• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Toshiba Gigabeat(R) and MTV Networks' URGE Digital Music Service Rock to Same Tune

Posted on: Sunday, 7 January 2007, 15:00 CST

CES, LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C. ("Toshiba") today announced it has formalized its relationship with URGE, MTV Networks' digital music service (http://www.urge.com/). This relationship unites the power of Toshiba's line of gigabeat portable media players with the wide variety of music content and handcrafted programming available through MTV Networks' URGE service. Working via Windows Media(R) Player 11, which gigabeat players support, URGE has selected the gigabeat as a preferred device.

"For music and video lovers, Toshiba's gigabeat line of players represents the ultimate in easy to use portable media players," said Louis Masses, Director of Business Development. "Our relationship with URGE builds on our strategy of securing connections with premium content providers, giving our customers flexibility and choice in terms of digital content downloads. The gigabeat is about empowering consumers and our relationship with URGE is enabling Toshiba to do just that."

Built upon MTV Networks' renowned music heritage, URGE offers over a thousand frequently updated playlists, music feeds, exclusives from MTV, VH1 and CMT, and original editorial and blogs from some of the best minds in music. URGE offers both a la carte downloads to users, including individual songs for 99 cents, and subscription plans featuring unlimited downloads for the PC -- URGE All Access subscription for $9.99 per month -- and unlimited downloads for the PC and portable media players like the gigabeat -- URGE All Access to Go subscription for $14.95 per month.

As a preferred gigabeat service, URGE will work with Toshiba's widely available gigabeat portable media players including the 60GB(1) S Series and the 30GB(1) V Series. Both players feature Windows Mobile(R) software for Portable Media Center as their operating software and each unit supports Windows Media(R) Video 9. As audio and video players, the S Series and V Series are designed to work with PlaysForSure(TM) subscription-based video download services and both devices support MP3, WMA, WMA Lossless and WAV audio files. Support for this variety of audio files along with Windows DRM 9 and 10 allows for music purchases through subscription services such as URGE.

"Because of the robust media experience the gigabeat provides, we're excited to forge a relationship with Toshiba and link best-of-breed device technology with best-of-breed music content to benefit consumers," said Michael Bloom, Vice President of Digital Music and General Manager of URGE for MTV Networks. "We believe the combination of URGE and the gigabeat places enormous entertainment power in consumers' hands and are happy to feature the gigabeat as one of our preferred devices."

The gigabeat S Series offers a 2.4" (diagonally measured) QVGA color screen with 320 x 240 resolution and a built-in FM tuner. The V Series' unique attributes allow it to standout as one of the best mobile video players on the market. The V Series features a beautiful 3.5" (diagonally measured) TFT LCD display with 320 x 240 resolution. It also features an enhanced rechargeable Lithium ion battery that can provide up to eight hours of video playback and 25 hours(2) of audio playback. In addition to a large screen and additional battery life, the V Series also features a built-in speaker so both video and audio can be enjoyed without headphones.

As outstanding mobile video players, gigabeat devices work beautifully with Vongo, Starz Entertainment's subscription-based Internet video download application. Vongo enables consumers to download major Hollywood films and other video content over the Internet for playback on Windows-based PCs, laptops, select portable devices and TV. Vongo subscribers have unlimited access to more than 1,000 movies and 2,300 total video selections, as well as a live, streaming Starz TV channel for a monthly cost of $9.99.

During the CES event in Las Vegas, consumers can visit the Toshiba booth in order to see the seamless integration between the gigabeat and URGE. A kiosk will be set up at the booth highlighting how easily the player and the service work together.

Models and Pricing

The gigabeat PMC models are available now at $299.99 (60GB - MES60VK) and $299.99 (30GB - MEV30K) respectively.

gigabeat.com

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.

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

Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C. is owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, a world leader in high technology products with subsidiaries worldwide. Toshiba is a pioneer in HD DVD, DVD and DVD Recorder technology and a leading manufacturer of a full line of home entertainment products, including flat panel TV, rear projection and direct view televisions, combination products and portable devices. Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C. is headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey. For additional information please visit http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/.

Toshiba respects the rights of others. Our products are only intended for lawful recording, storage and playback of authorized content and any other lawful use.

About URGE and MTV Networks

URGE is the digital music service of MTV Networks, a division of Viacom (NYSE: VIA; VIA.B). Featuring original and exclusive music programming, first- rate editorial and innovative music discovery features, URGE is an immersive entertainment experience for music fans to connect with their favorite artists and discover new ones. Leveraging the music history of MTV, VH1 and CMT, URGE celebrates all music, from alt-country to zydeco, and offers subscription and a la carte access to over two million songs covering all musical genres.

gigabeat is a registered trademark of Toshiba Corporation.

PlaysForSure, Windows Mobile and Windows Media are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

Vongo and logo are service marks of Starz Entertainment.

All others are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

1. When referring to hard drive capacity 1 GB = 1 Billion Bytes. Available capacity will be less with preloaded content and operating system. Actual formatted capacity may vary. 2. Battery life and number of charge cycles will vary depending upon use and settings. Rechargeable battery has a limited service life. Continuous audio playback is based on Harmonics Improvement Technology being set to the "off" position.

Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C.

CONTACT: Contact: Bryan Olender of BRODEUR, +1-617-587-2044, orbolender@brodeur.com, for Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C.

Web site: http://www.gigabeat.com/http://www.urge.com/http://cesweb.org/default.asphttp://www.tacp.toshiba.com/

Source: PRNewswire

More News in this Category