Sony's Network Walkman-ATRAC3...

[iamcanadian128]

I am planning to buy Sony's Network Walkman...and I heard that it converts the MP3 into this file format called ATRAC3. I was wondering...if the file be smaller or bigger than a MP3 file?

Also...
on ZDnet's review page of the product its says:


<< TextIf having to deal with the Sony codec isn't annoying enough, OpenMG also employs a checkout system, which restricts each track to three transfers to any Sony player. In order to check out a fourth instance of a particular tune, you have to check another song back in. >>


can someone please explain what that means??

 

[layzass21]

The ATRAC files are typically smaller than most MP3s. I have the NW-MS7.

Truthfully, it is kind of a pain to transfer music to and from, converting to ATRAC, then checking out to the player.

The file check-in/check-out feature is an annoyance that allows you transfer a song only 3 times. The Open MG software keeps track of this. This can of course be avoided by just reinstalling Open MG, and converting them to ATRAC again.

Other than that, the players are slick little units.

Hope this helps.