SBD's PVP Survey
-Portable Digital Video Players-
updated 2004 /10 / 7
(back to SBD's Archos Website)

Introduction: (written 2003 / 9 19)

This page attempts to catalog all the Portable (digital) Video Players (PVP) out for sale, announced, or discontinued. I have two criteria for what make up a PVP:

  1. It must have a battery and be able to run with nothing but a pair of headphones plugged in.
  2. It must be able to play one or more Computer video types (for example, MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4...)

I've split this page into 3 sections:

  • Released Players - those you can go out and buy now
  • Rumored Released Players - those that may or may not come out sometime in the future
  • Discontinued Players - those you can no-longer buy new

As a quick summery:

  • Ignoring Lyra: Nothing currently available is anywhere near as good as even the JBM20s let alone the AV300 except maybe the CinemaDisk, but the CinemaDisk can't play video without a TV.
  • Lyra vs Archos: There are many things even the old JBM20 can do that the new Lyra cannot (in the current firmware). The AV300 is better than the Lyra in every way save: AV300 is ticker (bad), Lyra records at 320x240@30fps (good), Lyra can play MPEG1 and MPEG2 video (good). See the Lyra-AV300 Comparision at Techolio.
  • For the Rumored Players there are several that could be good on the horizon.

Some players are Hard-Drive based and others are Flash-Based. HD based players start at around 20gigs and go up to as high as 80gigs (as of 9/19/2003). Flash players will typically start at 64 or 128 megs and be expandable to about 1 gig. Since a single movie can take up to 1 gig, I consider Flash players inadequate for my PVP needs. However, I include them in this listing for completeness and out of respect that not everyone has the same needs as I do.

The Survey:

Released

HARD DRIVE BASED PLAYERS (Alphabetical by manufacture)

Archos AV100: Official Site

  • Audio Support: MP3, WAV
  • Photo Support: JPG, BMP
  • Video Playback: MPEG 4 (640x304@30fps, 640x368@25fps, 640x480@(low)fps)
  • Video Recording (with optional module): MPEG 4 (320x240@25fps, 304x224@30fps)
  • Media: 20/40gb, CF, SM, MMC/MemoryStick (all flash cards require optional module)
  • LCD: 1.8" 237x234 color
  • Size: 110 x 79 x 29 mm
  • Weight: 290g
  • Expansion Modules: 1.3mpix Camera, DVR, CF, SM, MMC adapters

Archos AV300: Official Site, Official Site 3D - My Review - Links to many reviews

  • Audio Support: MP3, WAV
  • Photo Support: JPG, BMP
  • Video Playback: MPEG 4 (640x304@30fps, 640x368@25fps, 640x480@(low)fps)
  • Video Recording (with optional module): MPEG 4 (320x240@25fps, 304x224@30fps)
  • Media: 20/40/80gb, CF, SM, MMC/MemoryStick (all flash cards require optional module)
  • LCD: 3.8" 320x240 color
  • Size: 112 x 82 x 31 mm
  • Weight: 350g
  • Expansion Modules: 3.3mpix Camera, DVR, CF, SM, MMC adapters
  • Battery Life: 3.5 to 5.5 hours video, 9-10 hours audio (verified with real-world tests here)

Archos AV400 - SBD Archos Rumors Page - CNet Review
(updated 2004/7/29)

  • Audio Playback: MP3, WMA, WAV
  • Photo Support: JPG, BMP
  • Audio Recording: WAV (PCM/ADPCM)
  • Video Playback: 704x480@30 Mpeg4 SP (DivX 4/5, XVid, MP3 or ADPCM audio, in AVI format) (up to 720x576)
  • Video Recording: 512x384@30 (Mpeg4 video, PCM/ADPCM audio, in AVI format)
    • (if Macrovision detected, will record in encrypled format that can only be played back on the LCD of the specific unit it was recorded on)
  • LCD: 3.5" 320x240, 262,000 colors, transreflective
  • Other:
    • Built-in speaker
    • TV Cradle

There will be two versions of the AV400 with different specs:

AV400 - 20gig
AV400 - >20gig
LCD Size
3.5" (8.9cm)
3.8" (9.6cm)
HD Size
20gig (1.8")
up to 100gig (2.5")
Unit Size
125 x 78 x 20 mm
125 x 78 x 26 mm
Unit Weight
280 g
320 g
Bettery Life: Video
4 hour
(SBD tests: 5 to 7h)
4.5 hour

