Sony Network Walkman NW-HD3

Sony messed up its first attempt at toppling the iPod (the HD1) by failing to support music formats other than its own Atrac. With the new HD3, the player itself hasn’t changed much, apart from being available in a few different colours. But crucially, Sony has added support for the ubiquitous MP3 format, as well as .wav and unprotected .wma files.

Features
Looking at its vital statistics, the HD3 is a little smaller than the iPod, 30g lighter and claims a 30-hour battery life, although this is only when playing lowest quality (48Kbps) Atrac files and is nearer 22 hours for MP3s. Unlike other iPod rivals, there are no extra gimmicks: no radio, voice recorder or games. However, the crisp sound, customisable graphic equaliser and virtual surround sound are features that serious audiophiles should appreciate.

Performance
The HD3 claims to offer a maximum of 30 hours of playback, but we savaged the battery with our frequent clicking around between tracks and reliance on the backlight to view the small and over-complicated screen. Is it really necessary to display the bit-rate or the genre of our tunes at all times? Aside from these problems, the sound quality is exceptional, and the headphones put the iPod’s to shame.

Ease of use
Once you’ve deciphered the cryptic on-screen symbols and the curious Mode button, it’s not difficult to find your way around. The complexity of the supplied Sonic Stage software is intimidating at first, but is logical and useful once you’ve mastered it. One major concern is the position of the headphone socket on the top side, which makes it awkward to slip into your pocket.

Value for money
As the most expensive 20GB music player on the market, albeit by only a few pounds, you’d expect something special from the HD3. It’s got a great battery life and a compact body, but you can’t help feeling you’re paying a little extra for the privilege of owning a Sony. Those with a well-tuned ear will see this as a small price to pay, but it’s unlikely to satisfy those on a tight budget.