Toshiba Displays Line of gigabeat(R) Digital Audio Players Featuring 2.2" LCD Color Screens

Toshiba Displays Line of gigabeat(R) Digital Audio Players Featuring 2.2" LCD Color Screens

gigabeat is available now in four memory capacities and seven distinct colors

CEDIA, INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C., ("Toshiba") displayed today at CEDIA its line of gigabeat(R) digital audio players, the first in the Toshiba gigastyle family of products announced at this year's Consumer Electronics Show. The gigastyle concept introduces products that are hard drive based and allow the ultimate in flexibility and entertainment options.

"Consumers are excited about the gigabeat, which just hit stores a few months ago. Our display and storage expertise has allowed us to offer a number of features that promote format flexibility and ease of use and enhance the consumer's entertainment experience," said Yoshi Uchiyama, Group Vice President of Toshiba's Digital A/V Group.

With a large 2.2" QVGA LCD screen and a resolution of 320 x 240, the new gigabeat offers amongst the best picture quality available today. Emphasizing the visual as well as the audio experience, gigabeat lets consumers download their photographs, create slideshows to music, customize their screens and backgrounds and even attach album covers to each album and track when the art is available. To demonstrate the incredible resolution, every gigabeat comes preloaded with a Demo that displays the slideshow feature.

gigabeat will download and play MP3, WMA or WAV files. For consumers with large CD collections, gigabeat offers the ultimate in convenience -- CD RipRec(TM). Designed with simplicity in mind, CD RipRec can transfer the contents of an entire CD to the gigabeat in as little as five minutes which ensures that consumers can still enjoy their valuable CD collection. Simply place the CD in the PC tray, press the "CD RipRec" button on the supplied gigabeat cradle and copy the content from the CD directly onto the gigabeat device.

Flexibility

In order to offer consumers the greatest flexibility and download options, Toshiba worked with both Microsoft and Napster to provide Windows Media PlaysForSure(TM) and Napster To Go(TM) compatibility. In addition to the supplied gigabeat room(TM) management software, gigabeat is able to download music via Windows Media Player 10 and windows based subscription services.

Music in Color(TM) Integrated Marketing Campaign

To support the product launch, Toshiba has developed an integrated marketing campaign that incorporates advertising, public relations, online, promotions and point of sale. Based on the theme of "Music in Color," the new ad campaign features well-known artists such as Blues Traveler, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and the new emerging band, Vendetta Red.

The "Because Music is Just Better in Color"(TM) advertising campaign, running now, emphasizes the product's innovative 2.2" display. The campaign features TV spots appearing on MTV networks' properties such as VH-1(TM), MTV(TM), Comedy Central(TM) and TV Land(TM). In conjunction with the TV campaign, print ads highlight the "Because Music is Just Better in Color" theme. Toshiba has also partnered with Rolling Stone magazine to promote gigabeat both in print and online.

http://www.gigabeat.com/ is the official site dedicated to gigabeat and the gigabeat community. gigabeat.com features innovative product guides, music links, accessory information, product updates and much more.

Covering all of the bases, gigabeat is available in four capacities and seven distinct colors -- 10GB in silver, blue and black acrylic priced at $259 (MEG-F10), 20GB in silver and black brushed aluminum finish at $299 (MEG-F20), 40GB in a brushed aluminum champagne finish (MEG-F40) at $349 with in-line remote control and the 60GB model in a "steel" brushed aluminum finish at $399 (MEG-F60) with in-line remote control. Every gigabeat comes with an up to 16- hour, rechargeable battery that can be charged via the supplied docking cradle or via a USB cable from any PC.

About Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C.

Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C. is a limited liability company, owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, a world leader in high technology products with subsidiaries worldwide. Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C. is a pioneer in DVD technology and a leading manufacturer of a full line of home entertainment products, including televisions, home theater projectors, combination products and portable devices. Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C. is headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey with production facilities in Lebanon, Tennessee. For additional information please visit http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/.

Source: Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C.

CONTACT: Alejandro Arango of BRODEUR, +1-617-587-2034, aarango@brodeur.com

Web Site: http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/

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