NW-A1000/1200/3000 Firmware Update 3.00
Finally, the much anticipated firmware update that enables AAC support for the NW-A1000/1200/3000 is now available for download. The firmware update is of version 3.00 and amount to approximately:
1) NW-A1000 - 6,037KB
2) NW-A1200 - 6,037KB
3) NW-A3000 - 6,038KB
DOWNLOAD Links:
Japan/Asia-Pacific/Europe: NW-A3000 | NW-A1200 | NW-A1000
NEW FEATURE ENABLED:
- Playing back with AAC format* is available without any format change. Therefore, AAC format files in SonicStage CP can be transferred without converting them to ATRAC format.
*Note:
i. Sampling frequency: 11.025/12/16/22.05/24/32/44.1/48kHz
ii. Supported bit rates: 16 - 320 kbps, VBR (Variable Bit Rate).
iii. Copyright protected AAC files cannot be played back. In addition, it is not guaranteed that all of AAC files can be played back even if the above conditions are met. - The Artist Link Shuffle mode is added to the Intelligent Shuffle.
- The clock display and calendar display functions are added. If CONNECT Player or SonicStage CP is used, the unit clock synchronizes to the computer when the Network Walkman is connected to the software.
- The screen saver is selectable.
- Group +/- can be operated using the compatible stick controller (RM-MC35ELK). Playback can be adjusted to the beginning of the first track in the previous or next group from the current group, regardless of the starting position or the playmode.
It is also possible to move to the first track of the group in Playlist, Bookmark, Trash Bin and Favorite 100.
IMPROVEMENTS
- The sorting order is based on the album track number rather than alphabetical order when Artist ALL is selected from the Artist tree of the List search.
- The animation design which appears while the HDD is accessed is changed.
- The resume track information reset is prohibited with the recharge operation.
[...] AAC tunes in SonicStage CP can be transferred directly to the NW-A3000/A1200/A1000 without converting them to ATRAC format. Note: a. Firmware version 3.0 is required for this feature. –> click here for more details b. Copyright protected AAC files cannot be played back [...]
what can i say… HALLELUJAH !!!
the new firmware looks great, and it at last has clock and calendar functions.
It seems like this firmware brings real improvement. I don’t have any AAC file to test (I doubt it has gapless playback for AAC, but would love to see it), but at least in terms of navigation I like it. The player seems faster now, even if it’s not (I believe it is a little). Indeed, just the fact that you don’t see the design of the little disc spinning, retaining instead the information you were seeing before, makes it seem faster. The clock is also a nicer screensaver. I just think Now Playing should remain the first item when you press Option, instead of Home (though it’s good to have Home there). And it’s also nice to have Sound in the Option menu from the Now Playing screen. So Sony seems to be on the right track. Now they should add some on-the-fly playlisting features.
too bad that A608 left out…
Great! I upgraded, and I have to say my A-3000 works a little faster, and you can now go anywhere in the menus while playing without freezes or slow navigation. I think they improved the cache or something. No more “HDD animation” in the middle of the screen everytime you do something, it’s now absolutely nice!
It would be nice calendar could be displayed more than 3 or 4 sec… maybe there’s a way I haven’t found yet.
One other thing, when you go to the sub menu from the playing track screen, and you display an info, and that you go back, the screen returns to the track playing screen instaed of the sub menu… not cool. You have to go back to the sub menu…
Well, what is really cool is the fact that SONY now upgrades with serious content and functions their A series (where’s the A-6xx upgrade??? hope there will be one!!).
Nice Job. I haven’t been able to use SS4.0 yet as it is not out in euro version yet, but hope it works like a charm…
Does the AAC Support all the profiles? I mean AAC, AACplus and eAACplus ???
Is this firmware for all regions ?.
Sony finally got it right. Sonicstage 4.0 works great and with the new firmware for the A series all the special features now work.
