30 GB - 39 GB 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), 9.9 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 0.6 in x 3.2 in, TFT 4.3 in - Color, MP3, PCM, WAV, WMA, ADPCM, Protected WMA (DRM), WMV, MPEG-4, Protected WMV (DRM), 6.7 oz

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 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: 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: The attractively priced Archos 404 is a PVP in an MP3 player's body. If you want a better screen and a removable battery, spend $50 more for the wider 604.

Specs: Digital AV player, 3.9 in x 0.6 in x 3.1 in, TFT 3.5 in - Color, AAC, MP3, WAV, WMA, AC-3, Protected WMA (DRM), WMV, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, Protected WMV (DRM), 6.7 oz

The Bottom Line: The do-it-all Archos 604 with its improved design and a low base price is an amazing PVP. Just make sure to figure in the cost of some essential extras.

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, Protected WMA (DRM), WMV, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, Protected WMV (DRM), 9 oz