Gigabyte continues to experiment with form and content of their products. Not so long ago we wrote about the first VGA-communicator gSmart i350, having an integrated GPS-receiver. Extension of the model was not long in coming. Today in our lab was a model gSmart t600, which in many ways similar to its predecessor, but is aimed at a slightly different category of users. Gigabyte again decided to return to one of its core "chips" - built-in TV receiver, however, abandoning the GPS-module. Unlike gSmart i120/i128, where the receiver was allowed to receive analog and regular channels of the central television, t600 is designed to receive channels of digital radio and television standards DVB-T/H/T-DMB. If you do not take into account the availability of mobile TV receiver and the lack of GPS-module, the new product, we can say that the i350 and t600 are identical in their hardware stuffing. Again we face a VGA screen with a diagonal of 2,6 ", productive Marvell PXA270 processor clocked at 520 MHz and 256 MB of internal memory for data storage. Full specification gSmart t600 presented in a comparative table, where, in addition to our current hero, proved Gigabyte gSmart i350, and VGA-communicator Glofiish X800 and the Glofiish X650.
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| Comparative table of characteristics |
Set
Gigabyte gSmart t600 will be available in a fairly modest set:
- Printers & charger;
- Cable Mini-USB;
- stylus;
- Stereo;
- CD with ActiveSync 4.5 and Windows Mobile Device Center;
- user manual in Russian;
- Telescopic antenna to receive channels of digital radio and TV.
Ergonomics and Design
Design gSmart t600 is quite different from what we saw in the previous models, and indeed, outwardly device differs from rival products. As a color design was chosen combination of white and black. The front part of the device is made in white and under a thin layer of transparent plastic, which creates the effect of a certain volume. The rear wall of the communicator and the battery cover is made of opaque plastic white, well on the edges of penetrations black stripe, hidden under a layer of transparent plastic. Materials used very high quality, device looks stylish and expensive. Externally gSmart t600 is associated with a player iPOD, not least because of the shape the navigation keys.
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Now consider the functional elements of the t600. Below the display device is located the main keyboard unit, presented a round 4-way navigation key with large buttons in the center of confirmation. Confirmation button is decorated with the logo gSmart. On each side of it you can find the call button context menu Windows Mobile, button «Start» and «OK», as well as standard phone buttons send and end call. All the keys are circular in shape. Functional elements, though are small, spaced far enough apart from being pressed accidentally unlikely. All the keys are small but clearly discernible progress, depression accompanied by a characteristic clicking sound. Initially, some inconvenience is the fact that the phone buttons slightly smaller in size than the rest, but during the operation this inconvenience has come to naught. Separate credit goes to highlight the key communicator.When you click the button for several seconds appears soft blue light, the effect of which is enhanced by the transparent plastic material of the button device, and the upper layer of the body. Looks very nice.
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The right side of the communicator is decorated with a metal call button and the camera also includes 2 plastic caps that hide the proprietary socket Gigabyte headset connection and a slot for memory cards MicroSD. At the opposite end can only be found on-off volume control slider and a hole, hiding the reset button of the communicator. On the bottom face gSmart t600 is a standard connector MiniUSB, attachment for the strap and the microphone, well, at the upper end user will not find anything except click Power. In our sample, this key has worked very peculiar. To activate the display device to be pressed on it, wait about 2 seconds, then lights up, then half a second and then quenched kept lit.
On the back side gSmart t600 symmetrically arranged circular window of the camera lens and the handsfree speaker. Between them you can find a small LED flash, again, having a round shape.
The stylus holder is located in the upper right corner, this location is considered to be optimal. Sam stylus also came out very successful. It has a telescopic design and is made of metal with three plastic elements in white. Plastic holds the pen, the central part and the ledge to retrieve the stylus of the foam. Even when folded in its length will be sufficient for most users. Removing the stylus does not cause any inconvenience. However, there is one small nuance that is associated directly with the canisters themselves. It serves not only to hold the pen, but also to install a television antenna. Antenna, supplied by its thickness coincides with the stylus, also has a telescopic design, and placed directly in the stylus holder. That means you can store it either antenna, or stylus.
