Gigabeat S previewed by AV Watch

We're doing our best to not lament on the Japanese snagging the Gigabeat S first, which is officially due for release April 28th -- yes, this year. We still don't know how long it'll be until we get our own launch this side of the Pacific, but AV Watch's DEVICE Viking (ahem) took a good long look at the portable media device that first whet our appetites at CES. We won't waste your time with so much wonky machine translation interpretation, but from what we could tell, they liked it -- you know where to go if your appetite too could use a little re-whetting.

[Alex @ Apr 23rd 2006 9:42AM]

Just what is so good about this?

[3rdsun @ Apr 23rd 2006 10:10AM]

Anything but ipod

[mike s @ Apr 23rd 2006 10:17AM]

nicer screen that that ipod, looks like usb port built in. ipod styling is looking really dated these days...

[Paul @ Apr 23rd 2006 10:29AM]

I would hardly consider the ipod styling dated compared to that brick. That thing is god awful ugly.

It's been how many years since the ipod came out - Apple really hasnt done all that much to change it... you'd think someone would have come out with something (at least more stylish) by now...

[Killah @ Apr 23rd 2006 10:31AM]

It look's like a gameboy.

[Benny @ Apr 23rd 2006 10:43AM]

I can't read it, but I saw the only word I was looking for - DIVX!!! that's DIVX witha D!!! When is this coming out in Europe???

[Al @ Apr 23rd 2006 11:05AM]

The red color does look like a brick lol. But with diffrent colors im sure the gigabeat s will prosper. It's only down side is the 64k screen, which totally makes me want to buy the creative zen vision M. But then again the ipod has a 64k screen :/

[Fred @ Apr 23rd 2006 11:20AM]

Oh that thing looks sweet. Looks like a potential buy from my side. But I will wait for more reviews before deciding(and real life testing).

[Bhatman @ Apr 23rd 2006 11:31AM]

It looks like the flag of Denmark!! But it still looks good.

[Dodds @ Apr 23rd 2006 11:32AM]

"It look's like a gameboy."

Youre talking about the Ipod, right?

[stax @ Apr 23rd 2006 11:49AM]

ok guys, this has a windows interface that should be very easy to use. Also, you can turn it to landscape for better viewing movies (movies that you can buy on vongo-a subscription movie service). I dont see whats not to like about this device, namely - what does the ipod do better?

[iPod fanboy @ Apr 23rd 2006 12:29PM]

It sucks for one reason: it's not an iPod.

[Tomas @ Apr 23rd 2006 12:49PM]

FM Radio, you can control it from your XBOX 360, Portable Windows Media Center, Vongo, Divx, WMV, Standard USB port, no need for crappy software dependent on the manufacturer since it is built to work with WMP.

I spent some good time with this one at CES as well, and this is defenitly the best that has come out that is not an IPod. Toshiba gave up on the software end, thank god, and focused on the hardware. It is also the 4th generation coming out of the Toshiba camp.

[terminator @ Apr 23rd 2006 1:39PM]

the only reason creative has stayed alive was because they were the direct enemy of an ipod...good job...u just split the ipod haters in half now u'll both be out of service for portable devices

[Justin @ Apr 23rd 2006 1:40PM]

Unfortunately for Toshiba "best that has come out that is not an iPod" translates to 2-5% marketshare.

[steve @ Apr 23rd 2006 1:40PM]

wait wat was that
no proprietary audio/video format?
w00t

if i get that i can lose the himd player

if it has better/ same battery life as an ipod
and has a removable battery (preferably AA)
ill probably buy it as long as i can afford it when it comes to the states
:)

[TheZodiac @ Apr 23rd 2006 2:50PM]

So its somewhere in size between the iPod and the creative vusion:m.

hmmmmmmmmmmmm... splendid.

[Ivo @ Apr 23rd 2006 4:36PM]

Sorry to disappoint, but the mention to DivX actually confirms that it is not there. It says that DivX files can only be played once converted through WMP. Oh, and this article confirmed the lower battery life rumors. Sorry again :(

[Brendan @ Apr 23rd 2006 5:25PM]

A few more of these and I can build a small personal house for my dog. Kennals are so last year! But in fairness I can get bricks cheaper than that one.

[Killertwin @ Apr 23rd 2006 5:41PM]

"It sucks for one reason: it's not an iPod."

The fact that it's not an iPod makes it even more desirable IMHO!
iPod's are inferior to the Vision:M, the U10 & so many other players in almost every respect.
When are you Apple fanboys gonna wake up?

Actually thats fine, you guys can carry on with your crap white devices while those in the know will have better sound, better video, more battery life & more features.

[Jaxx @ Apr 23rd 2006 7:11PM]

Hmm... Nothing my Palm can't do with DivX and XviD...

bigger screen than this.

only thing I would like is the amount of storage. My iPod is a 15gb and I have that full. need more room :) but please, no more iPods.

