Budget Media Players

Less expensive players have smaller screens, fewer features

While the top-rated portable media players tend to be loaded with features, and thus expensive, there are a few models that reviewers say manage to blend PMP versatility with MP3 player affordability.

The step-down Archos 405 (*Est. $150 for 2 GB) is a little brother to the 605 WiFi in most ways. Screen size is just 3.5 inches, and it's not a widescreen. Resolution is down to 480 pixels by 272 pixels. Other noteworthy omissions include Wi-Fi connectivity and the touch-screen interface. There's just 2 GB of flash memory storage, but there's a slot for swappable SD memory cards (up to 16 GB each), which makes up for it.

Critics say that considering its price, the Archos 405 is a very capable PMP. Like the 605 WiFi, there are a number of extra priced add-ons, but out of the box, the 405 is able to play the most popular media formats. It is both PC and Mac compatible, and most say the interface is very easy to use, letting you transfer content via Windows Media Player or simply by dragging and dropping files. Though not as small as MP3 players, at just over 3 inches by 3 inches by 0.5 inches, it is still very pocketable. The Archos 405 is also compatible with Archos's DVR station, so the 405 can double as a DVR. Battery life is again a sore point in reviews, but a battery-docking adaptor (*Est. $50) is an available add-on. The docking station also doubles as a stand, useful because the 405 does not have a kickstand.

The Cowon S9 in 8 GB (*Est. $180) for 16 GB (*Est. $210) is among that company's newest models that compete with the iPod Touch at a lower price, but reviewers say the Cowon S9 comes up short. Grahm Skee at AnythingButiPod.com finds the S9 to be a "solid player" but notes that there isn't much different from other brands' offerings -- especially because the S9 lacks WiFi connectivity, which Skee feels consumers have come to expect in a portable media player. Although the S9 boasts a sleek black-and-silver case, most critics disparage the build quality. Campbell Simpson at GoodGearGuide.com says it "feels cheap and tacky." Jeffrey L. Wilson at Laptop Magazine writes that although the S9 is considerably lighter (weighing only 2.7 ounces), the steel-and-glass enclosure of the Touch "feels sturdier in hand." Reviewers also agree that the S9's touch interface isn't as responsive or intuitive as it should be, and that the play button on the unit is oddly located. Yet reviewers also agree that audio -- as well as video playback on its 3.3-inch widescreen (480 pixels by 272 pixels) -- is excellent. They also agree that battery life is very good.

The Cowon O2 PMP -- available with 8 GB (*Est. $180), 16 GB (*Est. $205) and 32 GB (*Est. $240) -- gets high marks from PC Advisor, where it is praised for its easy-to-use touch-screen interface and excellent audio. While PC Advisor finds the 4.3-inch screen's 480-by-272-pixel resolution to be standard, video still looks very good. Tim Gideon of PCMag.com is less enthused. He notes that the O2's flash drive holds far less than the Archos 5's hard drive, and it lacks WiFi. Yet with fewer features, the O2 is larger and heavier than the Archos 5 or the iPod Touch. Many reviewers also point out that the O2 suffers from the shortcomings of its brandmates, namely a lack of support for ID3 tags or Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection, so while video-watchers will like this model, audiophiles' experiences may not be as smooth. The verdict of most testers is that the O2 is suitable for those looking for value in a basic player with maximum capability.

The 4 GB Cowon D2+ (*Est. $120), also available with 8 GB (*Est. $130), is marketed as a portable video player, but its touch screen is a mere 2.5 inches, and, unlike its bigger Cowon siblings, it only supports WMV and AVI video formats without an extra conversion. GoodGearGuide.com's Campbell Simpson finds that the D2+, a slight update of the D2 from 2007, is somewhat outdated, but that higher-capacity versions can be a "solid alternative" to the Touch. Video playback is respectable and audio quality very good, as reviewers have come to expect from Cowon. Another laudable feature is the memory expansion slot supporting SD, MMC and SDHC cards. CNET's Donald Bell likes that files stored on memory cards seamlessly integrate with files on the D2+'s flash drive, something most PMPs and MP3 players struggle to pull off.

Finally, the 8GB iRiver P7 (*Est. $165), also available with 16 GB (*Est. $190), is the least expensive of the bunch, but it gets scant critical attention. In a handful of available reviews, critics aren't very impressed. Donald Bell at CNET says that the iRiver P7, with its aluminum casing and 4.3-inch touch screen, is a very good-looking little machine, and the price is right. However, he finds that the features disappoint, including poor video support and buggy software. He concludes that either the Cowon O2 or Archos 605 WiFi would be a better choice. PCMag's Tom Gideon points out the P7's video looks worse than on the Touch or the Archos 5 because the iRiver player has the lowest resolution (480 pixels by 272 pixels) of all three. Still, both CNET and PCMag agree that audio output is one of the P7's strengths.