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In principle, the antenna is quite possible to use as a pen, but without a sharp tip. Display device responds well to button. Design of the device clearly failed, the machine looks very stylish, not like the others, and much more like a PMP-device than the device. Using quality materials and competent body location of function keys in the best way affected the ergonomics gSmart t600. Subjectively, the most convenient and thoughtful communicator Gigabyte.
Speed and memory
Inside gSmart t600 has one of the most powerful Marvell PXA270 processor clocked at 520MHz. In theory it should provide excellent performance in what we will be able to verify by testing the device package of Spb Benchmark. Just note that in our sample was not possible to select the mode of the processor, in contrast to the same gSmart i350, so that its performance in the testing process was regulated automatically.
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For comparison, we have added a table of results Gigabyte gSmart i300, which is the only QVGA-communicator from the presentation of the Quartet. With lower screen resolution and sufficient CPU performance, a victory in the graphics tests went to him. However, if we do not take into account the i300, there is simply astounding achievements of our today's hero as compared to previous models. Virtually all tests gSmart t600 was a head taller than the nearest competitor with a VGA-screen, again, I want to focus on graphics tests, as a precursor - gSmart i350, with a similar stuffing - not demonstrated such impressive results. Now let's see how to do gSmart t600 standard video, for download TCPMP passing benchmark built into the eponymous media player files TCPMP (The Core Pocket Media Player) version 0.71RC1. Recall that the normal rate is 120%, and, of course, the higher the score, the better.
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But it already looks like a little miracle! Our hero leaves all competitors far behind. In the comparison table at this time we added another QVGA-communicator - ASUS P535, which is quite confident to cope with a VGA-video, but even he falls far short of gSmart t600. And now reveal the secret so confident working with graphics. On board the novelty of Gigabyte installed graphics accelerator Intel 2700G, which not only provides high-quality video processing, but is a full 3D-accelerator. That is our hero, we can safely advise fans of 3D-games. During testing, t600 copes with the popular shooter for Pocket PC - Call Of Duty 2. Also, the use of this chip can reduce power consumption in general and, presumably, gSmart t600 should show the best results of tests on battery life than its predecessor. However, while we will not rush things.It is strange that the manufacturer's site was not a word about the availability of Intel 2700G on board at the typewriter. This fact may draw the attention of users for whom multimedia device is the main criterion for selection, and there are many.
Memory
Gigabyte has traditionally been equipping its communicators increased capacity ROM - 256 MB, of which the user has access to about 140 MB. Memory is limited to 64 MB standard, and once you reboot at our disposal gets about 23 MB of RAM. Recall that, to increase the amount of memory you can use MicroSD cards up to 2 GB. Supports MicroSDHC manufacturer is not stated.
Sociability. Wireless interfaces.
Communicator supports networks GSM 850/900/1800/1900. In the settings you can choose one of three modes:
- GSM 900/1800
- GSM 1800
- GSM 850/1900
Just as in previous models, the device does not support the technology EDGE. Gigabyte gSmart t600 has a modern and Bluetooth-module version 2.0 with EDR (the maximum transfer rate - more than 1 Mb / s) and module Wi-Fi, capable of working in a standard 802.11 b and g. Wireless interfaces have worked on "excellent", the communicator has successfully interacted with the smartphone N-Gage QD, communicator ASUS P525 and Bluetooth-headset Sony Ericsson and Jabra. Bluetooth-module running the standard drivers, Microsoft. Gigabyte has traditionally offers its own interface somewhat different from what we used to see in communicators running Windows Mobile. By Wi-Fi interface and no claims. During testing, failures were not observed, the communicator quickly find the access point and connected with them, even in poor reception. Subjectively, Wi-Fi in gSmart t600 realized better than the i350, although in previous models of serious disruptions were observed. To control the wireless interface offers familiar to many software Wireless Manager.
