Sony quality 30 hour battery life

Expensive

AAAARRRRGGGHHH! Remember betamax? Has Sony still not learned that standard file formats almost always prevail in the market? Atrac is a fine compression but dont make me have to use it....gimme a choice.

I want my mp3.

Sony Network Walkman NW-HD1, the new music-only player powered by a 1.8-inch hard drive, enough RAM to provide 25 minutes of skip-free playing, and an impressive 30 hour battery life. While initial reports mention that the NW-HD1 will support MP3, WMA, and WAV -- and technically, that's true -- it seems the "support" comes via the same old Sony trick of converting everything to ATRAC3 on the fly. That still could put some consumers off as it will not link directly with some download music sites. Still, this is the one they're counting on to make a dent in the iPod's dominance, it's got a couple of problems, with the ATRAC3 and probable lack of WMA DRM files.

• Records up to 13,000 tracks (900 CDs) in ATRAC3plus
• Up to 30 hours of playback
• VPT Acoustic Engine. 6 band Sound equalizer
• Magnesium alloy content body
• Dual-use as a PC external Storage device for virtually any data file, including MP3 - WMA - JPEG
• No skipping. A data Memory of up to 25 minutes to deliver skip-free performance in most conditions
• Includes:SonicStage® Software, Headphones, Carrying Pouch, USB Cable, USB Cradle, AC Power Adaptor
• Size: 3 5/ 8" x 2 1/ 2" x 9/ 16"