Portable Media Players Compared. We have a Winner, YAY!

Posted by Abbas ||

October 14, 2006 ||

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How about downloading all the episodes of Lost and taking it with you on a camping trip into the woods. It’s not easy to choose a PMP (Portable Media Player) especially when there are more than a few options available. Let’s talk about a few popular PMP’s (Portable Media Player) and not so popular but worth its money. By the end of this post we will have a clear winner as to which is the best PMP available in the stores today!

In this post I will not discuss pointless features which do not affect the performance of the player. For example: PIM or What does the package include or whether it can read PDF’s or not.

I have highlited a few key features which a potential buyer should ALWAYS keep in mind while buying a PMP.

Listed below are the PMP’s we will discuss:

Apple iPod Video (30 GB)
Zen Vision W (30 GB)
Archos 604 (30 GB)
Cowon A2 (30 GB)

Comparison chart of Archos 604 and 604 Wifi, Apple iPod Video, Zen Vision W, Cowon A2

Archos 604/604 Wifi: This is a master piece and for other PMP’s to catchup with Archos 604 features will take couple of years. The only difference between Archos 604 and 604 Wifi is that the 604 Wifi is touch screen and Wifi enabled. It comes with amazing accessories such as a DVR station which converts Archos 604/604 Wifi to TiVo which enables Video recording from external sources such as TV. A special camera which is an optional accessory turns Archos into a video recording Gadget. This camera is specially designed to be attached to the helmet for shooting sporting activities. Archos has added a real smart feature to Archos 604, a stand which supports and holds the player vertically which makes it really easy for viewing videos.

Archos 604 Wifi is truly next generation PMP as it offers the option of IPTV to its users.

Archos 604/604 Wifi virtually plays all the video formats, however Archos believes in the saying “There is no such thing as free lunch” so offers paid plug-ins to play certain media formats. This is something you should keep in mind while buying Archos PMP. Over all it’s a great gadget to have, in fact, it is a must have!

Apple iPod: This is probably one of the most popular Gadgets ever made. iPod was a great player about a year ago however as Steve Jobs refuses to update and include new features to keep up with its competitors it’s popularity is fading by the day. Apple does not offer an FM Radio; it does not have the option of voice recording. iPod plays very limited video formats.

It is still one of the best looking PMP’s available in the market; however lack of features make it less impressive and desirable.

Creative Zen vision W: This is my favorite PMP as far as design and interface goes. Creative Zen Vision W offers almost all the features Archos offers except Video recording from external sources. Its battery life is not as good as Archos and is not compatible with MAC.

Cowon A2: Cowon A2 is one of the best, stylish and a smart looking PMP’s. Cowon offers smart features like viewing lyrics of the current playing song. I love its designed and easy navigation. It offers the option to set your own wallpaper. I did browse through the accessories list offered by Cowon for Cowon A2 and did not find as interesting accessories as Archos offers, which means Cowon A2 cannot real time videos and does not offer removalble battery.

Alright that’s enough of writing and reading about PMP’s! Here is my verdict.