e.Digital Corporation (fka EDIG)

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New Toshiba HDD Players / Support Microsoft’s DRM technology

http://www.i4u.com/

http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2004_06/pr_j1401.htm

Toshiba introduces new Toshiba Gigabeat MP3 Players with different Hard-drive sizes in Japan.

There are now 7 different Toshiba Gigabeat Models with the different hard-drive sizes and color choices. And of course still non of them officially available outside of Japan. Good thing there are shops like Dynamism and AudioCubes, where those super thin hard-drive based MP3 Players from Toshiba are available. We reviewed the first Toshiba Gigabeat G20 a while ago.

The Gigabeat G5 (MEG050) features a small 5GB hard-drive (competing with iPod mini?), the Gigabeat G22 (MEG202) has 20GB and the G40 (MEG400) a 40GB hard-drive. The players support WMA (DRM) and MP3. The G5 and G22 measure 76.5x12.7x89.5mm and weigh 138g. The G40 is slightly thicker with 15.7mm and weighing more with 156g.

Compared to the G20 and G21 the G22 has now charging capability via USB. The wireless LAN option introduced with the G21 is now bundled with the G22 and G40.


Toshiba adds bigger, smaller Gigabeats
Posted Jun 14, 2004, 10:46 AM ET by Gareth Edwards
Related entries: Portable Audio



Toshiba’s updated its (still Japan-only) Gigabeat audio player, which volume-wise is somewhat smaller than an iPod and comes with a wired/wireless LAN adapter. The 20GB model gets a facelift and some new colour options, and more importantly there are new 5GB and 40GB versions. The biggest change appears to be the addition of support for Microsoft’s DRM technology, a step toward remedying the previous problem that you couldn’t transfer MP3s purchased online to the player unless you felt like burning them to a CD and re-ripping. The 5GB version comes in at the equivalent of about $270, while the 20GB version goes for around $425 and the 40GB for around $495. The 5GB model is supposedly aimed at eating into the MD player market, though it’s not clear why anyone thinking of switching wouldn’t have spent the extra $30 and acquired a 15GB iPod already.