GigabeatV
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Toshiba's 80GB Gigabeat V801: the last Portable Media Center
In what constitutes a death rattle for Portable Media Center devices, Toshiba just sputtered forth the latest in the V Series of Gigabeat players: the 40GB V401 (¥49,800 / $409) and 80GB V801 (¥59,800 / $491). Each packs a new 4-inch, 24-bit color, 480 x 272 pixel display with built-in brightness sensor for automatic adjustment to local lighting conditions. In addition to supporting WM DRM10 and WMA 9 Lossless as you'd expect in a Microsoft PMC, the device also packs an improved 1Seg tuner and EPG for plenty of digital TV viewing (and recording) while on the go. The latest Gigabeat also features improved sound quality and 24-mm thickness and a battery capable of 28/10/8 hours of playback audio/video/1Seg TV, respectively. Available June 1st in Japan.[Via Impress]
Toshiba Gigabeat V30 goes pink and blue
The buzz (was there any?) surrounding the Toshiba Gigabeat V30 has all but faded. Not unusual what with the bigger, badder V60 and Tosh's other DAP -- the Zune -- already kicked out the door. So in a knee-jerk fit of marketing us-too-idness we've come to expect, out rolls the pastel pink V30E with integrated 1Seg TV tuner. Also available in navy blue, you know, just in case pastels are too much of a challenge to your man palette. Otherwise, same specs for that same ¥49,800 (about $434) when these hit December 15th in Japan. Pictured in blue after the break. [Via Impress]
Toshiba's Gigabeat V60 launched
Toshiba just doubled the capacity of their Gigabeat V30 earning their Microsoft Portable Media Center player a swank new V60E moniker. That's 60GB of disk tucked into the chassis for up to 255-hours of hot, hot animal network action recorded off the OneSeg ISDB-T mobile TV tuner. We're still talking a 3.5-inch QVGA display here but bumps can be found in the enhanced EPG now allowing for up to 16 shows to be scheduled for recording up to 1-week in advance. They've also managed to squeeze a bit more juice out of the battery which now boasts 27-hours of music playback (MP3/WMA/WAV/WMA 9 Lossless/DRM'd WMA), 9-hours of WMV vids, or 7-hours of OneSeg TV which should be spot-on based on reviews of the V30 sib. Expect the V60E to pop for Japan starting 8 December for ¥59,800 (about $507) with the a 30GB, V30E hitting a bit sooner on 22 November for ¥49,800 (about $423). If history serves, then we can expect a tuner-free version of the V60 to arrive in the US a few months later.[Via Impress]
Toshiba Gigabeat V30 reviewed
If you've been on the lookout for a sizable screen to enjoy Microsoft's Portable Media Center and all the interface joys that lie therein, the new Gigabeat V -- which has finally made it to the US in a 30GB, tuner-free version known as the MEV30K -- is a bit of a mixed bag. Sure, PMC is all there, enjoyable as ever, and CNET found the screen to be plenty bright and colorful, but they found it grainy as well, perhaps due to Toshiba stretching out the QVGA resolution over a whole 3.5-inches. They also found the thumb stick to be a bit "spongy," and the other controls were a bit awkward as well. Other little inconveniences like a lack of FM, no video input and a weird requirement to unplug USB when charging make this player hard for the reviewer to recommend. Luckily, the 25 hour and 8 hour battery life estimates seem to be no lie, audio quality is excellent and Toshiba has slashed the price down to $300 mere days after launching it for $400, which ain't bad at all for a 30GB PVP with a 3.5-inch screen, no matter how it reviews.[Thanks, Nana]
Engadget Podcast 087 - 09.05.2006
Seems like all those IFA goers and showers are getting up on the portable media device tip, between the Toshiba Gigabeat V, the Zen Vision:W, and the Sansa c200. And why not? It looks like Apple's prepping to launch a whole mess of stuff on September 12th, so if you can't beat 'em, at least get your products out earlier. Also in Apple: myTunes strips iTunes 6 DRM (albeit a little complicated), and Crossover Mac runs Windows apps without a virtual machine. And then along came the Chumby, making its adorable little way into our cold, jaded hands. Enjoy the show! Get the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). [RSS] Add the Engadget Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically (MP3). [MP3] Download the show (MP3). [AAC] Download the enhanced show (AAC). [OGG] Download the show (OGG). Hosts: Peter Rojas and Ryan Block Producer: Trent Wolbe Music: Solvent - Instructograph (Ghostly International) Format: 30:27, 14 MB, MP3 Program: 01:25 - Toshiba drops a bomb: Gigabeat V in the US 03:35 - Creative Technology introduces Zen Vision:W 09:15 - SanDisk intros Sansa c200 player 10:45 - SanDisk intros Made for Sansa 13:07 - CrossOver Mac beta released: run Windows apps in OS X 15:45 - myTunes: the simplified iTunes DRM stripper for Windows 18:20 - Apple planning event in SF on September 12th? 23:40 - Hands-on with Chumby LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) LISTEN (OGG) Contact the podcast: 1-888-ENGADGET, Engadget (Gizmo Project) or podcast at engadget dawt com
