babyeddy7's Full Review: Sony Network Walkman NW-HD1 (20 GB) MP3 Player
The NW-HD3 has just been announced. It is compatible with MP3 and has a beautiful updated design. Multiple colors (I love the black model) are available. This could be a winner; all that matters now is the price...
Like every other digital music player, the NW-HD1 will be measured against the iPod. No battle has gotten more publicity than this because the companies behind Walkman and iPod could not be more similar. Sony and Apple seem to disregard the bottom line. Both emphasize creativity and innovation. Both hold many of the same ideas and visions. But one is known for its German-like engineering, while the other is much better at software and easy-to-use technology. These characteristic advantages are apparent in both companies’ music devices, and may determine which you choose.
Look & Feel
I was never fond of iPod’s obnoxious white color nor its cheap plastic sheen nor its blatant white headphone cords. iPod was definitely designed to be showy, and anything showy makes people act strange. I see kids taking out their iPods and displaying them to everyone as if their self confidence depends on it. Sony will have none of that. Use the included remote if you don’t want to seem like a preoccupied snob. The Walkman is subtle with clean lines and mostly metal construction. Engraved logos add beauty. Even the charging cradle and packaging look professional and mature. See the NW-HD1 for yourself.
Battery Life
Another reason I stayed away from the iPod was its poor battery life. Apple’s claim of eight hours was actually less than six, and the new iPod’s supposed twelve hours still requires tedious everyday charging. Note that devices with moving parts have very volatile playback time, and just turning the unit on kills off a large portion. Also note that the amount of charge a battery can hold gradually depletes. This was a major problem for many iPods, which failed to function after a year of use. The ensuing class action lawsuit and basic knowledge prove that hard drive-based audio players naturally have inadequate playback time and charge longevity. Fortunately the NW-HD1 holds out for an unbeatable 30 hours (mine lasted exactly 28 hours). And to ensure the battery lives through long periods of disuse and extensive discharging, Sony includes a switch to turn it off. While this does not make the Walkman immune from slight charge depletion, it does mean that problems will arise much later than with the iPod. Keep the hold switch on when the unit is off to avoid accidental battery drain.
If you’re too busy to wait five hours for a full recharge, one hour will restore the battery to 80%. A charging cradle facilitates the process.
Ease of Use
The infamous ATRAC3 conversion is required if your songs are not already in the format. This isn’t a problem for Sony Connect users, who download native ATRAC3. But MP3s, CD tracks, WAV files and WMA files must be imported and converted via SonicStage 2.1. This has long been Sony’s Achilles heel, as most audio devices, including iPod, accept all formats upfront. It’s not that the process is difficult or that it restricts any music, it only takes extra time. An average song takes 10 seconds to become an ATRAC3 file. After that, it is wise to delete the original file to save space.
A nice feature of Apple's software is synching with the iPod; any playlist changes made on the user's computer will automatically update the iPod. Working with the Walkman requires manual adjustment via a check-in/check-out process.
Ease of use on the actual device fares better. It has a miniature version of the iPod’s wheel, which allows responsive control even though it isn't touch sensitive. Volume level can be altered by an ergonomic seesaw button on the top right of the device. The screen is big and displays plenty of information including five lines of text, elapsed track time, bit rate and remaining battery life. By pressing the mode button, you can change search criteria to quickly locate tracks in your song library. A green backlight allows visibility in the dark.
Included with the Japanese model is a wired LCD remote, which allows the user to operate the Walkman without removing it from a pocket. It is identical to remotes of Sony’s flagship MD models. All essential controls can be manipulated.
Storage & Sound Quality
There is one major upside to the ATRAC3plus format. I don’t know how Sony does it, but ATRAC3plus at 64kbps sounds better than MP3 tracks at 128kbps. This means that twice as much music can be stored without sacrificing sound quality, theoretically doubling capacity. If you can get 40 GB of storage on this 20 GB Walkman, why wouldn’t you? Keep in mind that the 40 GB iPod is twice as thick as the NW-HD1 and over 50% heavier. In this regard, I’d take the Walkman any day.
About 6,500 near-CD quality tracks can be stored. Most people can't come close to that many songs, but fortunately music isn't the only thing these devices can hold; pictures, Word documents and many other files can be manually transferred to the Walkman. It acts as an external hard drive, thereby eliminating the need for extra storage equipment.
Like all high end Walkmans, this comes with very good earbud headphones. Sound quality and bass is excellent, though comfort is mediocre.
Durability
As mentioned earlier the Walkman is much better built than the iPod. Over 70% of the device’s surface is coated in brushed aluminum and the rest is hard plastic. Only hard falls will leave scratches. Sony devices are the standard in durability.
Like CDs, hard drives are prone to skipping. 25-minute skip protection is the standard on this and other devices. Playback might remain smooth during bumpy rides, but battery life will be affected. Another inherent problem with hard drives is data loss due to shock, so the device's internal mechanisms are well protected.
Portability
The NW-HD1 is the first 20-gigabyte audio device smaller, thinner and lighter than the iPod. That makes it the smallest, thinnest and lightest such device in the world. It is slightly larger and virtually the same weight as iPod mini, which only stores one-fifth the music. The low weight (four ounces) and credit card size makes this Walkman one of the few hard drive-based audio device usable in a shirt pocket. Since the NW-HD1 can hold the same capacity of music at the same quality as a 40 GB iPod (explained under Storage & Sound Quality), Sony has a major edge over Apple. 40 GB iPods are gigantic.
There is a lanyard hole on the right side that makes carrying easier and safer. Using the included carrying pouch is a good idea.
Accessories & System Requirements
Bundled with the NW-HD1 you’ll find SonicStage music management software (version 2.1), a backlit remote control, lightweight earbud headphones (short cord), USB cable, AC power adaptor, charging/data transfer cradle and instruction manual.
IBM PC/AT or compatible
OS: Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Professional
CPU: MMX Pentium 450MHz or higher
RAM: 128MB or higher
Hard Disc Drive Space: 260MB or more
CD-ROM Drive (with Audio CD playback capability)
Sound card
Internet access
USB port
Display: 16 bit color, resolution 800 x 480
Conclusion
Technologically, the NW-HD1 is the world’s best portable audio device; I prefer it over the iPod in every way except music management. Sony’s perennial ATRAC3-only attitude takes off a star from its overall score, but the company may gradually become more open. Unfortunately that’s a heretical expectation especially now that it owns a quarter of the world’s music and is paranoid about its distribution.
Purchasing
The $399 NW-HD1 has been available since early August. Be sure to visit Sony Style stores in New York City, Boston, Palo Alta, Los Angeles, Las Vegas or Houston to see the Walkman for yourself. It is also in stock at SonyStyle.com and other online merchants.
Recommended:
Yes
Recommended for: Music Lovers - High Capacity Storage for an Entire Album Collection
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