| I4U Exclusive:
Toshiba Gigabeat G20 MP3 Player Review Where
to buy the Toshiba Gigabeat G20:
The Toshiba Gigabeat G20 (MEG200J) is only available in Japan right now. Dynamism.com,
the experts in importing Japanese Gadgets and Computers to the USA,
are offering the Toshiba
Gigabeat G20 for their true price of $599. Call them directly at 1-800-711-6277 and
mention that you saw the Gigabeat G20 on I4U to receive special
treatment. |
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REVIEW SECTIONS: Introduction ::
Features
:: Download Music :: Specs &
Conclusions
Download Music:
There are many ways to get music onto the Gigabeat Player or any MP3
Player. But there are also some limitations and some inconveniences
a long the way. This section is not necessarily specific to the
Toshiba Player, but applies to most MP3 players out there. In the
following I explore CD Ripping, Manage Files and buying Songs on
iTunes and Wal-Mart.
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CD Ripping
CD Ripping means to copy and convert the tracks on an audio CD
to digital music files. The Windows Media Player 9 (WM9) has a
built-in CD ripping function that is very easy to use. The
software creates WMA files from the audio tracks on the music
CD. The album name and the track titles are synchronized from
the CDDB internet service. As I mentioned in the Introduction
the G20 comes with a driver for WM9. After ripping the CD, it
is easy to copy the whole album to the device. All WMA files
are automatically wrapped the Toshiba specific meta data. (.SAT). |
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Manage Files
with the G20
The alternative to the WM9 is to use the Toshiba Audio
Application 2.0. Its a simple program that can be used to
upload WMA, MP3 and WAV media files to the G20 and it will add
the meta data information to those files. (.SAT). The
drive of the Gigabeat is also accessible from the File
Explorer, but music files need to be either uploaded through
WM9 or through the Toshiba Audio Application to be playable. |
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Wal-Mart
Music
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Buying Music
at iTunes, Wal-Mart or other Music Stores
Here the inconveniences start. iTunes is not directly usable
with the Gigabeat G20. The Apple AAC Digital Rights Management
(DRM) system is not compatible with any other MP3 player,
besides the iPod.
The only way to use tracks bought on iTunes is to burn them
on CD or CD-RW and then rip them again. There are no
converters to convert a iTunes m4p file into anything else
because of the encryption.
Now the Wal-Mart Music Download services
uses WMA with Microsoft's DRM. Songs are also cheaper there by
the way only 88c, the selection is not so big though. I have a
question into Dynamism to find out
whether Microsoft DRM is supported on
the G20, because I get an error saying on the WM9, the license restricts
it, when I try to upload a song I bought on
Wal-Mart to the player. My current research shows the G20 is
not supporting DRM yet. So either way right now I need to copy
bought songs onto a CD and rip them before playing on the G20
- bummer!
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Press the next button below to see a face to face comparison between
the Apple iPod and the Toshiba Gigabeat G20.
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