few pics here of the size comparison with the ipod and the toshiba gigabeat.
Posted by methylated_spirit
That would explain why its more expensive, it is small compared to the ipod.
Posted by Gigs
To tell the truth I don't get the whole "ipod looks" thing, if i wanted a plain white plastic container I'd finish some ice cream.
The Sony looks nice, kinda like the old walkman.
Price however, eh my cheaper side of the force wins out 
I wonder how easy it is to get the information across to it as well. (If its treated as an external drive, or wether the software has to send the tracks to it)
@axxxr: Prety sure Sony knows they're well behind the 8 ball when it comes to the ipod. Though I suspect they'll pull finger pretty fast. Really remains to be seen if anyone can catch up with the ipod.
Granted they have the resources to do it
Posted by Signer
Personally i think the sony is better looking than the I-pod, and is probably the better machine in my eyes, but to put it simply, it's not a 'cool' as the i-pod, they're basically unstoppable in the market and with the i-pod mini appealing to people with not as much money(teenagers etc), i can't see the i-pod being beaten, i certainly have seen noone with the sony hd1 or hd3, and loads with any of the ipods, So i decided to be different and ordered the sony- should be here soon. Lets see how it goes.
[ This Message was edited by: Signer on 2005-01-03 18:16 ]
Posted by batesie
Ive had one a week now, and thought i'd say its a great mp3 player, 20gb is just enough for what i need, the only thing letting it down is sonic stage.
Also, if anyone thinks theres is too quiet, its because there is a sound limiter enabled on the EU models. I have found the way to access the service menu and make it louder! the following is from a service manual. (I dont recommend anyone changes any of the other settings as it could mess up your HD3!)
(Disclaimer. I take no responsibility for any consequences caused by this. Using service menu is inherently dangerous, difficulties during the process could cause the device to stop functioning and irreparably damage the product. If you do damage the product in this way, your supplier will charge for repair.)
(I dont recommend anyone changes any of the other settings as it could mess up your HD3!)
Posted by Peter Wood
I was looking to get a NW-HD3 until I saw these babies from Sony.
Smaller and lighter than the NW-HD3 (the smallest 20gig player on the market!!), even longer battery life, larger, rotating LCD display so the track info is always the right way up, custom playlists and a full £50 cheaper.
[ This Message was edited by: Peter Wood on 2005-04-16 12:20 ]
Posted by nickorooster
I agree with the guy who said the thing about the ice-cream container. I hate the iPods looks, and would much prefer brushed alluminium or sumthing, hence my preference in the sony.
Does anyone know any good mp3 players that don't have this bull about not being able to upload songs to a computer from the iPod? And don't give me this crap about the "external hard-drive mode", 'cause you can't listen to the songs if they are in the hard drive section. Silly Apple users...
Nick
Posted by Davo_169
*sniff*
i thought meths was back for a second
Posted by Burgaz
Unlucky davo....
Posted by nickorooster
Yeah, so did I
. Damn resurrection of old threads!!
Nick
Posted by Melik
did some of you guys see the NW-HD5 ??
It isn't official confirmed - but there are some live photos...
Posted by 50Cent
whats the smallest version of the gigabeat? 20GB? do they have a 5GB etc to compete with the ipod mini?
Posted by knight4led
I think the HD3 may be a good bet now that the price seems to be dropping. I am going to see if any shops by me have one so that I can give it a go. My minidisc player just broke and I think I may finally be converting to an MP3 payer.