Design
The basic look of the S30 is similar to the F and X series of gigabeat players. The hallmark plus-sign navigation button lives on, although it is now operated mechanically, rather than being touch sensitive. Above the cross-shaped nav button are two rectangular keys -- the one with the arrow navigates to the previous menu layer, and one with the Windows symbol accesses the root menu. Above these two buttons is the lovely-looking 2.4-inch QVGA LCD screen. The right side of the player houses small circular buttons that play, pause and skip files. Next to these are a volume rocker and the power button.
Comparisons to the iPod are inevitable, so let's not mess around. Here's how the two players stack up physically: Apple's latest 30GB model measures 103.5mm by 61.8mm by 11mm and weighs in at 136 grams, whereas the S30 is 99.8mm by 59.9mm 14.7mm and 137 grams. A close contest, but the S30 has the edge, and a bigger, rotatable display to boot.
Features
Toshiba's gigabeat series has benefited from a Microsoft touch: the frustrating software from previous players has been ditched in favour of the much simpler Windows Portable Media Center operating system, and Windows Media Player 10 replaces the troublesome "Room" music transfer application. The S30 is also compatible with the Xbox 360 -- connecting the player allows you to listen to music via the games console, and song information is displayed automatically.
The S30 is optimised for use with the Media Center edition of Windows XP, and will not work at all on pre-XP versions of the operating system. The hope seems to be that users will want to integrate their home Media Center set-up with a portable device, and, finding that the gigabeat models use the same OS, will be enticed by the ease of synching everything up. It's a canny strategy, especially the idea of recording TV content using a Media Center PC and playing it back on the gigabeat.
The S30 also moonlights as a USB storage device. Photos taken on a digital camera can be transferred to the player without the need for a PC -- a very handy feature for travellers. The downside to this is that not all cameras are compatible.
Performance
Although our reviews of the X30 and last year's F60 were mostly positive, we used up a lot of words complaining about Toshiba's proprietary music transfer software, as well as the player's counter-intuitive interface. We were therefore very enthused to see whether the switch to Portable Media Center and Windows Media Player would allow the gigabeat players to shine.
The main thing that struck us about the S30 was how easy it was to use. The Media Center root menu was simple and logically laid-out, and we never had to rummage around through multilayered menus in order to figure how to change a setting. While we don't normally advocate ignoring the user manual, we never had to consult instructions during the whole time we tested the S30. It was a completely different experience to using previous gigabeat models, which had us throwing hissy-fits over the software.
We had a few small issues when using Windows Media Player 10. Firstly, we noticed that the software had retrieved online data related to our music (such as album cover art) without requesting authorisation or offering the option to decline. While finding album images seems an innocuous task, it makes us wonder what other data is being sent and retrieved without us knowing about it. Also, one of the images retrieved did not match the song. Granted, it was a relatively obscure track we're ashamed to admit owning (Australian reality TV pop band Bardot's chart-topper Poison from a few years back), but it was still irksome to have a heavy metal band cover associated with the song.
Video and audio playback was impressive, with image quality especially pleasing. We'll make the call: in terms of video, we liked it better than the iPod. This was mostly due to the option of viewing photos and video in landscape mode, a feature we really appreciated.
The FM radio tuned into stations quickly and easily, with its auto-scan feature locking on target to deliver clear reception.
Battery life was around 12 hours for audio playback and just under 4 for video content. Not too shabby for those long stretches on public transport or during more intrepid travels.
We were very happy with the S30, but can understand why some would be reluctant to commit to a very Microsoft-heavy product (limited file formats, for instance). Basically, if you use Media Center at home, and want a media player to take on the road, this model would be a fantastic choice. If you have a basic XP set-up, the S30 is still a great pick, and looking ahead, it will should slot in nicely with Vista, too.
For those wanting more room for their media, Toshiba's gigabeat S series also includes a 60GB model, the S60, available in black for AU$569.
