Toshiba's V Series Keeps the Portable Media Center Alive

[Damion Chaplin]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/2986/toshiba_premieres_new' target='_blank'>http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/2986/toshiba_premieres_new</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C., announced today the new MEV30K V Series portable media player -- the latest addition to its gigabeat line. Adding to the already popular gigabeat S Series portable media players, the V Series features a larger viewing screen and extended battery life for the ultimate portable video experience. The V Series features a 3.5" (diagonally measured) TFT LCD display, a built-in speaker and utilizes Microsoft's Portable Media Center Version 2.0 software... The new V Series features a beautiful 3.5" (diagonally measured) TFT LCD display with 320 x 240 resolution for a superb video on the go experience. With up to 8 hours of video playback capability, the V Series is a perfect companion on any trip as it allows users to watch a full movie or even three! With a 30GB internal hard disk drive, there is room for all kinds of content. The unit supports Windows Media® Video 9 and 10 allowing for videos to be transferred from a Windows based PC right onto the player utilizing Windows Media Player 10."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/3222.jpg" /> <br /><br />8 Hours of continuous video playback sure sounds nice, but otherwise this player seems rather ho-hum. About the only thing interesting about it is the fact that it uses MS's Portable Media Center, which may or may not have been a wise decision. Personally, I'll be waiting to see what the Zune has to offer before I even consider buying a new PMP. The Toshiba gigabeat V Series will be available at major retailers starting in October for around $399.

[Jason Dunn]

8 hour video playback is sweet! That's one of the major limitations of the Gigabeat S - only 2 hours of video playback. This one is much more geared toward video playback though, as it has an integrated speaker.

[Felix Torres]

About the only thing interesting about it is the fact that it uses MS's Portable Media Center, which may or may not have been a wise decision.

Wise.
The Gigabeat S has the same software and it is smooth, efficient, and bullet-proof. Really nice. Only gripe is landscape mode is only for photos and video; I would've liked the option to play music in landscape mode.

That said, if I hadn't *needed* to get a new player in June, I too would've waited to see what Zune offers. I expect very tight XBOX360 integration and that would be nice.

The Gigabeat S is mostly hampered by its small size which means both a small screen and a small battery. The reason I'm happy with it is that I bought it mostly for music; that it plays video nicely for even two hours is just frosting on the 60Gb cake.