Sony NW-HD3 20GB - Expert Reviews

Review summary: The inconvenience of ATRAC3 conversion and a lofty price tag mar this beautifully designed player's reputation.

Pros: Supercompact and stylish, Awesome battery life, Basic operation

Cons: MP3, WMA, and other files must be converted to ATRAC3 format, No extra features, Works only with bundled SonicStage jukebox software, Cradle is required to recharge and to transfer tracks to device

Verdict: Sony's 20GB HD1 looks, sounds, and feels amazing, but you'll have to sacrifice an extra wad of cash, not to mention native MP3 and WMA file support.

Pros: Supercompact and stylish; awesome battery life; basic operation.

Cons: Pricey at $400; MP3, WMA, and other files must be converted to ATRAC3 format; no extra features; works only with bundled SonicStage jukebox software; cradle is required to recharge and to transfer tracks to device.

Verdict: Sony's 20GB HD1 looks, sounds, and feels amazing, but you'll have to sacrifice an extra wad of cash, not to mention native MP3 and WMA file support.

Pros: Incredible battery life - I got 27 hours!, Smallest digital music player available (as of June 2004), Solid metal body, Easy to navigate, Classic style, Incredible battery life - I got 27 hours!, Smallest digital music player available (as of June 2004),

Cons: Prices higher than other 20GB players (Typical Sony move), Must use SonicStage to manage music, Must convert music to ATRAC format when transferring to player, Not all songs purchases through Sony Connect can be burned to CD, Prices higher than other 20GB

Review summary: We commented that if Sony had an audio player with Native MP3 support then Apple may lose their crown, well watch out Apple as Sony have done just that.

Review summary: Sony messed up its first attempt at toppling the iPod by failing to support music formats other than its own Atrac. With the new HD3, Sony has added support for the ubiquitous MP3 format...

Verdict: Sony once dominated the mobile music market, and is clearly trying to use the HD3 to claw some sales away from its white and chrome rival from Apple.