Portable media players come in various capacities, which correspond to the volume of video, photos and music you can store. A 30 GB media player can store up to about 25 DVD-resolution movies or 15,000 songs, depending on the format and compression. Some come with kickstands that let you set the media player on a desk or table at home, or an airplane tray table, which is by far the best way to watch a video.

If you're not sure you want a portable media player, there are some other options for watching video on the go. Portable DVD players are generally less expensive than portable media players. They don't accept downloaded video content, but if you just want to play some DVDs in the car or on a plane, they are simple to use. We also have a separate report on MP3 players, which includes video-capable players, but screen sizes are much smaller.

  • Balance screen size with portability. Screen sizes on portable media players are generally around 4 inches, which makes the device just barely pocketable. Smaller screens are obviously more portable, but there's less screen real estate for viewing.
  • Decide if you want to record from a TV or DVD player. Plenty of TV shows and movies are now available online, but if you really want to record straight from a TV or DVD player onto your portable media player, be sure to look for that feature. The downside is that shows are recorded in real time, and not all will let you schedule a recording. You may have to be there to push the record button.
  • Format compatibility varies. Not all portable media players play all video and audio formats. The iPod Touch plays Apple's AAC audio format as well as MP3 audio and MPEG-4 and H.264 video files. Most of the others play Windows-compatible audio files, including WMA and WAV files, as well as MPEG and WMV video formats. Most include software that lets you convert files for compatibility. In general, non-iPods are compatible with the most video and audio formats. MPEG-2, MPEG-4, AVI and WMV are the common video formats, and most, but usually not all, are supported by the various portable media players. Less commonly supported formats include DivX and XviD, but these can sometimes be converted using software. If you want to rent or download movies (legally) from the Internet, make sure the player you choose supports Digital Rights Management.
  • Look for a stand. It may seem like a small thing, but a stand lets you use your player without your being restricted to holding it.
  • Transferring video takes longer than audio. Video files are larger than audio files, and it will take longer to load up your portable player. If you're not sure you have the patience for managing and downloading digital video files, and you mainly want to watch movies on the road, you might instead consider a portable DVD player.
  • Battery life for audio is better than for video. Playing videos saps the life out of batteries. Most portable media players only get about four hours of video playback before they need to be recharged. If you want more playback time, consider a model with a removable battery, or one that accepts an external spare (like the Archos 605 WiFi).
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