It’s here!!! The firmware upgrade for VGF-AP1 and VGF-AP1L is here!
This new Firmware includes a total of 34 updates, from which some of the key updates are:
MP3 playback feature which will allow MP3 transfer and playback without transfer to ATRAC
Gapless playback
High speed scroll function
Possibility to change the screen template
Faster performance
I guess the US customers will have to wait just a bit when the US official firmware(FW) upgrade is posted for the VAIO Pocket. Currently they posted the SonicStage 2.3 and VAIO Music Transfer Update.
I am sure that the EU FW update is universal. It is funny to notice that the EU is the first to get the FW update for this product, the JP site has not listed it yet. :?
I’m thinking about updating mine…my only concern is the support for Japanese characters. If any of you do this and happen to have Japanese labeled tracks (MP3 or ATRAC encoded) can you let me know if it displays them correctly or if they’re mangled?
Sony Asia posted the FW update as well.
Here is a whole list of the updates for the VAIO Pocket:
New Features added:
1. System:
Clock will be displayed on the display after Power Off but with AC adapter Power On.
The backlight stays on for a longer time before it fades slowly.
If the power switch is moved to the HOLD position, the display will switch off immediately.
The time it takes for the display to switch off automatically when the player is not being operated has been shortened from 3 minutes to 1 minute.
The brightness of the backlight can now be adjusted by changing the Backlight Brightness setting.
The time between powering on and initializing the play function has been shortened.
2. Audio:
MP3 files can now be transferred directly and played without converting them to ATRAC format. (File transfer requires SonicStage Version 2.3 or later or VAIO music transfer Version 1.2 or later.
Gapless playback is now available. Multi-track playback will be free from gaps between tracks.
The Shuffle Mode and Repeat Mode buttons on the advanced control column is displayed during playback have been integrated into one button.
Album will be continuous play while playing in Album/Group list.
Next Album will be played automatically in Album/Group list.
Next Album will be played automatically in shuffle mode at the end of album.
One track playback mode has been added.
A long press on the fast forward and rewind button will move the current track location at high speed.
Optional skin has been added.
3. Display:
Able to view lyrics set in SonicStage. (Only Text, JPEG data or ATRAC music file.)
While the navigation bar is displayed, the list display is shifted to the right to avoid obstructing the navigation bar.
Jacket search is easier to view by auto magnifying.
Rapidly scrolling through a list is now available.
A long press on the Page Scroll button on the navigation bar will increase the scroll speed incrementally.
Two lines list for more data view of tracks is available.
The total number of tracks for any artist or album can now be displayed.
The Setting menu has been changed.
Sleep Timer function and Beep function can work at the same time.
A Demo mode is implemented after no input for 45 seconds.
My Play List has been moved from the Setting menu to the Main menu.
4. Remote Control:
A long press on the Enter key will add the current track to My Play List.
Pressing the Up key will cycle through the Shuffle and Repeat modes.
Pressing the Down key will cycle through the equalizer settings.
A long press on the Back key will return to the playback screen.
Track name disappears after about 10 seconds of playback and the clock will be displayed on its LCD screen.
A long press on the Play/Stop button will switch off the device.
Cyclic list will be displayed by pressing on the Enter button for a short while.
Due to my morbid curiosity, I used the UK firmware update on my JDM Vaio Pocket and it indeed does support japanese characters. So, sweet! I won’t wait for the JDM firmware update (well, i might update…i miss my kanji menus).
I’m still playing with it but there ware some wonderful usability enhancements already and it’s noticeably faster. What the heck is going on!?!!? Has Sony actually followed through on a promise? And followed through well?! :D
Oh brilliant! I think I will order the VGF-AP1L tomorrow. However, I am still curious of its headphone output. Should I expect at least 5mW? gr00vy0ne, how does the VAIO pocket compare in terms of headphone output to any previous or present MD portables that you have listened to? A friend of mine said that it shouldn’t sound like MZ-NH1; it should at least be better.
Slightly unrelated but when did that ever stop anyone on here:
I noted that you still need to transfer MP3s through sonic stage etc. I seem to remember reading that the NW-HD3 supports drag and drop. Do you think that means through sonic stage? I’m unclear as there aren’t any reviews of the NW-HD3 yet, just the HD1…
[quote author=“Ishii”]Oh brilliant! I think I will order the VGF-AP1L tomorrow. However, I am still curious of its headphone output. Should I expect at least 5mW? gr00vy0ne, how does the VAIO pocket compare in terms of headphone output to any previous or present MD portables that you have listened to? A friend of mine said that it shouldn’t sound like MZ-NH1; it should at least be better.
Ishii, I’ll try them both tonight to see the difference. I don’t have my best headphones here since I’m out of town visiting family but I have both devices on me. More updates later tonight.
After blowing out my eardrums to multiple times, it’s my opinion that the VAIO Pocket is marginally louder at the max. The sound is slightly different too compared to the MZ-NH1 I was using. I encoded a track directly from CD at ATRAC3Plus 256kb quality.
The MZ-NH1 sounds slightly tinnier (with very distinct highs) using the default settings while the VAIO Pocket sound seemed fuller overall. I think it’s one of those subjective things. I’m going to listen again tomorrow morning because after several tests it became harder to tell.
In either case, the sound quality for both are pretty good to me. They just feel different.
On another weird related note, now that I’ve installed the latest versions of the SonicStage software, I can no longer see my VAIO Pocket music in SonicStage. The drive shows up normally in explorer but SonicStage claims The ATRAC Audio Device cannot be used with this version of SonicStage. It’s really weird. I’m going to troubleshoot it tomorrow and reinstall the software. I think it may have something to do with the files I have on the device already but it’s very strange.
Sony needs to drop SonicStage 2.x and rewrite it from scratch for SonicStage 3.0. They also need to unify how devices interact with their own software. I’ve seen issues where installing the SonicStage that comes with an MD unit doesn’t necessarily work with the SonicStage that comes with the VAIO Pocket or Network Walkman. Installing one kills access to the other. Shame on Sony!
i still keep my good ‘ol iriver 512mb i-395, great usb stick (no drivers) plus radio + mp3 encoder/voice recorder + mp3 player I never liked the sony music players because of the propriatary codecs…
[quote author=“DayWalker”]i still keep my good ‘ol iriver 512mb i-395, great usb stick (no drivers) plus radio + mp3 encoder/voice recorder + mp3 player I never liked the sony music players because of the propriatary codecs…
Hence the reason why we’re happy about the new MP3 Firmware updates….
[quote author=“gr00vy0ne”]After blowing out my eardrums to multiple times, it’s my opinion that the VAIO Pocket is marginally louder at the max. The sound is slightly different too compared to the MZ-NH1 I was using. I encoded a track directly from CD at ATRAC3Plus 256kb quality.
The MZ-NH1 sounds slightly tinnier (with very distinct highs) using the default settings while the VAIO Pocket sound seemed fuller overall. I think it’s one of those subjective things. I’m going to listen again tomorrow morning because after several tests it became harder to tell.
In either case, the sound quality for both are pretty good to me. They just feel different.
Thanks again gr00vy0ne! Your sound tests certainly help. Aside kanji support and gapless playback, the sound comparison with MZ-NH1 (I was concerned about low headphone output) undoubtedly sealed the deal for me. I am ordering the VGF-AP1L.
As for SonicStage, I had experience similar problem in the past with the N910. No problem so far with N10 or NH1. From my experience, it is usually reinstallation of either the software or drivers that will resolve the issue.
I never liked the sony music players because of the propriatary codecs…
Hence the reason why we’re happy about the new MP3 Firmware updates….
