Here's a nice new portable audio player from JVC with a 6GB capacity, called the "Alneo." Its product code is XA-HD500, and the primary features are high audio quality and utility in a home stereo environment.

Japan Victor Corporation will release the "Alneo" (XA-HD500) o­n November 1st, a portable audio player that features a 6GB hard drive and introduces "K2 Technology" for high quality audio. It is Open Price, but the estimated retail price is around 45,000 yen. Silver (S) and black (B) color variations will be available.

This is an audio player that features the same "K2 Technology" used in the company's recording studios and mastering studios, and is featured o­n stereo components. Technically speaking, the company applied K2 Technology to load the player with a "CC Converter" that will restore audio quality that is lost during the compression process.

The technology will restore audio information that is lost during the WMA/MP3 compression process, and this is said to give the audio a more natural feel. In fact, beginning October 1st, Victor Entertainment will offer compressed audio that uses K2 Technology; when combined with the K2 technology of the source label and the K2 technology of the player, the audio created by the player is said to be close to that of the master.

Supported audio formats and WMA and MP3, and WMA DRM 10 is support. Playable bitrates for MP3 and WMA are from 8 to 320kbps. The hard drive has a capacity of 6GB, and can store about 3,000 songs. Connection with a PC is via USB 2.0, and audio transfer is done via Windows Media Player. Windows Media Player is bundled with the product. The supported operating system is Windows XP.

A cradle is also included, and it features a USB port. Recharging and synching with a PC is done via this cradle. An internal lithium ion battery supplies power, and with a full recharge that takes around 3.5 hours, the unit has a playback time of 30 hours. It can also be recharged via USB.

"Emotion Surround" allows users to choose from four location-based audio sound effects: "ENERGY," "CRYSTAL," "HEARTFUL," and "SUBWAY." Digital Active Hyperbass reinforces the player's lower tones, a 5 band manual equalizer is available, and the player also features a "Train Mode" that helps against audio leakage while riding a train. These playback modes and sound modes can be modified by the user. Two function keys are o­n the player.

The unit offers a backlit LCD display -- it supports menu display in 18 languages, and track information display in 27 languages. An infrared remote controller also allows users to view track information and search for songs from afar.

An interface adapter scheduled to be released in December (KS-PD500) will allow owners of JVC car audio systems to connect the player to their headunit, giving them the option of controlling the HD500 and displaying its song information.

The included earphones are earplug type and use a neosium magnet. A Victor studio engineer has tuned the audio quality, in an effort to increase the player's audio quality. The external dimensions are 51.5 x 16.9 x 91.6mm (W x D x H). It weighs roughly 90g.

Inspired by:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20050915/victor1.htm

Press Release:
http://www.jvc-victor.co.jp/press/2005/xa-hd500.html

Product Information:
http://www.jvc-victor.co.jp/audio_w/product/dap/xa-hd500/index.html