External HDD function Portable Video Players (PVPs)

The Bottom Line: While the Seagate FreeAgent Theater has a decent interface and good photo display options, it doesn't read as many video file formats as its competitors.

Specs: Digital AV player, 7.2 in x 7.1 in x 1.2 in, MP3, WAV, WMA, AC-3, Ogg Vorbis, AVI, ISO, VOB, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX 6.0, 1.1 lbs

The Bottom Line: While the Seagate FreeAgent Theater has a decent interface and good photo display options, it doesn't read as many video file formats as its competitors.

Specs: Digital AV player, 7.2 in x 7.1 in x 1.2 in, MP3, WAV, WMA, AC-3, Ogg Vorbis, AVI, ISO, VOB, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX 6.0, 1.1 lbs

The Bottom Line: While the Seagate FreeAgent Theater has a decent interface and good photo display options, it doesn't read as many video file formats as its competitors.

Specs: Digital AV player, 7.2 in x 7.1 in x 1.2 in, MP3, WAV, WMA, AC-3, Ogg Vorbis, AVI, ISO, VOB, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX 6.0, 1.1 lbs

The Bottom Line: The Archos 5 boasts an improved screen size, image resolution, and sound quality over its predecessor, but its Web browser and Flash media playback are disappointing for a product marketed on the strength of its Internet media capabilities.

Specs: Digital AV player, 5 in x 0.5 in x 3.1 in, TFT 4.8 in - Color, MP3, PCM, WAV, WMA, ADPCM, Protected WMA (DRM), WMV, MPEG-4, Motion JPEG, 8.8 oz

The Bottom Line: The Archos 5 boasts an improved screen size, image resolution, and sound quality over its predecessor, but its Web browser and Flash media playback are disappointing for a product marketed on the strength of its Internet media capabilities.

Specs: Digital AV player, 5 in x 0.5 in x 3.1 in, TFT 4.8 in - Color, MP3, PCM, WAV, WMA, ADPCM, Protected WMA (DRM), WMV, MPEG-4, Motion JPEG, 8.8 oz

The Bottom Line: Although a cumbersome interface hampers the LaCie LaCinema Premier's usability as a music and photo server, its ability to play back files ripped from DVDs is pretty appealing.

Specs: Digital AV player, 2.7 in x 6.7 in x 4.9 in, AAC, MP3, WMA, AC-3, Ogg Vorbis, AVI, ISO, VOB, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX 4.0, DivX 5.0, DivX 3.11, 2.4 lbs

The Bottom Line: Although a cumbersome interface hampers the LaCie LaCinema Premier's usability as a music and photo server, its ability to play back files ripped from DVDs is pretty appealing.

Specs: Digital AV player, 2.7 in x 6.7 in x 4.9 in, AAC, MP3, WMA, AC-3, Ogg Vorbis, AVI, ISO, VOB, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX 4.0, DivX 5.0, DivX 3.11, 2.4 lbs

The Bottom Line: Although a cumbersome interface hampers the LaCie LaCinema Premier's usability as a music and photo server, its ability to play back files ripped from DVDs is pretty appealing.

Specs: Digital AV player, 2.7 in x 6.7 in x 4.9 in, AAC, MP3, WMA, AC-3, Ogg Vorbis, AVI, ISO, VOB, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX 4.0, DivX 5.0, DivX 3.11, 2.4 lbs

The Bottom Line: Archos 705 WiFi is the biggest, baddest PVP on the market. What you get in screen size, however, you pay for in portability and picture quality.

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, 1.4 lbs

The Bottom Line: Archos 705 WiFi is the biggest, baddest PVP on the market. What you get in screen size, however, you pay for in portability and picture quality.

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, 1.4 lbs