Sony VAIO 40GB Color Screened MP3 Player with Remote Control and Dock for $249

[EuGeNiLe]

read the review and people's replies..

but it seems as you would still need to use sony's software for the files that you would want to play on the player.. however you could still drag and drop via windows explorer (without having to use sony's player), but in this case the player would not recognize these files.. so for that feature i'm assuming would be only for storage and what not..

so with all this cleared out.. no one would be able to share their music with others? for example.. you go to your friends and you want to share an mp3 file (which has been dragged and dropped via sony's software).. i'm assuming you cant just plug in the player to their computer and drag a copy into their desktop? or at least if possible it wont play due to those encryption stuff that the software handles?

 

[octalon7]

So where can you still get one of these for a good price? Can't find it on ecost and ubid's are all refurbished.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: EuGeNiLe
read the review and people's replies..

but it seems as you would still need to use sony's software for the files that you would want to play on the player.. however you could still drag and drop via windows explorer (without having to use sony's player), but in this case the player would not recognize these files.. so for that feature i'm assuming would be only for storage and what not..

The reviews used the old original firmware, not the newest, according to br0k3nman, he is listening to music he put on there using windows explorer and not sony's software, they must have allowed that in the newest firmware.

 

[Odeen]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

The reviews used the old original firmware, not the newest, according to br0k3nman, he is listening to music he put on there using windows explorer and not sony's software, they must have allowed that in the newest firmware.

Not quite. He said he isn't even using sonicstage, not that he's not using Sony software.

There are TWO pieces of software in the latest release, the full-blown Sonicstage, and a little utility that opens up a drag-to location for mp3's.

You drag the mp3's into the window, they get encrypted, and put on the player. It's LIKE an Explorer window, but it's not QUITE.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: Odeen

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

The reviews used the old original firmware, not the newest, according to br0k3nman, he is listening to music he put on there using windows explorer and not sony's software, they must have allowed that in the newest firmware.

Not quite. He said he isn't even using sonicstage, not that he's not using Sony software.

There are TWO pieces of software in the latest release, the full-blown Sonicstage, and a little utility that opens up a drag-to location for mp3's.

You drag the mp3's into the window, they get encrypted, and put on the player. It's LIKE an Explorer window, but it's not QUITE.

Then is it possible that the sony mp3 player has a setup like my RCA player? You can chose to view "all files" and look at everything on the hard drive, system files, things you dumped from the windows explorer, etc. You need to use RCA software to "profile" them to the menus for sorting thru artists/bands/songs etc, so you just see the music the way you want it and nothing else.

 

[Odeen]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Then is it possible that the sony mp3 player has a setup like my RCA player? You can chose to view "all files" and look at everything on the hard drive, system files, things you dumped from the windows explorer, etc. You need to use RCA software to "profile" them to the menus for sorting thru artists/bands/songs etc, so you just see the music the way you want it and nothing else.

That's pretty much right. You can drag and drop files onto the player from Explorer, but you have to use SOME piece of Sony software to put MP3's there that can be played back.

 

[casualsax3]

YES. The latest version of the firmware does support gapless playback, it's one of the more important updates.

 

[Br0k3nman]

Like Odeen said, I can drag and drop files like a hard drive, but fo rmusic I have to drop them using sony's little drag and drop application.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: octalon7
So where can you still get one of these for a good price? Can't find it on ecost and ubid's are all refurbished.

The Geeks

 

[Odeen]

Originally posted by: casualsax3
YES. The latest version of the firmware does support gapless playback, it's one of the more important updates.

But only for ATRAC-encoded files. There's no intelligent gapless playback for mp3's.

And it doesn't support OGG, FLAC, AAC, or M4A.

 

[Tommyboy8]

it's still available at ecost. Thegeeks is in california, so I would probably have to pay Tax.

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail....J&dpno=583861&adcampaign=email,ECOSTCJ

 

[dascud]

My own pocket Vaio mini review with some pics .
Pocket Vaio Review

 

[EuGeNiLe]

how bout dragging and dropping mp3 files FROM the Vaio MP3 player TO another computer.. is this possible and would play without a hiccup.

 

[boringwall]

hmmmmmmm

 

[amheck]

Anyone used this player, along with the iAudio X5? I'm trying to decide between these two right now.

 

[Odeen]

Originally posted by: EuGeNiLe
how bout dragging and dropping mp3 files FROM the Vaio MP3 player TO another computer.. is this possible and would play without a hiccup.

The files get encrypted by the application that loads them onto the Vaio. They get a .oma extension and can NOT be played back if copied off the player.

 

[flyingboujanero]

It isn't available from ecost anymore. even tho they brought it back up on their page, the availability says "Call Us"

When i tried to order it, this is the email i got:

Dear Valued customer

Thank you for your recent order with eCOST.com. Unfortunately, the manufacturer has informed us that an item you have ordered has been temporarily/permanently unavailable and has been cancelled from your order. We apologize for the inconvenience this might have caused you.

 

[octalon7]

dascud: Street price of $199?

 

[wetcat007]

Originally posted by: stockjock
I just bought this device for my daughter's birthday. I've never used an MP3 device before so forgive me if I sound dumb...Would this MP3 player be compatible with ITunes? or Napster?

Thx

Neither for sony, only compatible with their own music service i believe. Look for Creative or iRiver for Napster/Rapsody, ipod will only work with itunes.

 

[dascud]

Originally posted by: octalon7
dascud: Street price of $199?

Well i got mine from ecost for $199. Guess its not available thru ecost anymore. I guess only options now are ubid, sony direct and ebay. Seems like the going rate now is $229-$249.

btw revised my review to reflect the price.

DaScud