Ok, so the player itself seems to work very nicely, other than the power button also being the "Top menu" button. Having used an iPod for the past year, we decided to look at a new player to use with some of the subscription services, specifically Virgin Digital. In looking at what was available, we decided to try out the 40GB Gigabeat, given the features it offered at the price. Out of the package, it seemed ok, but when it comes to interfacing with the computer, things went downhill fast.

First, it appears that the device has different modes to connect to the computer based on what software you are using, either the included Gigaroom, or Windows Media Player 10. And you have to select this on the player itself when you put it on the cradle (you can set a default, but then there are sacrifices). This automatically adds a layer of complexity that reduces the WAF (wife acceptance factor). I opened up the Gigabeat software, hopeful that it would be able to read my music library and transfer all of it over without much hassle. Well, it has two views, library view and folder view. I started out with the folder view, selected my folders, and walked away. After a while, it said done, so I picked up the player and headed on my merry way. Well, I knew something was up when it listed 750 artists and I know that there are over 1000 in the library. Apparently, it didn't transfer all the tracks. And it's not a space issue, either (I don't think). So that was glitch #1. It just goes downhill from there...I'll spare y'all from the rest of the ensuing misery.

The hard part is that I think this player has a ton of potential. The player itself seems to work great once you get the hang of the controls, but given my existing music library (and expanding subscription library), it's use is limited until I can easily and happily transfer my tracks onto it.