Another thing but only for non-USA users right now is that there is a firmware update (to version 2.00). The American units seem to still at 1.00.

Asia-Pacific users go here:

http://www.css.ap.sony.com/consumer/template/DDSummary.aspx?Id=44375&Category=Personal+Audio

Japan users can go here:

http://www.sony.jp/support/p-audio/contents/download/nw_e405_vup.html

UK peeps can go here:

http://www.sonydigital-link.com/DNA/common/asp/details.asp?l=en&v=frmupgrade_2_1&m=fm

It adds a few new screensavers and time mode and it also fixes some issues.

UPDATE

I tried the UK version on my US version NW-E507 and it works perfectly. Now I have version 2.00. Great, I may need to amend my review but after I try out the Japanese version of the firmware.  :wink:

Just got home from a Mini-Trip to watch my White Sox destroy the Indians, congrats on Engadget post…I was like, that image looks familiar

Erik

Attention NW-E40x/50x users: Network Walkman Display Screen Update: Aquarium and Stardust.

Update Description from Sony Asia-Pacific:

Applicable Models: NW-E403, NW-E405, NW-E407, NW-E503, NW-E505, NW-E507

Sony is pleased to provide the Display Screen used exclusively for Network Walkman NW-E403/E405/E407/E503/E505/E507 users. The two Display Screen available for download can be viewed below.

This download is only applicable for Network Walkman with firmware version 2.00. Please confirm the firmware version of Network Walkman NW-E403/E405/E407/E503/E505/E507 before downloading the Display Screen file.

Network Walkman Stardust Display Screen Download Procedure
1. Create a folder NW_DS in C: drive to store the downloaded file.
2. Save the downloaded file (stardust.nwm) or (aquarium.nwm) in this folder.
3. When the download is completed, use Windows Explorer to browse to the folder where the file is saved. Click View and click Details.
*If the file size is the same as the download size of 28.2 KB (stardust.nwm) or 39.5 KB (aquarium.nwm), the download is successful. If the size is different, please delete the file and download it again.

Filename: aquarium.nwm
Download size: 39.5 KB
—> download here

Filename: stardust.nwm
Download size: 28.2 KB
—> download here

Network Walkman Display Screen Installation Procedure
Once the download is completed, please follow the steps below to configure the Display Screen on the Network Walkman.

—> 1) Connect the Network Walkman to the computer using the supplied USB cable.
—> 2) From the computer desktop, select My Computer -> Removable Disc (E: ). The drive letter (E: ) varies depending on the computer environment.
—> 3) Select File -> New -> Folder from Menu and create a folder named NWWM-SCR on the Network Walkman.
- Please ensure that the folder name is only one-byte character.
- If NWWM-SCR folder has already been created, it is not necessary to create another folder.
—> 4) Open NW-DS folder created when downloading the Display Screen file. 
—> 5) Select the choice of the Display Screen File and select Edit ->Copy fromMenu.
—> 6) Open the folder NWWM-SCR created at Step 3. Select Edit -> Paste fromMenu to copy the Display Screen file into this folder.
- Please copy only one Display Screen file toNWWM-SCR folder.
- If a Display Screen file already exists in NWWM-SCR folder, please copy out the existing Display Screen file to the computer.
—> 7) Disconnect the Network Walkman from the computer.
—> 8 ) On the Network Walkman, press and hold the SEARCH/MENU button for half a second in Stop mode.
—> 9) Rotate the Shuttle switch to select Display Screen> and press the (PLAY/STOP) button to confirm.
—> 10) Rotate the Shuttle switch to select either Aquarium or Stardust and press the (PLAY/STOP) button to confirm. 
- Note that only one Display Screen that is copied into NWWM-SCR folder can be viewed each time.
- Please ensure that only one Display Screen is selected.
—> 11) The configuration of the Display Screen is now completed.

Note: If the Network Walkman is initialized (formatted), all contents including the created NWWM-SCR folder and the copied Display Screen file are erased. Please save the files onto the hard drive of the computer first before initializing (formatting).

GroovyOne - thanks for posting the pointer to the MP3 File Manager utility.  I am now even happier with my new NW-E507!!

Here’s one other trick that’s kind of nice—you can create an AUTORUN.INF file in the root directory of the device and it will automatically launch the MP3 File Manager every time you attach it to a PC.  Simply create a text file called AUTORUN.INF with the following entries…

This works because Windows sees the NW-E507 as removable media, and parses the autorun file when you connect the device to a PC.

That’s a nifty method.

Groovy Thank you for that application i bought ona these 2 days ago and hate sonic stage

[quote author=“IcHiRoRaBbIt”]Groovy Thank you for that application i bought ona these 2 days ago and hate sonic stage

Haha…awesome. Yeah, Sonicstage certain has its quirks. It works fine for basic stuff but they basically need to rewrite it from scratch. It’s beyond saving. And better than making version 4.0, they should simply rename the product entirely since SonicStage has such a bad reputation as it is.

On a good note, my NW-E507 is coming back to me on Thursday…allegedly. We’ll see what happens.

Yay. Official support for firmware 2.0 and MP3 File Manager from the US Sony Support site.

http://esupport.sony.com/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=NWE507&UpdateType=Updates

Enjoy.

Yup, it’s back and all fixed. My original unit too. The only thing I didn’t like was the fact that they asked for all of the packaging when I sent it and I just got everything back in a bag. That’s sort of lame.

The whole story…

http://www.siliconpopculture.com/comments/121_0_1_0_C/

Yes, I have and it does not work with the RH10. The Mp3 File Manager is a Network Walkman exclusive. However, it has been reported to work with the VAIO Pocket, VGF-AP1/AP1L as well.

No, there was no information on what the problem was. I believe it was a short circuit problem. I believe some perspiration got inside the unit by sliding down the headphone jack. Of course, the manner in which I was using it was probably not optimal and I suspect I could have shorted out any flash player the same way.

Ever since I’ve gotten it back, I’ve worked it out even harder than before but have taken a little more precaution in keeping the unit from directly being against my body so that perspiration doesn’t get into the unit. It’s working as fabulously as it was before the issue. So, I don’t think there’s really a big issue about this.

Has anyone seen a US source for these cases?  I have checked around but no luck so far.  Any ideas will be appreciated.  Thanks.

[quote author=“VAIO Jet”]Has anyone seen a US source for these cases?  I have checked around but no luck so far.  Any ideas will be appreciated.  Thanks.

It’s only available via SonyStyle Japan.

If you want a fancy icon for your NW-Exxx then download this and extract it to your NW-Exxx device. I’m currently only using new limited edition NW-A608 Emerald color but will soon add other flavors.

You may need to edit the autorun.inf file to customize the label if you don’t have a NW-E507.

If you happen to have a MZ-RH10 Hi-MD Minidisc player then you can grab this file and dump it on that device.

iPod nano one can be found here .

Enjoy!