Battery Life: Audio

12 hour
(SBD tests: 12h)
16 hour
Battery Removable?
Yes
No

CinemaDisk: Official Site - HotMP3Gear.com Review

  • Good overall design, but can't play video on its built-in LCD
  • Audio Support: MPEG 1, MPEG 2 (720x480), MPEG 4 (352x288), Motion JPEG
  • Photo Support: JPG
  • Video Support: MP3, WMA
  • Media: 20g, 30g, 40g, or 60g HD, CF
  • LCD: B&W - can't play video on it
  • Size: 5.5 x 3.1 x 1.0 inches (w/o battery) (139 x 80 x 26mm)
  • Weight: ???

digEplayer 5500: Official Site - PVRBlog Review - Seattle PI About the Inventor

  • Only available for rent on Alaskan Airlines during a flight.
  • Plays DivX.
  • Plays 4:3 content stretched to wide-screen
  • It's big - the screen is 7" - that makes the unit somewhere in the 7x7" range (or more)
  • Weight: 2.4lb (1089g)
  • Media: HD(?) "can hold up to 30 full-length movies"

EECS Tech's Joycoder PV330 - Official Site - The Register - I4U - Dragonworld - Taltor
(Updated 2004/07/29)

  • Media: 20/30/40gb HD
  • LCD: 3.5" TFT (480 x 234)
  • Audio: MP3, Real Audio
  • Photo: JPG
  • Video Playback: MPEG4 (AVI), Real Video
  • Video Record: MPEG4 320 x 240 at 24-28, G.726 audio
  • Battery: 4 hours of video playback
  • Memory: 64megs (2megs flash)
  • Media: 20gb / 30gb / 40gb HD
  • Size: 130 x 84 x 33 mm
  • Weight: 350g
  • Notes:
    • Software: RealOne Player
    • IR Remote Control
    • Build-in Microphone
FlashTrax (a.k.a. Phototainer): Official Site - DPReview - EETimes Review
  • Audio Support: MP3, WAV
  • Photo Support: JPG, RAW, GIF, BMP
  • Video Support: Motion JPEG (320x240@30fps / 640x480@10fps)
  • Media: 30gb HD, CF
  • LCD: 3.5” color
  • Size: 143 x 92 x 32mm
  • Weight: 12 oz (340g)

iRiver PMP100: Official Website - Trade-show picts - LargerPicture - Clubic Cebit2004 - Gizmodo - PlayerBlog - InfoSyncWorld - SorobanGeeks Review
(Updated 2004/10/7)

  • Expected Release: May - June 2004
  • Media: 20gb/40gb HD
  • Audio Support: MP3, WMA (level 1, 2A, 2B), ASF, Ogg Vorbis, WAV
  • Video Support: AVI, ASF, MP4, MPG / DivX 3.x,DivX 4.x, DivX 5.x, Xvid, MPEG4 SP, Advanced SP, MPEG1.
  • Photo Support: JPG and BMP
  • LCD: 3.5" TFT LCD
  • Size: 139 x 84 x 32 mm
  • OS: Linux(?)
  • Battery Life: 4-5 hours (video), 16 hours (audio)
  • Other Features: Internal Mic, 8bit game support, USB On The Go
  • Extras: External MIC / FM Tuner

RCA Lyra Audio/Video Jukebox RD2780
Pre-Release Articals
: RCA Press Release - MobileMag.com Article - BestStuff.com Article - J and R PreOrder - MP3NewsWire Article - Initial Review - HD Upgrade Guide
Post-Release Articals: Lyra-AV300 Comparision at Techolio

  • Picts:
  • AV320 size comparison:
  • (These Specs are only speculation:)
  • Audio Support: MP3, MP3Pro, WMA
  • Photo Support: JPG
  • Video Play: MPEG-4 (avi & asf)
  • Video Record: Mpeg4 AVI
    • (if Macrovision detected - won't record)
  • Media: 20g HD, CF
  • LCD: 3.5" 320x240 color
  • Size: 132 x 80 x 25 mm
  • Weight: 368g
  • Battery Life: 3 hours