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Screen
The hero of this review - the second after gSmart i350 communicator Gigabyte - equipped with a VGA-screen. Display itself has not changed in comparison with the previous model. The screen has a diagonal of 2,6 ", and by such a small size picture is very clear. The brightness and contrast in height, the viewing angles are subjectively somewhere near 180 degrees. Draw a picture is faster than the i350, this is due to the presence of graphic Intel 2700G accelerator on board gSmart t600. To adjust the brightness is still provided only 5 levels. Minimum enough to use Communicator under low or no lighting, and a maximum illumination of the picture remains legible even in bright sunlight or artificial light. For everyday use, usually lack of a second or third level.
Runtime
Nutrition gSmart t600 performed using Li-Pol battery capacity of 1300 mAh. Battery capacity has not changed in comparison with the previous model. Now look at the results of the testing device at runtime, which is traditionally held in three different modes. Maximum load. Backlight brightness and speaker volume set to maximum, Wi-Fi is included in the network search mode, Bluetooth is active, through Windows Media Player Mobile in the cycle is played a "heavy" video .. Battery life in this mode was 2 hours and 54 minutes. Normal operation.Bluetooth and Wi-Fi disabled. The brightness set to minimum. On the PDA was started reading the text in Haali Reader with automatic scrolling. Time work was 12 hours 31 min. MP3 Playback. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned off, the backlight set to minimum level. Listening through headphones at maximum volume. We used a Pocket Media Player and files with bitrates 192 KB / c. 11 hours operating time 23 minutes.
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The results are predictable, but in any case, among other models, Gigabyte our present hero is the most-lasting. There is a certain tendency to increase battery life with each new model of Gigabyte, but it can not but rejoice!
Multimedia
Sound
By sonic possibilities gSmart t600 is at the same level as the previous models. The external speaker is loud enough to not miss an incoming call, does not necessarily put the volume to maximum. At maximum volume to the same appear characteristic noise when playing audio files. As always, comes bundled stereo headset, connected via a proprietary connector Gigabyte. To listen to music through quality headphones will need to use an adapter to 3,5 mm, which is not included, in contrast to the same gSmart i350. The volume control on the headset is still not provided.
Luggage
The camera has not undergone major changes. Still uses a matrix with a resolution of 2 megapixel, autofocus, and is there. There is a flash that can operate in a flashlight. Photographs are of sufficient quality, especially in natural lighting. Compared with gSmart i350 has changed the management interface chamber. User has access to these settings.
Scene mode (meaning pre-exposure settings): - normal;
- Landscape;
- portrait;
- MicroSD (with a light hand of an interpreter, so called macro-shooting mode);
- night.
Mode (as is implied white balance): - auto;
- day;
- cloudy;
- lyuministsent 1;
- lyuministsent 2.
Effect: - normal;
- black and white;
- sepia;
- negative;
- solarization;
- sketch;
- effect (creating the effect of forging on metal);
- moonlight.
Size: - 1600x1200;
- 1280x960;
- 800x600;
- 640x480;
- 320x240;
- 160x120.
Quality: - weak;
- normal;
- sharp.
EV: - -2 To 2 in increments of 0.5.
You can also enable or disable the shutter sound, "mark" the date on the image, enable or disable the flash. Problems with automatic white balance remained in artificial light is better to use the preset modes. Communicator is able to shoot video with a maximum resolution of 320x240 pixels in one of three formats:
C examples of pictures you can see below.
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| Gigabyte GSmart t600: example photo (jpg, 1600x1200, 371,9 Kb) |
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| Gigabyte GSmart t600: example photo (jpg, 1600x1200, 406,5 Kb) |
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| Gigabyte GSmart t600: example photo (jpg, 1600x1200, 647,0 Kb) |
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| Gigabyte GSmart t600: example photo (jpg, 1600x1200, 519,5 Kb) |
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| Gigabyte GSmart t600: example photo (jpg, 1600x1200, 393,5 Kb) |
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| Gigabyte GSmart t600: example photo (jpg, 1600x1200, 438,0 Kb) |
Radio and TV.
