USB host function MP3 players

The Bottom Line: The stacked yet compact 4GB Cowon iAudio 6 is a true performer, but the touch-sensitive interface will cause problems for some.

Specs: Digital player / radio, ASF, MP3, WAV, WMA, FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, MPEG 1 Audio, MPEG 2 Audio, MPEG 2.5 Audio, 4 GB, Lithium polymer Rechargeable Player battery

The Bottom Line: If your idea of the ideal MP3 player is one that packs in every feature in the book, including a 2-megapixel camera, take a long look at the Samsung YP-D1--just keep in mind it maxes out at 2GB.

Specs: Digital player / radio, 1 GB, ASF, MP3, WAV, WMA, Ogg Vorbis, Protected WMA (DRM), Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryIntegrated

The Bottom Line: The dazzling, DRM-friendly Creative Zen Vision:M gives the iPod a run for the money as the current high-capacity WMA champ.

Specs: Digital player / radio, MP3, WAV, WMA, ADPCM, Audible, Protected WMA (DRM), 60 GB, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player battery

The Bottom Line: The dazzling, DRM-friendly Creative Zen Vision:M gives the iPod a run for the money as the current high-capacity WMA champ.

Specs: Digital player / radio, MP3, WAV, WMA, ADPCM, Audible, Protected WMA (DRM), 60 GB, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player battery

The Bottom Line: Despite the addition of a color screen, Samsung's latest iPod killer is actually a step back from its grayscale predecessor.

Specs: Hard drive, MP3, WAV, WMA, Ogg Vorbis, 20 GB, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryIntegrated

The Bottom Line: The great-sounding Cowon iAudio X5 looks like an iPod killer on paper, but this palm-size music and video player suffers from mediocre music browsing and some key design missteps.

Specs: Hard drive, MP3, WMA, ASF, FLAC, WAV, 20 GB, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryInternal

The Bottom Line: The great-sounding Cowon iAudio X5 looks like an iPod killer on paper, but this palm-size music and video player suffers from mediocre music browsing and some key design missteps.

Specs: Digital player / radio, None, ASF, MP3, WAV, WMA, FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, MPEG 1 Audio, MPEG 2 Audio, MPEG 2.5 Audio, 60 GB, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryInternal

The Bottom Line: The great-sounding Cowon iAudio X5 looks like an iPod killer on paper, but this palm-size music and video player suffers from mediocre music browsing and some key design missteps.

Specs: Hard drive, MP3, WMA, ASF, WAV, FLAC, 30 GB, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryInternal

The Bottom Line: The great-sounding Cowon iAudio X5 looks like an iPod killer on paper, but this palm-size music and video player suffers from mediocre music browsing and some key design missteps.

Specs: Hard drive, No built-in memory, ASF, FLAC, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, WAV, WMA, 30 GB, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryInternal

The Bottom Line: The great-sounding Cowon iAudio X5 looks like an iPod killer on paper, but this palm-size music and video player suffers from mediocre music browsing and some key design missteps.

Specs: Hard drive, ASF, FLAC, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, WAV, WMA, 20 GB, Lithium ion Rechargeable Player batteryInternal