Vosonic V-MP3H Digital Data Player: Official Site - HotMP3Gear.com Review

  • Audio Support: MP3
  • Photo Support: JPG
  • Video Support: MPEG 1
  • Media: 2.5" HD extra, MMC, SF, SD
  • LCD: 2.5"
  • Size: 154 x 92 x 46mm
  • Weight: 445g (including HD)
FLASH BASED PLAYERS (Alphabetical by manufacture)

HandHeld Entertainment ZVUE - Official Site - TechTV Short -

  • LCD: 2.5" TFT
  • Audio: MP3
  • Video: proprietary video codec called HHe (15fps)
  • Media: SD
  • Note: S'posed to only be $99.
  • Size: 112 x 75 x 30mm
Panasonic SV-AV20: Official Site - For Sale - Article - Specs
  • Audio Support: MP3, AAC
  • Photo Support: JPG
  • Video Support: MPEG4 (320 x 240 @ 15fps; 176 x 144 @15fps)
  • Media: SD
  • LCD: 2" Color
  • Size: 3.06 x 2.50 x 1.06 inches
  • Weight: 4.2 oz

Pogo Flipster: Official Site - ABCNews.Go.com Review

  • Audio Support: MP3, WMA
  • Photo Support: JPG, BMP, GIF
  • Video Support: ASF, WMV (160x234@10fps)
  • Media: No HD - Only flash cards (MMC and SD)
  • LCD: 2.5" 160x234 color
  • Size: 3.54 x 2.48 x  1.02 inches (63 x 90 x 26mm)
  • Weight: 3.7oz (105g)
Sharp AV1: Official Site - Article
  • Audio Support: MP3
  • Photo Support: (none)
  • Video Support: MPEG-4, (470kbps @ 15fps / 215kbps @ 10fps / 100kbps @ 7.5fps)
  • Media: 64mb (56 usable) built in, SD
  • LCD: 3” 336x220 color
  • Size: 85 x 82.5 x 18mm / 88 x 85 x 20mm
  • Weight: 126g / 132g

 

Announced / Rumored

HARD DRIVE BASED PLAYERS (Alphabetical by manufacture)

Apple's Video iPod - Wired.com Article- Rumors at mp3newswire.net

  • Note - this may not look anything like the actual shipping product. It is a prototype by DesignWorksWindsor

Archos AV500 - SBD Archos Rumors Page
(updated 2004/6/4)

  • LCD: 320x240 16-bit-color touch-screen
  • Media: 20g / 40g & Built-In CF reader
  • Audio: MP3, WMA, WMA-DRM, WAV (maybe AAC)
  • Video: DivX and WMV9 Video at 706x480@30fps. Mpeg4 "Advanced Simple Profile" support (which means all advanced DivX features!).
  • Availability: at "the end of the year [2004], not before" at "a higher price [than the av300]"
  • Video Recording: Built-In DVR records at "Better resolution" than the AV300
  • Notes:
    • USB Host as well as slave (so you can connect a keyboard or camera or another Archos AV product to share files)
    • Docking station with Tv tuning
    • Applications: Web browser, E-Mail, Calendar, Text Editor and Calculator
    • Wifi / Streaming / Bluetooth modules through CF slot
    • Streaming Video may be posslbe
    • Full OS / 3rd party applications possible
    • Camera Module through compact flash. Should be a better camera than "the mobile camera" (of the AV300?)
    • Built in Mic and Speaker
    • Removable Battery

Archos GMini400 - SBD Archos Rumors Page
(added 2004/8/1)

  • Very similar to the AV400 (minus video recording), but much smaller and lighter (160g  - 10g of less than Gmini 220).
  • Battery Life: 10 hours audio, 5 hours video
  • Audio Recording: WAV only (like the AV400) (PCM and ADPCM)
  • Media: 1.8" 20gig hard drive, CF Type I
  • Interfaces: USB 2.0
  • Audio Playback: MP3, WMA (including PD DRM support) and WAV (PCM & ADPCM)
  • Games: Mophun game engine (link)
  • Photo: JPEG (except JPEG progressive) and BMP
  • Video: MPEG4 SP with MP3 or ADPCM (704x480@30 fps) in AVI. (XviD and DivX 4/5)
  • LCD: 2.2" 220x176 pixel, 262 000 colors (and has TV out as well)
  • Size: 106 x 60 x 17 mm
  • Weight: 160 g
  • Accesories:
    • FM Module
    • Car power adaptor
    • Case

