All this rumbling about a video iPod forces us to ask why you would want to watch a movie on a 2-inch screen. Then again, video playback is a useful ancillary that ups the gadget's value. We've listed several alternatives if you must have digital video on the go. First comes the Cowon iAudio X5, one of the earliest truly high-profile MP3 players with MPEG-4 and DivX playback. Available in 20GB and 30GB capacities, the X5 is basically a portable video player (PVP) in MP3 player clothing; the outfit includes an iPod-like 2-inch screen. Next is one of the coolest PVPs to hit the market: Archos's Gmini400 series. Virtually the same size as the 20GB iPod, the Gmini400 features a 2.2-inch screen and, thanks to its small size, makes a delightful MP3 player. Moving on, we have the Gmini400's big brother, the AV400 series. This amazing PVP does the usual: it plays back many types of video and audio files, displays photo slide shows, and records audio, then adds DVR-like video recording. You can always go for a Portable Media Center such as Creative's Zen PMC. There are three models currently available, but the Zen PMC (while bulky) is definitely the best overall. Any gadget appreciator should be excited about the upcoming Creative Zen Vision, which combines a small form factor, a dishy 3.7-inch color screen, a simple and sweet interface, and extras such as FM radio and a CompactFlash slot. Finally, while you can't store too much video on a Memory Stick, the hot Sony PSP gaming device makes for a nice portable video rig, courtesy of its gorgeous wide-screen display, or you can use it to watch UMD-based movies.

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