Toshiba adds new functionality and a wider variety of capacities and colors to their Gigabeat line. New functions include USB charging, and Windows Media DRM support.

Toshiba Corporation will begin releasing new models of their 1.8" HD digital audio player, the "gigabeat," beginning in July. Three capacities will be available in the lineup: the 5GB "G5," the 20GB "G22," and the 40GB "G40," each available in different color variations.

The price of all the units is Open Price. The release date and price according to Toshiba's direct sale site are listed below.

Model Name	gigabeat G5	gigabeat G22	gigabeat G40
HD capacity	5GB	20GB	40GB
Colors	Whitish Silver Crystal Blue (ltd ed.) Sunset Orange (ltd ed.)	Whitish Silver Burning Red (ltd ed.)	Sparkling Grey Deep Turquoise (ltd ed.)
External dimensions (W x D x H)	76.5 x 89.5 x 12.7mm		76.5 x 89.5 x 12.7mm
Weight	138g		156g
Cradle	Sold seperately	Included
Release Date	Middle - Back of July	Back of July	Back of September
Price	29,800 yen	47,040 yen	54,800 yen

These new players are successors to the "G21" released back in April. As far as new functions are concerned, the new cradles of the units support USB recharging, and support for the "Windows Media DRM V1" copyright protection standard has been added. Toshiba has dubbed the new players the "4th generation" of gigabeats.

Since the HD inside the G40 uses two platters, the player is 3mm thicker than its brethren and 18g heavier; Toshiba however claims the player is "real high class" with its hairline aluminium construction. Also, the "MEGBCS11" recharging stand will set users of the G5 back 3,980 yen as it is not included with this model.

Other dimenions and weights of the player are the same as the older models. It still includes the 160 x 80 dot backlit LCD that can display Japanese, it still includes the rechargable lithium ion battery with an 11 hour life, and it even includes a newer version of the "TOSHIBA Audio Application" (TAA) - V 4.1 - for music transfer. Supported operating systems are Windows 98 SE, ME, 2000, and XP. Also, TAA does not support Windows Media DRM V1; these files must be transferred using Windows Media Player.

The cradle (not included with the G5) features two USB ports, and when a wired or 802.11b wireless adapter is connected, data can be transferred over a network connection. However, while the cradle connects to the PC using USB 2.0, the cradle will o­nly connect to the ethernet adapter using USB 1.1.

Also, the "strap remote," (MEGSRC10) the strap with sewn-in controls, and a wired remote are included. The strap remote will also go o­n sale individually for 3,980 yen, and all previous models in the gigabeat series are supported.


Inspired by:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20040614/toshiba.htm

Gigabeat homepage:
http://www.gigabeat.net/

Page with product images, etc.:
http://www.gigabeat.net/mobileav/audio/meg050_202_400/index.htm