ATRAC Is Still Alive in the New NW-S71xF & NW-S61xF Series

Sony Japan announced today that the following new Walkman: NW-S71xF and NW-S61xF series will debut on October 20, 2007 (only for the Japanese domestic market). The newly announced NW-S71xF series will be available in capacity of 8GB/4GB/2GB (White, Pink, Red, Blue and Black) whereas the NW-S61xF series will be available in both 4GB and 2GB capacity (Silver, Blue and Pink). MSRP for the new Walkman S series are as follows:

★ NW-S718F [8GB] – 26,800 (approx. USD236)
★ NW-S716F [4GB] – 20,801 (approx. USD183)
★ NW-S715F [2GB] – 16,800 (approx. USD148)
★ NW-S616F [4GB] – 17,800 (approx. USD157)
★ NW-S615F [2GB] – 13,800 (approx. USD121)

The NW-S71xF series differs from the NW-S61xF by having the Noise Cancelling feature, higher capacity and different color variation. Otherwise, both these new Walkman series are identical in terms of basic functions and features. Like its predecessor, the NW-S700F/S600, the new Network Walkman also features a proprietary WM-PORT – which enables direct recording from CD/MD –> Network Walkman using an optional WMC-NWR1 cable, which is equipped with a recording level switch. The cable is about 60cm in length.

However, unlike both the new NWZ-A81x and NWZ-A61x series, the NW-S71xF series along with its non-Noise Cancelling variant, the NW-S61xF series will still support the ATRAC format and obviously, SonicStage. It is important to note that the Japanese NW-S71xF and NW-S61xF series is not part of Sony’s Open Digital Music Environment using Windows Media Player 11. So, for the time being ATRAC will still continue its existence in the land of the rising sun. In sum, the new Walkman series supports:
Audio Format: MP3 (32-320kbps), WMA (32-192kbps), ATRAC (48-352kbps), ATRAC Advanced Lossless (64-352kbps), linear PCM, AAC (16-320kbps) and HE-AAC (32-128kbps).
Video Format: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264

More pictures and details after the jump …

NW-S71xF

NW-S71xF | Noise Cancelling ON/OFF Button

NW-S61xF

NW-S71xF/S61xF | 1.8” TFT LCD color screen display

NW-S71xF/NW-S61xF | Basic Specifications
Display: 1.8” TFT LCD color screen display
Connection: Hi-Speed USB / WM-PORT (multi-connection terminal)
Supported format:
Audio
MP3 (32-320kbps), WMA (32-192kbps), ATRAC (48-352kbps), ATRAC Advanced Lossless (64-352kbps), linear PCM, AAC (16-320kbps) and HE-AAC (32-128kbps).
* does not support WMA/AAC files with DRM
Video
MPEG-4 and AVC(H.264/AVC); AAC-LC
Noise Cancellation: built-in feature *only for NW-S71xF
Direct Encoding: linear PCM/ATRAC3plus 64/128/256kbps with WMC-NWR1
Sound Quality: Noise Cancelling function, Clear Bass, Clear Stereo, 5 Band Equalizer, VPT Acoustic Engine and Dynamic Normalizer
FM tuner: Reception frequency is FM:76.0～90.0MHz; TV:1～3ch Power source: built-in lithium ion chargeable battery and USB power
Charge method: USB bus power charge
Charging time (USB charge): approx. 3 hours
Battery life: approx. 33 hrs (Mp3 128kbps), 30 (ATRAC 132kbps) measured with built-in chargeable battery use, power saving mode super-time, Clear Stereo, VPT, Noise Cancelling, DSEE, Dynamic Normalizer
I/O interface: headphone/Hi-Speed USB /WM-PORT (multi-connection terminal: 22 pins)
Dimensions:
NW-S71xF: 42.0mm (d) × 79.5mm (h) × 13.0mm (w)
NW-S61xF: 42.0mm (d) × 79.5mm (h) × 11.5mm (w)
Mass:
NW-S71xF: approx. 52g (inclusive of built-in lithium ion chargeable battery)
NW-S61xF: approx. 50g (inclusive of built-in lithium ion chargeable battery)