AVIAS MEC: Official Site - MacWorld Article

  • Audio Support: MP3, WMA
  • Photo Support: JPG, GIF, BMP, TIF
  • Video Support: MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 (DivX up to DVD resolution @30fps, Simple Profile Only)
  • Media: 20g/40g/80g HD, CF
  • LCD: 6.5” (16:9) TFT LCD Display
  • Size: 7.5 x 4.3 x 1.0 inches (191 x 110 x 26 mm) (without battery)
  • Weight: 400 grams (14 oz) (without battery)
  • Expansion Modules: GPS, WiFi, Camera

Creative's PMC (Microsoft) - CNet Artical - TomsHardwareInfo from Cebit2004 - Review
(updated 2004/08/26)

  • Media: 40gb
  • Weight: 350g
  • Wize: 144 x 80.7 x 22 mm
  • Video Resulution: 320 x 200 (is this max playback or LCD res? - the artical sounds like it is max playback resolution)
  • Audio Support: WMA or MP3
  • Photo Support: TIFF and JPG
  • Video Support: WMV 7, 8 or 9
  • Notes: "Windows Media Players is needed, in order to transfer film or music files" - Has video out - HD is not removable

Datexx Pavio Model PVR30T - PVP4u - Official (?) Page
(added 2004/10/7)

  • Media: 30gb HD, SD, CF
  • LCD: 3.5"
  • Audio Play: MP3, WAV
  • Audio Record: WAV (ADPCM)
  • Video Play: Mpeg4 (ADPCM or MP3 audio)
  • Video Record: Mpeg4, ADPCM audio (QVGA:1Mbps/VGA:2Mbps/VGA fine: 4Mbps)
  • Computer Interface: USB 2.0
  • Photo: JPG (3072x2048 pixel max)
  • Size: 140 x 80 x 25mm
  • Weight: 340g
  • Battery: 6h audio, 3h video
  • Misc:
    • TV tuner in the Docking station with direct recording capability (VHF/UHF/Cable (CATV))
    • Docking station has S-Video out
    • remote control
    • Stereo built-in speaker (Max output: 230mW/speaker)

Epson Photo Fine P-2000 - PVP4u - Official Website (Japanese) - I4u - TechTree
(added 2004/10/7)

  • LCD: 3.8" color screen
  • Video Play:  Mpeg4
  • Media: 40gb, CF (Type I and II, and microdrives), SD
  • LCD: 640x480
  • Audio Play: MP3, AAC
  • Photo: JPG & RAW:
    • Nikon D2H / D1H / D1X / D100 / D70
    • Canon EOS:1D MarkⅡ/ 10D / D30 / D60 / Kiss Digital
    • EPSON R-D1
  • Computer Interface: USB 2.0
  • Size: 147 x 31 x 84 mm
  • Weight: 415g.
  • Battery: Music 5h, Video 2.5h
  • Other:
    • USB-direct printing
    • Built-in speaker (stereo?)
    • Video-Out (Pal/NTSC)

Fusion Digital Technology pPVR - Official Site - Gizmodo Short - Portable Media World

  • Audio Support: MP3, Windows Media 9
  • Video Playback: Mpeg 2, & 4
  • Video Recording: Mpeg 4
  • Media: 20GB HD
  • LCD: 3.8" 320x240 TFT LCD
  • Size: 120 x 81 x 16mm
  • Battery Life: 5 hours Video, 10 hours Audio
  • Notes:
    • The unit will accept MPEG2 streams from appropriate Digifusion set-top boxes to store on it’s HDD

 

GenSoc MJB-3100 - Official Site - Gizmodo Short

  • Audio Support: MP3, AAC
  • Video Playback: 320x240@30fps (MPEG4, asf, MP3 / G726 audio)
  • Video Recording: 352x240@25fps (MPEG4 in asf with G.726 audio)
  • Media: 1.8" 10GB HD
  • LCD: 2.5" TFT LCD

 

