Toshiba Announces Qosmio(TM) Digital Entertainment Notebook with HD DVD-ROM Drive

Toshiba today introduced the Qosmio(TM) G35-AV650, the first notebook PC shipping in the U.S. to incorporate an HD DVD-ROM drive(1) that allows users to enjoy the dazzling realism and clarity of high-definition digital entertainment in a portable device.

Designed for optimum digital entertainment immersion and multimedia capabilities, the Qosmio G35-AV650 with HD DVD-ROM allows consumers to enjoy high-definition movies anywhere in the home or on the go with external power. Backwards-compatible(2) with current DVD formats, the HD DVD-ROM drive allows users to continue playing compatible discs from their existing DVD collections. To fully experience and enjoy HD DVD movies as well as games and other multimedia content, the unit also features:
--an Ultimate TruBrite(TM) widescreen display with 1920x1200 resolution and 1080p high-definition format;
--Toshiba's proprietary QosmioEngine(3) digital video processing system for crystal-clear digital images and bright colors;
--HDMI port with support for 1080i, enabling connectivity to a high-definition TV(4) for output of HD DVD content;
--Dolby? Home Theater(TM), delivering a rich, engaging surround sound experience from stereo and multichannel audio sources through headphone, 2-channel or 5.1-channel speaker systems;
--a 1-bit digital amplifier, usually found in high-end audio systems, that enables a higher quality signal;
--Bass Reflex Speaker technology from harman/kardon?, enabling richer audio and a deeper bass.
Featuring all the standard capabilities of Toshiba's Qosmio notebook line, the Qosmio G35-AV650 also includes an integrated TV tuner for watching live TV from a cable or satellite feed, a digital video recorder (DVR) for recording and pausing live TV or recording future programs, and the capabilities of a powerful, full-featured notebook PC.
The estimated single unit price of the Qosmio G35-AV650 is $2,999.99.(5) The product is currently available from ToshibaDirect (www.toshibadirect.com) and is shipping to major consumer electronics and computer stores nationwide.
"The Qosmio G35-AV650 is a ground-breaking audio-video notebook that not only offers our customers the dramatic visual quality of HD DVD but other display and audio enhancements for a truly immersive entertainment experience," said Jeff Barney, vice president of marketing for Toshiba's Digital Products Division. "With its numerous enhanced capabilities for movies, music, gaming, TV and PC performance in a sleek, attractive package, Toshiba has demonstrated its technology leadership once again with the most feature-rich audio-video notebook on the market today."
"With a powerful combination of gaming, multi-media enjoyment, and the first HD DVD-ROM drive in a mobile PC, the Qosmio G35-AV650 sets the pace for those wanting both leading-edge technology and stunning entertainment in a portable package," said Rob Enderle, principal analyst for the Enderle Group. "High definition is the next wave in consumer electronics products and this level of multi- purpose capabilities is unmatched in any other product on the market today."
Featuring Microsoft? Windows? XP Media Center Edition 2005 and Intel? Centrino? Duo Mobile Technology built around the Intel Core(TM) Duo processor,(6) the Qosmio G35-AV650 incorporates two 5400 RPM serial ATA 100GB hard drives(7) for storage of TV programs, music and other files as well as 1024MB DDR2 memory.(8) The hard drives incorporate Toshiba RAID software to give consumers the flexibility of optimum storage capacity using both drives or secure data redundancy on one drive.
The system's HD DVD-ROM is a multi-function drive that not only supports HD DVD playback but a DVD SuperMulti that reads and writes current DVD formats and can nearly double storage capacity in dual- layer format.(2)
The Qosmio G35-AV650 includes the QosmioPlayer,(9) allowing users to watch live TV, pause live TV, watch DVDs or listen to audio CDs with a quick touch of a button on the unit or on the remote control without booting up the Windows operating system. With this feature, Qosmio owners can enjoy audio or video content similar to using a stand-alone TV, stereo or DVD player.
