Portable Media Players

As with other types of electronics, you can find basic portable media players as well as full-featured players. Basic players can handle music and video, but formats are sometimes limited. Low-end models simply transfer music, photos and video from your computer through a USB connection. Most include software to convert video to whatever file types are supported by the player. Fancier portable media players have larger screens, along with added features like FM tuners and voice recorders. A few portable media players can record from your TV or camcorder, so you can watch a show later. The latest media players include Wi-Fi capabilities for connecting to the Internet.

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 table or on the tray on a plane or train, which is by far the best way to watch a video. A kickstand may seem like an obvious inclusion, but many devices do not have them.

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. If you also like to play games, you might consider a Sony Playstation Portable (PSP) 2000 (*est. $170). This handheld unit can play hundreds of games loaded on cartridges, as well as play video from a Memory Stick. That means you could download video from your computer to a Memory Stick for later playback. The Sony PSP also can play movies distributed on UMD (universal media disc), but that format is not very popular. See our reports on portable DVD players and video game consoles for more on those options.

Best portable media players

The iPod Touch 8 GB (*est. $280) ; 16 GB (*est. $360) is Apple's first portable media player that doesn't also include a phone. Critics such as PC Magazine's Tim Gideon and CNet.com's Donald Bell say it's a near perfect solution for those captivated by the Apple iPhone's (*est. $400, plus two year service agreement) multimedia capabilities, but aren't crazy about having them tied to a phone -- or a phone contract. Gideon is so impressed with the Touch that he says it is "probably the best portable media player ever made." Though few other reviewers are quite as effusive, most are nonetheless impressed.

According to CNet.com's Bell, the iPod Touch "draws 99 percent of its features from the iPhone." That includes the innovative interface that has wowed critics and users alike. At 4.3 x 2.4 x .31 inches, it is slightly smaller than the iPhone, but still sports a 3.5-inch widescreen touch display capable of showing video at up to 640 x 480 pixels at 30 frames per second. Almost all functions and features are accessed through the touchscreen. The only physical controls on the Touch are a button on the face to call up the main menu, and a switch on the side to turn off the screen.

The iPod Touch is feature packed. It is Wi-Fi enabled, and applications include the Safari web browser, YouTube video portal and iTunes. Music and video playback capabilities are the same as other iPods and experts such as the Wall Street Journal's Walter S. Mossberg say that those functions perform flawlessly.

Still, most critics do have a bone or two to pick. While most are glad to see the phone side of things gone, they lament that it's not the only thing Apple has decided to remove. There's also no e-mail application, though you still can access most e-mail accounts through the included web browser. The Touch portable media player also lacks speakers, a camera, Bluetooth and a few other niceties found on the iPhone. Some common MP3 player features, such as an FM tuner and voice recording, are also included. One multimedia advantage the Touch does hold over the iPhone is the ability to output video or photos to a TV, though an extra-cost cable or dock is needed. Some say that the 16 GB maximum capacity is really too small for a portable media player, and some are disappointed that there are no expansion possibilities, such as media-card slots. Mossberg complains about battery life, but that concern is not echoed elsewhere.

Like other iPods, the Touch can only playback video encoded in the MPEG-4 or H.264 video formats (H.264 is hard to find outside of the iTunes store). However, software applications are available that convert most other video formats to one that will play back on the Touch.

While the iPod Touch has certainly gotten a lot of press, many experts actually point to a different portable media player -- the Archos 605 WiFi -- as the best current choice. CNet.com's Donald Bell says that the Archos 605 WiFi is "one of the best mobile distractions money can buy," and most other experts agree.

The Archos 605 WiFi comes in four configurations. Those include a 4 GB flash memory model with an SD memory-card slot (*est. $195) , along with versions with 605 WiFi 30 GB (*est. $275) , 80 GB (*est. $330) and 160 GB (*est. $380) hard drives, but no expandable memory.

The biggest criticism we've seen is that many of the best features of the Archos 605 WiFi cost extra to get. According to Philip Berne at InfoSyncWorld.com, Archos cut features that were not being used by most users in order to keep the cost of the 605 WiFi more competitive. However, most critics complain about the approach, calling it nickel and diming. Certainly, we find it hard to believe that most users won't expect to find a web browser in a Wi-Fi enabled device. Short battery life (estimated at five hours for video) is another gripe in reviews, though an external battery pack called the Battery Docking Adapter (*est. $50) is available.