My NWA-3000 isn’t charged up enough yet
just to point if someone get confused:
first link is for
nw a3000
second is for
nw a1200
third is for
nw a1000 although it says its a1200
and respect to sony for this one. the way things are done:-)
how do you get the artist link feature to work? mine has always said cannot find linked artists
I am using nw-a1000, after downloaded the firmware, I cant seem to install it… When I connected my nw-a1000 to my computer, the firmware doesnt seem to detect my mp3 player
is it ok to use the japan firmware with european machines?
is it ok to use the japan firmware with the european machines?
Woo, cool, I must update now.
I’m in the UK, is it alright to update from another region? (Applies to both SSCP and frimware)
Is it just a placebo effect or is my device really so much faster!!!!!!!!!!!???
Thank God, things finally seem stable!
The A3000/1200/1000 Firmware should be identical for all regions. But if you want to be safe, wait for the official European firmware announcement.
Do you need to format the device first before installing the update? Because I didnt the last time and nothing happened
Do you know when will the european version be available??
“Do you need to format the device first before installing the update? Because I didnt the last time and nothing happened :P”
No, you don’t have to. It updates fine with all the songs.
You can use the Japanese version for European devices. I’m from Spain & I’ve used it. Work prefect! Smoother.
That’s the way, Sony!!
I’ve installed it on My A3000, not yet on the A1000. It is not faster between menus so much, only differences is, there is no spinning drive lol. The extra gimmicks are nice, like the clock and calender, but it’s not needed for me in reality.
Installing it on a device with 1100 or so tracks caused no issues and all playlists are fine. I am based in canada and use the JP version of the update.
In reality, I’d rather want sony to release a new HDD unit rather than new firmware.
For european users:
New firmware 3.0 for NW-A3000 is available now thought http://support.sony-europe.com
The firmware is the same as the japanese version
I am waiting so long for this function, Thanks SONY, My A1000 is live again with Remote Controller.
searching songs from initial search is very very very very slooow… This must be fixed immediately…
i have 1161 songs equals to 7gb in my a3000..
Do you agree abotu this problem?
I’ve recently got CONNECT player to work, is SonicStage 4.0 better? Would I have to rip all my cds to that again? Gah!
the new sonicstage is so much faster than connect… [ well, not very fast, but definitely better than connect ]
Dunno if I exactly understand what AAC means, but I’ve been trying to convert my m4a files from itunes so I can import them into SonicStage. Itunes says they’ve been converted (although the tags still say mpeg4) but SonicStage won’t import them. Anyone know how to turn all my m4as into something I can use on sonicstage and the nw-a3000?
Got the new firmware and it’s pretty good, but one thing annoys me a little: the clock as a screensaver. I’d like it to flash up maybe once a minute or 30 seconds instead of every 15. It’s off putting in a dark room. Any fixes?
Just loaded the new Sonicstage CP and i now have the problem of it frezzing. I then unistalled it and went back to SS v3.4 which never use to freeze and now that freeze as well. Any idea’s on how to fix?????
1) there is an item “Tracks Not Transferred” in Playlists menu; what does it mean “not transferred”? those tracks still can be played, ratedn added to bookmarks etc. … quite confusing for me
2) what’s the purpose of calendar that disappears after 2sec being shown?
I figured they would have everything worked out by now… apparently not…
Of about 900 songs on my NW-A1000 well over 100 now appear under etc. when I browse All Songs, Album or Artist… funny how when I play these songs I see the title, artist + album… how can such a cool looking player suck on so many levels???
Overall the new firmware is great, but I am having a similar problem like Merboy.
I installed the Canadian version.
When searching for album names or artist, etc… there is no longer an alphabetical list. All you see is etc and A-Z. All the music is mixed up with no order what so ever. Is anyone else having a similar issue?
Why oh why do they have the aritsts in order of track number, I can’t scroll through the artists anymore I have to press down about 100 times to get the artist I want, this is stupid.
I agree with James - why are the artists not in Alphabetical order anymore?? It is so annoying to not be able to scroll like before, bring it back!!