[icruise @ Apr 23rd 2006 7:27PM]

A few notes. The screen is actually smaller than the iPod's at 2.4" and it's not widescreen, even though it might look it. It's got the same 320 x 240 resolution as the iPod. It appears to be only compatible with Windows XP and uses Windows Media Player 10 for transferring files. And it can only play wmv video files -- all other formats are converted during the transfer process (something that would take quite a while with bigger files). It's also about $50 more expensive than the iPod. In short... What's so good about this again?

[Dan @ Apr 23rd 2006 9:15PM]

icruise, take a look at the screen comparisons buddy. The gigabeat has a larger screen. Also, since it uses Microsoft Media Player software, videos will convert itself when it's transferred to the player, without the user knowing, and at ease. And, the 30 and 60 GB versions ($300 and $400) cost the same as the iPod. Get your facts straight, kid.

[icruise @ Apr 23rd 2006 9:55PM]

Dan, would you care to explain to me how a 2.4" screen is bigger than a 2.5" screen? Please, I'm very interested. As for the prices, I'm just going by what the article says (do we have dollar prices for these yet?) -- the 30GB Gigabeat is 36,000 yen while the 30GB iPod is 31,800 yen. That's a difference 4200 yen, which is actually closer to $35 given the current exchange rate (I still mentally convert at around 100 yen to the dollar, but the current rate is closer to 120). As for the conversion process, I don't know if you've done any video conversion, but trust me, converting video from formats like DIVX and h.264 to WMV is going to take time.

[rodan32 @ Apr 23rd 2006 10:48PM]

I've been itching to see how these turn out. I've had PMCs from iRiver and Samsung, and liked them both (it helps if you have a Media Center PC already). I currently use the Zen Vision:M (after sending back my Zen Vision), but I'm not thrilled with the interface. The encoding with these PMC devices does take a while, but at least it does the encoding for you. It's sort of a bitch to get stuff onto the iPod, where with the PMCs it's just plug it into the Media Center and I'm good to go (after several hours of conversion). There is an option to allow WMP to convert the files in the background, but I would avoid that without either a dual core machine or time to spend away from the computer.

[proee @ Apr 23rd 2006 10:54PM]

Ok here's the deal. I need a half way decent player that will support subscription music services (i.e. yahoo unlimited). I would buy an ipod in a heatbeat if it could support such a thing. Unfortunatly the only option for the apple fan boys here is to "buy" your music at $0.99 a pop, or go and steal it from some file sharing network - neither of which I'm interested in... So that's the reason for wanthing this thing, the creative is too big and had poor build quality. This fits the boat for all the subscription fan boys out there. All my brothers let me hear you say amen?

[iDZ @ Apr 23rd 2006 11:35PM]

"Unfortunatly the only option for the apple fan boys here is to "buy" your music at $0.99 a pop, or go and steal it from some file sharing network - neither of which I'm interested in..."

you ever heard of CD's, genius? any digital audio player, including iPods, will support my entire CD collection.

[seamus @ Apr 24th 2006 1:46AM]

CD's are so...1990's.



And where the hell is my iPod video?

[Matt E. @ Apr 24th 2006 2:34AM]

iPods aren't for everyone I guess and this looks like a decently solid option for those people.

However, I can see many, many people hating this device due to what may appear to be a virtual lock with WMP and the cool features of this device. As a Mac user, I am fully aware that Apple does a similar thing and locks the iPod with iTunes (discounting the winamp plugin), but come on, at least iTunes doesn't suck. WMP is one of the worst media management libraries in existance. I can think of a very long, very inapropriate list of things I would rather do that use Windows Media Player, or pretty much ANY piece of Microsoft shi....software for that matter.

Again, I realize that the iPod and iTunes are like sex buddies, and adding a Mac in the equation is like adding a second woman to the mix. But come on...WMP...anyone who really knows anything about mulitmedia on the computer or has used WMP can easilly talk about the gripes of that software. I wouldn't be so ticked if Microsoft didn't alienate Mac users by getting rid of WMP for Mac (not that it was good by any standards or that I used it), but say for instance, if Microsoft had a fully functional version of WMP for mac, and *dare I say* Linux, that will support this device, well, thats fine. Even some Mac users may prefer other devices over the iPod.

Yeah, I didn't talk about the device as much per say, but I felt this brought up an important issue; all that stuff aside, the device looks nice.

[jon @ Apr 24th 2006 5:44AM]

Have you even used WMP 10...it is far better than Itunes. One of the main reasons being that WMP allows for compatibility with a growing number of subscription music services. WMP and WMA files can be streamed to my 360...and yes even files that are part of my Yahoo Music Subscription.

Not to mention it has way better ways to sort your music. Burning and Syncing is easy. WMP is compatible with quite a few Music Stores (everyone buy Itunes). And WMP is compatible with every MP3 player (everyone except for Ipod).

You Apple users truly need to take your heads out of your butts and take a look around you sometimes. There are better players, better software, more choices, better prices and more freedom with what you can do with your files on things other than Ipod/Itunes/Macs.

Keep your eyes on slickdeals.net ...they often have listed Dell specials that have Core Duo Laptops with Windows Media Center for around $750. A similar MacBook Pro is listed on Apples website starting at $1999.00 . These coupons are for purchases directly from Dell...no scam...the real deal.