Despite all of that, most critics love the Archos 605 WiFi, and many rate it more highly than the Apple iPod Touch. One big reason is its near universal media compatibility. Most common media types (WMV, MPEG-4, ASP, MP3, WMA, protected WMA and WAV) are supported right out of the box, and you can purchase support for additional formats such as MPEG-2, H.264, AAC and AC3 (*est. $20 each). Flash web video such as YouTube can be viewed via the optional Opera web browser (*est. $30). The Archos Content Portal lets users download movies and TV programs from CinemaNow and other content providers. An optional DVR Station (*est. $100) turns the 605 WiFi into a fully functioning DVR, complete with downloadable program guide; it can even change channels on a cable box with its built-in IR transmitter. InfoSyncWorld's Berne calls it "the best DVR we've seen outside our TiVo box." A recent agreement between Archos and Dish Network will allow Dish Network users with DVRs to transfer the content to an Archos 605 WiFi or 705 WiFi (see below) with a downloadable plug in.

Watching all of that video content on a small or low-resolution screen can get tiring pretty fast. Archos answers that challenge with a 4.3-inch widescreen display that boasts an impressive 800 x 480 pixel maximum resolution. CNet.com calls video performance "unrivaled." Mike Kobrin at Laptop Magazine says that video looks crisp under "fluorescent lights on a train and in the office," but that there was glare in direct sunlight. Most reviewers like the touchscreen interface, though Grahm Skee at Anythingbutipod.com is a notable exception; he calls it cluttered and hard to use. The integrated kickstand and internal speaker are nice design touches, but many lament the fact that there's nowhere to store the included stylus when not in use.

Archos also makes two other portable media players. The step-down Archos 405 2 GB (*est. $130) 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 x 272 pixels. Other noteworthy omissions include Wi-Fi connectivity and the touchscreen 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.

But rather than focusing on what's missing, critics look at what's there, and most are happy to say that considering its price, the Archos 405 is a very capable portable media player. Like the 605 WiFi, there are a number of extra priced add-ons, but out of the box, the 405 is pretty capable in its own right with the ability to play the most popular media formats. It is both PC and Mac compatible (as is the 605 WiFi), 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 x 3 x .5 inches, it is still very pocketable. The Archos 405 portable media player is also compatible with Archos' DVR station, so the 405 can double as a DVR that lets you watch recorded programming on the go. Battery life is again a sore point in reviews, but the Battery Docking Station mentioned above is compatible with the 405 as well. The docking station also doubles as a stand for the 405, which is useful since the 405 does not have an integral kickstand.

Finally, Archos also offers the 705 WiFi ( 80 GB *est. $400 ; 160 GB *est. $500), a portable media player with an impressive 7-inch screen, though only the same resolution as the 605 WiFi (800 x 480). Like the other members of the Archos family, there are a lot of extra-cost features available. Those include the Opera browser and the DVR Station add-ons. The 705 WiFi has a slightly richer bundle of features than other Archos players, including an AC charger, removable battery and remote control. The only report we've seen thus far on the 705 WiFi is at ArchosLounge.net, a French website. According to this site, it seems that the 705 WiFi is a pretty capable portable media player and a small but generally positive upgrade over the 704 WiFi it replaces.

Archos' earlier Generation 4 units are still around, and available direct from the manufacturer or from many retailers. The 30 GB Archos 404 (*est. $180) is the smallest of the fourth generation Archos players, but its 3.5-inch screen isn't a widescreen. This model has a TV-out port for playing videos on a TV, but you can't record from a TV without an optional DVR dock (*est. $100). The Archos 404 plays downloaded MP3, WAV, WMA and protected WMA music files, as well as JPEG, BMP and PNG picture files, and MPEG-4 and WMV video files. This small model doesn't have a kickstand or an FM tuner. Battery life for video is about 3.5 hours. If you don't mind the 4:3 screen (which means that widescreen videos will be letterboxed), the Archos 404 gets good reviews for video and audio playback, and it's one of the most compact models.

If you want a widescreen, the Archos 504 series includes a 4.3-inch widescreen a resolution of 480 x 272 pixels. The Archos 504 comes in 40 GB (*est. $220) , 80 GB (*est. $260) and 160 GB (*est. $370) capacities. You can adjust the size of the video on the screen, play your video in slow motion and bookmark your videos for easy recall. That will be a help since you'll have room for about 400 movies on the 160 GB drive. In his CNet.com review, the late James Kim writes, "The do-it-all Archos 504 is an awesome A/V performer." He goes on to compliment the 504's "sophisticated interface," even though he says it’s a bit bulky.

