No ATRAC support in Memory stick PRO?

[Unregistered]

Does anyone understand the following extract from http://www.css.ap.sony.com/clie/announcement/announcementCurr.asp ?

Details
1. Memory Stick PRO
Sony will release an upgrade program to enable the compatibility of CLIE handhelds preinstalled with Palm OS 5 with Memory Stick PRO
Note: ATRAC3 format music files with MagicGate technology cannot be played or recorded even after applying the upgrade program.

[n2ifp]

It doesn't break my heart as I don't use ATRAC3 music. I guess it means that the MS Pro stick won't support it, although I do find it surprising.

[Alistar]

Yea I thought they were magic gate sticks to begin with. How odd. Althought I don't use Atrac3 either.

[slinger]

Isn't ATRAC3 an old version of the ATRAC format? I took Sony statement to mean that old ATRAC3 format music would not work, but newer ATRAC(x) files would, x being 4.5, 5, 6, 7 whatever...

However, to quote Dennis Miller, it's just my opinion - I could be wrong.

-Robert

[timw_de]

I don't understand that either , I thought that the whole point of magic gate was for ATRAC3

[ClieMarty]

Guess it's a bit of both: MagicGate and ATRAC work in conjunction for enabling DRM. The whole "check in/check out"-thing will only work with ATRAC-files on the one hand and MagicGate on the other.

I think slinger is right. ATRAC3 is pretty old; think my MD-Deck (that good old JA555ES-brick) uses either 4.5 or "R" and that one is already more then two years old.

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by slinger
Isn't ATRAC3 an old version of the ATRAC format? I took Sony statement to mean that old ATRAC3 format music would not work, but newer ATRAC(x) files would, x being 4.5, 5, 6, 7 whatever...

However, to quote Dennis Miller, it's just my opinion - I could be wrong.

-Robert

ATRAC3 is the only format I know that Sony has, but it doesn't matter as I use mp3 only. I never subscribed to Sony's proprietary format on general principals. 

Maybe there is an extra pin/bus that is now used to address up to one gb instead.

[YTTAN]

What a big disappointment? I thought i can get a bargain on it. As in Singapore, Magicgate MS 128MB is $175 but faster/newer MS Pro 256 MB is $300( althought it is more expensive than US or else where.-about US$172 compare to US$149.95.-some website offer even low at US$120.

[rob_squared]

Yeah, its also too bad that a new Lexus doesn't have an 8 track player.

[banjo]

:mad: :(
Well, if it means that you can't use sonic stage with the MS Pro I'm well & truly pissed off. I've built up a rather massive library with sonic stage (using my NetMD) and I've just ordered a 256MB MS Pro with the main intention of using this also with my NX-70.

Highly illogical move by Sony, if this is the case....

(also strange that the MS Pro hits the market before the NX driver does.)

db

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by banjo
:mad: :(
Well, if it means that you can't use sonic stage with the MS Pro I'm well & truly pissed off. I've built up a rather massive library with sonic stage (using my NetMD) and I've just ordered a 256MB MS Pro with the main intention of using this also with my NX-70.

Highly illogical move by Sony, if this is the case....

(also strange that the MS Pro hits the market before the NX driver does.)

db

It's not just the NX, it also applies to the NZ.

[thooeu]

I bought a 1GB MS PRO on Fri (I am in Japan) and also a Sony MS PRO compatible card reader MSAC-U20 (which supports MaginGate - works with the white MS).

http://www.sony.co.jp/Products/mssupport/

There is a Q&A for this card reader regarding MagicGate support. It states that it does not work with the current  version of Sonic Stage. So my guess is that it has something to do with Sonic Stage - the software that you use to manage (check it and check out) ATRAC3 songs.When I insert the MS Pro into the card reader, Sonic Stage does not recognize it. Of course, I could be wrong. Sony may have other plans.

http://www.sony.co.jp/Products/mssupport/qa/us20_answer.html#31

I highly doubt that Sony will ignore ATRAC3 support as this has been their baby. There is a new ATRAC format which is called ATRAC3Plus which has improved compression and is able to maintain sound quality with much smaller file size. You can already encode in ATRAC3Plus with the current version of Sonic Stage (ver 1.5). The only device that can play back ATRAC3Plus at the moment is the new network walkman NWMS-70D on a white MS Duo (and or course with Sonic Stage on your PC). I hope Sony will update the ATRAC codec in Clie to support this format:

http://www.memorystick.com/jp/msupdate/19_1.html

I have a large collection of ATRAC3 songs too. The thing that I am not happy with Sony is that, they always keep the consumers in the dark. They must have a plan to support MagicGate (that is why the PRO has the MG mark on it), they just refuse to let people know what is their plan. Well, I could be in for a surprise! In the mean time, I just dump a lot of mp3 into the 1GB stick.

[banjo]

Thanks, thooeu - I hope you're right. Although I wonder whether or not it might be that simple. If the upgrade to Sonic Stage is to replace ATRAC3 with ATRAC3plus, what will the impact be e.g. to other devices (Net MD, etc. ) that can't support it?

It would be a little onerous for me to replace my ATRAC library with mp3, as there is no program available to convert in that direction. But, that's what is illogical to me - Sony is making users favour mp3 to ATRAC!

db

[BRiC]

Originally posted by Unregistered
Does anyone understand the following extract from http://www.css.ap.sony.com/clie/announcement/announcementCurr.asp ?

Details
1. Memory Stick PRO
Sony will release an upgrade program to enable the compatibility of CLIE handhelds preinstalled with Palm OS 5 with Memory Stick PRO
Note: ATRAC3 format music files with MagicGate technology cannot be played or recorded even after applying the upgrade program.

I believe "MagicGate" here refers to the current/old white memory sticks, and not necessarily the MG-feature of the MSPro. This is consistent with what's noted in the Clie catalogues, which I brought up previously in this thread: http://www.cliesource.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5973.

The same annoucement says that MGPro will support copyright protection technology, which is ATRAC, or some form of it. So I don't think this will be an issue, except for those of us who already use the current MG sticks.

BRiC

[n2ifp]

I have been totally against the ATRAC3 format, it gives Sony too much control, as some are finding out. This check-in / check-out is for the birds! I would just as soon do without or record via analog.

[YTTAN]

Pls go to this link : http://www.memorystick.com/en/pro_info/panel_pro2.html
as it show that it will support ATRAC3 format. ???