Sony NWZA818 - 8GB Video MP3 Walkman - Upto 30hrs Battery Life - Black

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Product Features:

• IN BLACK
• UPTO 2.4" LCD SCREEN
• VIDEO AND PHOTO
• 8GB MP3 PLAYER
• SONY MP3 PLAYER

Customer Reviews:

• 
  2008-08-10
  By C. Raeburn, Basingstoke UK
  It would be easy to just jump into the anti-Apple corner and send this Sony player up without anything concrete to put it there - but this is not really helpful to people looking for facts.
  
  Initially I was going to buy an older model of this about 2 years ago, but when I found out there were some rather nefarious issues with the bundled software and formats supported I switched to an I-pod at the last minute. This was the beginning of a 'hate hate' relationship with one of the most awful devices made by man.
  
  I had frequent crashes of the software on the I-pod itself, it would randomly do odd stuff. The control of the unit with 'that' dial was just rubbish - especially if you had anything other than the exact required amount of moisture to dirt on your fingers. The top mounted headphone socket had that wonderful 'fill me with water when it rains' design 'feature' to it. On the plus side it had big storage, albeit of the delicate moving-parts HDD variety.
  
  Where the I-pod experience was totally awful was I-tunes. I could start the program and go for a twenty minute jog before the thing had finished scanning my large library on my home PC. It's buggy insistence to keep trying to calculate useless playtime information and download cover art was infuriating. It crossed my mind that by requesting cover art it was telling Apple Central just what I had on my home PC and a TCP dump of the communication taking place pretty much proved it. Then followed weeks of trying to find third party replacements for I-tunes to integrate it with Windows (I gave up with it on my native Linux box as it would not play). After finding expensive plug-ins that corrupted the device from Media Player I finally found a godsend called 'Anapod Explorer' from Red Chair Software. This allowed the basic explorer to i-pod drag and drop needed. Problem is the seeds were sown for me. With the dial being awful (navigation,volume and all user functions being dependent on it, and the sound quality not really being all that I gave the thing to my daughter and hunted for a replacement. Enter stage left this tiny Sony.
  
  After checking reviews on Amazon I found that it no longer had any of those nefarious software issues left over from the great root kit scandal. The box had a bit of weight to it, but after extracting the tiny player this was all down to to the various documents and packaging. I wanted this player to be quick and easy to use without having to put any software on to my computer, and without the need to read the manual. I got what I wanted.
  
  Now, being an awkward customer I run a Linux PC (Ubuntu as it happens). This makes any hardware a bit a of a challenge to say the least. In went the USB lead and presto! It appeared on my desktop as a 'Walkman'. I was able to drag and drop mp3's to it in seconds (yes us Linux users have desktops too - it's not all command lines). It took about 3 minutes to transfer 150 tracks onto the player (all 320kbps I'm fussy). Not the fastest transfer, but considering I-tunes would still be booting I was not put off.
  
  The battery was all but charge out of the box so I was able to test the unit at once. Navigation was simple and a breeze. The layout logical and positive. The display was bright and welcoming and every function was logical without the need to look at any manual. There was no nasty 'dial', just positive buttons. It is also half the size of an I-pod (seriously, it is). I stuck in the included headphones and the sound quality hit me as miles better than the Ipod. On full pelt it did not start suffering from distortion in the output stage. But then it's a Sony init!
  
  My one disappointment came in the volume. It was not loud enough for me and I did not like the in-ear cans that came with it (I'm old school). With heavy heart I stuck a cheap pair of Panasonic cans into it expecting it to get worse, not better. To my surprise the volume jumped up to a level that someone as deaf as me could enjoy.
  
  So after all this waffle and a-b experience comparison, what is the conclusion? It blows the I-pod away. It is out-of-the-box compatible with multiple operating systems appearing as a 'drive' the way it should. The sound quality is awesome, video is crisp if you really want to waste storage looking at it. The build quality feels better, the design over-all is just better by miles.
  
  The tradeoff? Well, of course it does not have masses of storage. But it has plenty for people who rotate their music and want a good on-the-go player without the delicate hard drive to trash when they drop it. In the land of the MP3 player, if you get the basics such as usability, availability and sound quality right you have a winner. A lesson Apple need to learn.
  
  
  
• 
  2008-08-11
  By C. Nation, Bristol UK
  After an awful time with 2 Creative Zen Vs, one of which was incurably corrupt and the other unworkable with Creative's s/ware, I wrote off the £28 I spent on this garbage and went for the Sony. Can 138 5* reviews be wrong? NO!
  
  This player is so good. Why? Sound quality: really superb. Ease of music transfer: very easy indeed. Operation: simple, intuitive. Options: The EQ and other options for repro are outstanding. Design: sleek & neat. Manufacture: it's metal, not cheap-feeling plastic [like the Zen]
  
  AS a music player, this device ticks all the boxes. There are those who moan about watching videos on it. Why anyone would want to watch a video on a screen the size of a Christmas postage stamp, I can't think. What a waste of file space.
  
  So why deduct 1 star? I think that Sony have seriously short changed us by not including a mains charger. After all, this player almost certainly will go on the road with its owner, way out of reach of a recharge from a prolonged spell connected to a PC. Someone has mentioned, in a comment on a review, a charger 'on eBay/Amazon for £5'. I have not found one on Amazon, probably because Sony themselves do not list one in the accessories available for the NWZ-8xx series. I have found a useful mains + car-charger + USB cable for £20 inc p n p from Singapore on eBay. They say that the cable is a genuine Sony one. Why Sony don't even list one is a big mystery and rather dopey.
  