[jon @ Apr 24th 2006 6:01AM]

#28 --- Don't you get that it is Apple that has alienated all software vendors from continuing to develop for Mac platform...That's why Adobe, MS and other companies have migrated away from the platform. And you say "Even some Mac users may prefer other devices over the iPod" than where the hell are you people??? Why do you continue to purchase from the "Walled Garden" that gives you absolutely no choice in anything. The platform jingoist mentality of Mac users keeps you guys from ever having any choice but what shiny white plastic steve craps out every few months.

PC users have long cried fowl at the Monopoly tactics of MS and Intel...which have brought great things...AMD and the constant litigation of MS. But Apple users bend over and take the Monopoly that makes MS look small in comparison. After all...MS doesn't tell me what MP3 player to use...or What music service I must use...they don't force me into 1 of 3 laptop choices or the silver Behomoth of a desktop. They don't shove radical changes in Software and Hardware every year dragging customers behind willing or not. And my personal pet peve...MS doesn't have a self agrandising pep rally every few months touting as the latest new thing that which was done long before by others (Intel Processor, MP3 Player, Music Service, Video Downloads, a 2 button Mouse, Portable Video Player, 1/2 ass Media Center...etc...etc...etc.

[iDZ @ Apr 24th 2006 8:52AM]

"MS doesn't... shove radical changes in Software and Hardware every year dragging customers behind willing or not."

Longhorn, um, i mean Vista? You're right. Their changes aren't radical. Just delayed.

[barnz @ Apr 24th 2006 10:39AM]

if you love Ipods then go cry elsewhere. this thing rocks. There are many far more superior players to ipod out there - whether they look as designer or not, id preffer a better player when the thing sits in my pocket..

BTW - Anyone else wondered about the potential of homebrew on this?? If guys can get an ipod to play doom surely someone can hack an MS firmware version to play divx native? or atleast make it so i dont have to transfer via WMP.

and WMP10 IS a good player. I havent had any issues with it. and it doesnt shyt me like itunes..

is WMP11 still rumored to come out at the same time?

[clonenode @ Apr 24th 2006 11:46AM]

feh.

[George @ Apr 24th 2006 11:54AM]

It looks nice, but what about inside?

[MasterCKO @ Apr 24th 2006 1:38PM]

iDZ, you are clueless. He's referring to the fact that the OS changes "radically" EVERY YEAR or two. Panther, Tiger, Leopard, whatever. And that once it's changed EVERYONE who owns a Mac pretty much has to upgrade. AND software has to be rewritten. etc etc. EVERY YEAR OR TWO. And you have to pay for it.

Windows XP SP2 was a HUGE change from OG XP and SP1, and it was free upgrade, genius.

[icruise @ Apr 24th 2006 5:20PM]

Frequent updates of the Mac OS are a bit of a double-edged sword. Mac OS X has come so far from its earlier versions that it's not even funny, while Windows hasn't changed all that much. You're getting a lot of genuinely useful features with every upgrade, not to mention that the system is often faster than its predecessor. On the other hand, it does sometimes feel like you're upgrading all the time. Still, no one is really forcing you to upgrade. There are only a few programs out there that absolutely require Tiger -- it's mostly a question of whether you want the new features or not. I only upgraded to Tiger (10.4) in the last couple of months, and that was just because it came on my new iMac. I could have used Panther (10.3) happily for quite a while longer. It's still supported and you're unlikely to run into many problems if you decide to sit out an update cycle. After the next update (to Leopard) Apple is apparently going to slow down the upgrade cycle.

[The Driver @ Apr 24th 2006 7:57PM]

Anything but ipod is for people who dont want to fit in or dont want to have an easy to use interface.

[eminem213486 @ Apr 25th 2006 2:17AM]

why do these stupid asses put a damn acline charger in there? why cant the damn thing charge from USB? be smart toshiba!

[eminem213486 @ Apr 25th 2006 2:18AM]

why do these stupid asses put a damn ac-line charger in there? why cant the damn thing charge from USB? be smart toshiba!

[alex h @ Apr 26th 2006 8:06PM]

TRUST ME, I WAS A DIE HARD FAN FOR THIS THING. BUT NO, IT DOESN'T SUPPORT DIVX, IT HAS CRAPPY BATTERY LIFE, AND A LOW COLOR SCREEN. WHAT HAPPENED? toshiba lied to all of us just to distract us from getting something else thinking there was actually a chance we would buy such a piece of junk after the crippling of its specs...toshiba will pay for this...hahaha

[Gatsu @ Jul 7th 2006 2:11AM]

let me just say that gigabeat which I owned and still have as a paper weight is pointless. Too many fatal errors over nothing. Plus toshiba refuses to assist you to get it working again. I have a Zen vision and it is far better than my gigabeat and my friend agreed that it is better than his 30gb vid ipod. So Zen all the way.

[alex h @ Jan 30th 2009 7:56AM]

afds

[alex @ Jan 30th 2009 7:59AM]

asdf