All Portable Video Players (PVPs)

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.

Specs: Sony PSP 3000 - Handheld game system, Handheld, UMD (Universal Media Disc), 333 MHz

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.

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

The Bottom Line: The iPod Classic refines the formula that put the iPod on the map. Few can match its combination of storage capacity, battery life, and intuitive 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, AIFF, WAV, H.264, MPEG-4, 4.9 oz

The Bottom Line: The iPod Classic refines the formula that put the iPod on the map. Few can match its combination of storage capacity, battery life, and intuitive 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, AIFF, WAV, H.264, MPEG-4, 4.9 oz

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

The Bottom Line: The second-generation iPod Touch includes features that are light-years ahead of the competition, its design has improved, and its price has finally come down to earth.

Specs: Portable media center, 2.4 in x 0.3 in x 4.3 in, LCD 3.5 in, AAC, Protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible 2, Audible 3, Audible 4, Apple Lossless, AIFF, WAV, H.264, MPEG-4, 4.1 oz