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stevencccccc
19/11/2008, 02:54 PM
rating
3/10
its ok but i expect more
Pros: this player is ok but needs improvemt on the battery life, and it also formats itself for no reason
Cons: its not very good for on the move.if u turn it off with full battery, and try to turn it back on, it will say flat battery.its kinda stupid
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jeremytk
14/07/2008, 06:00 PM
rating
5/10
Had an S60 since they first came out. Paid $550 at the time! After 9 months of use the battery died to the point of only an hrs playback. It took toshiba a whole month to replace the battery. Less than a year later i still have the same problem. Grr.. It's a great player except for the battery...
Pros: Windows interface, easy to navigate, its not an ipod, looks good and decent sound quality.
Cons: BATTERY LIFE!
Toshibas customer service, hard to put videos on it.
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Alex1989
02/03/2008, 06:58 PM
rating
5/10
good but annoying at the same time
Pros: Sound and videos are good quality. Easy to sync from media player. A/V chord is handy
Cons: Low battery life which is annoying, hard drive can occasionaly malfunction, sound has malfunctioned twice in the past year
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petesbrew
09/01/2008, 08:50 AM
rating
6/10
I love my gigabeat, but it has its' flaws
Pros: Nice size, easy to use, good for videos, music & Radio
Cons: My player has deleted all my music 5 times in a year. For no reason, it brings up a screen "4. Removing Media Items. Please Wait"
This is ridiculous. And Toshiba customer support is useless, blaming Window's for this problem.
2 windows media player is a crap player to use for syncing to and from.
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johnnywazza
21/12/2007, 02:16 PM
rating
7/10
I liked my player a lot. Excellent sound, nice menus. The battery life is disappointing, but I have gotten used to it. What is a problem is customer support. IT'S TERRIBLE.
Pros: Good all round player.
Excellent sound.
Clear, easy to use menus and button layout.
Cons: Battery life
Screen hard to see in daylight
CUSTOMER SUPPORT. I'm STILL waiting for it to be returned, 2 MONTHS after the manufacturer received it, with no indication it will be returned any time soon! Just ridiculous.
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Shawty Is A KILLA
21/11/2007, 12:55 PM
rating
8/10
Had It For A Few Days Now, Rare In Stores I Went To Heaps Of Stores And Rung Up Heaps Of Stores And They Didnt Have It, Many Stores Said They Would Never Order It In Again. Tandy In Liverpool Had 1 Left And I Got It....Pretty Good....Ive Put Heaps Of Songs On It Over These Few Days[Ive Got Over 3000 On My Computer] And Everytime I Plug It In And Open WMP It Freezes And Take A Long Time....But Overall A Great Choice.. In MP3 And Digital Media Device.
Pros: That You Plug It Into The TV, Radio, Video, WMP Converts The Video Into Without Other Software, Easy To Use.
Cons: There isnt a fast scrolling button to flick through your songs like the ipod..
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clarkey
28/10/2007, 06:49 PM
rating
8/10
Had it for a few weeks and has been very impressed except i have not been able to put my DVD's on it
Pros: Once files are on the gigabeat it is excelent in every aspect
Cons: very hard to put dvd's on it
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yankees
11/09/2007, 05:15 AM
rating
10/10
its the greatset
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kc
15/08/2007, 05:27 AM
rating
9/10
so far okay
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nick.hill1
10/08/2007, 04:02 PM
rating
9/10
Brilliant!
I have had the Toshiba for around 3 months. It has very good sound, good size screen, brilliant picture quality, has very fast startup and response, very efficient and simple navigation, good radio reception when compared to rivals.
The main reason I am so impressed is to do with the service I received. After about 2 1/2 months my device had a problem with the hard drive, I had to send it to the warranty repair agents for repair, it was fixed and returned to me in just over a week and because I live in a different state most of this time would have been postage. This time is amazingly quick when compared to my friend who waited 3 months for their Creative Zen to be repaired.
Pros: Big screen, clear picture, great sound, quick, good radio, easy navigation
Cons: Back of case is very soft metal and is dinted easily, I suggest using a case.
Be careful when transferring files onto device when battery is low, it can malfunction. Mains power is needed when connecting to computer if battery is low.
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