VOB 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 Iomega ScreenPlay TV Link offers an easy way to watch digital video files without the need to hook up a computer to your TV.

Specs: Digital AV player, 3.1 in x 0.8 in x 3.3 in, MP3, WAV, WMA, AC-3, Ogg Vorbis, AVI, VOB, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX 4.0, DivX 5.0, DivX 3.11, 3.5 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: 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), 10.5 oz

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: 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