Berlin, 9th May 2006
SONY LAUNCHES SonicStage CP SOFTWARE TO ENHANCE WALKMAN FAMILY
Sony today announced the launch of its latest music file management application software, SonicStage CP. The software enables users to download music files onto a PC and transfer them to multiple digital music players such as the popular WALKMAN family. Sony is also announcing the NW-A1200 WALKMAN, an 8GB device which comes with the intelligent SonicStage CP software. With SonicStage CP, music lovers can manage their music files with an increased variety of codec technologies. In addition to ATRAC, ATRAC Advanced Lossless, MP3 and unsecured WMA, the new SonicStage CP software is compatible with AAC codec, making it possible to collectively manage music files stored in a variety of codec technologies according to each users hardware and systems environment. This new development makes it much easier to download as well as transfer music to a number of different music players (although WMA and AAC files with protected copyright cannot be transferred). The new software enables high-quality recordings from CD to AAC format at a bitrate of 80~320kbps. Also, with this new software package, all sound files formatted in 3gp, mp4 and m4a can be imported onto a PC.
The latest feature introduced with SonicStage CP is Sonys Artist Link feature. Currently built into the CONNECT Player and WALKMAN A series, this new feature will be available for use on PCs with Sonic Stage CP as well as compatible digital music players. By clicking the link button on the Sonic Stage CP screen while playing music, the artist link window appears and randomly selects related songs for playback. data to compatible WALKMAN devices. Key software specifications:
CD Recording Supported bitrate : 80 320kbps File format : *.3gp File Import File format : *.3gp, *.mp4, *.m4a Files must be recorded by SonicStage CP Compatible Codec for SonicStage CP: ATRAC, ATRAC Advanced Lossless, MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC Compatible devices: WALKMAN E series, NetworkWalkman, HiMD, Net MD and WALKMAN A series PC system required to use SonicStage CP: Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 Windows XP Media Center Edition Windows XP Professional Windows XP Home Edition Windows 2000 Professional Windows Millennium Edition Windows 98 Second Edition
SonicStage CP will also allow
music-lovers to save and manually edit these selections and even transfer the
The SonicStage CP software will be available to download from the Sony support website free of charge from the end of May 2006 at:
http://support.sony-europe.com/DNA/SSCP
The software is immediately available with the NW-A1200 model which will be launched by mid June.
More of the New Sony WALKMAN Also announced today is the launch of the latest addition to the popular WALKMAN family, the Sony A1200. This 8GB model builds on the success of its predecessors by offering music-lovers even more capacity to store their favourite tracks without compromising on battery life. As with all of Sonys WALKMAN players, the A1200 offers superior playback time of 20 hours. The WALKMAN is compatible with most commonly used digital music formats including MP3, ATRAC WMA files and now AAC files, thanks to the built-in SonicStage CP software. As the first model to launch with the SonicStage CP software, this is Sonys most technically-advanced digital music player. Offering the new SonicStage CP artist link, initial search and intelligent shuffle functions, as well as the time and calendar feature, the advanced functionality is predicted to make the A1200 one of the most popular high end players currently on the market. The Sony A1200 WALKMAN will be available by mid June 2006 across Europe. ENDS

For further information, please contact: Corporate Communications Europe press@eu.sony.com In addition, for any queries about Sony in your respective country, please contact your local Sony PR office.
About Sony: Sony manufactures audio, video, communications and information technology products for the global consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, game and online businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be one of the Worlds Leading Consumer Brands. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of EUR 54.96 billion (yen 7,475 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006 and it employs approximately 158,500 people worldwide. In Europe, Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of EUR 12.61 billion (yen 1,715 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, based on an average market exchange rate for the same period of yen 136 to the EUR. Sony Europe, headquartered at the Sony Center am Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, is responsible for the company's European electronics business and registered consolidated sales of EUR 8.22 billion (yen 1,118 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006. For more information on Sony Europe, please visit http://www.sony-europe.com and http://www.sonyeurope.com/presscenter
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