Sony portable CD-RW/DVD-ROM/Mem. Stick MP3 player

2003-08-03 04:59:52

I saw one of these portable CD-RW/DVD-ROM (video)/Memory Stick players the other day at Circuit City. Looks nice enough, and the price is decent... but I couldn't glean much in the way of specifics from the packaging, and there was no demonstration model available in the store. Does anyone know

• whether the player can read MP3s from DVD-R?
  
• whether the player is firmware upgradeable?
  
• why anyone would want a Memory Stick?
  
      - M.
  
  Edit: Hmm... the code for "bullets" doesn't seem to be working since the move to the new server. Or did the code change?

Sony portable CD-RW/DVD-ROM/Mem. Stick MP3 player

Reply #1 – 2003-08-03 19:20:33

I don't know about Sony portables, but I do know that their latest home DVD players do NOT support mp3s on a DVD.  I do know that Panasonic makes a player that has very similar capabilities to this Sony you mention that is also sold at Circuit City, but I do not know if either will read mp3s from data DVD discs.  One player like this that HAS been known to play these MP3-DVDs is two of the Initial portable dvd players (the 5.8 inch screen one and the 4 inch screen one, and quite possibly the newer larger screen models, but this has not been confirmed).  I went and tested out the Intial 5.8" player at Circuit City with a MP3-CD, and I found the sound quality to be subpar, configuration options to be lacking, and the MP3 User Interface to be horrible.  It did not support VBR mp3 timing, but would play them. I don't care how many formats a player supports, if it doesn't play them quality nor is it easy to use, I will not purchase it.  But, as I was there, I noticed the Panasonic LS5...

It is similar to the Panasonic with memory card slot, but instead of having a memory card slot, sort of like a trade off, this model supports 2 channel DVD-Audio discs, which was cool (but inflates the price to $399).  The MP3 UI on this player was great, it supports correct VBR timing, the thing is very configurable and intuitive, and its sound quality beats the Initial unit no contest.  This player also has a digital out, line out, headphone out, and outputs for S-Video and I believe Component Video (though only the Composite cable is included.)

The only thing I am waiting on now is a friend to burn me an MP3-DVD disc for me to test it with.  I will go and test it out later this week.  If it turns out it plays, I am definately going to purchase this player.  I think the idea of holding 60-70 alt-preset standard mp3s per dvd disc is just amazing.  Firmware upgradeability would also be nice here, I DO know the Initial models are firmware upgradeable, but the website isn't even finished for them.  I don't see these portable DVD player's firmware being updated as frequently as audio only solutions we are accustomed to are, but it would be nice.  This player will be a great compliment to the 8x DVD burner I will buy when they release later this year.  I will keep you updated.

Edit:  As for memory sticks, people want this to view their digital pictures on these players, they support jpgs.  Apparantly, the alternate Panasonic model will play MPEG4 and AAC off of a memory card, but I have not read any details on this in practice.  The LS5 does NOT support memory cards, neither does it support AAC or MPEG4 off of a disc, but that doesn't bother me.

Sony portable CD-RW/DVD-ROM/Mem. Stick MP3 player

Reply #2 – 2003-08-19 13:12:00

Howdy,
Did you have any luck in testing the player? I will buy one if it plays -alt-preset standard MP3's off of a DVD disc....Think of how many you could store on a DVD disc *DROOLS*
Cheers,
Burgerings

Sony portable CD-RW/DVD-ROM/Mem. Stick MP3 player

Reply #3 – 2003-08-19 14:02:02

Well I found out the answer....IT DOES play MP3-DVD disc. IE. It plays MP3's off of DVD-R/RW discs....From page 33 of the user guide, "You can play back the following disks and files with the drive...Music files written to DVD-R/DVD-RW (MP3, WAV files)"

http://sony.storagesupport.com/cdrw/downlo...AP20UManual.pdf

BUT....

The only problem is is it a CD-Burner aswell. This points to a lazer that will die pretty soon, so I'll have to look out for another DVD-MP3 player....
Any suggestions? I just want a CD-WALKMAN replacement, and not a thing with a screen or anything...

Cheers,
Burgerings

Sony portable CD-RW/DVD-ROM/Mem. Stick MP3 player

Reply #4 – 2003-08-22 18:14:14

Yeah, the Sony DOES play mp3s off of DVDs.  I still haven't been able to test all formats in the Philips, I tried DVD+RW, and it did not work, but I haven't had a chance to test a probably more compliant DVD+R or DVD-R.

Sony portable CD-RW/DVD-ROM/Mem. Stick MP3 player

Reply #5 – 2003-08-23 00:11:24

Yeah, It sounds, good. BUT It is a CD-BURNER as well and to me, this points to a lazer that will die quicker that one in a portable....I'd be getting one if it didn't have the CD-R part built in....I guess I'll have to keep looking till I find a portable-cd-walkman-replacment that plays dvd-mp3 disc's that are full of --alt-preset standard..... 
Cheers,
Scott

Sony portable CD-RW/DVD-ROM/Mem. Stick MP3 player

Reply #6 – 2003-08-23 15:56:45

If I remember correctly, this Sony player you are talking about doesn't play back DVD movies as a standalone.  It is more of an external DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive with built-in mp3 capabilities, and so it has to have a computer to play back the movies.  If they had only added Video out to this player for TV use, it would be unbeatable.