Sep
20
The new Toshiba Gigabeat S series, which was recently made famous by Bill Gates, looks like it will be a major challenge to the Apple iPod. It effectively incorporates an updated version of the super intuitive Microsoft Portable Media Center software in to a portable video player available in thirty gigabytes or sixty gigabytes, with a $100 price difference between the two.
The Toshiba Gigabeat MES30VW is quite attractive and very compact. It is compatible with a wide variety of different media formats. It has a high storage capacity, as well, which should make it appeal to early adopters. Its operating system is quite easy to use, so beginners should be pleased with the Toshiba Gigabeat MES30VW as well. What is more, the Toshiba Gigabeat MES30VW is subscription enabled. It comes with such perks as an FM radio tuner. If that is not enough, the Toshiba Gigabeat MES30VW is going to be one of the first devices that are compatible with the Vongo movie subscription service from Starz. While the Toshiba Gigabeat MES30VW does not record video or audio, it is still generally a great portable media device. Other drawbacks that buyers should keep in mind, however, is the fact that the screen is rather small, which mars video enjoyment, and the battery life is a lot weaker than what Toshiba promises.
We like the Toshiba Gigabeat MES30VW, however, just for the fact that it takes the simple PMC software and delivers in the form of a compact MP3 player. It weighs 4.8 ounces and measures 3.93 x 2.36 x 0.58 inches. This makes it a lot smaller than the iPod, except for its thickness. The sixty gigabyte version of the Toshiba Gigabeat MES30VW has the same dimensions, but weighs a bit more, at 5.3 ounces – this is still lighter than the sixty gigabyte iPod. What is more, the Toshiba Gigabeat MES30VW is quite durable. It comes with a scratch resistant backside that is anodized aluminum. Its front is glossy and plastic.
The Toshiba Gigabeat MES30VW is able to handle the following: MP3, WMA, WMA Lossless, WMV, and WAV. Assorted other formats come pre-transcoded in Windows Media Player 11 – these include MPEG 4, MOV, AVI, and DivX. The Toshiba Gigabeat MES30VW also supports such media subscription services as MTV Urge and Napster. What is more, the device is compatible with Media Center and Tivo To Go recordings. The Toshiba Gigabeat MES30VW can be controlled with and connected to an Xbox 360. It will also be able to connect with the Starz Vongo download and subscription service, which will allow users to download all that they want for the price of $10 a month.
After plugging the Toshiba Gigabeat MES30VW in to our WMP 11 box, our Urge music content, videos, and photos transferred smoothly and quickly. One thing that buyers should keep in mind is the fact that the Toshiba Gigabeat MES30VW is an MTP device. Thus, it is necessary to use either Windows XP or XP Media Center Edition.