The 30 GB Archos 604 (*est. $200) has the same 4.3-inch, 480 x 272-pixel screen as the Archos 504. While the Archos 404 and 504 have an integrated rechargeable battery, the 604 lets you swap out an extra full battery for extending playback. If you plan on long plane flights, the 604 is a better deal. By adding an extra battery (*est. $30), you can extend playback to up to eight hours of video.

There's a Wi-Fi version of the 604 (*est. $250) that lets you connect to the Internet, check your e-mail and download or upload files wirelessly over a network; unlike the newer 605 WiFi, an Opera web browser is included, but it doesn't support flash. That means videos on sites like YouTube won't play.

The Creative ZEN Vision W (30 GB *est. $260; 60 GB *est. $360) has a 4.3-inch LCD with a screen resolution of 480 x 272. The Vision W has a built-in FM radio and a microphone for voice recording, and it works with subscription music stores like Napster To Go and Rhapsody. Creative has its own streaming music and video-clip service, ZENcast, which works with the ZEN Vision W. You can also post your own videos to ZENcast. The Creative ZEN Vision W doesn't record from a TV, a feature that might not be missed by many now that there's so much video content available online. It does support a wide variety of video file formats, including AVI, WMV, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MJPEG, DivX and XviD, but only WMA, MP3 and WAV audio files.

The late James Kim at CNet.com likes the Creative ZEN Vision W, saying it has a "beautiful wide-screen display." At PC Magazine, Michael Kobrin likes the screen and the extensive video file support on the Vision W. He calls it "a solid product, with lots of features," but to him it feels bulky. He also bemoans the lack of a kickstand.

Coby portable media players haven't gotten much coverage by the mainstream tech press, though we did find a review of the Coby PMP-4320 (*est. $260) . It features a 4.3-inch widescreen and a 20 GB hard drive, plus an SD Card slot for additional storage. It supports MPEG-4 and WMV video, plus DivX, XviD and Motion-JPEG files. Audio formats are MP3 and WMA. A review at CNet didn't like the controls at all: "It's just plain clumsy," writes James Kim. Craftsmanship and price are also criticized.

The Coby PMP-7040 (*est. $375) is a slick-looking portable media player with a big, 7-inch LCD that takes up the entire front of the device. Its 40 GB hard drive plays MPEG-4 video, and it will hold both JPEG and BMP still-image files, as well as MP3 and WMA audio files. Unfortunately, the little feedback it gets is not very good. A fairly lengthy post at Gadgetaholic.com says that despite the Coby PMP-7040's potential, it has some usability issues. The large screen is nice, but image quality is not particularly impressive due to the low resolution (480 x 236), and audio playback isn't great, with weak bass and muddy highs, along with notable hiss.

Cowon portable media players have gotten some attention from reviewers in the past, but the company has just completely overhauled its offerings, introducing the Cowon A3 (30 GB *est. $350 ; 60 GB *est. $400) and Cowon Q5W (40 GB *est. $520 ; 60 GB *est. $580) .

The Cowon A3 is a replacement for the A2; in our last update, we noted that the A2 provided Archos some of the stiffest competition in this category. Though reviews are few and far between right now for the Cowon A3, it looks like the A3 has some upgrades specifically aimed at keeping up with the Archos portable media players. Notably, the 4-inch screen has seen a resolution boost to bring it up to the same 800 x 480 resolution as the Archos 605 WiFi. Though the A3 doesn't have the 605 WiFi's Internet connectivity or the option to act as a DVR, it can record directly from a DVD player or another A/V device. Video and audio support is good, and most files that the A3 doesn't support natively can be transcoded using the included jetAudio media center software, which has been well received in the past. Other features include an FM tuner, voice recorder and touchscreen navigation. The only professional coverage we've seen thus far for the A3 has been at Gizmodo, where it is called powerful but expensive.

There's a little more feedback for the Cowon Q5W; unfortunately, most if it isn't very good. Although bloggers on Gizmodo.com call it fantastic, others call it anything but. At first look, the Q5W seems to be loaded with everything a portable media player user could want. That includes a 5-inch touchscreen interface, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support, the ability to play back a wide range of audio and video formats, plenty of storage and more. But the picture is spoiled by a user interface that's called poor by Gadgetaholic.com, with the biggest issue being a lack of integration between the player's various functions. Tim Gideon at PC Magazine puts things a bit more colorfully: "Like a supermodel who's dressed to the nines but can't carry on an intelligent conversation to save her life, Cowon's Q5W will seduce you with its sexy looks but just as quickly disappoint you with a serious lack of substance," he writes.

