Memory card reader Portable Video Players (PVPs)

The Bottom Line: The Memorex TouchMP is the first MP3 player we've seen that combines touch-screen technology, useful features, and an attractive design, for less than $100.

Specs: Digital AV player, 2.5 in x 0.4 in x 3.8 in, LCD 2.8 in - Color, MP3, WMA, AVI, WMV, MPEG-4

The Bottom Line: Blue Raven's MediaMate is a Texas-size product with a down-to-earth price. Just remember, bigger isn't always better.

Specs: Digital AV recorder, 8 in x 1.1 in x 4.6 in, TFT 7 in - Color, MP3, PCM, WMA, AC-3, ADPCM, Ogg Vorbis, AVI, VOB, DivX, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, 1.3 lbs

The Bottom Line: Blue Raven's MediaMate is a Texas-size product with a down-to-earth price. Just remember, bigger isn't always better.

Specs: Digital AV recorder, 8 in x 1.1 in x 4.6 in, TFT 7 in - Color, MP3, PCM, WMA, AC-3, ADPCM, Ogg Vorbis, AVI, VOB, DivX, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, 1.3 lbs

The Bottom Line: The Coby PMP-4330 made many compromises to meet its attractive price tag. Still, this PVP's built-in ability to record video is unprecedented for a wide-screen player in this price range.

Specs: Digital AV recorder, 5.2 in x 0.9 in x 2.9 in, TFT 4.3 in - Color, MP3, WMA, ASF, AVI, WMV, XviD, MPEG-4, Motion JPEG

The Bottom Line: The Coby PMP-4320 made many compromises to meet its attractive price tag. Still, this PVP's built-in ability to record video is unprecedented for a wide-screen player in this price range.

Specs: Digital AV recorder, 5.2 in x 0.9 in x 2.9 in, TFT 4.3 in - Color, MP3, WMA, ASF, AVI, WMV, XviD, MPEG-4, Motion JPEG

The Bottom Line: Though its lacks CompactFlash support, the SanDisk V-Mate is ultimately a slicker and more feature-rich mini digital VCR than the similarly priced Neuros Recorder 2 Plus.

Specs: Digital AV recorder, 5.1 in x 2.6 in x 0.8 in, MPEG-4

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: The bulky but easy-to-use Creative Zen Vision W and its nice screen will dazzle video lovers who don't require video recording.

Specs: Digital AV player, 5.3 in x 0.9 in x 3 in, TFT 4.3 in - Color, MP3, WAV, WMA, Audible, Protected WMA (DRM), AVI, WMV, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, DivX 4.0, DivX 5.0, MPEG-4 SP, Motion JPEG, 9.7 oz

The Bottom Line: The bulky but easy-to-use Creative Zen Vision W and its nice screen will dazzle video lovers who don't require video recording.

Specs: Digital AV player, 5.3 in x 0.9 in x 3 in, TFT 4.3 in - Color, MP3, WAV, WMA, Audible, Protected WMA (DRM), WMV, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, DivX 4.0, DivX 5.0, MPEG-4 SP, Motion JPEG, 9.7 oz

The Bottom Line: If you're looking for a good way to record and watch video using a compact device, the RCA Lyra X3000 is a solid choice; however, serious music addicts may want to use something else as their primary portable audio device, due to the device's 20GB capacity, its poor audio battery life, and a few navigation foibles.

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