The Sony NW HD5 has received higher than average ratings from Review Centre reviewers who appear very satisfied with its sound quality and ease of use but it is the player's extremely generous battery life which received some of the best praise.
The Sony NW HD5 has an extremely long playback time of up to 40 hours with the built-in rechargeable battery which is one of the leading factors why many agree that Sony with this hard drive version is finally appearing to offer a serious alternative to Apple's iPod range.
If you enjoy what Sonys Connect music store has to offer then this could be the MP3 portable player for you.
Some reviewers have described software installation as being a fairly lengthy process.
20 GB internal Hard Disk Drive memory
Hi-Speed USB connection
Audio, visual and data file storage including: Word, Powerpoint, ATRAC, Mp3, Jpeg, Mpeg, etc
SonicStage 3.1 music management software
Sony technology protects the internal HDD even if it falls from a height of 1 m
ATRAC / MP3 direct playback
Up to 40 hours with the built-in rechargeable battery
Large 7 line (1.5 inch) LCD with various backlight colours
Smallest version yet weighing 135 grams measuring 2.4 x 3.5 x 0.6 inches.
The Sony brand and the NW-HD5 is linked to portable hi-fi history. Offering people the choice of carrying their music around with them Sony's original portable cassette stereo Walkman was launched in 1979 and was one of the most successful lifestyle product launches of the eighties.
Made available in 2004 the first NW version offered 13,000 song storage compared to Apple's iPod store of 10,000 songs at the time. The early model was promoted in terms of its shock-resistant technology protecting the hard drive if dropped but would only play Sony's proprietary format, ATRAC3.
As well as playing music in Sony's ATRAC3 the Sony NW-HD3 was the first MP3 version.
Launched earlier this year the 20 GB NW-HD5 is smaller than its predecessors and besides MP3, the player supports Sonys ATRAC3 and ATRAC3plus, Windows Media Audio and WAV files.
Sound quality is amazing (at the right setting of Atrac 3 or MP3), battery life kicks the other MP3s into orbit.
The Sony NW-HD5 is an excellent player, small and light does what it says on the box.
Very easy to navigate and the controls all being on the front does actually improve this. Everything is great, and its a pleasure to use!
Follow the links at top of this page to read detailed independent consumer reviews of this product.
CNet says:
"Supercompact and durable design..a stellar choice."
PC Mag.Com said:
"Very good sound quality."
The Guardian said:
"..it has taken on Apple at its own game.
Times Online said:
".. a beautiful artefact, with impressive battery life.."
Designtechnica.Com said:
"..up to 40 hours of continuous music playback..."
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