I think it would be useful to generalise the “Link” function. I would like it if pressing the link button would bring up a menu with what aspect of the song you wanted to link on. Besides the existing Artist Link function, which I am appreciating more and more, I would like to be able to link on Release Date, Genre, Artist (not other similar artists in this case), and Album. Sometimes, I would like the song to be a starting point, the way it can be with Artist Link, but have these other options, particularly Release Date, but others may be useful to other people and probably wouldn’t be much additional effort to implement, once Release Date had been added.
Does anyone else use the Artist Link Feature?
does the NW-A3000 support gapless playback like the VGF-AP1L? if so is there a firmware upgrade?
MERBOY said:
UM YES, this is a MAJOR problem for me as I always like to listen by ARTIST! Now I have to scroll through a list of 300 or whatever to find the album/artist I want, its a joke!!!!!!! Who has time to sort by genre!
Hi, SONY NW-A3000 owners. Does the NW-A3000 have alarm or melody timer?
If it doesn’t, does the Ver 3 firmware upgrade provide this feature?
Btw, I’m using the Japanese A3000 unit.
Thanks in advance.
Expeditr
expeditr@hotmail.com
WHY OH WHY ARE ALL MY SONGS NO LONGER ORDERED UNDER THE ALPHABET.
They all go under ‘ETC’ and are in a stupid order.
HELP !!
Same problem as reported above - Album, Artist and Song indexes are now completely disorganised. This is a disaster. Any solutions?
What are you guys talking about?!! I don’t have that problem with organizing the songs. I just upgraded today and my songs are fine. I can view em by artist or by song title
Sony Support in the UK tell me that existing songs stored on the Walkman (NW-A3000) must be reloaded onto the Walkman via SonicStage CP to appear alphabetically once more. This is due to the new “advanced features” in CP I was told. Clearly these features aren’t backwards compatible. Not a great experience for those of us who don’t have the original files on our PCs and lack a speedy USB 2.0 connection.
Hi. Loaded Sonic stage 4, having followed all instructions including firmware upgrade 3 for my nw 1000. Whoops apocalypse. Freezes every time. Doesn’t recognise player - nil nada nothing. Downloaded Gracenote update and Windows MP10 in hope it was compaitbility issue. Nothing. Tried to download Sonicstage 4 onto my other computer. Wouldn’t even download. My opinion of Sony is completely unprintable. Boy do I wish I’d bought an ipod. All that glitters is certainly not gold. Any ideas to make this device work…..
Bought an NW A3000, connect software sucks! had to delete the C:\ partition and install windows XP al over again.
The software recognizes the player again and everything works …. for now…
I have some doubts about installing the firmware upgrade V3.00 esspecially because the upgrade is not the right size (6,387 kB instead of 6,032 kB)
The download instructions on the sony site say that you have to try again if the upgrade is not the right size but ive tried a few times and setting the same result???????????
I dont want to crash the software and/or the player now that it finally works so any suggestions??
i am SOOO happy that the sony finally has a clock! i can finally tell the time when i forget my watch and phone! AND ANNOY MY FRIENDS WHEN THEY SAY IPOD IS BETTER BECAUSE OF IT!
how do i install it onto my mp3 player?
no worries, its sorted
Help me! I’m having so many problems!
I installed the new firmware 3.00 and now all the songs are apparently corrupt and won’t play. It says to plug my NW-A1000 into the computer to amend this, but that doesn’t work!
Could someone at least tell me who to get in contact with?
Lauren said:
You may want to pursue this query within our forum. Forum members with the NW-A1000 should be able to provide you with some troubleshooting info.
Lauren said:
Help me! I’m having so many problems!
I installed the new firmware 3.00 and now all the songs are apparently corrupt and won’t play. It says to plug my NW-A1000 into the computer to amend this, but that doesn’t work!
Could someone at least tell me who to get in contact with?
