Sony's version of a video iPod

The Register is reporting that Sony is set to release a mp3/video/picture player combo device in about a month's time that includes a 20 gig HD. Some big surprises include native mp3 support instead of some goofy mp3->ATRAC3 conversion scheme. MPEG2 and MPEG4 are supported natively also as well as other formats which are converted to either or.

Primarily, Sony expects it to be used on the move. Indeed, it's pitching the product as a way to carry TV shows you recorded on your PC with you when you're out and about. While you might think the Vaio-branded model was intended simply as an adjunct to a home PC, Sony appears to be targeting the HMP-A1 at this kind of role, and the Vaio VGF-AP1 at a broader range of consumers.

The Reg has the price tagged at 563$. I guess with the cost of gas nowadays people might want to buy one of these and take it with them on the bus instead but somehow I do not see a mass appeal for this sort of item. What I do see is wranglings between Sony's Media arm and their hardware division again- it would be awesome if their software would rip DVDs into a format that could be played back on the HMP-A1 unit (the device we are talking about) but realistically that will not happen and average Joe will have a hard time finding video content to play back on their shiny new device. I wonder how they managed to drop ATRAC3 seeing Sony's historically bullish stance with OpenMG