  There's been some rather petulant spouting about file types and compression rates versus library size. I have written in more detail about this as a comment to one of the 1 star reviews but I'll summarise by saying that this player will provide anybody with less than barn-owl hearing ability and studio quality headphones with many hours of pleasure listening to music transfered at at least 128 kbps. This is NOT cd quality but for most people, in most realistic listening situations, it's perfectly adequate. I was prepared to trade 25% library space by using 160kbps for a notional 25% increase in quality - but only probably audible in a quiet hotel room or such.
  
  The only way I can think of to improve on this 8Gb player is to get one with more capacity. Then maybe go for the wireless Bluetooth option. I've heard an MP3 player [don't know which make/model] through Bluetooth cans and the sound was brilliant.
  
  Finally: the Zen V which was a complete dud was ceremonially stamped to atoms under a stout boot heel. It was all it was worth.
  
  
• 
  2008-08-14
  By Mr. P. G. Hopgood, Essex
  Superb quality product. Had almost two weeks now, as unfortunately had to return Creative Zen because it 'froze' twice, within a few days of ownership. Found Sony ear phones with player too tinny, unless I play around with equalizer settings to increase bass. They are very clear though. So have just purchased some very good & portable sennheiser PX200 headphones. Must say cheaper option delivery service from Amazon on both products very quick ! Very easy to 'Drag & drop' music through Windows Exporer. Same with Photos. Had problem with videos. Could not get video clips/films onto player. However, for others struggling suggest searching Google for "DVD Catalyst 3". It is fantastic & so easy to use. Any negatives: Screen a bit small. Would not want to view films, just clips. Ok for photos. Cannot delete music direct on player. Have to delete it through Windows Explorer with Mp3 connected. No Mains adapter. Otherwise a Great player. Ideal size & very easy menu to follow. Buy it !
  
  
• 
  2008-08-22
  By Ian Gledhill,
  This is a really nice player - sound quality is excellent and battery lasts a long time (though I don't get the claimed 33 hours). I've had this player for 6 months and am very happy with it. Previously I didn't like Sony players after I bought one without realising it was tied to Sony's truly awful SonicStage media manager software - thankfully, this now works with WMP11 and Windows Explorer and works with it very well.
  
  Pros: sound quality is excellent; simple to use; nice display
  
  Niggles: cannot create playlists on the player itself (they have to be synced from WMP); getting video on to the player is too difficult; it doesn't use a standard USB sync/charge cable (though to be fair, most MP3 players, incl iPods, don't either).
  
  
• 
  2008-09-03
  By Duncan McDonald, Dundee
  After using my iPOD shuffle for a while I realised I wanted to carry more music and choose what I wanted to listen to. The obvious choice was a Nano. I tried a mates for a bit. Good sound quality and I liked the menu system. However, at £130 I felt it is a bit pricey for casual use so I had a look at alternatives.
  
  I came across the Sony 818 in a sale for £70. I checked out the magazine and on-line reviews and whilst the Nano recieved positive reviews, some had issues with the sound quality and the headphones come in for some stick. The Sony reviews seemed more favourable including the headphones and with a £60 saving against the iPOD I took the plunge.
  
  Charging up first time took about 4 hours. Connected to Windows Media Player, it loaded a driver and away we go. You can auto sync and transfer all your music or drag and drop. Transfer is very quick. You have to use WMP 11 but a copy comes with the 818 if you don't have it. You also get an e-manual [you only get a quickstart guide in the box] plus a programme to convert ATRAC files as they are not compatible with this player. You can also download the Digital Media Manager which is a bit like iTunes and use that to handle the data. I use WMP and it sync's my music and photo's but not video?
  
  The menu system is easy to use and very intuitive. As easy as the Apple. Sound quality is excellent. It is richer and warmer than the crisp, clear sound from the Apple. It sounds more Hi Fi'ish. Turning on the various enhancements does improve the sound further. I usually play with the volume on 15 [half] and this is loud enough. The buttons are equally easy to use and i've never needed to use the hold button on the back.
  
  The device starts instantly and I particularly like the auto standby option which switches off the device [adjustable] when play stops. It saves you from leaving it on accidentaly and running down the battery. However, i'm not convinced that the battery will last 30 hours but i've never tested it as I charge it weekly. The device switches off completely after 24hrs of inactivity.
  
  I tried it through my Hi Fi USB and the sound is superb. It charges too. It also charges via the PS3 and you can copy from the console onto the device and vice versa.
  
  The headphones are an odd design but insert easily and the rubber gromit moulds to the ear canal. The quality is excellent. I find I never need to adjust them, something I had to do regularly with the Apple ones and they block out background noise much better. They don't eliminate it but it is muffled. I find that passing traffic drowns out the iPOD ones. The cord is short with an extension. Apparently the short length is for those who carry the device in a breast pocket. No excess cord flapping around but there is not a lot of play. You can add the extension which is more generous. The right earpiece is much longer than the left. I find it makes handling the earphones a bit of a fiddle but at least you can identify which is left and right.
  
  Photos are easy to view and you can do a slide show. Better in landscape mode though and the Spiderman demo illustrates how good video can be if you can get the files onto it that is!
  
  Criticisms? There is no remaining time on the track playing and you cannot tell how much memory is left on the device. You need to connect to WMP. You can't delete on the device either. Also, a mini USB would give more flexibility to recharge as you have to use the cable supplied. Minor issues I think.
  
  Overall, this is an excellent music player and I think I got value for money. I commend this to you if you are not one of iPOD fraternity.
  
  Enjoy.