You just don’t read instruction of the upgrading!!!
HELP!!!!!!!!!! I can’t install the firmware update at all. It registers as 5.89MB so im guessing that is equal to the lower of the two people have been talking about. I have tried to reinstall connect player and now it doesn;t work at all, I am using sonic stage which runs great! I really want to upgrade my firmware on my NW-A3000 but it doesn;t recognise that my device is connected. can anyone help I haven’t got a clue and I can’t find anything anywhere……..
sonicstage 4.0 is SHIT. my songs aren’t in alphabetical order anymore. does anyone know what i can do to put them back in order, i’ve tried to get a previous version but its not having it. help!
yeah shit man.. i read the comments about the artists not being in alphabetical order anymore and i just got that crap. urgh. i think it happened when SonicStage 4.0 updated the player software? or is it just SonicStage itself? stupid stupid stupid. i hope Sony knows about this crappy “side effect” and patches it soon.. damn.
wait..
[IMPROVEMENTS
The sorting order is based on the album track number rather than alphabetical order when Artist ALL is selected from the Artist tree of the List search.]
is this the “improvement”?? oh man..
Dom said:
i’m sorry for flooding this thing. urgh, it took me like three hours to load ALL my songs and i have to do it again? ): okay but i guess it’s better than nothing..
Beware!! I downloaded and installed the latest firmware update (version 3) and my naw 3000 is just a useless lump of plastic! It will not switch on,or charge and it is not recognised by my computer.
I have complained to sony and am awaiting a reply. I have been back over the installation procedure in case i got it wrong but i am sure i followed the correct procedure……….Install this update at your peril!!!
I dont know whether im in the minority, but mine went perfect.And for me, theres nothing wrong with changing the artist link.Its fantastic for me cos now i know whereabout the song is going to be, and you do know that you can just press the right directional button-its a lot quicker! The menus are now a lot better due to more options, one of which being the choice of screensaver. And what can i say about the clock? Its fantastic!!!
Can somebody please tell me what exactly is the difference between ss cp and cp? For the first time, I used SonicStage a year ago to load my library to the player and it killed all the intelligent menus and rating feature and etc. So, this new SonicStage doesn’t do that, am I right? And it provides artist link feauture as well? (well, in fact, being a metal music listener, I cannot use that feature much because dear Gracenote cannot find any relational artist to Novembers Doom, Shape Of Despair etc. what a shame..it only works for Britney Spears kinda artists I guess)
And unfortunately, I cannot see the option to select the screensaver in my player, there is only an “available/off” option in the menu, do you mean that or do you mean selecting the screensaver out of three options we have? I hate CP with a burning passion, and if new SonicStage is better than that “without killing intelligent features” I’m gonna download that. And what’s with the alphabetical order thingy? Mine didn’t change?? My firmware update works perfectly without changing my artists list order; is it a side effect of SonicStage 4.0?
Congrats to Sony, despite CP, I love my player really much; and now it has clock and calender woot… (by the way I remember reading something about “using the clock as a screensaver”, where the hell is that option??)
1. like my aw3000
2. newfirmware really helps
3. which idiot thought it was a good idea not to allow playback when charging?
Help!
I just downloaded my new sonicstage to get rid of connect player and it when I plug in my NW-A1000 it doesnt recognise it and says that the connection is unstable!
“Connection between the device and the computer is unstable”
I have done everything including changing usb ports, reinstalling sonicstage and it still wont read and it said if all else fails delete your songs on the device. So I did, and now it still wont read and I have an empty walkman, and no way of connecting it to the computer!
help!!
i tried to upgrade my player….downloaded the upgrade..but wenever i try and upgrade its says that- the device is formatted in a computer.Migrate the necessary data in the device to a computer,execute “Safely remove USb device”,disconnect the USb cable,execute initialization usind the device’s menu,and then connect again.
wat to do pls help…hav evene tried formating the player!
pls mail me if possible on prankgm@gmail.com