Toshiba Unveils 80GB 'iPod drive' 375
sushant_bhatia_progr writes "The Register has an article about a new 80GB drive from Toshiba. Toshiba says it will ship an 80GB 1.8in hard drive in Q3 2005 - a year after it introduced the 60GB version that can currently to be found inside the iPod Photo. The 80GB HDD - model number MK8007GAH - comes in a 7.9 x 5.4 x 0.8cm casing. Toshiba will ship a 40GB version - model number MK4007GAL - that's just 0.5cm thick in the second quarter. It's lighter, too: 51g to the 80GB HDD's 62g. Toshiba's current 40GB and 60GB (model numbers MK4004GAH and MK6006GAH, respectively) 1.8in HDDs are 0.8cm thick, so the new drive should make for thinner mid-range iPods.
Both drives spin at 4200rpm, offer an average seek time of 15ms and operate across an Ultra DMA 100 interface. They can take 500G operating shock and 1500G non-operating shock."
Size Storage (Score:5, Insightful)
I think I would rather have a really thing 40gb model than a slightly larger 80gb model that probably will cost a lot more.
Re:Size Storage (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Size Storage (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Size Storage (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Size Storage (Score:3, Funny)
I dunno, 4000 bytes isn't really that big these days...
Re:Size Storage (Score:3, Funny)
from
I dunno, 4000 bytes isn't really that big these days...
Actually, 40 harpibytes would be (40 * 1024) yottabytes, which is 49,517,601,571,415,210,995,964,968,960 bytes. That's pretty big, even by today's standards.
Re:Size Storage (Score:2)
And, thinking about the market in general, 80GB hard disk drives come in handy if you're Archos, etc selling what essentially will soon become portable PVRs.
Need 100GB+ (Score:3, Informative)
Still waiting...
Re:Need 100GB+ (Score:4, Funny)
1200 x 55 x 60 is a little under 4 million seconds
x 160 KBps = 640 Gbits
= 80 Gbytes
It'll be tight though. You might have to drop some of your least-favourite tracks (with 1200 CDs, I'm sure there are some on there that you actually don't like, right?)
Re:Need 100GB+ (Score:2, Funny)
1200 Songs, ~10 Songs an album, ~3 Minutes a song is 600hours of music, you know what would actually useful, putting the 400 tracks you actually listen to onto a music player and turning on shuffle. It would certainly save you hitting "next track" so much.
Re:Need 100GB+ (Score:3, Interesting)
Step one: Don't use 160 kbps AACs. You can't hear the difference anyway.
Step two: There is no step two.
Re:Need 100GB+ (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:thin air (Score:5, Funny)
Audiophiles have plenty of other excuses for not buying iPods, most of them, as near as I can tell, made up out of thin air.
For those that don't know, thin air is a huge problem if you are trying to faithfully reproduce a sound. Thicker air carries and holds sound much better, with less distortion (especially in the upper ranges).
iPods, like most other advanced electronics are manfactured in what is called a "cleanroom environment", where normal air is stripped of all it's suspended particulates. This thinned out air is then included in the iPods when they are shipped are are one of the reasons it tends to attenuate the upper frequencies, leading to muffled highs.
Hope that clarifes things a bit.
Re:Size Storage (Score:3, Insightful)
Bring on big drives and lossless compression!
Re:Size Storage (Score:3, Insightful)
A CD is FAR from lossless.
I'm excited about the new formats on DVD media, but I haven't gotten around giving them a listen just yet.
Stack two 40gig drives... (Score:2, Interesting)
I know... battery drain for 2 drives... but you don't have to spool up both drives at once.
You could have separate archives on separate drives.
Really, you could use 3 drives, implement RAID.
All 3 drives could spin when docked.
Photos on one drive, video on one drive, music on 3rd drive.
40gig on
Re:Size Storage (Score:2)
The mini is too small (storage-wise) for me, but I'd love something about halfway between the Photo and the mini. Actually, I'd love a mini with a 20 GB drive or better, but that's not happening any time soon.
p
Re:Size Storage (Score:2)
Maybe Toshiba has already developed such a drive and has not publicly announced it yet? I wouldn't be surprised that the iPod Mini gets a 20 to 40 GB hard drive within the next 18 months.
slightly off topic but (Score:2)
I'm guessing they are different to the 'IBM microdrive' yes ?
Re:slightly off topic but (Score:2, Informative)
The microdrives are micro harddrives in compact flash form factor.
Captain Obvious speaks - (Score:5, Funny)
*cues fog machine*
how about adding a port for external drives? (Score:3, Interesting)
That would be kinda' neat, kinda retro.
Re:how about adding a port for external drives? (Score:2)
That's actually a neat idea, but it really doesn't sound like a feature an iPod needs.