Gway YouGo - Official Site - theRegister - dapReview

  • Size: 109 x 74 x 23 mm
  • Weight: 197g
  • Audio Play: MP3, AAC
  • Video Play: Mpeg4 SP (AVI/ASF) (352x240@30fps)
  • Video Rec: Mpeg4 SP (352x240@25fps)
  • Photo: JPG
  • Media: 4GB hd
  • LCD: 2.5"
  • Notes: has iPod-esque control wheel, infrared port and remote control

iRiver PMC100: Official Website - Trade-show picts - EHomeUpgrade Short - Clubic Cebit2004 - Gizmodo - PlayerBlog - PCMagazine Review
(Updated 2004/10/7)

  • Expexted Release: 3rd Quarter 2004
  • Media: 20gb/40gb HD
  • OS: "Microsoft Portable Media Center"
  • Audio Support: MP3, WMA
  • Video Support: WMV, DivX, MPEG-2, MPEG-4
  • Photo Support: JPG
  • LCD: 3.5" TFT LCD
  • Notes: has USB OTG (USB On-The-Go: you can connect your digital camera directly), 10 built-in games
  • Battery Life: 6 hours

iUbi PMP2020 - MobileMag - PVP4u - DAPreview

  • Media: 20gig HD
  • LCD: 3.5" TFT LCD touch screen
  • Video Playback: MPEG2, MPEG4, Xvid, DivX3.x, DivX5.x, ASF, SMI, AVI, WMV
  • Audio Playback: MP3
  • Photo: JPG
  • Size: Everyone is reporting the size to be 128 x 26,7 x 29mm which is clearly incorrect, but that's all the info I have.
  • Battery: 3h video, 5h audio
  • Weight: 300g
  • Misc:
    • Composite video out
    • PDA functionality: Email, Calendar, Internet Browsing, and Address book
    • capable of playing internet radio

Intel and DesignWorksUSA: MobilMag Article -

Intel and SonicBlue: News.com Article - InfoSatellite.com Article - About.com

Prerelease specs (from about.com artical):

  • Weight: 12oz
  • LCD: 4" color
  • Video Suppor: MPEG1, MPEG2 (no mention of MPEG4)

Mercury IXA777: Official Site - The Register - cdfreaks
(added 2004/06/14)

  • Media: 30/40/60/80gb HD, SD and CF cards
  • LCD: 3.5"
  • Notes: digital TV tuner, built-in microphone
  • Video Play: MPEG 4, AVI, WMV, Divx 4 and 5 for video
  • Audio Play: MP3, WAV and WMA
  • Photo: JPG
  • Battery: 3h video, 6h audio

Landis and Gyr VSV-18A PVP - PVP4u - engaget
(added 2004/10/7)

  • Audio Play: MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV
  • Video Play: MPEG-1 and AVI files (MP4 via firmware upgrade).
  • LCD: 2" TFT LCD (558 x 234 pixels)
  • Media: 20/40gb HD & and 10-in-1 PC card reader:
    • CompactFlash I/II
    • SmartMedia
    • SecureDigital
    • MemoryStick (MS)
    • MS Pro
    • MS Duo
    • MultiMediaCard
    • MiniDisc cards
    • D-Card
  • Computer Interface: USB 2.0
  • Photo: Jpg?
  • Size: 132 x 70 x 30mm
  • Weight 245g
  • Other:
    • RCA video ouputs

Microsoft's Media2Go : Official Site - News.com Article - WinSuperSiteCoverage

Creative Labs Signs on to Microsoft's Media2Go: News.com Article

10-27-2003 MS Press Release - wait until 2nd half 2004

MobiNote DVX-POD 7010 / TwinMOS X-Frame II - Offical Site - SorobanGeeks - MobileMag - The Register
(updated 2004/06/14)

  • Media: 20gig 1.8" HD
  • LCD: 7" (754x480)
  • Audio: MP3 & WMA
  • Video Play: Mpeg4, DivX 3.11, 4, 5, Quicktime 6, WMV
  • Video Rec: Mpeg4 SP (352x288@30fps)
  • Photo: JPEG, GIF, BMP
  • Size: 192 x 115 x 28 mm
  • Weight: 600g
  • Notes: built-in microphone for voice memos

MP3OK Jukebox ET970: Official Site -

  • Size: 133 x 85 x 28 mm
  • LCD: 3.5" TFT (320x240)
  • Media: 20g HD
  • Video Playback: Mpeg4
  • Video Record: Mpeg4
  • Audio Support: MP3