As mentioned above, the analog receiver in gSmart t600 is missing, and make the regular channels of the central television will not work. Despite conflicting statements on the developer's official site: «GSmart t600 - the world's first universal device with support for mobile TV. Now you can watch your favorite TV programs on the VGA-screen size of 2.6 inches, even when you're away from home, and just below: "At the moment, mobile TV (DVB-T) is not available in Russia, but is available in several European countries . Some of the advantages of digital multimedia services to evaluate all the same managed, even in the vast capital of our homeland. Of course, the area of broadcasting digital radio and television in this country is far from ideal, especially for TV channels. See the picture on the screen of the communicator did not succeed, even in the zone of full admission. Radio channels are taken more frequently, the sound was quite tolerant, although the periodic disappearance of the fragments are very frequent. And it's not so much the lack of the device, how many problems caused by too extensive network of broadcast DVB-T. To search for channels using the item «DVB-T» in the settings of your device. The memory device has stored 13 pre-set channels that broadcast in our country with an indication of the frequency. The user can download the same list for a sufficiently large number of other European countries, or set the channel manually.
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Watching TV or listening to the radio through the program "TV Gsmart», in which the user simply turns the channel selected in the settings. In the lower part shows the reception level of the channel and a small knob.
Soft
A set of pre-installed software is rich enough, Gigabyte has continued the good tradition to please the users of a good software bundle. So, when you turn your device on board you can find: Wise Talk. Business Card PDA Gigabyte. "Smart" answering machine, capable to store messages in phone memory or memory card. You can create multiple user profiles. The program also lets you add sound effects on the background of our conversation. The program already has about a dozen preset sound effects, if desired, you can add your own.
Manager SIM. A small utility for managing contacts, located on the SIM-card.
Black list. The name speaks for itself. Puts the contacts in the black list, if you call, the caller, who is on the blacklist, hears a busy signal. The only inconvenience is that the device itself for a few seconds starts to ring as an incoming call.
JAVA. Emulator Java-based applications. TV GSmart - program for the reception of TV and radio channels that broadcast in standard DVB-T. Minimum settings, simply run the program and scroll the list of available channels. In the lower part shows the reception level.
Audio mixer. Software equalizer that allows you to adjust the sound of bass and treble controls, as well as utilize the surround sound feature.
Appendix GSmart BT. Software upgrade over the standard interface for Microsoft using Bluetooth.
Flashlight. Includes an LED flash on the back of the device.
Zip. A small data logger that supports work with zip files.
Recorder. Another branded chip Gigabyte. Software recorder with the function of enhancing the sensitivity of the microphone.
Quick Menu. A small application manager, by default, activated key pressed «Start»
Spb Backup. A well-known program run by Spb Software House to create backups.
Conclusions
Very unusual machine, against the background of previous Communicators Gigabyte gSmart t600 looks "black sheep" in every sense of the word. The first thing that catches your eye - a stylish, colorful design and quality of materials. Application of 3D-accelerator better impact on the speed device. Pleasantly pleased with the increase battery life, although the competition achievements do not look so impressive. That built-in DVB-T receiver to attract Russian users will be difficult, yet it is in this emphasis in promoting the device. If in the case gSmart i120 and i128 «TV in your pocket" was really a spectacular chip, in our case the function is too little demand to seriously attract the attention of potential buyers of the communicator. Well, if we forget about the TV-receiver, are pleased to note an obvious evolution of products Gigabyte. Logically, after a while worth the wait of the same, only with a GPS-receiver.
Pros: - Excellent screen with VGA-resolution
- Powerful processor
- Compact size
- Stylish design
- A good set of preinstalled programs
- Availability of digital TV and radio
- Built-in graphics accelerator Intel 2700G
Cons: - Lack of EDGE
- Minor blemishes on the part of the localization
The authors, translation:
