New VAIO WA1 Wireless Digital Music Streamer

Sony today unveiled a new wireless digital music streamer for your music integration needs. Like its peer, the Sony NAS-CZ1, the new VAIO WA1 Wireless Digital Music Streamer lets you stream music from any PC in the house via an existing wireless home network or a “peer-to-peer” wireless connection so you can enjoy music in “big stereo” sound. Additionally, it can also connect to thousands of Live365.com Internet radio stations.

Modern Design Meets Boombox Sound

In addition to being able to stream wirelessly from a PC, this modern-day boombox is semi-portable. It integrates 128 MB of onboard RAM and up to four-hours of battery life so you can store about one CD’s worth of music on it and take the unit with you.

Although relatively small, the streamer’s two eight-watt stereo speakers pump out impressive sound that fills the room. Its six-band graphic equalizer and audio sound amplifiers and enhancers help deliver the sound you expect from Sony.

The device also comes equipped with a remote control and touch-screen sensor, as well as a non-contact sensor that lights the display. A five-line LCD and on-unit controls make it easy to view and manage artists, song titles and Live365.com Internet radio stations.

The streamer integrates a line-in port so you can connect a personal music device, an analog audio out port and an S/PDIF digital out port so you can connect it to your home stereo system. A built-in headphone jack lets you listen to music privately. The device also includes a built-in music alarm clock.

The streamer supports the ATRAC format, Mp3, WMA, AAC, WAVE and Linear PCM. Naturally, DRMed ATRAC3, ATRAC3plus and AAC tunes are not supported. Available in white and black, the wireless streamer will retail for approximately USD$350 at www.sony.com/wa, Sony Style ® stores and select retail outlets nationwide.

VAIO WA1′s Specifications after the jump …

Specifications

General Type of Use: Wireless Home Audio Player

HARDWARE
★ Action Buttons: Power On/Off
★ Volume +/-
★ Play/Pause, Rewind and Fast Forward
★ Navigation Buttons for Input Selection
★ Easy Access Buttons (PC, Web Radio, Auxiliary and Memory)

MEMORY
★ Memory Size: 128MB

AUDIO
★ Audio Power Output: 45-95W
Practical Maximum Output (Network):
★ SPEAKER: 8W + 8W or more (AC), 4W + 4W or more (DC)
★ HEADPHONE: 20mW + 20mW or more(@16Ω)
Frequency Response:
★ SPEAKER (Built-In): 90Hz∼16kHz: ±10dB
★ HEADPHONE: 20Hz∼20kHz: ±3dB
★ LINE OUT: 20Hz∼20kHz: ±3dB
★ AUX (LINE IN): 20Hz∼20kHz: ±3dB

INPUTS AND OUTPUTS
★ USB Port(s): 1 USB mini-B (for setup)
★ DC-In: 1
★ Output(s): 1 Line output (pin jack L/R)
★ Headphone Output(s): 1
★ Optical Audio Digital Output(s): 1 square optical jack
★ Input(s): Aux: Mini Jack (Stereo)

NETWORKING/MODEM
★ Wireless LAN: IEEE 802.11b/g compliant

POWER
★ Battery Type: Lithium-Ion (3S1P, 11.1V, 2200mAh)
★ Estimated Battery Life: Up to 4.0 Hours
★ AC Power: 100-240V 1.5A 50/60Hz

SOFTWARE
★ Supported Formats: ATRAC3*, ATRAC3plus*, MP3, WMA, AAC*, WAVE and Linear PCM (*DRMed ATRAC3, ATRAC3plus and AAC files are not supported)
★ Operating System Compatibility: Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional with Service Pack 2, Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2, Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Basic, Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Premium, Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Business and Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Ultimate

DIMENSIONS
★ Weight: 5.51 lbs
★ Measurements: 14.96″ (W) x 5.45″ (H) x 4.57″ (D)

SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES
Remote Control, Power Cord, AC Adapter, USB Cable, USB Wireless Dongle, Extension Cable for USB Dongle, Application CD-ROM

COLOR: White and Black