Shop for portable video players (pvps)

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 28 reviews

The Bottom Line: While there's probably not enough to get owners of previous the PSP to upgrade, newcomers will find the PSP 3000 to be a solid portable gaming and multimedia device. Read review

Specs: Sony PSP 3000 - Game console, Handheld, UMD (Universal Media Disc), 333 MHz, 64 MB - Integrated

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 24 reviews

The Bottom Line: While it isn't infallible, the Western Digital WD TV HD Media Player plays back a wide array of audio, video, and image files on your TV without the need for a computer. Read review

Specs: Digital AV player, 5 in x 3.9 in x 1.6 in, AAC, MP3, PCM, WAV, WMA, AC-3, AIFF, FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, AVI, MKV, MOV, WMV, XviD, H.264, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, 10.7 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The Archos 5 is a great video player, but it disappoints as a premium Android Internet tablet and GPS unit. Read review

Specs: Portable media center, 5.6 in x 0.8 in x 3.1 in, LCD 4.8 in, MP3, WMA, Protected WMA, PCM, AAC, AAC+, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, MPEG-4, MPEG-48, H.264, WMV, MKV, Motion JPEG, 10.1 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.1 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 1312 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Sony PSP elevates portable gaming to the next level, but its multimedia functionality falls short of its full potential. Read review

Specs: Sony PlayStation Portable - Game console, Handheld, UMD (Universal Media Disc), 333 MHz, 32 MB - Integrated

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 29 reviews

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. Read review

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 7 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Archos 5 is a great video player, but it disappoints as a premium Android Internet tablet and GPS unit. Read review

Specs: Portable media center, 5.6 in x 0.4 in x 3.1 in, LCD 4.8 in, MP3, WMA, Protected WMA, PCM, AAC, AAC+, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, MPEG-4, MPEG-48, H.264, WMV, MKV, Motion JPEG, 6.4 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.0 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

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. Read review

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 156 reviews

The Bottom Line: The SanDisk Sansa e200 series offers a boatload of features for a reasonable price, in a package that is much nicer than that of past SanDisk models. For those looking for a high-capacity, compact, skip-free MP3/WMA player, start with the e200 series. Read review

Specs: Digital AV player, 1.7 in x 3.5 in x 0.5 in, TFT 1.8 in - Color, MP3, WMA

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.7 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 96 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Archos 605 WiFi portable video player is one of the best mobile distractions money can buy. Read review

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.0 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 1 review

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. Read review

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 3 reviews

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. Read review

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 147 reviews

The Bottom Line: The SanDisk Sansa e200 series offers a boatload of features for a reasonable price, in a package that is much nicer than that of past SanDisk models. For those looking for a high-capacity, compact, skip-free MP3/WMA player, start with the e200 series. Read review

Specs: Digital AV player, 1.7 in x 3.5 in x 0.5 in, TFT 1.8 in - Color, MP3, WMA

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.3 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

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. Read review

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.7 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 78 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Archos 605 WiFi portable video player is one of the best mobile distractions money can buy. Read review

Specs: Digital AV player, 4.8 in x 0.8 in x 3.2 in, TFT 4.3 in - Color, MP3, PCM, WAV, WMA, ADPCM, Protected WMA (DRM), WMV, MPEG-4, Protected WMV (DRM), 9.2 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 8 reviews

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. Read review

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: The Archos 5 is a great video player, but it disappoints as a premium Android Internet tablet and GPS unit. Read review

Specs: Portable media center, 5.6 in x 0.4 in x 3.1 in, LCD 4.8 in, MP3, WMA, Protected WMA, PCM, AAC, AAC+, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, MPEG-4, MPEG-48, H.264, WMV, MKV, Motion JPEG, 6.4 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: ARCHOS, award-winning for its constant technology innovation and leadership in portable media players introduces a concept: the Internet Media Tablet. The ARCHOS 7 is the jewel of this range, redefining ... Read more

Specs: Digital AV player, 7.5 in x 0.6 in x 4.3 in, TFT 7 in - Color, MP3, PCM, WAV, WMA, ADPCM, Protected WMA (DRM), WMV, MPEG-4, Motion JPEG, 1.4 lbs

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: ARCHOS, award-winning for its constant technology innovation and leadership in portable media players introduces a concept: the Internet Media Tablet. The ARCHOS 7 is the jewel of this range, redefining ... Read more

Specs: Digital AV player, 7.5 in x 0.6 in x 4.3 in, TFT 7 in - Color, MP3, PCM, WAV, WMA, ADPCM, Protected WMA (DRM), WMV, MPEG-4, Motion JPEG, 1.4 lbs

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 6 reviews

Manufacturer description: Enjoy the convenience of watching digital files on your home theater or TV without being connected to the computer! The Iomega ScreenPlay HD Multimedia Drive is a cost-effective, high definition ... Read more

Specs: Digital AV player, 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

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 6 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Cowon S9 is a sexy-looking gadget with exceptional audio and video quality, but its construction quality and user interface pale in comparison to the competition. Read review

Specs: Digital AV player, 2.2 in x 0.5 in x 4.2 in, AMOLED 3.3 in - Color, MP3, WAV, WMA, FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, MPEG 1 Audio, MPEG 2 Audio, APE (Monkey's Audio), AVI, WMV, XviD, 2.7 oz

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 18 reviews

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. Read review

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Until Iriver lowers the price on the Spinn, it will remain a luxury portable media player best suited to an early adopter with a penchant for unique gadgets and a library of lossless music. Read review

Specs: Digital AV player, AMOLED

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 111 reviews

The Bottom Line: The SanDisk Sansa e200 series offers a boatload of features for a reasonable price, in a package that is much nicer than that of past SanDisk models. For those looking for a high-capacity, compact, skip-free MP3/WMA player, start with the e200 series. Read review

Specs: Digital AV player, 1.7 in x 3.5 in x 0.5 in, TFT 1.8 in - Color, MP3, WMA

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 9 reviews

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. Read review

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

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.0 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

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. Read review

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