M
Mike_manchester
Guest
I thought I would try to summarise current key points about the Sony HD-5 for the benefit of prospective purchasers
.
System requirements
I quote the Readme file from my installation of the supplied software,SonicStage.
"SonicStage is compatible with the following Windows operating systems:
- Windows 98 Second Edition,
- Windows Millennium Edition,
- Windows 2000 Professional (Service Pack 3 or later),
- Windows XP Home Edition,
- Windows XP Professional,....
...and lots of others <SNIP>"
It DOES play Mp3s, but not as we know it Jim
Plugging an HD-5 into your pc, using the supplied cable, makes a Removable Disk appear in Windows Explorer, assigned with a drive letter like G:. You CAN drag n drop Mp3 files (or infact many types of files) to this new drive which has appeared, but when you switch the player on, your Mp3 files will NOT show or play.
The reason for this is that the supplied SonicStage software adds copy protection to each Mp3 it transfers across to the player this copy protection process takes about 1 second per track transferred and manifests itself as the track being renamed from a .mp3 file to a .OMA file which the player can then recognise and play. Sound quality is not affected and the file does not significantly increase in size , but the copy protection data added to each track allows SonicStage to track and control its usage in terms of being transferrd to other players and PCs.
In order to succesfully transfer music files to an HD-5 you MUST use either Sonicstage or the Sony Vaio Music Transfer drag n drop program which is not supplied, but is available on the internet. At this time NO OTHER software will transfer music to the HD-5, although you can use other software to initially rip, tag and sort your music prior to transfer.
Sound quality
It is widely noted that the HD-5 has greater bass output than the i-pod. Sound quality is adjustable for Bass and Treble only when playing back Mp3s. Graphic equaliser functions are available when playing back ATRAC encoded files. ( Oh, Sony, Sony, Sony will you just get this ATRAC chip off your shoulder
Remotes
Many of the Sony CD walkman and mini-disc remotes are compatable with the HD-5, in terms of controlling basic playback and functions. Full functionality is obtainable using a remote designed for a HI-minidisc. RM-MC40ELK and RM-MC35ELK are the best / most popular remotes to use
Follow turn screen feature
Contrary to Sony advertising, the screen only orientates itself automatically when you first power up the player it then stays oriented that way till you next power off and on
volume hack
European models have the maximum volume level restricted, because of EU legislation designed to prevent hearing damage. It is possible to lift that restriction by entering the service menu and changing the setting. This change does no harm to the player - it simply sets the max volume level to be the same as players shipped to other parts of the world. The restrictions can be put back on again, if desired, by following the procedure a second time.
Cracked buttons.
The novel cross type keypad used on the HD-5 seems to develop hairline stress cracks in the centre where the buttons meet. This does not affect the operation of the player and Sony appear to be aware of the problem and are currently investigating it. At this time, there is no indication from Sony of how this will be resolved, although they are prepared to exchange / repair units that have developed cracks
If anyone can add to this guide or point out errors / ommissions, then please do
Mike
System requirements
I quote the Readme file from my installation of the supplied software,SonicStage.
"SonicStage is compatible with the following Windows operating systems:
- Windows 98 Second Edition,
- Windows Millennium Edition,
- Windows 2000 Professional (Service Pack 3 or later),
- Windows XP Home Edition,
- Windows XP Professional,....
...and lots of others <SNIP>"
It DOES play Mp3s, but not as we know it Jim
Plugging an HD-5 into your pc, using the supplied cable, makes a Removable Disk appear in Windows Explorer, assigned with a drive letter like G:. You CAN drag n drop Mp3 files (or infact many types of files) to this new drive which has appeared, but when you switch the player on, your Mp3 files will NOT show or play.
The reason for this is that the supplied SonicStage software adds copy protection to each Mp3 it transfers across to the player this copy protection process takes about 1 second per track transferred and manifests itself as the track being renamed from a .mp3 file to a .OMA file which the player can then recognise and play. Sound quality is not affected and the file does not significantly increase in size , but the copy protection data added to each track allows SonicStage to track and control its usage in terms of being transferrd to other players and PCs.
In order to succesfully transfer music files to an HD-5 you MUST use either Sonicstage or the Sony Vaio Music Transfer drag n drop program which is not supplied, but is available on the internet. At this time NO OTHER software will transfer music to the HD-5, although you can use other software to initially rip, tag and sort your music prior to transfer.
Sound quality
It is widely noted that the HD-5 has greater bass output than the i-pod. Sound quality is adjustable for Bass and Treble only when playing back Mp3s. Graphic equaliser functions are available when playing back ATRAC encoded files. ( Oh, Sony, Sony, Sony will you just get this ATRAC chip off your shoulder
Remotes
Many of the Sony CD walkman and mini-disc remotes are compatable with the HD-5, in terms of controlling basic playback and functions. Full functionality is obtainable using a remote designed for a HI-minidisc. RM-MC40ELK and RM-MC35ELK are the best / most popular remotes to use
Follow turn screen feature
Contrary to Sony advertising, the screen only orientates itself automatically when you first power up the player it then stays oriented that way till you next power off and on
volume hack
European models have the maximum volume level restricted, because of EU legislation designed to prevent hearing damage. It is possible to lift that restriction by entering the service menu and changing the setting. This change does no harm to the player - it simply sets the max volume level to be the same as players shipped to other parts of the world. The restrictions can be put back on again, if desired, by following the procedure a second time.
Cracked buttons.
The novel cross type keypad used on the HD-5 seems to develop hairline stress cracks in the centre where the buttons meet. This does not affect the operation of the player and Sony appear to be aware of the problem and are currently investigating it. At this time, there is no indication from Sony of how this will be resolved, although they are prepared to exchange / repair units that have developed cracks
If anyone can add to this guide or point out errors / ommissions, then please do
Mike