MPAvio: Official Site

  • Audio Support: MP3, WMA
  • Photo Support: JPG (up to 1920x1080 resolution)
  • Video Support: MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 / AVIs in DivX 4.x & 5.x
  • Size: 133 x 85 x 28 mm
  • LCD: 2.5" TFT
  • Media: 20g HD
  • Other: Infrared remote control, removable battery

MSI MS-5561 - Tomshardware Cebit 2004 Coverage

  • Media: 20gb HD
  • Audio: MP3
  • Video: DivX
  • Size: 124 x 76 x 23 mm
  • Notes: TV-Out, USB2

NHJ Limited MPM 201/202 - Offical Site - AkihabaraNews
(added 2004/06/14)

  • Media: 30gb HD, SD and CF cards
  • LCD: 3.5" (480x234)
  • Audio Play: MP3
  • Audio Rec: WAV
  • Video Play: Mpeg4 / DivX 4 & 5 (?x?@30fps)  (MP3 or ADPCM audio) (QVGA:1Mbps / VGA:2Mbps / VGA Fine:4Mbps)
  • Video Rec: Mpeg4 with ADPCM audio
  • Notes: Built-in Stereo speakers, TV-tuner cradle
  • Size: 140 x 80 x 31 mm
  • Weight: 289g (without battery or accessories)

Pace PVR2GO - theRegister - TechDigest
(added 2004/10/7)

  • LCD: 5"
  • Media: 40gb
  • Audio: MP3 & Windows Media
  • Video Play: Proprietary, but maybe MPEG2 and MPEG4 and WindowsMedia 9
  • Computer Interface: FireWire & USB2

PQI mPack - Official Website - The Register - cdfreaks
(added 2004/06/14)

  • LCD: 3.5" (320x240)
  • Media: 20/40/80gb & CF slot
  • Audio Play: AAC, AC3, AIFF, WAV, MP3, WMA and OGG Vorbis
  • Audio Rec: WMA
  • Video Play: Mpeg1, 2 & 4, DivX 3.11 to 5, XviD and MJpeg
  • Video Rec: WMV
  • Photo: JPEG, GIF and BMP
  • Size: 146 x 82 x 26 mm
  • Weight: 350g
  • Notes: Built-in speaker & microphone, Runs Java games written for mobile phones, and supports text viewing and editing

Pump's iStation PMP-1000 : Official Website - DAPreview - I4U - Gizmodo
(Added 2004/10/7)

  • Media: 20GB
  • Computer Interface: USB2.0
  • Audio Play: Supports MP3, WMA, OGG, AC3, AAC
  • Video Play: DivX, Xvid, MPEG1(VCD), MPEG2(DVD), MPEG4 (ASF, WMV)
  • Photo: JPEG, BMP
  • LCD: 3.5" TFT color screen, 320x240 pixels
  • Size: 123 x 77 s 22
  • Weight: 246g
  • Battery:
    • 2700mAh Lithium Polymer battery
    • 5 hours continuous playback for video's, 15 for music (screen turned off)
  • Misc:
    • Audio Output: 50mW (25mW + 25mW), S/N ratio 85 dB
    • FM tuner/recorder
    • Supports video-out through CVBS/S-video (PAL & NTSC)

Samsung YH-999: Gizmodo CES News

Prerelease specs:

  • LCD: 3.5" color
  • Media: 20gb 1.8"
  • Other Info: USB 2.0 interface, lithuim-ion battery,
  • Options: IR remote, docking cradle, external battery pack

Sony's GigaPocket PVP - Gizmodo Short - Announcement - The Register - Official Site

  • Media: 20gb HD
  • LCD: 3.5" TFT
  • Video: MPEG1 & MPEG2
  • Size: 120 x 84 x 28 mm
  • Weight: 300g

Sony's GPS XYZ - Official Site - SorobanGeeks - SorobanGeeks
(Added 2004/07/29)

  • Media: 30gb HD
  • Audio: MP3
  • Video: MPEG1 and 2
  • Photo: GIF and JPEG

Sony's Vaio VGN-U70 - The Register - Official Site - Dynamism

  • Note - this is a full PC running Windows XP
  • CPU: 1GHz Ultra-low Voltage Pentium M
  • Ram: 512MB
  • HD: 20gb
  • LCD: 800 x 600 transflective colour LCD
  • Audio/Photo/Video: (anything windows can play presumably - which is everything)
  • Size: 167 x 108 x 26 mm
  • Weight: 550g
  • Connectivity: USB2.0 & 802.11g WiFi built in
  • Battery Life: 2.5 hours
  • Estimated cost (2004-05-10): $1871 ($1595 for the U50 with 256MB memory and 900mhz celeron proc).

