Portable media player recommendation

[LoPo]

Hey guys,
Thought I would throw this out here to get another view.

I'm looking for a portable media player(Video and Music) since I'm going to be doing quite a bit of traveling over the next year or so back down to the OC, I'd like to have my music and some media such as training vids or DVD's in small form factor that makes it easy to use, unlike whipping out this laptop on the plane.

No to iPod...mmmk. Even though that's what I saw this guy using yesterday when I was flying back home from the OC and has spurred my interest.


I'm looking at the Creative Zen Vision:M - Looks to be a sweet package and all the reviews agree. The one downside in comparison to iPod video is the iTunes video support, Creative doesn't have anything to match(yet). I figured I could use my PC as a DVR if I really want TV shows loaded) or rip DVD's and download videos to take with me. The video format support on the Vision:M is far greater than the iPod's MPEG-4 only support.

The other road I was possibly considering is a PSP. people have found ways to rip their UMD format so I could find game ISo's and movie ISO's(If I really wanted that). I was rather thinking of using the 2GB memory duo sticks and rip my DVD's to it. The benefit here is I can also play games. I would only buy used games to play on it. However, price isn't a major factor for this purchase.

Does anyone here have either of these devices or experience with either of them? Does anyone have something else that would work for what I want?

TIA.

[{OF}Blong]

I saw that best buy has the creative zen vision for $299. I myself would go creative as well i dotn like the ipod (not saying I dont like apple just dont like the ipod). The problem I have seen with the PSP is they quality doesnt look very good its decent but not very good. I have used my bro-in-laws PSP and it is a sweet portable gaming machine just I dont like the pixelation of movies etc that are played on it.

[LoPo]

Hey blong, was that pixelation from a ripped dvd or one of the PSP special formated DVD's?

[Harbinger]

I'm holding out for the iPod video :P

I don't blame you for not wanting an iPod, it's just for me I'm on a Mac most of the time and so an ipod just makes better sense compatibility wise.

The Zen Vision sounds like your best bet and has gotten pretty good reviews post firmware update.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1892275,00.asp

[LoPo]

Hey Harb, ya in your situation the iPod would be the way to go.

I was actually looking at this http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1915886,00.asp

The 'mini' if you will.

[ChemicalWarrior]

Okay, what do you have in mind? How long do you want the battery support to be?

Lets be simple about this, there's three real choices, the rest are just wanna be's.

First is the Cowon iAudio X5 (or X5L if you want longer battery but with a larger body). Take a look of a review here: http://www.iaudiophile.net/content.php?review.24

Next up is another Cowon product. This time the Cowon A2. A huge screen and tons of features, not the longest battery life, but if you were even considering a PSP then I guess you dont care about that. Take a look at a review here: http://www.dapreview.net/e107_plugin...hp?content.239

And the last is the Creative Zen Vision:M. Probably the best all around player, good battery life, good screen, etc. Take a look at a review here: http://dapreview.net/e107_plugins/co...?content.259.1

The others out there on the market just are not as good all arounders as these three. I'd personally go with either the Creative or the Cowon A2, that just depends on the style of media player you want.

I wouldnt even consider a PSP, the battery life on those things is a joke.

[Harbinger]

Originally Posted by LoPo

Hey Harb, ya in your situation the iPod would be the way to go.

I was actually looking at this http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1915886,00.asp

The 'mini' if you will.

Ah yeah sorry should of realized you were looking at the "mini" Still I'd have to say it's your best bet. The problem with this kind of technology (for me at least) is that you always feel like the next best thing is just around the corner. Of course that goes for all things tech, but portable video is an emerging market and I think we've only just touched the tip of the iceberg. Very cool things are coming our way for sure.

[{OF}Blong]

Originally Posted by LoPo

Hey blong, was that pixelation from a ripped dvd or one of the PSP special formated DVD's?

sorry it was from a store bought dvd so I guess the psp special formatted dvd's. My bro-in-law isnt the kind of person to rip his dvds to play on a PSP or something like that. he would rather just go buy it .

[LoPo]

hrmm... thanks guys. I'm going to go take a look at the Vision:M after work today. If I get it I will let you know what I think. I need to upload media to it quick like since I'm heading back to the OC this weekend.