500G operating shock (Score:2, Funny)
Re:500G operating shock (Score:2)
-Jesse
Re:500G operating shock (Score:2, Informative)
Even with flexion of the case, I'd suspect that an iPod falling off a belt would subject the drive to at least 500G.
Re:500G operating shock (Score:4, Funny)
Your head deformed as it hit the ice, spreading the impact out over time. Also, your brain (or what's left of it!) is cushioned by a surrounding layer of fluid.
Personally, I wear a helmet to protect my "money-maker"....
Re:500G operating shock (Score:5, Funny)
That's one thing our sex ed class in high school taught us as well...
oh wait..
Re:500G operating shock (Score:3, Funny)
Re:500G operating shock (Score:2)
But why do they insist making Ipods of these? (Score:4, Interesting)
And it better be 80 GB, not the measly 4GB like in some recent news...
I really believe that a device like this would win the market... it's beyond me why is nobody making them yet on mass scale.
Because people buy them (Score:3, Interesting)
But a HDD based video camera would be nice too.
Re:Because people buy them (Score:2, Interesting)
I was actually planning to buy a digital video cam, but the moment I thought about the possibility of HD-based one, I decided to postpone the whole thing and wait for them to appear.
It may take a year or two, but I'm pretty confident they'll be the new rage. And all necessary technology is already here.
HDD on digicam (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:HDD on digicam (Score:3, Insightful)
Another factor is that a major part of the cost and bulk of your basic camcorder is tied up in handling the tape. And those mechanical parts (and aligment) are usually what fails.
Re:But why do they insist making Ipods of these? (Score:3, Insightful)
1. The hard drive is only 4200 RPM. Not really fast enough for video capture/editing. Maybe doable if the camera has MPEG-2 compression on-board, or something, but it is cutting it close.
2. You can carry as many tapes as you want with you. If you need more storage, you stick in another tape. The same can't be said for hard drive based cameras.
and finally (you'll think I am mad for saying this)..
3. Editing is EASIER with a tape-based system. Sure,
Re:But why do they insist making Ipods of these? (Score:2, Interesting)
2. 80GB ought to be enough for quite a couple of hours o'video. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but I see no use of more than 10 hours off of any single event... and moreover, you wouldn't have enough storage to keep them on your comp anyway.
3. The whole point is that you will
Re:But why do they insist making Ipods of these? (Score:2)
Come to think of it, it would make a better fit in my PowerMac Cube too!
80Gb = 22 Days (Score:4, Interesting)
Rus
Re:80Gb = 22 Days (Score:2)
This is getting as old as the windows BSOD jokes. I'm sure all the Rio Karmas an d Irivers out ther will last 22+ days.
Great now (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Great now (Score:2)
IPod? No, PDA! (Score:3, Insightful)
They already have video units like this, but for some reason they think that if your PDA does this then it doesn't have to be able to do anything else.
Re:IPod? No, PDA! (Score:2)
apple marketing semantics (Score:2)
You mean
Do some math... (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Do some math... (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Do some math... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Do some math... (Score:2)
2) mp3 or whatever the format used need not be 128 or 192 kbps. in fact, i can see 80 GB being filled quite easily by classical music enthusiasts who may be able to at least consider using AIFF with such a large capacity.
3) if you have 200 to 300 CDs, which isn't all that rare, that's already over $2,000 in investment you've made and will give you over 2,000 songs. it's surprising how much investment over the years we've made in various things. CDs are one of them. video ga
Re:Do some math... (Score:2)
Not to mention, if it only cost a buck thirty to fill one up, I'd be all over it...
Re:Do some math... (Score:5, Interesting)
6MB mp3 file
14 songs per CD
975 CDs
$10 per CD
$9,750 to full load the damn thing
So let's flip the logic.
What if, IF, you already have 50 CDs? 200 CDs? 300 CDs?
If you have $1,000 in music, or $2,000, or $3,000, the cost of an iPod is CHUMP. What's $249 for 4g? $299 for 20g? That's essentially nothing when you consider the ability to access almost 1,000 CDs at any one time.
Where before the iPod you could only access 1, maybe 10, CDs depending on your mp3 player.
I just wish they were buyable.... (Score:2)
Great (Score:2)
Bastards.
Next steps for Apple (Score:3, Interesting)
This would cater to the people who have large music collections and have no interest in storage of photos or a need for a colour screen. Like me.
Given that the iPod Photo has significantly longer battery life with a colour screen, one with a b&w screen could probably increase the 12 hour duration as high as 15.
I'm still not convinced that video is the way to go at the moment, mainly because it's such a niche area. Digital photography only really took off for the average Joe a couple of years ago with the reduction in price of digital cameras to an affordable (and in many cases, dirt cheap) price.
