Time for a new MP3 player!

[loup garou]

Played with the 10GB Gigabeat at J&R today. The screen is freaking amazing, easily one of, if not the best screen on any portable device I've ever seen. The plus touch control was a snap to use, I don't kow why early reviews are saying it's weird to use. Size was nice, a hair taller than the 20GB iPod I was comparing with and lighter than I expected. Unfortunately, they didn't have a 40GB model on display to see just how much the extra 3mm of thickness impacts it. Also didn't have any music on it so I couldn't see how it sounded...I had my e3cs with me.

I'm starting to lean towards not taking all my music with me and just getting the 20GB model since it's the same size as the 10GB and I really like the black model....argh! Decisions!

 

[GrantMeThePower]

I wish Best Buy carried the Gigabeat. I've got a bunch of store credit from my rewards card and i just got the H10 20gb player. Its good, but the gigabeat looks even better.

 

[tec699]

Werk why aren't u considering the creative micro? They've gotten great reviews as far as I know.

btw... I have the dell 15 gig DJ and it's been great but I dropped it a few times and I think I also need a new mp3 player.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: tec699
Werk why aren't u considering the creative micro? They've gotten great reviews as far as I know.

btw... I have the dell 15 gig DJ and it's been great but I dropped it a few times and I think I also need a new mp3 player.

As I stated, I already have one, I need something with more storage.

 

[Excelsior]

X5...no doubt...X5.

 

[Excelsior]

Here is the 30GB X5 for $310.


And is this true about the Gigabeat:

"The players support either MP3, Windows Media Audio, or WAV files, although the files have to be passed through Toshiba's "Gigabeat Room" software to be loaded onto the device and recognized by the player. This process results in the files being encrypted and is an anti-piracy measure, says Suzuki. If music files can be dragged and dropped onto the Gigabeat's hard drive without using the software the device won't recognize them."

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,117936,00.asp

If so, why on earth would you buy it?!

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: Excelsior
Here is the 30GB X5 for $310.


And is this true about the Gigabeat:

"The players support either MP3, Windows Media Audio, or WAV files, although the files have to be passed through Toshiba's "Gigabeat Room" software to be loaded onto the device and recognized by the player. This process results in the files being encrypted and is an anti-piracy measure, says Suzuki. If music files can be dragged and dropped onto the Gigabeat's hard drive without using the software the device won't recognize them."

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,117936,00.asp

If so, why on earth would you buy it?!

I don't care. Once my music is on, why would I want to copy it back off, except if I were a pirate? Drag and drop was never a big deal for me anyways.

Anyways, I decided on a black Gigabeat f20. I decided the extra 20GB wasn't worth the extra thickness (and god knows when the f41 with perpendicular storage HD will be available in the US). I've actually been pruning my media over the past week or so, cutting down on dvds I don't watch anymore and music I don't listen to anymore.

I can't wait to get it! I just have to wait for my birthday in 10 days, since my gf got it for me as a present. :heart:

 

[ng12345]

Originally posted by: werk

Originally posted by: werk

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Another one to consider, Archos Gmini 400.

Played with one yesterday, it would be a fun little toy.

Viper GTS

Thanks. I'm always wary of Archos after experience with their early products, but I'd be willing to give them a second chance. I'm reading the THG review now. I'm also somewhat considering the Samsung YH-999 PMC since it integrates with MCE2k5 so well. I just wish it had more storage. :|

I just played with the GMini 400 at DataVision. I'm impressed..the screen is great, it's TINY, and the build quality is much better than their previous products. If only it had more space and the menu system wasn't so damn bad. I couldn't even figure out how to turn the damn thing off!

so no go on the archos then??

i'm curious because I want to get one real bad (seeing it for $254) ... but dont want to risk a bad investment ... esp after i had the ipod break 3 times on me.

 

[tm37]

Originally posted by: werk

Originally posted by: Excelsior
Here is the 30GB X5 for $310.


And is this true about the Gigabeat:

"The players support either MP3, Windows Media Audio, or WAV files, although the files have to be passed through Toshiba's "Gigabeat Room" software to be loaded onto the device and recognized by the player. This process results in the files being encrypted and is an anti-piracy measure, says Suzuki. If music files can be dragged and dropped onto the Gigabeat's hard drive without using the software the device won't recognize them."

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,117936,00.asp

If so, why on earth would you buy it?!

I don't care. Once my music is on, why would I want to copy it back off, except if I were a pirate? Drag and drop was never a big deal for me anyways.