Sony's HMP-A1 - The Register (2004-5-27) - I4U (2004-5-27)

  • Video: Mpeg2 & Mpeg4
  • Photo: JPG
  • Audio: MP3
  • Battery: 4h Mpeg2, 6h Mpeg4, or 8h MP3
  • Connectivity: USB2.0
  • Media: 20gb
  • LCD: 3.5in, 320 x 240 color LCD
  • Size: 130 x 76 x 22 mm
  • Weight: 250g
  • Estimated Release: June 26 3004 (in Japan) for $563

Tight Audio: Official Site - Specs

  • Media: 60+gb HD & SD/MMC slot
  • Audio Support: MP3, Monkey's Ape (lossless), OGG Vorbis
  • Video Support: MPEG1, 2, 4, AVI, DivX
  • Photo Support: JPG, GIF, TiFF, BMP
  • Size: 6.3 x 4.2 x 1.5 inches
  • LCD: 4" transflective TFT LCD with 640x480 resolution; 4:3 aspect ratio
  • Notes: HDTV (720p, 1080i) output. Removable HD. Removable Mini-Taz MP3 player.

Toshiba Mobile Viewer - MobileMag

  • Media: 20gb 1.8" HD
  • LCD: 3.5"
  • Notes: 1mpix camera module for video or stills, docking cradle for easy stereo connection

TTN CT-PMP58A - TTN Site - Honhai Digital Site
(Updated 2004/07/29)

  • Media: 30gb 2.5" HD, CF
  • LCD: 5.8" TFT
  • Video Formats: MPEG4 (DIVX, RMP, VIF), MPEG2 (MPG & VOB), MPEG1 (MPG & DAT) at
  • Video Resolution: QCIF to DI, QICF (176 x 144PAL; 176 x 120NTSC) CIF (352 x 288PAL; 352 x 480NTSC) 1/2D (352 x576 PAL; 480 x 480NTSC) D1 (704 x 576PAL;704 x 480 NTSC)
  • Audio: MP3, WMA, WAV
  • Photo: JPG
  • Size: 179 x 120 x 27 mm

Vivitar DVR 390H - Gizmo - Livingroom.org.au Blog - ComputerWorld
(Added 2004/10/7)

  • LCD: 3.6" LPTS TFT LCD
  • Media: 20gb, SD
  • Video Record: VGA & XVGA resolution MPEG4 with Camera or Video-In
  • Audio Play: MP3
  • Video Play: Mpeg4(?)
  • Photo: Jpg(?)
  • Size: 106 x 71 x 32 mm
  • Misc:
    • Built-in 3.1mpix Camera (270deg rotating mount, macro capability, 2x zoom)
    • Built-in microphone
    • Built-in speaker
NON-HARD-DRIVE / FLASH BASED PLAYERS (Alphabetical by manufacture)

Nokia - Official Site

  • Phone - its a phone :)
  • Media: MMC cards / streaming
  • LCD: 640x320 pixel, 65,536-color LCD with backlight: optimized for browsing
  • Audio: MP3, AAC, RealAudio 7 and 8, WAV, MIDI, and AMR-NB file types
  • Video: Streaming RealMedia
  • Photo: JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG
  • Extras: Java, FM radio, Bluetooth, 640x480 Camera, Email, Web Browser, PIM
  • Size: 134 x 80 x 22 mm
  • Weight: 183g

GO Video PVP 4040 - i4u.com - Official Site

  • Media: 128mb & SD
  • Video: MPEG-4, DivX 5.0, MPG, AVI, MP4, DAT, WMV, ASF, and records MPEG-4
  • Audio: MP3
  • LCD: 3.5 Inch color TFT LCD
  • Connectivity: USB2.0
  • Battery: 5h audio, 2h video