At the moment, I'm looking at the photo iPod simply because I want 60 gig. It's somewhat disappointing to think I'm paying out extra money for the photo functionality that I'll never use.
Ah! They learned their lesson. (Score:3, Funny)
We all remember the fit that Apple threw when they pre-announced Apple's order for the 60-gig. Seems like they're thinking things through this time.
Re:Ah! They learned their lesson. (Score:3, Informative)
Annoucing Apple will use your hardware before Apple
Video will kill the MP3 star (Score:3, Interesting)
I use the iPod solely for music, and the Archos solely for video. If Archos ever got their act together and shrunk the device even a little, integrated a remote and smartened up the sw then I'd drop the iPod in a hearbeat.
I've got a one hour long commute each way. For me that is nothing more productive then watching the overnite market news instead of listening to music. I haven't messed about much with movies and such, but for catching up on the news the Archos can't be beat!
At least until Apple enters that market.
Perfect for the New Newtons! (Score:3, Funny)
[hint] Imagine how many HyperCard stacks 80GB can hold?
finally "collection in a box"? (Score:3, Interesting)
Of course, the iPod doesn't support lossless compressed formats, but this is about a harddisk that could also be used by better audioplayer manufacturers.
Anyway, a record, ripped in good quality, or even lossless will run between 100MB and 300MB. Let's be conservative and say 150MB per album. That means that on this disc will have space for around 500 albums. (rounded down to be on the save side, if you have only mp3 playback this number might grow to be around 800-900 albums)
500 albums is a medium sized collection for music lovers. (and 800-900 is not excessive) Personally, I would really like to see players with 80GB that are small and have good battery life. I don't care for colour screens and video, image and other capabilities (apart maybe from recording or digital in/out) and I would really like to design a menu for a music player. (is it so hard to have different random modes: artist, album, year, genre? or the ability to schedule songs to play next without generating a playlist?)
Oh well, I guess I'm not a good target market, I want to control how I listen to the music I love...
CC
Re:finally "collection in a box"? (Score:5, Informative)
With iTunes 4.7 http://www.apple.com/itunes/ [apple.com], you can encode to Apple Lossless Format, which can compress to half the space an uncompressed song would.
Other applications? (Score:4, Insightful)
Or perhaps the 80GB will me a debut not in an iPod for music and photos, but in an iPod-like PDA/Table/Treo type device.
Re:I'd sooner see (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:I'd sooner see (Score:2)
Re:I'd sooner see (Score:2)
Actually, now that I think of it, should I blow money on an MP3 player at all if I don't listen to music o
Re:I'd sooner see (Score:2, Informative)
The disadvantage (for me) is the lack of a very long battery life, which is a common feature amongst most HDD based players, in my opinion, if you only listen to a few CD's each day, and you like the radio, go for a smaller 512mb or 1gb flash based device with a built in radio. iRiver ones seem to fit the bill nicely
Re:I'd sooner see (Score:2)
Honestly, thats a good question (one that I have been asking myself recently as I am in the same position with some Christmas money to blow and I want an HD based MP3 player)
I have been trying to decide between the Zen and the Ipod and I have decided on an Ipod for several reasons (and I'm not even a "Mac person").
First and foremost I am choosing the iPod for build
Re:I'd sooner see (Score:2)
Re:I'd sooner see (Score:3, Informative)
I bought my wife a 20 GB iPod (3G) on the strength of the user interface. The iRiver was the strongest competition at the time, and it was not pleasant to use. I've since bought an iPod mini to use at the gym, and the click wheel is even better than the previous design.
There are players with better specs. and lower prices. I have yet to find one that can compete with the iPod design.
Re:I'd sooner see (Score:2)
Ogg (Score:3, Informative)
Their is an unsubstantiated rumor that Quicktime NG will be released at Macworld in San Francisco in January. Part of the rumor includes: "Support for .ogg, heAAC, and FLAC audio. (these will also be available for playback in new iTunes)." If it comes to Quicktime and iTunes, it will likely also appear for the iPod.
This is just a rumor mind you, but it is not quite as out there as other rumors I have seen. Maybe you should keep your fingers crossed.
Re:I'd sooner see (Score:2)
I do have to ask though, why the big obsession about colour? It's not as if the world and his brother can see whether your iPod is white, black, or blue with pink polka dots when it's jammed safely in your pocket.
As to your other points, well, here's a quick l
modern design: black and red (Score:2)
It's so funny, I remember how I, as a teenager, painted everything (my alarm clock, my bike, etc.) in a combination of matte black with glossy red. Thought that was very cool, which it problably was, because that clock was before its paintjob white and orange. That was ugly then, that is in my taste ugly now. L'histoire se repete, because we just had / still have a wave of orange desi
Re:I'd sooner see (Score:2, Interesting)
I've had my IPod for a few months now, and with a decent amount of usage I have yet to have the battery run out. It came close, once, while driving to Canada from PA.
