All Portable Video Players (PVPs)

The Bottom Line: The Cowon A3 portable video player is a fantastic value when judged on the merits of its file support and integrated video-recording capabilities. If you've got nimble fingers and an eclectic assortment of audio and video formats, the Cowon A3 should be at the top of your list.

Specs: Digital AV recorder, 5.2 in x 0.9 in x 3.1 in, TFT 4 in - Color, AAC, ASF, MP3, PCM, WAV, WMA, AC-3, FLAC, G.726, Ogg Vorbis, MPEG 1 Audio, MPEG 2 Audio, Apple Lossless, APE (Monkey's Audio), ASF, AVI, VOB, WMV, MPEG, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-4, DivX 4.0, DivX 5.0, DivX 6.0, DivX 3.11, MPEG-4 SP, Motion JPEG, OGM (Ogg Media), 10.5 oz

The Bottom Line: The Cowon A3 portable video player is a fantastic value when judged on the merits of its file support and integrated video-recording capabilities. If you've got nimble fingers and an eclectic assortment of audio and video formats, the Cowon A3 should be at the top of your list.

Specs: Digital AV recorder, 5.2 in x 0.9 in x 3.1 in, TFT 4 in - Color, AAC, ASF, MP3, PCM, WAV, WMA, AC-3, FLAC, G.726, Ogg Vorbis, MPEG 1 Audio, MPEG 2 Audio, Apple Lossless, APE (Monkey's Audio), ASF, AVI, VOB, WMV, MPEG, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-4, DivX 4.0, DivX 5.0, DivX 6.0, DivX 3.11, MPEG-4 SP, Motion JPEG, OGM (Ogg Media), 9.9 oz

The Bottom Line: The Cowon Q5W aims to do everything a gadget-aholic may want in a portable video player. Unfortunately, its confusing dual interface and high price hold it back from greatness.

Specs: Portable media center, 5.5 in x 0.8 in x 3.5 in, TFT 5 in - Color, ASF, MP3, MPC, WAV, WMA, AC-3, FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, MPEG 1 Audio, MPEG 2 Audio, MPEG 2.5 Audio, APE (Monkey's Audio), ASF, AVI, WMV, DivX, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, OGM (Ogg Media), 13.4 oz

The Bottom Line: The Cowon Q5W aims to do everything a gadget-aholic may want in a portable video player. Unfortunately, its confusing dual interface and high price hold it back from greatness.

Specs: Portable media center, 5.5 in x 0.8 in x 3.5 in, TFT 5 in - Color, ASF, MP3, MPC, WAV, WMA, AC-3, FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, MPEG 1 Audio, MPEG 2 Audio, MPEG 2.5 Audio, APE (Monkey's Audio), ASF, AVI, WMV, DivX, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, OGM (Ogg Media), 13.4 oz

The Bottom Line: While it may not be a must-have upgrade for existing PSP owners, a host of subtle improvements make the latest Sony PSP (aka the PSP 2000) an even better deal for anyone looking for a solid portable gaming and multimedia device.

Specs: Sony PSP Slim & Lite - Game console, Handheld, UMD (Universal Media Disc), 333 MHz, 64 MB - Integrated

The Bottom Line: While it may not be a must-have upgrade for existing PSP owners, a host of subtle improvements make the latest Sony PSP (aka the PSP 2000) an even better deal for anyone looking for a solid portable gaming and multimedia device.

Specs: Sony PSP Star Wars Limited Edition Bundle - Game console, Handheld, UMD (Universal Media Disc), 333 MHz, 64 MB - Integrated

The Bottom Line: While it may not be a must-have upgrade for existing PSP owners, a host of subtle improvements make the latest Sony PSP (aka the PSP 2000) an even better deal for anyone looking for a solid portable gaming and multimedia device.

Specs: Sony PSP Daxter Limited Edition Bundle - Game console, Handheld, UMD (Universal Media Disc), 333 MHz, 64 MB - Integrated

The Bottom Line: As the Archos 605 WiFi's little sib, the Archos 405 holds its own as one of the best portable video players for under $200.

Specs: Digital AV player, 3.9 in x 0.5 in x 3.1 in, TFT 3.5 in - Color, MP3, WAV, WMA, ADPCM, Protected WMA (DRM), AVI, WMV, MPEG-4, 5.1 oz

The Bottom Line: As the Archos 605 WiFi's little sib, the Archos 405 holds its own as one of the best portable video players for under $200.

Specs: Digital AV player, 3.9 in x 0.5 in x 3.1 in, TFT 3.5 in - Color, AAC, MP3, PCM, WAV, WMA, AC-3, ADPCM, Protected WMA (DRM), AVI, WMV, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, 5.1 oz

The Bottom Line: The Archos 605 WiFi portable video player is one of the best mobile distractions money can buy.

Specs: Digital AV player, 4.8 in x 0.8 in x 3.2 in, TFT 4.3 in - Color, MP3, PCM, WAV, WMA, ADPCM, Protected WMA (DRM), WMV, MPEG-4, Protected WMV (DRM), 9.2 oz