All Portable Video Players (PVPs)

The Bottom Line: The Archos 704 WiFi multimedia player looks amazing on paper, but the Web browsing isn't quite smooth enough. Still, as a video player it succeeds: the large screen size makes it ideal for planes, trains, and automobiles, though it's too big to be an everyday music player.

Specs: Digital AV recorder, 7.2 in x 0.8 in x 5 in, TFT 7 in - Color, MP3, PCM, WAV, WMA, ADPCM, Protected WMA (DRM), WMV, MPEG-4, 1.3 lbs

The Bottom Line: The Philips Portable Media Center PMC7230 is a stylish device with lots of potential, but it's not as impressive as we expected.

Specs: Portable media center, 3.7 in x 0.9 in x 4.2 in, LCD 3.5 in - Color, MP3, WMA, WMV, MPEG-4, MPEG-4 SP, 8.3 oz

The Bottom Line: The do-everything Archos 604 WiFi is completely stacked with awesome video playback, Web surfing, and other useful features, but the sluggish processor keeps the experience from being totally satisfying.

Specs: Digital AV player, 5.2 in x 0.6 in x 3.1 in, TFT 4.3 in - Color, AAC, MP3, WAV, WMA, AC-3, Protected WMA (DRM), WMV, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, Protected WMV (DRM), 10.2 oz

The Bottom Line: The all-inclusive RCA Lyra X3030 is a solid video playback and recording device, despite its poorly designed menu interface. Yet there are still PVPs on the market that perform better.

Specs: Digital AV recorder, TFT 3.6 in - Color, MP3, WAV, WMA, Audible, Protected WMA (DRM), AVI, WMV, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX 4.0, DivX 5.0, MPEG-4 SP

The Bottom Line: Despite the Toshiba Gigabeat V30's excellent sound quality and rated battery life, there are better PVP choices.

Specs: Portable media center, 4.9 in x 0.8 in x 3 in, LCD 3.5 in - Color, MP3, WAV, WMA, Protected WMA (DRM), WMV, 7.9 oz

The Bottom Line: Measurable bulk and pricey 160GB version aside, the do-it-all Archos 504 is an awesome A/V performer.

Specs: Digital AV player, 5.1 in x 0.7 in x 3 in, TFT 4.3 in - Color, AAC, MP3, PCM, WAV, WMA, AC-3, ADPCM, WMV, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, 9 oz

The Bottom Line: Measurable bulk and pricey 160GB version aside, the do-it-all Archos 504 is an awesome A/V performer.

Specs: Digital AV player, 5.1 in x 0.7 in x 3 in, TFT 4.3 in - Color, AAC, MP3, WAV, WMA, AC-3, WMV, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, 9 oz

The Bottom Line: Measurable bulk and pricey 160GB version aside, the do-it-all Archos 504 is an awesome A/V performer.

Specs: Digital AV player, 5.1 in x 0.7 in x 3 in, TFT 4.3 in - Color, AAC, MP3, WAV, WMA, AC-3, WMV, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, 9 oz

The Bottom Line: The Wolverine ESP may not be a fancy portable video player/recorder, but it gets the job done, particularly for digital photo enthusiasts.

Specs: Digital AV recorder, 5.3 in x 0.9 in x 2.8 in, TFT 3.6 in - Color, AAC, MP3, WAV, WMA, WMV, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-4, 10.2 oz

The Bottom Line: The Wolverine ESP may not be a fancy portable video player/recorder, but it gets the job done, particularly for digital photo enthusiasts.

Specs: Digital AV recorder, 5.3 in x 0.9 in x 2.8 in, TFT 3.6 in - Color, AAC, MP3, WAV, WMA, Ogg Vorbis, WMV, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-4, 10.2 oz