GoDot's "View with TV Tuner" - Official Site -

  • LCD: 2.5” Low permeation TFT LCD (360 X 300 dots)
  • Audio: MP3
  • Video: MPEG-4
  • Photo: JPG
  • Media: 128MB + Extended data storage through SD or even 2.5” external HDD
  • Size: 100 x 100 x 28.5 mm
  • Weight: 200g
  • Video input: TV tuner, TV AV
  • Video Output: TV AV
  • TV tuner: NTSC (VHF: ch1~12, UHF: ch13~62)
  • Speaker: attached in the cradle
  • PC interface: USB 1.1

Goodmans GPVR 256: News

  • Expected Release: July 2004
  • Video Support: ? (Record and Playback capabilities, though)
  • LCD: 2.5" TFT
  • Media: 256megs & SD, MMC, or CF

iRiver imp1100: Official Website - TradeShowPicts - Clubic Cebit2004

  • Expected Release: May - June 2004
  • Audio Support: MP3, WMA, ASF
  • Video Support: DivX / Mpeg4
  • LCD: 2" TFT
  • Media: CD
  • Size: 146 x 134 x 24 mm
  • Battery Life: 15 hours

iRiver imp1000: Official Website - TradeShowPicts - Clubic Cebit2004

  • Expected Release: May - June 2004
  • Audio Support: MP3, WMA, ASF
  • Video Support: DivX / Mpeg4
  • LCD: NONE (only TV-out)
  • Media: CD
  • Size: 146 x 134 x 19 mm
  • Battery Life: 18 hours

Mustek PVR-A1 - Offical Site
(added 2004/07/02)

  • LCD: 2.5" TFT
  • Media: 32 MB & SD/MMC card slot
  • Audio Play: MP3, WAV
  • Photo: JPEG
  • Video Play: ASF
  • Size: 77 x 96 x 20 mm
  • Weight: 110g
  • Other:
    • DPS Support (Direct Printing Service)

Sony Air Board - AKIBAlive Artical

  • LCD: 800x600 TFT
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB, Eithernet
  • Media: Memorystick
  • Size: 222 x 180 x 58 mm
  • Battery Life: 100 minutes with high brightness, 120-180 minutes with low brightness
  • Weight: 550g
  • "While leaving the internet-connected base station at home, you can leave your home carrying the display, connect the display to a broadband connection at your destination and watch what was recorded on the base station while you were out."

Sony MSV-A1 - Official Site - Japanese Article

  • Audio Support: AAC
  • Video Support: MPEG-4 (320x240)
  • Size: 61 x 23 x 95 mm
  • Weight: 135g
  • Media: SD Flash (No HD)

 

Sony's PSP - Reuters Short - Enlarged Picture - The Register Short

  • "due out before the end of 2004"
  • "much-anticipated all-in-one handheld gaming device that includes a digital music and video player and could even act as mobile telephone"

Vamp: Official Site - For Sale?

  • LCD: 2.5" TFT
  • Media: SD
  • Audio: MP3
  • Video: Mpeg4 (G.726 audio)
PDAs

(Alphabetical by manufacture)
(There are lots of PDAs that might fit in this category - I'm just listing ones that stand out. A PDA with a HD would go in my primary PVP HD section as the -ideal- PVP!)

Samsung MITs M400 - MobileMag Article -

  • Features: .3mpix Camera, Video Camera, Cell Phone, TV, MP3 Player, 2-way radio, PDA (Pocket PC 2002), IrDA (infra red)
  • LCD: 3.5" TFT
  • Media: 128-512m built-in memory

 

Discontinued

HARD DRIVE BASED PLAYERS (Alphabetical by manufacture)

Archos JBM20: Official Site - My Review -

  • Audio Support: MP3, WAV
  • Photo Support: JPG, BMP
  • Video Playback: MPEG 4 (352x288@30fps)
  • Video Recording (with optional module): MPEG 4 (320x240@12fps, 304x224@15fps)
  • Media: 20gb, CF, SM, MMC/MemoryStick
  • LCD: 1.8" 237x234 color
  • Size: 4.3 x 3.1 x 1.1 inches (110 x 79 x 29 mm)
  • Weight: 10.23 oz (290g)
  • Expansion Modules: 1.3mpix Camera, DVR, CF, SM, MMC adapters