Sony 8 GB Walkman Video MP3 Player (Black)
by Sony
List Price:
Our Price: $165.00
You Save: $24.95 (13%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $72.79 (click here)
Category: CE
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Digital product summary information
Manufacturer: SonyModel: NWZA728BLK
Color: Black
Product features:
- 8 GB Flash memory for up to 1,850 songs or up to 30 hours of video
- Up to 36 hours of battery life on a single charge
- Enjoy photos and videos in portrait and landscape mode
- Supports MP3/WMA DRM and non-DRM/AAC audio; MPEG 4, AVC Baseline video
- 2.4-inch 320 x 240 QVGA LCD features intuitive menus and simple operation
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Digital camera reviews of Sony 8 GB Walkman Video MP3 Player (Black)
Digital camera Review: Outstanding Sound, But There are Better Buys Out There
Summary: 4 Stars
I got the 16gb version of this player today. I own several mp4 and mp3 players all with great sound including less famous brands coming out of China. Several weeks ago, I bought my first name brand multimedia player, the Samsung Q1. You can read my review of it here. It might give insight into why I gave the Sony 4 stars, really 3.5.
Unfortunately, I have since misplaced my Q1 so I wanted another player with a reputation for great sound. I chose not to replace the Q1 just encase I eventually find it, and I wanted to compare its SQ to that of this Sony's. Trust, the SQ stands up to the Samsung Q1 and P2, the Meizu M6, and my Chinese players with the Rock chip processor. If you have used any of these players, then you know this is saying a lot!
The sound is outstanding and this is what I expected when I bid on the A729 on Ebay, but when you consider all of the other features to be found on players like the Q1 for more than $100.00 less, I can not justify recommending this player over them. Ultimately, this player is just downright boring and does not allow the owner to put their personal stamp on it other than by adding and tweaking files! Hey, I can even embed my name in the On screen of the Q1 and you mean, I cannot even set my own background on this Sony? To be honest, when you consider all of the more useful features people want on a media player.. an Intelligent Shuffle and Initial Search certainly seem like trivial features to include over something like a radio or the ability to create play lists or delete songs on the fly. Perhaps firmware updates will change this.
Then there are some things that are just odd to me.. like Sony's poor use of screen space, especially where album art is concerned and the fact that the player never really is turned off. I mean, you can power it off, but if you accidentally touch any button, it comes back on. You must power it off, then put the hold slider into place. Even then, if you touch a button, you will get a message stating that the player is on hold. HUH? I think it stays in standby for 24 hours before it actually goes off. And they certainly made poor use of screen space especially where album art is concerned.
If you want/need a straight forward, great sounding player and do not mind paying this price for it, go for this. It really is a great player. The screen is beautiful. It has a nice solid feel to it. You can find all the accessories you need for it on Ebay. I got a car, comp, and wall charger along with a crystal case, silicone case, lanyard, belt clip, and screen protector for $10.00. I do think the navigation is considerably easier than that of my other players, even the Q1. I love the dedicated volume control. The genre tagging actually works very well. I love the multiple Album Display Format (Album Art, Title, or both).
Now, you want great sound, with more (standard) features, and more flexibility to customize your player for significantly less money... look to Samsung (Q1, 8gb for 69.00 on Ebay, or the P2, which has dropped in price), another brand, or maybe even a less expensive Sony unless you can get this on Ebay or somewhere for a fraction of the MSRP.
Had I never had another name brand multimedia player to which to compare the A729, I would be raving about this thing. But since this is not the case, I have to say that Sony really half stepped here and is trying to dupe people into believing that its name alone justifies this player's exorbitant price tag for its minimal features.
While I like this player, my Samsung was just simply much more fun to operate. I am going to go ahead and just buy another one.
Summary of Sony 8 GB Walkman Video MP3 Player (Black)
Sony?s NWZ-A728 Walkman MP3 player?s svelte design houses a gorgeous 2.4? QVGA LCD display that makes your audio and video entertainment come alive. The compact digital music player?s 8GB storage capacity and easy-to-use menus let you store and quickly find up to 2,000 of your favorite digital music tracks, hours of high quality video, or hundreds of photographs. An extra long 36 hour battery life means the fun will last as long as you do, while Sony Clear Audio technologies and the supplied EX Series headphones help ensure you enjoy superior CD-quality audio clarity, even when listening to external audio sources.You'll never be far from your favorite music and videos with this sleek 8 GB Walkman Video MP3 player. Incredible sound quality is delivered to your ears, and dazzling full-motion video is presented on a beautiful full-color screen. The attractive, slim-line player supports multiple file types and lets you control it all on a high-resolution 2.4-inch QVGA LCD with intuitive menus and simple operation. Small enough to slip into your pocket, the 8 GB built-in memory can store up to 1,850 songs, up to 30 hours of video, or hundreds of photographs, offering the joy of multimedia entertainment wherever you go. A long-lasting battery is included. Also available in pink.
 Easily view your movies, photos, and music information on the high-quality 320 x 240 display. |
 A mobile multimedia library goes wherever you go. |
 This attractive, slim-line player easily fits in your pocket. |
High-Quality Video Playback
Playback your favorite videos--up to up to 30 hours of them--right on the player using MPEG 4 and M4V profile at 30 frames per second. Easily view your movies, photos, and music information on the high-quality 320 x 240 display, which allows for easy viewing in either a portrait or landscape position.
Battery Life
With up to 36 hours of audio playback and up to 9.5 hours of video playback, you don't have to worry about running out of entertainment.
Compatibility
The Walkman is compatible with secure Windows Media Audio, giving you more options than ever for downloading and listening to music. It supports playback of MP3 and WMA DRM and non-DRM audio files downloaded from multiple sources. The Walkman also supports non-DRM AAC content, giving you multiple options for downloading music the way you want.
Clear Audio Technologies
Utilizing four Clear Audio Technologies, the Walkman reproduces crystal clear, CD-quality audio:
- Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) restores the higher sound frequency lost when creating compressed music files.
- Clear Bass enhances the bass sound while minimizing distortion.
- Clear Stereo reduces signal leakage from one channel to another.
- EX Series headphones deliver deep bass sound from a closed design that's compact, lightweight, and comfortable to wear, thanks to changeable silicon rubber earbuds that also help isolate outside sounds.
Time Machine Shuffle
The shuffle feature lets you play among songs from a randomly selected year. (Information will come from CD information that is downloaded from the Gracenote CDDB.) Or, use the first letter of the song, album, or artist to easily find the music you want.
What's in the Box
Sony 8 GB Walkman Video MP3 Player (Black), USB Cable (22 pin to USB), MDR-EX082 Headphones and long cord, CD-ROM with Windows Media Player 11 and MP3 Conversion Tools, Quick Start Guide, Adapter Plate (for optional 22 pin cradle)
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