What are the best Portable Multimedia Players on the market?
I was considering buying an iPod, but after looking around I can't see paying the money for a device that has a lot less features & storage than some of the others on the market.
What I found instead are the:
Archos Gmini402 20 GB Camcorder & Multimedia Player or
Archos 404 30GB Portable Digital Media Player & Camcorder
I'm just not sure if they are the best choices on the market. I’ve read some reviews & most people complain about the design making it hard not to cover the lens & how easily they can be dropped when trying to use only one hand.
I'm looking for an all around media device for under $300. I don't want to have to sign up for some service & I don't want to have to make a lot of file conversions. I just want to plug it into my PC do what I have to do & go.
You're right, iPod doesn't have much feature-wise. By the two players you've chosen, it looks like you're more oriented towards videos, so the iPod is NOT for you.
I have a couple of PMPs for you to check out:
1. Creative Zen Vision W: 4.3" 262k colors LCD screen, Compact Flash slot, 30/60GB, DivX support, custom EQ, TV-Out, FM Radio, Voice recorder, USB host.
http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=210&subcategory=211&product=15752I
2. Cowon A2 20GB: Korean brand and a little expensive but worth every penny. They're a hard to find in the US though. 4" 16M colors screen, DivX/XviD/Mpeg4 support, Record Video from TV, USB Host, voice recorder, text viewer, FM Radio + recorder.
http://www.cowonamerica.com/products/cowon/a2/
3. Archos AV500: Tricky to manipulate (personal experience). 4" 262k colors screen, record from TV (tv dock allows record scheduling), USB Host, TV out, etc.
http://www.archos.com/products/video/av_500/index.html?country=global&lang=en
4. My personal favorite (if the above are too expensive), check out the Creative Zen Vision M, it's more music-oriented than its sibling the Zen Vision W :
http://www.creative.com/products/mp3/zenvisionm/
I hope that helps.. 
Good luck!
P.S. Camcorder on the Archos isn't worth it...
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