* No DRM
Like the other poster said, you don't have to use any DRM'd files. You can throw all of the unprotected AAC or mp3 files you want on the thing. Also, Apple does let you do quite a bit with the files. You can share them on I think up to 5 devices now, and you can burn them to cd. I have yet to run into a situ
Re:I'd sooner see (Score:3, Funny)
2. The iPod gets 12 hours now. The iPod Photo gets 15. Whaddaya want? A micro-fusion-reactor?
3. Only in fantasyland, buddy. DRM is pretty much necessary to keep Apple from getting sued out of business by the RIAA. You don't want DRM? Start a lobby group and make it illegal.
4. It's a portable music player, not a home stereo. Remotes are available as part of the Bose SoundDock and there's a third-party IR remote available.
5. The device is compact...where the hell are y
Re:I'd sooner see (Score:5, Funny)
YES
Re:I'd sooner see (Score:2)
Re:I'd sooner see (Score:2)
Nah, not really, with HD space as cheap as it is right now, why rip your music low bitrate? Go 320kbps MP3 and be stoked knowing you'll never have to re-rip your music. This, of course takes up more space, so at a high bitrate 100s of gigs is completely reasonable for a music lover's collection.
Re:I'd sooner see (Score:2)
Re:I'd sooner see (Score:2)
Re:I'd sooner see (Score:2)
Re:I'd sooner see (Score:2)
Apple doesn't provide software to let you pirate music using your iPod, but if you have half a clue (which I'm guessing you don't), it's not to hard to figure out how to copy a file.
Re:I'd sooner see (Score:2)
If the iPod just appeared as an external hard drive I would buy one today.
Some hardware should not be reliant on software (think cameras, phones, etc, etc).
This is where the iRiver comes into play
Actually it does (Score:2)
You can copy file on an off this like it was an external drive. There is a "urban legend" story of someone walking into a compusa with an ipod and walking out with a ipod full of software...
The music is in a "hidden" file (starts with a
Re:I'd sooner see (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Re:I'd sooner see (Score:2)
What I want is simple... no required software, drag 'n' drop music onto it and it instantly appears.
That way I can use my iPod with my work computers (which are of course locked down) as well as my home computers.
It means I can use it to carry my music as well as play it. And y
Re:I'd sooner see [OT] (Score:2)
http://www.misticriver.net/boards/showpost.php?p=
Re:Imagine... (Score:2, Funny)
Re: Imagine... (Score:3, Funny)
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
Re:Imagine... (Score:2)
Oh and uh...
1. Natalie Portman
2. ?
3. Profit!
Re:Imagine... (Score:2, Funny)
1. Profit
2. ?
3. Natalie Portman!
Slightly OT: Lay off the old South Koreans... (Score:3, Informative)
Okay, I thought the story about only the old people in South Korea using email was funny, and the spin offs of "In Korea only old people do {insert activity here}" were funny for a bit, but you people wanting to get in your crack about old Koreans on EVERY SINGLE THREAD are just not funny and are ruining what was a pretty funny joke in the process.
</RANT>
Re:shock values (Score:2, Insightful)
The Players should be able to withstand more then that much force though.
Re:shock values (Score:2)
Re:shock values (Score:3, Informative)
After a 1s fall, any object will be falling at 9.8m/s (constant acceleration for 1 s, starting at 0, will give that speed). It will also have travelled 4.9m.
If the iPod was stopped, say by the ground, in 10ms (probably in the right order of magnitude. Might be slightly shorter or longer depending the type of ground, whether you have a shock-absorbant casing around it, etc), it would have to take an acceleration of 9.8m/s / 0.01s = 980m/s^2 for 0.01s. That would be a
Re:The real question is... (Score:3, Insightful)
As a comparison, a typical dinner plate will survive about 100g, and most CRT computer monitors find their limit at about 75g. Highly sensitive inertial guidance system components are in the "extremely sensitive" range down around 15g.
I was so excited until...... (Score:5, Funny)
Oh so very close (Score:2)
But wait, I also like having a few OS'es on the pod to boot from in case of emergency or boredom - so that is another 5 GB or so atg least. Backing up my home folder is crucial (what a neat feature) and is going to tack on another 10GB. Plus photos, movies and the like.
In fact this news is already outdated for me. Wake me when the 2
Re:When will we see these in (desktop) computers? (Score:2)
Personally I think the person who suggested this would be great for digital video cams was right on target too.
Or maybe a movIePOD?
Re:When will we see these in (desktop) computers? (Score:2)
Perhaps this will spike renewed interest in PC Card hard drives?