New Sony HMP-A1 MP3 and Personal Video Player

May 27 2004, 6:56pm EST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Sony, in an obvious attempt to confuse the hell out of consumers, announced another hard-drive based MP3 Player. The HMP-A1 is also a personal video player, with that Sony finally offers something more advanced than the Apple iPod in the portable music device arena.

Just a couple of days ago though Sony announced the Sony Vaio Pocket VGF-AP1 20GB MP3 Player. This 20GB MP3 Player also competes with the iPod.
So which one to buy when they become available?

The HMP-A1 measures 129.6×75.6×22 mm and weighs 250g. The VGF-AP1 in contrast is smaller with 115.2x63.3×17.2mm. It is also 55g lighter. The HMP-A1 has a bigger screen with 3.5", where the VGF-AP1 only has a 2.2" color screen.
Biggest differences are that the HMP-A1 supports the MP3 music format and also can display video in MP4, MP2 and AVI format. The VGF-AP1 only plays Sony's ATRAC audio format.
The Sony HMP-A1 is scheduled for June 26th release in Japan for, based on The Register, ~$563.

More details in Sony Press-Release (japanese).

Sony last year announced the PCVA-HVP20 Personal Video Player.

The Sony HMP-A1 is now available through japanese Gadget Exporters Dynamism and AudioCubes for $699.

New Sony HMP-A1 MP3 and Personal Video Player Future Tech Gadget Gift geek cool gadget Product Technology Future Cool smallest, Buy Gift Sale Electronics device camera player new gadget future gadget Future Technology News technology Review
Watch Impress has more Hi-Res HMP-A1 photos.

where to buy

Buy from Amazon

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Luigi Lugmayr
Luigi is the founding chief Editor of I4U News and brings over 15 years experience in the technology field to the ever evolving and exciting world of gadgets. He started I4U News back in 2000 and evolved it into vibrant technology magazine.
Luigi can be contacted directly at ml@i4u.com. Luigi posts regularly on LuigiMe.com about his experience running I4U.