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Connect Music Service to Phase Out |
Nanu
Joined: Feb 18, 2006
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From: Warrington, UK
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This could well tie in with the news PeterKay made us aware of back in march!
To Our Valued Sony CONNECT Customers,
Today Sony announced its intent to move to a Windows Media Technology platform for Walkman® products in the United States, Canada and Europe. We strongly believe that the decision to embrace a more open platform will enable us to provide you with a better music enjoyment experience. As a result of this change, we will be phasing out the CONNECT™ Music Service, based on Sony's
ATRAC audio format, in North America and Europe. Specific timing will vary by region depending on market demand, but will not be before March 2008.
All of Sony’s new Walkman music and video devices will be supported by a very wide range of third party services around Europe.
We are fully committed to helping you through this important transition away from a proprietary music service. In the coming weeks and months, we will keep you closely informed of the status of the CONNECT Music Service phase out in your country, and provide you with the best possible guidance on how to successfully transfer your music library to an MP3 or Windows Media-compatible format. Periodic updates will also be posted on the CONNECT music store and on the Sony Europe customer service site, http://support.sony-europe.com
We recommend that you use any outstanding promotional vouchers or account credits prior to March 2008.
Thank you for all your purchases and feedback so far, and for your continued support as we work to complete this transition with as little disruption to you as possible.
Yours sincerely,
Sony CONNECT Europe Team
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[ This Message was edited by: Nanu on 2007-09-04 19:54 ] |
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deluded
Joined: Sep 14, 2005
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Maybe that's why Sony have launched the new NWD-B100 Network Walkman. It's the first Network Walkman from Sony that supports drag and drop and does not require the frustrating SonicStage/ConnectPlayer software!
Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most. |
scuffs_guy
Joined: May 29, 2006
Posts: 23
From: Gloucester, UK
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I think sony have finally realised the music store industry has and will be..
Apple/iTunes vs Microsoft/Wmp DRM!!!!!!
And atrac has gotta be one of the worse formats ever.....LOL |
Dogmann
Joined: Jan 29, 2006
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From: London England
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@scuffs_guy
Whilst the Sony Connect store and software was far from giving an excellent performance or user experience. The only problem with Atrac was the lack of compatibility with so few devices other than from Sony, but both the quality and file size Atrac produced where both excellent IMHO.
Marc
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[ This Message was edited by: Dogmann on 2007-09-05 15:23 ] |
scuffs_guy
Joined: May 29, 2006
Posts: 23
From: Gloucester, UK
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@dogmann
i just dont think the quality was up to much, and as you said, the main reason it failed was its lack of support, just like the minidisc, and every other sony attempt to steer the technology industry. atrac couldn`t compete with the huge market for pmps that play more popular formats eg wma/aac
but this is a good move, maybe sony will start to to appeal to people who dont want to be locked to a certain format/software *cough, itunes/ipod*
lol |
Dogmann
Joined: Jan 29, 2006
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@scuffs_guy
You say that but i actually hate WMA and especially DRM versions of any Music. I have for quite a while been using high quality AAC and am very happy with the results. Strangely enough i have just less than a week ago bought a 80gb iPod and although i use Itunes to convert and sync my Music there is no way i will buy any of my music from the itunes store. Personally i think all download music services are a rip off and far to expensive for lower quality versions of buying a CD.
Also i have found on returning to buying Cd's besides the Art work and booklets many come with they also have links for interactive content and are actually cheaper. I used to buy all my Music from the Connect store but have now returned to buying Cd's as IMO not only do you get a higher quality product there is no need to have to burn a CD for in car use either.
Marc
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[ This Message was edited by: Dogmann on 2007-09-05 18:23 ] |
deluded
Joined: Sep 14, 2005
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@Dogmann, agree with you on all counts. ATRAC definitely sounds good, better than most lossy formats in any case. Its only downfall was the lack of support for it. If it wasn't a proprietary Sony format with a limited user base, I'm pretty sure more people would appreciate its quality.
@scuffs_guy, have you actually honestly tried listening to an ATRAC audio file? Because if you have, I'm certain you would find that it offers good quality audio. I'm not much of an audiophile, but even I can tell the difference.
Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most. |
scuffs_guy
Joined: May 29, 2006
Posts: 23
From: Gloucester, UK
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lol i also have an 80gig ipod, i buy all of my music in cd form, and rip it to apple lossless. this is just what works for me! my shure headphones just "show" all of the problems that atrac or any lossless format produces. I dislike wma drm too, my main gripe with atrac is that it will only work on sony players, and limits what music u can put on the player, sony are also the worst for limiting what u can do with the drm files that u have paid money for!
......and bad luck on just buying the ipod, apple have realesed brand new range yesterday....u cud have saved a lot of money....lol
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Dogmann
Joined: Jan 29, 2006
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@scuffs_guy
I have no interest in the new iPod as have no need for touch screen or WiFi or any of the other clever things it does. As my mobile device does those and i am no longer a fan of touchscreens anyway. Also i paid just over £190 delivered for an 80gb 5.5 gen iPod and the capacity of the new ones seems reduced or more expensive so yes i could of waited but for what i want it to do the 80GB 5.5 Generation iPod suits me fine, i really have no regrets at all on the unit i have bought.
Marc
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[ This Message was edited by: Dogmann on 2007-09-06 14:42 ] |
deluded
Joined: Sep 14, 2005
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@scuffs_guy, you're right about the DRM issues with ATRAC of course, and I have to agree with you on that. I'm not much of an audiophile myself, as I've mentioned. And though I know CD quality is much better, I guess I don't mind settling for a compromise considering that MP3 players are so much smaller and much more convenient to carry around.
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max_wedge
Joined: Aug 29, 2004
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From: Australia
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atrac3 and atracplus is very similiar in concept to aac+. It's designed for low bitrates only. At higher bitrates (192 and up), MP3 or normal AAC is much better.
however at low bitrates for example 48Kbps both atrac and aac+ are much better than MP3 or AAC, equalling about 96kbps AAC or 128Kbps MP3..
But for me I'm sick of 128Kbps MP3 now and can't live with out 192 or better. So I tend to avoid atrac or aac+
It's indeed great news that Sony has dropped DRM and made their latest players drag and drop comparible. About time. I do believe I am now VERY interested in one of those players deluded linked to above. 
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[ This Message was edited by: max_wedge on 2008-01-09 12:31 ] |
Dogmann
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@scuffs_guy
Also from what i have heard the version of the iPod i have has better sound quality then the latest and greatest and for me that is what counts when listening to Music and is far more important than a snazzy new interface IMO.
Marc
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[ This Message was edited by: Dogmann on 2008-01-09 16:38 ] |
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Posted: 2007-09-04 20:49
