Support for D-NE830

Information about CONNECT Europe music store

When is the store closing?

The CONNECT Europe music store will close at 23.59 on Monday 31.03.2008.

How will the store close?

The website http://www.connect-europe.com will be taken offline at 23.59 on Friday 29.02.2008.

Throughout March 2008, you will still be able to access the store via SonicStage. After 23.59 on Monday 31.03.2008, the store will no longer be accessible via either your web browser or Sonic Stage.

Why is the store closing?

We are moving to an open Windows Media platform for Walkman in Europe and North America.

In line with that, Sony will phase out the CONNECT Music Service in Europe, which is based on a closed ATRAC platform.

What will happen to my library of music I have purchased from CONNECT?

After the store closes you will continue to be able to play, manage, and transfer the music in your SonicStage library and on your ATRAC player.

For music purchased via CONNECT, this means you may continue to enjoy it as usual in your current PC configuration in accordance with our terms of use. We very strongly recommend that customers archive their SonicStage libraries to audio CDs.

What about all the music I ripped from my CD collection?

After the store closes, you will continue to be able to play, manage, and transfer the music in your SonicStage library and on your ATRAC player.

For ripped (non-DRM) music specifically, we offer to CONNECT Europe customers only a simple software tool (MP3 Conversion Tool) to convert any music you imported from CD into SonicStage, into MP3 format.

MP3 Conversion Tool is available here on the Sony Europe support website.

How do I convert the music I ripped from my CD collection with MP3 Conversion Tool?

The procedure to convert your music ripped from your CD collection is explained

What will happen to any device (music player) I currently own?

After the store closes you will continue to be able to play, manage, and transfer the music in your SonicStage library and on your ATRAC player.

For music purchased via CONNECT, this means you may continue to enjoy it as usual in your current PC configuration in accordance with our terms of use.

We very strongly recommend that customers archive their SonicStage libraries to audio CDs.

Will I still be able to transfer content to my device?

After the store closes you will continue to be able to play, manage, and transfer the music in your SonicStage library and on your existing ATRAC player, in your current PC configuration.

Using SonicStage, you can also transfer new music you buy online from an increasing number of legal DRM-free music retailers offering compatible formats, such as MP3.

We very strongly recommend that customers archive their SonicStage libraries to audio CDs.

Will I be able to download music I paid for if I get a new computer?

After the store closes you will continue to be able to play, manage, and transfer the music in your SonicStage library and on your ATRAC player. For music purchased via CONNECT, this means you may continue to enjoy it as usual in your current PC configuration in accordance with our terms of use.

However you will no longer be able to access your Purchase History, or request re-issuing of purchased contents from CONNECT Customer Support, after 31st March 2008.

Therefore we very strongly recommend archiving your purchases to audio CD, as this is the only way you can completely ensure continued access to your purchased contents after 31st March 2008.

This is of particular importance if you anticipate changing your current PC configuration at any stage, such as buying a new PC or replacing your Operating System.

How can I archive my music library to audio CD with SonicStage?

The following tutorial explains how to archive your music library to audio CD.

Where can I download the latest version of SonicStage?

The latest version of SonicStage can be downloaded for free here. The following tutorial explains how to archive your music library to audio CD.

Will CONNECT continue to add new songs to the store?

No new songs will be added to the CONNECT Europe music store in 2008.

How will customers be informed of relevant details regarding the status of the music store?

Information will be posted on the CONNECT Europe music store website until 31st March 2008, and will be available by e-mail from CONNECT Europe Customer Support until 30th April 2008.