Just tried MS-Pro in my NX (UK)

[Unregistered]

They have the MS-Pro at the wakefield sony centre and I just popped one in my NX and it seems to recognize it OK. I'm gonna check it out fully later to see if it works without an upgrade. Their prices are £129, £269, & £549 for the different sizes. Their number is 01924 200222. I don't work for them but do their website. Just thought you'd be interested. Cheers, Dene

[n2ifp]

Hi Dene!

What size stick did you get? We'll be waiting with abated breath :)!

[deniewibly]

Hi. I haven't actually bought one but it was a 256Mb stick and I only had time to pop it in and see if the NX recognized it and I had to run for work. Gonna borrow one at lunch and give it a test this afternoon. I'll drop by and let you know later. Not sure if they had all sizes, i'll find out. Hang on, i'll call them. No, they only have 256Mb right now....

[n2ifp]

Very good and Thanks!

[deniewibly]

Oops, I posted MY shop number. Wakefield Sony Centre is 01924 372704

[khyasad]

Dene, you are a STAR !

I've just called them up and ordered it. They said it should arrive tomorrow so will do some full testing and let everyone know !

I think I might work from home tomorrow so that I'll be there to sign for it when it arrives !!! :)

[khyasad]

Incidently, what is their werbsite, the one that you look after ?

[deniewibly]

www.wakefieldsonycentre.co.uk

They don't have the MS-Pro listed yet but it's all ready to be uploaded so should have some new accessories etc. by Thursday.

I've just been over and they couldn't let a new stick leave the shop as they had stock checkers in but i'm gonna grab one tonight and have a play. I tried copying a couple of files to the stick (Docs2Go 5 and Billiards) and they work flawlessly. However, the stick could not be read in their Vaio or an SJ-33.

Hope that helps.

Cheers

Dene

[khyasad]

Thanks Dene ...

Looking forward to some good ole fashioned testing with movie clips, MP3s, and goodness knows how much more I can put on there !

My 128mb memory stick is about to take a backseat :)

[n2ifp]

What about the driver?

[khyasad]

Well, it seems from Dene that he was able to use the card without the driver.

Certainly I will let people know how I get on. If it doesn't work, then I'm none too worried as I will wait for the driver to arrive.

Hmmm, exciting times ahead ...

We've just had JackFlash launched, releasing a little over 2mb extra back for us UK NX-owners. (Shame JackSprat probably won't be released allowing us UK folks to delete the unused languages :( )

April 1st is not too far away, the magic date when the CF driver *might* be announced, well, a news update at least.

And now we have MS Pro starting to make it's grand appearance. I, for one, will be looking forward to seeing if any speed gains are made, seeing Sony mentions they've improved access speeds somewhat !

Anyways, Dene, my friends and colleagues again would like me to wish you congrats on being the first UK guy to have seen (let alone tried) the MS Pro in the NX :) Well done :) You mention in one of the posts that other new accessories might be available on Thursday .. Pray tell, what might they be ?


PS.

Like your website -- nicely designed :)

[deniewibly]

Not a lot to interest us Clie users i'm afraid, just new camcorder cases etc. etc. don't know why I mentioned that actually ;-) Yeah, seems to work wthout the driver but let's see what happens when we get to try it properly.

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by khyasad
Well, it seems from Dene that he was able to use the card without the driver.


No, he said that it seemed to recognize it. I am not trying to put anyone down, just clarify things. It's also possible that it will only partially work too. Example, it may only recognize the first 128mb, but I am only guessing.

[deniewibly]

I'll put over 250Mb if MP3's on it tonight and let you know. I really hope it works....

[khyasad]

I'm looking forward to putting on a couple of CSI episodes and some MTV vids totalling 240mb ... Should be interesting :)

[mjhamilton]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.............. not wanting to sound like a downer but isn't the 256M stick just 2 x 128M's soldered together with a selector switch??.... if so then this ain't memstickpro........ it's a Sony stopgap until the big boys are released into the world!!

however if it is a proper full flavour 256M then the future looks bright and I want one!!!

[deniewibly]

No, this one isn't the switchable, it's the real deal. I'm gonna go see if I can get may hands on it in few minutes...

[mjhamilton]

Cool...... guess I better pop to my local Sony dealer for a look see.....

[deniewibly]

I just called them but the stock checkers are still in, grrrr. However, what I did find out is that the 512Mb stick will be in stock on April 16th BUT the 1Gb stick _should_ be with them by this Friday at £549. BUT I think they are only getting 2 in stock!

