Toshiba is
ready to release a new line of Gigabeat hard-drive based audio players from November featuring a cleaner look style much like the iPod, but using a different navigational pad in the shape of a cross rather than iPod's clickwheel style. The dimensions are also similar to the iPod at 10.6 x 6.3 x 1.6cm (4.2" x 2.5" x .6") with a weight of 159g (5.6oz). The player comes in three models - 10GB in white, aqua and vin-rouge, 20GB in silver, aqua and vin-rouge and the 60GB in silver only. The 60GB is slightly thicker at 1.9cm (.7") with a weight of 170g (6oz) and will be the first player on the market to use a 1.8" HD in that capacity.
All three feature a 2.2" QVGA display (240 x 320 resolution). For audio playback it supports MP3, WMA (up to V9 inc. DRM) and WAV file formats. While the player does have a 32k colour QVGA display, it is not clear why the player does not offer any video playback support despite this feature, unless this will be added later on. Its battery life runs up to 11 hours of continuous playback from a full charge.
While the
player can function as a USB2.0/1.1 mass storage device, audio must be transferred using the player's software or Windows Media Player in order for the player to allow playback. During the upload process, music is encrypted using a DRM measure to prevent it from being copied back off at a later stage. GristyMcFisty used our news submit to send in the following news:
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The new F series comprises three models offering 10, 20 and 60GB 1.8in drive capacities. All three machines sport a 240 x 320, 2.2in colour display. Equally distinctive is each player's cruciform controller - a bid, no doubt, to find an alternative to the iPod's clickwheel and the GeSense pad Sony has built into its Vaio Pocket VGF-AP1. At 10.6 x 6.3 x 1.6cm (the 60GB model is a slightly thicker 1.9cm) the Gigabeat F series is clearly more iPod-like than the more MiniDisc player-styled Gigabeat G series. The new line-up's standard colours are white (10GB) and silver (20, 60GB), but the two lower-end models will also be offered in 'aqua' and 'vin rouge' pink colours. On the audio front, the players support MP3, WAV and WMA files, filtered through an equaliser with 28 pre-sets and a customisation facility - the latter an improvement on the G series. There's also a 3D surround sound facility. Songs are transferred to the device using a USB 2.0 connector. Toshiba claims an 11-hour playback time. The F series support Windows Media 9's DRM technology, but not Windows Media 10. The three models are set to ship in November for ¥39,800 (£200/$ 360), ¥44,800 (£225/$ 405) and ¥64,800 (£325/$ 586), for the 10, 20 and 60GB models, respectively. For technical specifications and more detail, check this link. |
Toshiba will update its Gigabeat line of hard drive-based music players in November, the company said today, matching an iPod Mini-like range of colours to a line of high-capacity hard disks. This first thing that came to my mind when I seen this
player is that this supports video. However, despite having a 2.2" QVGA
resolution display and a fairly high price tag, it offers no video support, not even basic MPEG1 video support. Then again, hopefully there will be a firmware update to offer even basic video support at a later stage. A few other drawbacks include requiring its proprietary software or Windows Media Player to upload music as part of its anti-piracy measure and also having a non-removable battery.
Source: The Register