Anyways, I decided on a black Gigabeat f20. I decided the extra 20GB wasn't worth the extra thickness (and god knows when the f41 with perpendicular storage HD will be available in the US). I've actually been pruning my media over the past week or so, cutting down on dvds I don't watch anymore and music I don't listen to anymore.

I can't wait to get it! I just have to wait for my birthday in 10 days, since my gf got it for me as a present. :heart:

Are you still gonna sell me you old one?

 

[Kodiak]

iPod

 

[lokiju]

Dare I suggest *gulp* a Sony?

I'm no Sony fan at all, but this new one seems like a good device, nice key features are 20GB drive, 40 hours of play time and user replaceable batteries.


Plus they're small.


Edit: Here is a review on it.

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: werk

Originally posted by: Excelsior
Here is the 30GB X5 for $310.


And is this true about the Gigabeat:

"The players support either MP3, Windows Media Audio, or WAV files, although the files have to be passed through Toshiba's "Gigabeat Room" software to be loaded onto the device and recognized by the player. This process results in the files being encrypted and is an anti-piracy measure, says Suzuki. If music files can be dragged and dropped onto the Gigabeat's hard drive without using the software the device won't recognize them."

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,117936,00.asp

If so, why on earth would you buy it?!

I don't care. Once my music is on, why would I want to copy it back off, except if I were a pirate? Drag and drop was never a big deal for me anyways.

Anyways, I decided on a black Gigabeat f20. I decided the extra 20GB wasn't worth the extra thickness (and god knows when the f41 with perpendicular storage HD will be available in the US). I've actually been pruning my media over the past week or so, cutting down on dvds I don't watch anymore and music I don't listen to anymore.

I can't wait to get it! I just have to wait for my birthday in 10 days, since my gf got it for me as a present. :heart:

just so you know teh thicknesses are listed as teh same for very model on amazon, and 3mm is pretty damn small anyway

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: ng12345
so no go on the archos then??

i'm curious because I want to get one real bad (seeing it for $254) ... but dont want to risk a bad investment ... esp after i had the ipod break 3 times on me.

I was really impressed with it, I would get an extended warranty though based off of Archos' track record.

Originally posted by: tm37
Are you still gonna sell me you old one?

YGPM in a second.

Originally posted by: Kodiak
iPod

Get the fvck out. Seriously.

Originally posted by: blazert40
Dare I suggest *gulp* a Sony?

I'm no Sony fan at all, but this new one seems like a good device, nice key features are 20GB drive, 40 hours of play time and user replaceable batteries.


Plus they're small.


Edit: Here is a review on it.

I briefly considered it, but no native wma support (have to convert).
Sweet player though, it's getting great reviews.

Originally posted by: Anubis
just so you know teh thicknesses are listed as teh same for very model on amazon, and 3mm is pretty damn small anyway

They have the wrong specs, there is a 3mm extrusion on the 40 & 60GB gigabeats. Of course I could've waited for the F41 with perpendicular storage tech which would make them the same thickness, but I'm not holding my breath on it.


I'll post some impressions/short review of the gigabeat F20 shortly.

 

[CtK]

just got an X5 and its a lot smaller than i thought
very nicely built!!

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: werk

Originally posted by: Kodiak
iPod

Get the fvck out. Seriously.

:thumbsup::laugh:

 

[777php]

the f20 looks sweet, i was thinking about buying that but, I really would like a FM tuner.
Would the perpendicular drive in the f21 allow for heavy exercising? I haven't read the specifics on perpendicualar storage other than the size increase in the same small size.

 

[mosco]

Does anyone here use the gigabeat with a PlayForSure service? The included sofware wont transfer licensed music over to the player, and it gives a message saying to use WMP10. The problem is, WMP10 can't see the device. I have the PC connection set to "Windows Media Player 10" and the one that lets you choose when you connect and I get nothing. It always says "gigabeat room" when connecting to the computer even though its not in that mode. The same thing is happening with a co-worker with the 20 gig version. I have the 10gig version to play with. He said when he tried to register for toshiba support, the submit of the form gave him an error. So we can't even find out if there is a firmware upgrade.

I have version 2.020US of the firmware.

BTW, I am not a fan of this device. Yeah the screen is nice, but the controls are pretty bad. The plus sign thing control thing isn't even smooth. When you run your finger over the controls, you can feel the plastic on your finger. Whats up with the center button? They tried too much to be like the ipod and failed.

Also, their software is a joke. Its some of the crappied software I have ever seen. Not only is ugly, but its not very functional. Syncing speed sucks(mp3s, not the playforsure tracks). No where as fast as an ipod. I am glad I didn't buy this.

I could go on, but when I started I didn't come on here to say it sucks, I came on here to get help with my playforsure problem.