[Bryan Smith]

Well I tried to fine one in Tokyo all weekend with no luck. After reaqding all the stuff here I am in suspense; how fast is it etc.

Also the dirver for the pro to work witha vaio is on the net and so let me know if anyone needs the driver and I will give you the link.

Come on guys the suspense, oh the suspense!!!!!!

[Xaositek]

I assume the MS-Pro that you guys got in the UK will work in the US models of the NX-series. I figure hardware is hardware and the only difference is software. Does WakeField ship to the US and if so what is the exchange rate for US Dollars?

[deniewibly]

Exchange rate is around $1.45 for every pound so a 1Gb stick would be around $795. I'll check on the shipping thing for you but not sure they will.

[deniewibly]

they say they can't send to USA. Sorry. Now, i've copied 93Mb in MP3's to the MSPro and it took 2mins 15secs opposed to 3mins 50 secs on the standard blue MS. I have USB1 here at work, I don't suppose USB2 is gonna be quicker at home. I've got 189Mb of MP3's on the stick at the moment but it says "no memory stick" in AudioPlayer. HOWEVER, I think it's because my battery level is below 10% and I can't charge until I get home in 30 minutes. I'll let you know then....

[mashoutposse]

USB2 should be SIGNIFICANTLY faster (that is, assuming the MS PRO isn't the bottleneck) -- USB2 is literally 40 times faster than USB1.

[Alistar]

Yea a test of transfer rate on the USB2 would be better. That way it will help eliminate the USB speed as a possible barrier and we can see if the MS Pro does indeed bottleneck as several people have suggested.

[deniewibly]

OK, i'll try and do another test in the next hour or so. I didn't realise that the NX was USB2 compatible. The AudioPlayer error WAS power related. All of my tunes (48 of them) show up/play fine.

[deniewibly]

No, there is no difference at all in speed on my USB2 connection.

[deniewibly]

I've put some images up if anyone is interested:

www.gep.co.uk/mspro1.jpg

www.gep.co.uk/mspro2.jpg

www.gep.co.uk/mspro3.jpg

Cheers

[nlode]

I don´t think the NX is USB2.0 compatible; so the speed is the same when you connect it to USB1.0 or USB2.0 ports.

[sputnik]

wonder if that 'system patch' we installed had the Memory stick pro patch in that? Deneiwibly, did you upgrade your NX with the patches?

[deniewibly]

No, no patches installed. Bog standard out of the box with Megalauncher 4.

[Ubik]

Cant believe the price, just paid sony style £127 for a 128mb magic gate memory stick . Oh well maybe next time!!

[deniewibly]

Ok, I guess we knew it was too good to be true. I didn't have my headphones when I was at work but I have connected them now :-( Each track only plays for 2 seconds then skips to the next, sort of like an 'intro play' feature on a CD player. I haven't tried SonicStage (or whatever it's called) so don't know if it's related to MagicGate or the need for the correct driver to make it work correctly. So for my use, at the moment it seems to be a 'no go' but for storage seems to work OK. Might just give SOnicStage a go now and see what happens. UNLESS, there is an intro play feature and i've just overlooked it over the past couple of years ;-) Regards, Dene

[deniewibly]

Sonic Stage doesn't want to know either i'm afraid, it says that the media is not supported by that version of the application. I guess we need the drivers after all.

[n2ifp]

Sonic Stage is used mostly to create the ATRAC3 format and the Magic Gate is needed for that. MP3's don't need it. Most people, like myself have dumped Sonic Stage for a better and easier app for creating MP3's. I personally use Music Match, but there are others and some even free.

Right, the drivers are going to be needed for a reason.

USB2 only works on USB2 devices, all others run as USB1.1, even when connected to a USB2 port. The clie is not USB2. The Sony camera model 717 for example is USB2, while the 707 is only USB1.1.

I won't be able to use the new sticks in my 707, but I am not going to lose sleep over it.

[khyasad]

I thought the F717 was MS Pro compatible ? My FX77 is ...

Incidently, I've just received my 256Mb MS Pro and one immediate observation to make is the little memory stick case that comes with it is *very* stylish ... Very unlike the silly white-clear plastic ones that memory sticks come with .. This is a stylish grey back with a clear plastic front ... will try and post a pic of it ...

Unfortunately, I have to concur with Dene and state that although I can store files on the 256Mb MS Pro, I cannot :

play MP3s ...
view videos ...

but can :

view images via Splashphoto
install apps and use them

Will continue my testing and try other apps ... In the mean time, I'm guessing the drivers will be announced at this website :

http://www.css.ap.sony.com/clie/announcement/announcementCurr.asp

One to bookmark for sure :)

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by khyasad
I thought the F717 was MS Pro compatible ? My FX77 is ...



