Sony 20GB audio player Portable AV / Sony Posted by zmcnulty on May 10, 2004 - 11:33 AM |
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I didn't call this an "MP3 player" because it really isn't - you have to jump through SonicStage. Sony will release the "VGF-AP1," a portable audio/photo player with a 2.2" color LCD, on June 5th. Its nickname is the "VAIO pocket." The official price is Open Price, but indicators suggest it should cost around 53,000 yen. As a portable HD player with a 20GB HD, it can not only play ATRAC3/ATRAC3plus audio, it can be used as a photo viewer to view pictures on the HD with its 2.2", 320 x 256 dot LCD screen. The player uses "SonicStage Ver. 2.0" software to interface with the PC, and audio is transferred via an included USB cradle. The cradle will also recharge the unit, and it has a line out. SonicStage 2.0 is supported by Windows 98 SE, ME, 2000, and XP. Audio formats supported on the VAIO pocket are ATRAC3/ATRAC3plus, and MP3, WAVE, and WMA files will be converted to ATRAC3/ATRAC3plus when transferred to the unit. SonicStage 2.0 includes one click direct access to the "Mora" music download site, and songs can be easily purchased by download. Also, it supports CDDB. "music move" transfer software is also handled. The main display can not only display the album cover of the music currently being played, it can be used to manage images on a digital camera, and act as a photo view. Furthermore, digital cameras can also be connected to the cradle's USB port, meaning you need not disconnect one device to use another. Also, to work with the LCD, the unit features a touchpad technology called "G-sense," which "allows for intuitive operation by linking the LCD screen and the movement of the fingers," by having the position indicator change by sliding the finger across the pad, or selecting by pressing on the pad. The device also features a search function, which can search by artist, song name, and genre. It can also adjust the play frequency, and playlists can be made from a play history, and even features a album cover search. The remote controller is a 3 line LCD which can display Kana and Kanji characters, as well as carry out simple operations such as play/stop, RW, etc. The battery is a rechargable lithium ion, and the maximum battery life is 20 hours. The external dimensions are 115.2 x 17.2 ~ 27.0 x 63.3mm (W x D x H), and the weight is 195. Also, a special carrying case, the "VGP-CKP1" will go on sale June 5th, for a price of around 4,000 yen.  [1]  Inspired by: http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20040510/sony1.htm [2] Product Notice: http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Info/2004/products_0510_VAIOpocket.html [3] VGF-AP1, Vaio Pocket, MP3 player |
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This article is from TechJapan http://www.techjapan.com/ The URL for this story is: http://www.techjapan.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=276 Links in this article [1] http://www.techjapan.com/images/0504/051004/sony1_1.jpg [2] http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20040510/sony1.htm [3] http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Info/2004/products_0510_VAIOpocket.html |
