No matter what some people say, size is important. And it doesn't get much more important than when you're talking about CD capacity. If you prefer CDs, but you're fed up with lugging them about, then a Sony ATRAC CD Walkman is the ideal travel accessory. It can play standard audio CDs as well as CD-Rs encoded in ATRAC3, ATRAC3plus and even MP3.

A standard audio CD holds around 74 minutes of audio, however ATRAC technology allows you to "burn" up to 490 tracks, that's about 30 CDs, on to a standard 80-minute CD-R. In addition to this, each ATRAC model boasts a massive battery life (model D-NE1 has a battery life of up to 150 hours) so you can enjoy more of your music on the move with no hassle.

Each Sony ATRAC CD Walkman model includes the SonicStage Simple Burner PC software that enables you to encode and burn audio files into ATRAC format. So, if your audio player is looking a bit inadequate perhaps it's time to move over to ATRAC.

ATRAC3, which stands for "Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding3", is audio compression technology that satisfies the demand for high-quality sound with high compression rates. The ATRAC3 format can compress music content to about 1/10 of its original size, which contributes to reduction of the media volume. The available transfer bit rates are 132 kbps, 105 kbps and 66 kbps. So the lower the transfer rate, the lower the file size and audio quality. ATRAC3plus compresses audio data even smaller to about 1/20 of its original size. The available transfer bit rates for ATRAC3plus are 64 kbps and 48 kbps.

Getting so many music files onto one CD does take some doing, but thankfully, the SonicStage Simple Burner software supplied with every Sony ATRAC CD Walkman is more than up for the mammoth task. Compatible with most PCs with Windows OS Windows 98 second edition or above, SonicStage allows you to create a disc "image" by selecting the tracks you want to include on the final disc. You can select either audio CDs or MP3 files stored on your computer. You can also mix the two together. Once you've selected the tracks, you can then create folders or groups for selected tracks. For example, you may want to hold one particular artist or genre in a group or simply have separate groups for each CD album. You can even change the order of the tracks and attach names to them. If you're compressing a whole CD into ATRAC, you can even delete tracks that you don't like; it's completely up to you. Once you're happy with the disc image, you then simply burn it onto a blank CD-R/RW. It really is that simple.

	The entry level D-NE300 model is a great way for just about anyone to take his or her music off the PC and with them anywhere. Offered in an ice-cool shade of blue or silver, this introductory player looks great while achieving more than 80 hours of continuous ATRAC playback on two "AA" batteries.
	The silver D-NE300CK features all of the above with the addition of some car-kit accessories for easy listening on the road.
	Next up is the D-NF400 incorporating all the basic functions of the D-NE300 model, and has the added convenience of a built-in AM/FM digital tuner with 51 preset stations.
	For digital-music lovers who also want to tune in to the radio, the D-NF600 model includes an AM/FM digital tuner. With a 51-station preset memory, favourite programs are never more than the push of a button away. This player also offers up to 50 hours of continuous playback on one "AA" type battery.
	The slim, full circle designed D-NE700 offers up to 86 hours of continuous playback on two "AA" type batteries and comes complete with a set of essential accessories including AC Adapter, rechargeable batteries and in-ear headphones.
	The white high-gloss finish on the D-NE800 will make you stand out in the crowd. This stylish model offers up to a staggering 130 hours of continuous playback. The D-NE800 comes complete with a recharging cradle, in-line remote control with LCD display
	The new D-NE900 player has an edgy design with a slim-line aluminium body. Sony's Jog DialŪ navigation with easy file-search helps users quickly access their music and view track titles on the four-line dot-matrix display. It comes supplied with a backlit remote control and carrying pouch.
	The thinnest and sexiest player in the line is the D-NE10 model with its magnesium and aluminium body, which sports an ultra-modern, metallic-silver design. It provides up to 80 hours of continuous playback on a rechargeable nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery, while a backlit remote puts music navigation at the user's fingertips. The D-NE10 model also comes supplied with a battery-charging stand and a carrying pouch.