A customizable Dual Mode touch pad provides one-tap short cuts to launch e-mail, an Internet browser and other selected programs. The unit also includes a new fingerprint reader for additional security and convenient password replacement.
An NVIDIA? GeForce Go 7600 with 256MB VRAM high-performance graphics(10) card enables stunning gaming and other multimedia visuals, while a S/PDIF optical audio connector allows users to easily connect the Qosmio to a home theater system and experience Dolby Home Theater 5.1 surround sound while gaming, playing HD DVD in high-definition audio, listening to music, and viewing TV through Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition software.
With its 5-in-1 bridge media adapter and generous connectivity options, Qosmio users can access and share photo and video content quickly and easily, or hook-up their camcorder to display home movies.
"With the new Qosmio G35-AV650, Toshiba continues to demonstrate it is a leader in the burgeoning digital entertainment market," said Joe Belfiore, vice president of the eHome Division at Microsoft Corp. "Combining Toshiba's HD DVD-ROM drive and Windows XP Media Center Edition software gives consumers an exciting, cutting-edge digital content experience."
"The Toshiba Qosmio G35-AV650 notebook based on Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology can offer consumers a theater-like experience from anywhere - their living rooms, hotel rooms or dorm rooms," said Keith Kressin, director of marketing, Intel's Mobile Platforms Group. "Consumers are increasingly turning to the Web for entertainment, enabling more options for entertainment on-the-go. We expect this trend will continue as cutting-edge Intel-based notebooks continue to deliver a more immersive entertainment experience."
All Qosmio AV notebooks come with a one-year limited warranty(11) with Toshiba's premier global service. Customers can choose from several service options, including At-Home Repair, carry-in support at Authorized Service Providers throughout the country for same-day or next-day service, or use any of more than 3,000 UPS Stores for packaging and delivery of the product to a centralized Depot for 24- hour service turnaround.
Qosmio G35-AV650 Product Specifications Processor:___Intel? Centrino? Duo mobile technology ___featuring dual-core processing with Intel ___Core(TM) Duo___Processor(6) T2500 (Dual 2.0 GHz, ___667 MHz FSB, 2MB L2 cache) Display:___17-inch diagonal widescreen Ultimate TruBrite(TM) ___TFT active-matrix LCD display WUXGA with ___1920x1200 native resolution; QosmioEngine for ___enhanced display System Chipset:___Mobile Intel 945PM Express Chipset Graphics Controller: NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 with 256MB GDDR3 discrete ___graphics(10) memory Memory:___1024MB DDR2 SDRAM memory(8) Hard Drive:___200GB (5400 rpm) using two 100GB Serial-ATA ___(SATA) hard disk drives(7) Optical Drive:___HD DVD-ROM(1) and DVD SuperMulti Double Layer ___drive Wireless:___Integrated Intel Pro/Wireless(12) Network ___Connection 3945ABG (802.11a/b/g); Bluetooth? ___version 2.0 plus Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) Ports:___4 USB v. 2.0, RGB, TV out (S-Video and HDMI), AV ___IN (S-Video and connector and ___composite/monitor), RJ-45 LAN port, RJ-11, i- ___Link?1394, S/PDIF Optical Audio Output TV Tuner:___Integrated Toshiba TV Tuner Input Devices:___QosmioPlayer (instant-on CD/DVD/TV), Microsoft ___Windows Media Center Edition remote control with ___numeric keypad, keyboard, mouse; Dual Mode Pad ___pointing device Slots:___5-in-1 Bridge Media Adapter (Secure Digital?, ___Memory Stick(TM), Memory Stick PRO(TM), Multi ___Media Card, xD Picture Card); PCMCIA PC Card ___slot; ExpressCard slot Audio:___Dolby Home Theater(TM); harman/kardon Bass Reflex ___? stereo speakers; 1-bit digital amplifier Battery:___9-cell (7050mAh) Lithium Ion Operating System:___Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Dimensions:___16.0 x 11.6 x 1.79 inches Weight:___10.1 lbs.(13)