The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Question about the Satellite M50 and Tecra A5...

    Discussion in 'Toshiba' started by kk4uga, Jan 6, 2006.

  1. kk4uga

    kk4uga Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    54
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I am looking at customizing a M50 or A5 on ToshibaDirect.com. Do either of them have Toshiba's "Express Media Player" for playing DVD's without booting Windows? I can't find this information anywhere. Thanks.
     
    kk4uga, Jan 6, 2006
    #1
  2. xAMDvsIntelx

    xAMDvsIntelx Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    464
    Messages:
    3,221
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    No - the only Toshiba's that have this function are in the Qosmio line.
     
    xAMDvsIntelx, Jan 6, 2006
    #2
  3. polish_jr

    polish_jr Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    247
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    actually, i have the m50, and it does have it. At least in Canada
     
    polish_jr, Jan 6, 2006
    #3
  4. xAMDvsIntelx

    xAMDvsIntelx Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    464
    Messages:
    3,221
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Really? That's odd. I've never seen an M50 that could do that, but maybe its exclusive to Canada :)( ).
     
    xAMDvsIntelx, Jan 6, 2006
    #4
  5. Beez

    Beez Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    My M50 can do it too, I'm in NZ, so yeah, who knows.
     
    Beez, Jan 7, 2006
    #5
  6. xAMDvsIntelx

    xAMDvsIntelx Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    464
    Messages:
    3,221
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Maybe its just a US thing :(
     
    xAMDvsIntelx, Jan 7, 2006
    #6
  7. kk4uga

    kk4uga Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    54
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Thanks for the help. I wish I could confirm on the M50 here in the US. I would like to customize one.
     
    kk4uga, Jan 7, 2006
    #7
  8. xAMDvsIntelx

    xAMDvsIntelx Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    464
    Messages:
    3,221
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    If you really are wanting to know if the M50 here in the US has the QuickPlay feature, just check one out at a local BestBuy, Circuit City, CompUSA, or Costco.
     
    xAMDvsIntelx, Jan 7, 2006
    #8
  9. kk4uga

    kk4uga Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    54
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    The M55-S329 at Best Buy and Circuit City has it. I already knew that.

    My dilemma is this: On Toshiba.com, when you customize this model, it is an M50 Series and it doesn't say anything about the Express Media Player. I would like to assume that the entire M50 series has this function. I called Toshiba yesterday and the lady was clueless.
     
    kk4uga, Jan 7, 2006
    #9
  10. xAMDvsIntelx

    xAMDvsIntelx Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    464
    Messages:
    3,221
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Hmm....

    Very interesting. Maybe the M50s with the Celerons don't have that feature.... I'd try contacting Toshiba again on this matter, as I can't give you a definite yes or no answer. I'd really hate myself if I said yes, you went out and bought the notebook and found out it didn't have the function. A safe assumption would be no, it doesn't have it.
     
    xAMDvsIntelx, Jan 7, 2006
    #10
  11. Beez

    Beez Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    My one is a Celeron version if it's any help.
     
    Beez, Jan 8, 2006
    #11
  12. xAMDvsIntelx

    xAMDvsIntelx Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    464
    Messages:
    3,221
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Hmm...

    But your not in the US, so that may have somthing to do with it. However, this is useful information nonetheless.
     
    xAMDvsIntelx, Jan 8, 2006
    #12
  13. kk4uga

    kk4uga Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    54
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    With the customized M50's on Toshiba.com, you can get Pentium M's and a dedicated graphics card, FWIW.
     
    kk4uga, Jan 8, 2006
    #13
  14. xAMDvsIntelx

    xAMDvsIntelx Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    464
    Messages:
    3,221
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    I am aware of the optional GPU, however, I cannot confirm if this gives you the Quick Play feature.
     
    xAMDvsIntelx, Jan 8, 2006
    #14
  15. kk4uga

    kk4uga Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    54
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    kk4uga, Jan 10, 2006
    #15
  16. kk4uga

    kk4uga Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    54
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I just looked at the M50-S5181D specific data sheet again and found this (For some reason, I missed it!!):

    On page 1, right column, under "input devices", the 3rd bullet point says "Control buttons" and it lists "Express Media Player CD/DVD Launch button."

    http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/content/product/pdf_files/detailed_specs/satellite_M50-S5181TD.pdf


    I then called Toshiba and got a somewhat intelligent form of life on the phone. He said that I had to order the DVD+/- as an option in order to get the EMP. What should I do? Believe him or take a chance?
     
    kk4uga, Jan 10, 2006
    #16
  17. xAMDvsIntelx

    xAMDvsIntelx Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    464
    Messages:
    3,221
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    I'd say you should call back and see what response you get from that rep. If they tell you the same thing, it's probably true. If not, well then you've found out that the other rep. was lying.
     
    xAMDvsIntelx, Jan 10, 2006
    #17
  18. Rahul

    Rahul Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    1,741
    Messages:
    6,252
    Likes Received:
    61
    Trophy Points:
    216
    I don't think the Celerons come with the express media player because I've seen several Celeron models without the media launch and control buttons below the power button.
    I'm not sure, but I think it can only play music cds and dvd movies, not music from the hard drive like HP's QuickPlay. :(
     
    Rahul, Feb 21, 2006
    #18