16GB S Series Walkman Video MP3 Player

Great MP3 Player!!

Pros: Easy to use, excellent sound quality, excellent picture & video quality, easy initial set-up, beautiful design!

Cons: None!

I've had multiple MP3's and this one is by far the best ever. I love it! It weighs almost nothing! It's made very well, with a beautiful design. I have the 16GB red player and it's beautiful. The sound quality is wonderful. The picture and video quality is wonderful. The features on the player are easy to use and very versatile. You can listen to one song over and over, or one album over and over, or go through everything on the MP3, etc. You can listen by Album, Artist, Genre, Release Year, or Folder. I also love the voice recorder and it works easy, sounds great - very clear. The FM radio works easy, sounds great - very clear. At first, I thought the FM radio didn't work, and then my husband poiinted out that I probably had to use the headphone, because it acts like an antenna, and sure enough, with the headphones on, the FM radio works great. The FM radio works by plugging into an external speaker too. And finally, a great feature is the ease of the initial set-up. All you do is plug the USB cable into your PC, and then plug the MP3 into the cable. The software installs and does everything necessary on it's own. Much easier than others I've worked with. This player is well worth the money. I bought mine at Walmart. They were $10 cheaper than everyone else. Buy this MP3 player if you need one easy to use that works great!!

High Quality and Great Value

Pros: Sound quality and hardware are very good

Cons: File organization quirky

This MP3 player adds speakers and a very nice screen to make it stand out from the others. I got it for Christmas and immediately loaded it up with songs I had in WM 11. The first thing you notice is how good the music sounds. I use it when working out, but also to learn new songs and review difficult guitar passages with my band (secondary use). It's great that you can store photos and video on it. The screen is very clear. I just purchased the Sony silicone cover for it to keep it from getting scratched up. I recommend it since I easily scratched the screen in a heartbeat. The Sony cover comes with a screen protector. Some shortcomings that could be improved: (1) There is a removable "leg" that helps it stay propped up so that you can watch videos. I know I am going to lose it. It should pop out of the back or at least have a place for storage in the back. (2) When playing music MP3s, there is no way to reverse the song back a little. It only goes to the beginning of the song. Maybe I missed it, but I could not get it to do that. (If I am incorrect here, then pardon me), (3) When you sync songs to it, they are stored several ways, including by Album, Artist, and Genre. Unfortunately, Artist isn't the same as "Band". I have several CDs of bands who perform other people's music, but when you find the "Band" in the Artist list, not all their songs are there. It doesn't make sense. So, I made a playlist for each band. That seems to work. FM signal is very clear...even better than my receiver in the same room. You need headphones attached to make it work since the headphones act as the antenna. I would like to figure out how to dock it at my Sony home theater system and play music through it. I'm sure there is something available once I really start looking around. Finally, when you realize that this costs about half of what the "i" thing would have cost, and the fact that you aren't locked into specific software for syncing, you really begin to appreciate the value of it. The unit is well made and seems like it will last, now that I have a protective cover for it. Thanks Sony!

a perfect music player!

Pros: easy to use, built in speakers, fm radio!!

Cons: no sd or M2 card slot

Without sounding too bias, I've always liked the Sony brand.. little spendy, but always high quality :) And when it was time to get my (technically 1st) mp3 player, i knew i wanted a walkman brand seeing as my ol' cd player and sony-ericson phone were just well made. After a little research, i wanted this mp3 player, it's unique in that it has built-in speakers (unlike the i-thing) and pretty much the same set-up as previous models and PS3 and PSP (which i love) getting music and pictures on there is simple, esp. with sony's Media Go program.. although I too, had some troubles with putting movies or videos on there, but that may be more due to user error. And the FM radio works very well for a small device like that -be sure to use the headphones for that tho.. Lastly, the 16gig model will hold just a ton of songs and pics, I have nearly 700 songs and many pics and only used nearly 3 gigs.. but an expandable memory card slot would've been good. This is a well-made player... light weight, slim, nice big bright screen and again simple set-up, and 16gigs with radio and speakers with great sound. All for $100-$120, which is a very good price for this multi-media device!!

Finally, a Reliable MP3 Player That is Easy to Use

Pros: Plays well with Windows Media player, good intuitive controls.

Cons: Doesn't support every format in the world. Get over it.

My first real experience with MP3 -- aside from listening to music on my PC -- came with my Sony PRS-505 electronic book. The book gave me the ability to listen to music on the commuter bus (20 minutes or so) while I read, but the first set of headphones I bought were the lame, ear-bud type and wouldn't stay in my ear. The next pair I bought were in-the-ear plug types, but decades of ear infections left my ear canals to sensitive to use the plugs for very long. The book was also difficult to control, as far as pausing the music – I had to bookmark whatever I was reading, back out to the main menu, get down to the MP3 player menu, pause the track… you get the idea. A year later, I bought a new phone. Strike that -- I bought a camera that happened to have a phone in it. While it was far easier to use, I still ran into issues with the multiple-use nature of a camera/phone/MP3 player. I liked to plug the phone into my car stereo's AUX input and set the music playing, but making a call, taking a photograph or just packing up the phone to take it with me meant interrupting the playlist, and playlists were not easy to build on the phone. I wanted a dedicated MP3 device, so I bought a new RCA model at Mal-Wart. It was a huge mistake (you can find my review elsewhere on this site). I retreated and spent a weekend online looking for a better match. My requirements were simple: a larger screen (my eyes are over 50 years old), decent sound, be easy to use and have adequate storage (4GB or more – removable media would be best). My best selection seemed to be the Sony S-Series Digital Media Player Network Walkman NWZ-S545. It has a 2.4-inch display, nice sound (beats the iPods), is a breeze to use and has 16GB of internal storage. An 8GB NWZ-S544 version is also available, but twice the storage makes the S5454 worth the price difference. This machine plays nicely with Windows Media Player (WMP), although I understand many people feel the same way about Microsoft software products that I feel about Apple and iTunes, and that is not good. It also comes with a Windows-compatible drag and drop utility that is small and unobtrusive. I just find the WMP interface better for batch processing. PROS: The driver software links with Windows Media Player 11 perfectly and all functions are drag-and-drop simple. Operating the onboard controls is intuitive -- I find I can get the results I want by guessing presses without referring to the manual. The sound is great, all things considered, as this is not a large stereo. With my Sony Noise Canceling Headphones (MDR-NC7) it sounds as good as anything I have tried. I can even store photographs in the memory and share them on the screen. CONS: The Walkman devices will not support some file formats. It accepts the MP3, WMA, AAC and Linear PCM audio formats. It supports the MPEG-4, AVC and WMV video formats. It does not support Ogg Vorbis or Audible.com audio formats, or the Flash or DivX video formats. Get over it; there are a number of formats the iPod does not support as well. Find the conversion software online, download it, process your files load them on your Sony and get on with your life. If you don't want to become an indentured servant to the iStore, check out the Sony S-Series.

Top quality product

Pros: excellent quality for the price, can listen to tunes without headphones

Cons: none

I am very happy with this product...the sound quality is excellent and it's easy to use. With the skin over the player sometimes the contact doesn't make the right connection..

First MP3-Made Best Choice

Pros: Superior Features, Low Cost, Excellent Performance

Cons: None

One of the best purchases I have ever made! Didn't know anything about the MP3 world and now I know it all, thanks to the Walkman MP3. Enjoying every minute of gathering songs, editing my play lists, and listening to this highest quality device. Thanks, Sony!

how long does it really play?

Cons: time?

Like everyone has said, the walkman is great. Nice sound nice video alot of room for songs and what not but what about the 42 hours of play? Maybe its just mine and i got a faulty one, i'm not sure but it doesn't play for nearly as long as it was ment to.

iPod Killer

Pros: Too many to list.

Cons: Two, if any.

This MP3 (and them some) player is a real iPod killer. The ease of use is ridiculous. The simplicity of loading and removing music is second to none. You simply drag and drop with the software or use your own and voila! The quality is superb...with the purchase of the silicone case, this little gem becomes as sturdy as a military grade audio device. Sound quality is amazing. Size is good. Fits in the front pocket of most pants. The only two small CONS I have found are: 1) This baby needs an AM tuner. As an avid talk radio listener, I really miss this feature and if Sony can get on it, I'de be the first in line to buy the new 16GB (or more?) AM/FM tuner built in, recordable Walkman. Hurry up Sony and be only the second MP3 player on the market with one! 2) And this is no big deal, but it would be nice to have the control buttons backlit. Maybe I'm asking too much and I'm sure it would be a drain on the battery life but...I'de be 110% satisfied with an AM tuner at least. Overall though as is, this little gem is worth every penny. Though if my dreams come true, it may be worth waiting that extra month for the two remaining features to hit the shelves to make this already an awesome device simply 'perfect'.

Best Purchase Ever

Pros: You can set a timer for how long you want your music to play back.

Cons: Screen Saver is not the Best. And you have to be on a computer in order to delete files

Well, I like the fact that I can watch my videos/movies and listen to my music all in one place no matter where I go. I really love the colors that you can choose from (I chose the purple). I also like the fact that you can organize and play your music based on the albums, artists, geners, etc. Oh, and I really love that when you shuffle your music, you don't have to worry about the same song playing twice. Or when you rewind to the previous song, it goes to the previous song instead of continuing to shuffle. I had that problem with my last MP3 player. I didn't like it then and I don't like it know!!!!!! When I installed the software onto my computer it was easy to do. I was able to put videos on it without a problem. My last MP3 gave me problems, it said it was able to play videos, but it wouldn't let me do it. The sound on this walkman is good also. And i like that I can create a playlist and save it on to my walkman. I would recommend this product to anyone who really loves music!!!

Good Player

Pros: Easy to sync music with Win Media Player

Cons: Face can scratch

After researching MP-3 players on numerous websites, I chose the Sony Walkman NWZ S545. It was not an easy decision because many of the reviews of the product were somewhat negative. However, in the end the more positive aspects outweighed the negatives. As is the case with many players where ripping of CD-based music is involved, the sequencing of the music synced to the player creates a problem. This is especially troublesome for us because all of our music is classical. As such, the sequencing of the music involving symphonies, concerti, etc. is crucial. After reading reviews by other purchasers of this player plus after speaking with Sony’s Customer Support via online chat, I was told that the best way to overcome this sequencing problem is to create playlists using Windows Media Player. I have done this now with numerous CDs, and the order of music within each playlist is correct. I have not tried to upload music to the player using Windows Explorer, so I am unable to comment on whether that approach, although faster than Windows Media Player as expressed by some reviewers, would also eliminate the sequencing problem. I have had the player for about a month and have been very pleased with it. Some of the comments expressed by others are true: the face of the player can scratch easily, the player can turn on easily unless the “hold” feature has been activated, and the sound quality and the equalizer to modify the sound work well. The biggest reason for my choosing this player is its ability to sync music using Windows Media Player so as to retain the order of concerti, symphonies, etc-. I have not yet used the player to listen to FM radio or to upload video or photos. The screen is quite easy to read (I have attached a screen protector to the face so scratches have not been an issue for me.), and battery life without recharging seems good; I have not actually timed how long the battery lasts, however. The built-in speakers are adequate, but I almost always will be using the player with headphones. Overall, I am pleased with this player and its features.

Charging issue

Pros: Great sound

Cons: Charging

I'm amazed in this electronic age a walkman that DOES NOT ALLOW THE USER TO LISTEN TO THEIR MUSIC when its being charged. Whats up with this?? Am I in the dark ages? Am I missing something? If so let me know. I have to wait up to several hours while it charges and cannot listen to ANY music.

Best Bang for your Buck

Pros: Great sound quality

Cons: sometimes doesn't like to sync to computer

I bought this to replace a Zune which I loved but died on me. I refused to buy an overhyped Ipod so I bought this mp3 player and I absolutely love it! The battery life is amazing. I can listen to it for days without charging (and I do mean days). This is the best mp3 I've ever had. The only problem I have is it sometimes doesn't want to sync with Windows Media Player but after a few adjustments it does just fine. Definitely worth the price. Best sound quality ever.

value for money

Pros: great sound, compact size, much cheaper than ipod

Cons: no accessories, does not make playlists

I got the 16gb walkman for christmas and i absolutely love it. This thing is cheaper than the equivalent ipod and you get more features -- topnotch sound, fm tuner, voice recorder, equalizer, great battery life...all the things youd expect from a nice mp3 player. You can transfer content through media player, or the content transfer software which is very easy to use, or even just dragging and dropping music files directly on it. It does come with some minor setbacks such as not being able to make a playlist directly from the player (you have to import playlists from your computer), it does not support as many video formats as i'd like, and it does not have any accessories (the only case i could find was the white silicone case from the sony store which is quite expensive although it does fit the walkman like a glove) Overall , i love this player and i am using it for my car. I use a little velcro sticker to attach it to my dashboard and i put it on shuffle and enjoy my drive.

Great MP3 player

Pros: Compact, reliable, battery life

Cons: Menus a bit challenging

I'm extremely happy with this MP3 player. It's been great so far. With 16 MB of capacity, I've had no problem storing all of my music library. The quality of the sound is terrific. It's compact and lightweight. I purchased it bundled with a variety of accessories that included an AC adapter as well as a 12v car adapter. This is my first MP3 player and I'm delighted at the technology and Sony's high quality, good value for their product. I'll most certainly recommend this to others.

Pros: Price, design & operability

Cons: too minor to mention here

I am new to MP3 players but I knew I didn't want the pricey, over-hyped, cult item known as the IPod.This tiny device does almost everything you could ask of a credit card-sized player. It interfaces very simply with Windows Media Player-this is important for those like me, who aren't computer savants. Perhaps they could have arranged the headphone jack on top rather than at the base. Also, a Stop button would have been nice. Nevertheless, for the price it is an amazing value and while some frilly features may be absent the quality is all there.......

Amazing sound quality!!

Pros: The best sound quality of any mp3 i have ever heard

Cons: No major problems

First off i must say i am completely 1000% satisfied with this product. Sony has yet to let me down with any of their products. The best thing about this mp3 player are its superior sound quality and amazing battery life. Just an example of this battery; i haven't charged it for almost a month now.I can guarantee you this Walkman will last longer than any iPod. It also sounds better than all iPods. The only bad thing about this is the screen scratches very easily. That's not to say this isn't a durable mp3 player because i have put mine through so much and countless number of drops and it still works perfect. The pictures and videos have great quality when viewed on the Walkman. Overall you are getting more than your moneys worth.

whats with the speakers on the back? that sucks!!

Pros: Reliable,cheap at Walmart,Better than ipod

Cons: Speakers on back,battery dies too quickly,scratches easily

i was looking for an mp3 for christmas and i came to this one.I loved that it had speakers,it was semi-cheap (for the brand),better than ipod cause you dont have to deal with that complicated i-tunes.The thing that i really hate is that the screen gets scratched very easily.i can't find cases for it anywhere except on this website Price for the case should go down to $10,and i will buy 1.

Pros: Easy to copy files from computer. Display is very clear.

Cons: Can only delete files via computer connecton. Had to purchase a case separately. Build in speakers aren't so great.

I love my walkman MP3 player. It's easy to copy music from computer to the player. The display is very nice. Even though the display may "seem" small, it's really very easy to read. Excellent sound through ear phones.

Bad Choice on Sony's Part

Pros: Great Sound w/headphones

Cons: Proprietary Connector

I have a E Series Walkman and love it, so I ordered this one. Bad choice on my part. I've noticed, since I ordered it, that Sony always shows the top/front/side of the Walkman - never the bottom. That's because they switched from a standard USB connector to some proprietary connector. I haven't even opened the package and will probably just sell it on eBay.

To make a playlist

Pros: perfect device!!!!

Cons: No cons

To make a playlist, right click on any song and from the scroll down menu, choose create playlist. then ok. Now you have that song in the playlist. Dobleclick on the playlist icon and now you can drag and drop all the songs that you want. You'll find the play list under "PLAYLIST" in the main screen.

Beats the ipod nano!

Pros: Clarity of sound, functionality, easy to use

Cons: quality of speakers

The ease of using this device is so much better than it's competitors! The sound is great with ear buds and through my car stereo, much better than the ipod I had! I'm not fond of the feel of the buttons and the build in speakers aren't that great for normal use. I'm happy with this purchase!

Pros: easy to use

Cons: ear buds

the best I have used beats ipods price by far, so far I love it

SONY = QUALITY

Pros: Everything

Cons: Nothing Bad to Write

I've had multiple MP3's and this one is by far the best ever. I love it!

great purchase

Pros: sound quality is superb and FM radio which is nice

Cons: 14.73 GB says on my Windows XP whiich is kind of weird

this Sony Walkman has much more than my ipod. i can add more music and the sound quality is great which gives me different options on the Equalizer menu. the video is nice with decent graphics which i was kind of surprised.