It is, the 707 is not. I edited my post for better clarity. Sorry for the confusion.

[khyasad]

I've just posted on the 512 MS Pro thread what works and what doesn't so far ... feel free to check it out ...

[Mr P]

Is there anywhere on the Web (UK Sites Please) that we can buy these from.

[deniewibly]

They don't have online ordering but I will be uploading the details/prices of MSPro for WSC@

www.wakefieldsonycentre.co.uk

They only have 256Mb sticks in stock but should have 1Gb either Thursday or Friday (512Mb first week in April)

cheers

Dene

[joemit]

I just found the following website listing MS Pro in the UK. They are listed as 'Coming Soon' and suggest April availability.

Prices as follows:

256Mb - £124.99

512Mb - £249.99

1Gb - £479.99

including shipping.

URL: http://www.hotkit.co.uk/index.cfm/page/category.cfm/category/216

I have no connection with this company and have never purchased from them so I cannot personally recommend them but the prices look good!

Joe

[khyasad]

I have to say the internet offer for the MS select (i.e. 2x128mb on one stick, selectable with a switch) at 104 pounds is very good value when you consider the cheapest UK price for a normal 128mb is 70 pounds. Plus you only use one stick (no need to carry two) ...

[joemit]

How about 128Mb Lexar memory sticks for £50 or less?

http://www.picstop.co.uk/pages/products/memory/memorystick.htm

and

http://www.jetmedia.co.uk/Sony_memory_stick.htm

Joe

[deniewibly]

If anyone is interested, i've just updated:

www.wakefieldsonycentre.co.uk

and they are doing 128Mb sticks at £59

cheers

Dene

[Siggi Mueller]

Originally posted by deniewibly
Ok, I guess we knew it was too good to be true. I didn't have my headphones when I was at work but I have connected them now :-( Each track only plays for 2 seconds then skips to the next, sort of like an 'intro play' feature on a CD player. I haven't tried SonicStage (or whatever it's called) so don't know if it's related to MagicGate or the need for the correct driver to make it work correctly. So for my use, at the moment it seems to be a 'no go' but for storage seems to work OK. Might just give SOnicStage a go now and see what happens. UNLESS, there is an intro play feature and i've just overlooked it over the past couple of years ;-) Regards, Dene

Hello, i did made the same expirience. My MS Pro 512 did play only 1-2sec of a mp3. I really can´t belive it. I love sony but i also sometimes going crazy with sony. Did anybody know when the MS Pro patch will be released ??

best

Siggi

[n2ifp]

Maybe at the end of the month. BTW, It has come to my attention that the MS Pro stick will NOT support ATRAC3 music format.

[timewaster77]

I am waiting for Sony to release an update to their Image Converter. Currently any video file that is put in, when converted is chopped off at 128MB. Since 123MB of a 128MB is actualy available only 61 minutes of video (in Standard Mode) can be put on an MS. I can't wait to put entire movies on an MS (possibly even in High Quality Mode!)

[deniewibly]

Hi, in relation to my other posts on here, the wakefield sony centre has 2 x 1Gb MSPro in stock today at £549. If you tell them Dene sent you they will do it for £469!! can't say fairer than that. their website is at:

www.wakefieldsonycentre.co.uk

Any news on the update driver yet? I really would like to get a 512Mb stick but only want it to store more MP3's

cheers

Dene

[deniewibly]

that's £469 each by the way ;-)

[patrickl]

Aren't these wakefield prices a tad high? I don't know the current rate from pund to dollar, but those look like dollar prices to me.

For instance at B&H Photo Video (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bh3.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=GetItem__Aindex_html___IC=SOMSX512___SID=F45D6AE74C0) a 512 MB MSPro will set you back $269.95 (they don't seem to have 1GB stock at the moment) and they do ship internationally. I noticed there were some steep shipping costs though.

[j888]

Tough call. I'd love a 1 gig Mem Stick Pro for carrying MP3s (assuming there will be a patch, and this isn't a technological downgrade to fix Sony's mistake in allowing normal MP3s to be played in normal sticks ... I'm sure Sony Music was in uproar).

However, I keep thinking: how can I justify paying £500 (~$700) on a 1 gig stick to play MP3s, when I can get a 20 gig iPod for less? (yes, I know it's another device to carry in the pocket ... but still ... 20 gig vs 1 gig???).

[deniewibly]

Those are good prices, thanks for pointing me over there. It's the same old story where we get ripped off in europe but i won't go there.