Portable Video Players (PVPs)

Editors' rating: 3h stars
User rating: 3 stars out of 8 reviews

$299 to $439 at 3 stores

Cowon Q5W (40GB) Reviewed on 01/22/2008

The Bottom Line: The Cowon Q5W aims to do everything a gadget-aholic may want in a portable video player. Unfortunately, its confusing dual interface and high price hold it back from greatness.

Specs: Portable media center, 5.5 in x 0.8 in x 3.5 in, TFT 5 in - Color, ASF, MP3, MPC, WAV, WMA, AC-3, FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, MPEG 1 Audio, MPEG 2 Audio, MPEG 2.5 Audio, APE (Monkey's Audio), ASF, AVI, WMV, DivX, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, OGM (Ogg Media), 13.4 oz

Editors' rating: 3h stars

$339 to $418 at 3 stores

Cowon Q5W (60GB) Reviewed on 01/22/2008

The Bottom Line: The Cowon Q5W aims to do everything a gadget-aholic may want in a portable video player. Unfortunately, its confusing dual interface and high price hold it back from greatness.

Specs: Portable media center, 5.5 in x 0.8 in x 3.5 in, TFT 5 in - Color, ASF, MP3, MPC, WAV, WMA, AC-3, FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, MPEG 1 Audio, MPEG 2 Audio, MPEG 2.5 Audio, APE (Monkey's Audio), ASF, AVI, WMV, DivX, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, OGM (Ogg Media), 13.4 oz

Microsoft Zune (second generation, 80GB, red)

Editors' rating: 4 stars

$162 to $327 at 3 stores

Microsoft Zune (second generation, 80GB, red) Reviewed on 11/12/2007

The Bottom Line: The Zune has blossomed from an ugly duckling into a worthy iPod alternative.

Specs: 2.4 in x 0.5 in x 4.3 in, 4.5 oz

Editors' rating: 3h stars
User rating: 3h stars out of 21 reviews

$107 to $188 at 6 stores

SanDisk Sansa View (8GB) Reviewed on 10/26/2007

The Bottom Line: If you value features and price over a flashy interface and excellent sound quality, the SanDisk Sansa View digital media player is definitely worth a look. It's easy to use and offers a relatively large screen and a memory expansion option.

Specs: Portable media center, LCD 2.4 in, MP3, MPEG

Editors' rating: 3h stars
User rating: 3 stars out of 24 reviews

$159 to $189 at 11 stores

SanDisk Sansa View (16GB) Reviewed on 10/26/2007

The Bottom Line: If you value features and price over a flashy interface and excellent sound quality, the SanDisk Sansa View digital media player is definitely worth a look. It's easy to use and offers a relatively large screen and a memory expansion option.

Specs: Portable media center, LCD 2.4 in, MP3, MPEG

Editors' rating: 3h stars

$219 to $249 at 6 stores

SanDisk Sansa View (32GB) Reviewed on 10/26/2007

The Bottom Line: If you value features and price over a flashy interface and excellent sound quality, the SanDisk Sansa View digital media player is definitely worth a look. It's easy to use and offers a relatively large screen and a memory expansion option.

Specs: x 0.4 in

Apple iPod Touch (first generation, 8GB)

Editors' rating: 4 stars
User rating: 4 stars out of 108 reviews

$240 to $299 at 2 stores

Apple iPod Touch (first generation, 8GB) Reviewed on 09/17/2007

The Bottom Line: The iPod Touch is a beautiful product, inside and out, but prepare yourself for sticker shock.

Specs: Portable media center, 2.4 in x 0.3 in x 4.3 in, 3.5 in, AAC, Protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible 2, Audible 3, Audible 4, Apple Lossless, WAV, AIFF, MPEG-4, 4.2 oz

Apple iPod Touch (first generation, 16GB)

Editors' rating: 4 stars
User rating: 3h stars out of 259 reviews

$269 to $439 at 4 stores

Apple iPod Touch (first generation, 16GB) Reviewed on 09/17/2007

The Bottom Line: The iPod Touch is a beautiful product, inside and out, but prepare yourself for sticker shock.

Specs: Portable media center, 2.4 in x 0.3 in x 4.3 in, 3.5 in, AAC, Protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible 2, Audible 3, Audible 4, Apple Lossless, WAV, AIFF, MPEG-4, 4.2 oz

Apple iPod Touch (first generation, 32GB)

Editors' rating: 4 stars
User rating: 3h stars out of 47 reviews

$349 to $429 at 2 stores

Apple iPod Touch (first generation, 32GB) Reviewed on 09/17/2007

The Bottom Line: The iPod Touch is a beautiful product, inside and out, but prepare yourself for sticker shock.

Specs: Portable media center, 2.4 in x 0.3 in x 4.3 in, LCD 3.5 in, 4.2 oz

Editors' rating: 4 stars
User rating: 3h stars out of 69 reviews

$214 to $249 at 3 stores

Apple iPod Classic (80GB, silver) Reviewed on 09/10/2007

The Bottom Line: The iPod Classic is a refinement of the formula that put the iPod on the map. Few can match its combination of storage capacity, battery life, and advanced user interface.

Specs: Portable media center, 2.4 in x 0.4 in x 4.1 in, LCD 2.5 in, AAC, Protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible 2, Audible 3, Audible 4, Apple Lossless, WAV, AIFF, MPEG-4, 4.9 oz

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