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                                    Readme
                                  SonicStage                         Version 3.1
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This file describes the latest information for SonicStage. 
Please read this before using SonicStage. 


This Readme is divided into the following sections:
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1) Before Using SonicStage
   - Minimum System Requirements
   - Notes regarding Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Professional, 
     Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Media Center Edition and 
     Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004
2) Important Notes
   - Software Installation/Uninstallation
3) Legal Notice
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1) Before Using SonicStage

Minimum System Requirements

- Computer: IBM PC/AT or compatible computer preinstalled with Windows.

  SonicStage is compatible with the following Windows operating systems:
     - Windows 98 Second Edition,
     - Windows Millennium Edition, 
     - Windows 2000 Professional (Service Pack 3 or later),
     - Windows XP Home Edition,
     - Windows XP Professional,
     - Windows XP Media Center Edition,
     - Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004,
     - Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
  SonicStage is not compatible with the following Windows operating systems: 
     - Windows 95,
     - Windows 98 Gold Edition,
     - Windows NT
     - Any version of Windows 2000 other than Windows 2000 Professional
       (such as Windows 2000 Server)

- Browser: Microsoft(R) Internet Explorer 5.5 or later
           For systems that do not have Microsoft(R) Internet Explorer 5.5 or later
           with 128-bit cipher strength installed, functions related to Music service
           sites and display of cover art and lyrics will not work properly.
           In addition, JavaScript and cookies must be enabled in Internet Explorer
           for Music service site functions to work.

- CPU: Pentium III 450 MHz or higher


- RAM: 128 MB or greater

- Hard Disk: 200 MB or greater of available space
  More space may be required depending on the version of the operating system. 
  Additional space is required for storing music data.

- Display: 
  - Screen Resolution   : 800 x 600 pixels (or higher)
                         (1024 x 768 is recommended)
  - Colors              : Medium (16 bit)  (or higher)
			 (SonicStage may not operate properly at
			  color settings at or below 256 colors.)

- CD-ROM drive (supporting Digital MusicCD playback capabilities using WMD)
  To create original CDs or to back up audio CDs a CD-R/RW drive is required.
 
- Sound card
  Sound cards compatible with any of the following operating systems:
     - Windows 98 Second Edition
     - Windows Millennium Edition
     - Windows 2000 Professional
     - Windows XP Home Edition
     - Windows XP Professional
     - Windows XP Media Center Edition
     - Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004
     - Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

- USB port
  A USB port is required for connecting to external devices/media.
  When connecting devices/media to the computer via a USB hub, only devices/media 
  whose operation through a hub has been confirmed will work with SonicStage.
  

Notes Regarding Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home 
Edition, Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004, 
and Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

- Do not use SonicStage while logged on to a domain user account under Windows 2000
  Professional, Windows XP Professional or Windows XP Home Edition.

- SonicStage should be installed while logged on to an account with administrator privileges.


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2) Important Notes

Software Installation/Uninstallation

- The following modules are installed as required when SonicStage is installed. 
   
    Microsoft(R) Data Access Components 2.5
    (c)1981-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

    Microsoft(R) DirectX(R) Runtime 9.0c
    (c)2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

    Portions utilize Microsoft Windows Media Technologies. 
    Copyright (c) 1999-2002 Microsoft Corporation.  All Rights Reserved

- Device drivers for portable devices are installed, if required.

- When SonicStage is uninstalled using "Add/Remove Programs" in "Control Panel," 
  the above modules are not removed. The OpenMG music database created by SonicStage 
  is also not deleted, and can be found in the folder specified in the program's 
  options settings.
   

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3) Legal Notice

  Copyright 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 Sony Corporation 


  (c)2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


  Music recognition technology and related data are provided by Gracenote(r). 
  Gracenote is the industry standard in music recognition technology and 
  related content delivery.  For more information visit www.gracenote.com.

  CD and music-related data from Gracenote, Inc., copyright (c) 2000-2004 
  Gracenote. Gracenote CDDB(r) Client Software, copyright 2000-2004 
  Gracenote. This product and service may practice one or more of the 
  following U.S. Patents: #5,987,525; #6,061,680; #6,154,773, #6,161,132, 
  #6,230,192, #6,230,207, #6,240,459, #6,330,593, and other patents issued or 
  pending. Services supplied and/or device manufactured under license for 
  following Open Globe, Inc. United States Patent 6,304,523. 

  Gracenote is a registered trademark of Gracenote. The Gracenote logo and 
  logotype, and the "Powered by Gracenote" logo are trademarks of Gracenote.


  Sonic, Sonic Solutions and Powered by Sonic Solutions are trademarks of Sonic Solutions.


  libpng
  Copyright (c) 1995, 1996 Guy Eric Schalnat, Group 42, Inc.
  Copyright (c) 1996, 1997 Andreas Dilger
  Copyright (c) 1998, 1999 Glenn Randers-Pehrson
  Copyright (c) 2000-2002 Glenn Randers-Pehrson

  zlib
  Copyright (C) 1995-2002 Jean-loup Gailly and Mark Adler


  SonicStage, OpenMG, MagicGate Memory Stick, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO,
  Hi-MD, Net MD, ATRAC, ATRAC3, ATRAC3plus, CLIE and their respective logos are 
  trademarks of Sony Corporation.


  Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.


  MPEG Layer-3 audio coding technology and patents licensed from Fraunhofer IIS and Thomson.


  Other system names and product names appearing herein are generally
  trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective makers. 
  These trademarks are not denoted in this document by means of
  the (TM) or (R) symbols. 

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  Readme.txt / Copyright 2005 Sony Corporation

  English Version