The DogHouse Electronics RoverTV Wide Screen (*est. $350) is unique in that it has no built-in memory. You must load all your media with SD cards (a 2 GB card is included). The entire front face of the RoverTV Wide Screen is the 4-inch screen, with control buttons on the side. At CNet.com, Jasmine France generally likes the RoverTV portable media player, saying it has good file compatibility and navigation, along with very good battery life. However, there's no DRM support (which means no subscription services), and the headphone jack is proprietary. This portable media player is also hard to find in stores but can be ordered from the manufacturer.

MP3 players with video

Plenty of MP3 players also play videos, but the screens are generally in the 2- to 2.5-inch range -- much smaller than the 3.5- to 4.3-inch LCD screens common on portable media players. Functionally, however, you can watch downloaded video on both types. We cover these video MP3 players in more depth in our report on MP3 players .

Major models include the Apple iPod Classic (80 GB *est. $230 ; 160 GB *est. $330) , iPod nano (4 GB *est. $140 ; 8 GB *est. $180) , iRiver Clix second generation (2 GB *est. $115 ; 4 GB *est. $190 ; 8 GB *est. $240) , Microsoft Zune (*est. $240) and others.

Most reviews agree that the biggest bonus of the iPod Classic and nano is their integration with iTunes software and the iTunes store. You can buy everything from trailers to TV shows and movies from the iTunes store, and they transfer easily to the iPod for later viewing. However, videos purchased from the iTunes store won't usually play on other portable media players. You also won't likely be able to play much of your existing video on the iPod, unless it's in MPEG-4 format. Although there are some workarounds using QuickTime software, most non-iTunes video isn't going to play on an iPod. Even so, the iTunes store has a huge selection of movies and TV shows available, and the iPod/iTunes interface is matchless. The iPod nano has received a bit of praise for its newly added video capability. However, most reviews agree that even the 2.5-inch screen as found on the Classic, let alone the nano's 2-inch screen, is just too small for watching a lot of video content.

The recently revamped 80 GB Microsoft Zune has a 3.2-inch video-capable screen. However, video performance is only so-so in reviews. Though the Zune's screen is larger than that of the iPod Classic, which has a 2.5-inch screen, the resolution is the same, creating pixilated images. Like the iPod, Zune uses a proprietary store, and it's the only place where you can purchase a limited selection of copyright-protected video.

The second generation iRiver Clix MP3 player is available in 2 GB, 4 GB and 8 GB versions. Though its video capabilities get good reviews, at 2.2 inches, the screen is again too small to make watching video particularly enjoyable. The Clix is feature packed, however, with an FM tuner, voice recorder, equalizer, Macromedia Flash Player, Flash games and an alarm clock. A slick user interface and long battery life are other pluses.

For more information of these and other video-capable MP3 players, see the ConsumerSearch report on MP3 players.

Important Features: Portable media players

• Balance screen size with portability. Screen sizes on portable media players are generally around four inches, which makes the device just barely pocketable. Smaller screens are obviously more portable, but there's less screen real estate for viewing. Larger players with 7-inch screens are also available, but are only really portable if you carry a briefcase or other bag.

• Decide if you want to record from a TV or VCR. Plenty of TV shows and movies are now available online, but if you really want to record straight from a TV or VCR 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 "record."

• 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 buy movies and video from sites like Vongo and Amazon's Unbox, make sure the player you choose supports DRM (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).

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (with retailer links)	Details from Amazon.com
7	Archos 605 WiFi 4 GB (*est. $195) 30 GB (*est. $275) 80 GB (*est. $330) 160 GB (*est. $380)	details
5	Apple iPod Touch 8 GB (*est. $280) 16 GB (*est. $360)	details
3	Creative ZEN Vision W 30 GB (*est. $260) 60 GB (*est. $360)	details
2	Archos 405 2 GB (*est. $130)	details
1 each	Archos 504 , Archos 705 WiFi , Cowon A3

While critics aren't enamored of Archos' current marketing strategy of making buyers pay for extras -- including some that are almost essential -- they are willing to overlook that in naming the Archos 605 WiFi as the best portable media player. Major pluses include Wi-Fi connectivity, a touchscreen interface, a big 4.3-inch high-resolution screen and the ability to act as a digital video recorder (though a $100 accessory is required for that). Its little brother, the Archos 405, lacks Wi-Fi and the touchscreen interface, and has a smaller, non-widescreen display, but it is a great performer at an even better price. The Apple iPod Touch answers the call for those who want the iPhone, minus the phone and the cell-service contract. However, Apple discarded a few other things along the way as well. Still, despite the limited storage capacity (16 GB in the most expensive model), critics say the Touch is a stylish and capable portable media player.

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