We’d like to inroduce our first “Dear PMP Today” blog post. We’ve been receiving quite a lot of requests and advice regarding portable media players and we usually help out when we can, and we do listen. However, resources are limited and some request, like this one, almost impossible. So we’ll leave it to you, dear readers, to help us out and the anonymous people looking for their ideal PMP. Leave a comment below, and LINKS are allowed (no salesmen please).
Dear PMPToday,
I have a question for you. I am looking for a pmp to fit my interests, I don’t know which one to find though. I have been looking at some lately at your site and at engadget, but I still can’t find one that fits my needs. I am looking for one that has the following:
-Huge amounts of storage, preferably 80gb+ (the more the merrier!)
-HD viewing on the built in screen
-3in or bigger screen (but not too big as I still want to put this in my pocket.)
-Not huge or ugly like the Newman’s M8000 [link]
-No software to load songs or movies
Optional extras that I would like but not necessary.
-Touchscreen
-Memory card slot
-Video out
So what do you guys think that I should get? I have been looking at the archos 5, but I don’t like the idea of spending an extra $200 in add-ons after I pay $550 for the device. I also looked at getting a ipod but I don’t like using itunes to load my movies. I am at a standstill of what to get. So please help me out here!
Sincerely,
An anonymous reader
April 16th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Er, what’s wrong with that Newman.
Seriously, an HD player besides iPod and Zune80? What’s your actual budget?
April 16th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Googled “80gb pmp” and found this http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/09/polaroid-unveils-80gb-pmp-portable-gaming-console/
April 16th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
This one from PMP Today in 2007 http://www.pmptoday.com/2007/03/02/wolverine-esp-160gb-and-more/
April 16th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Guys, nothing that fits the pocket?
April 17th, 2009 at 7:08 am
As a former Archos 5 owner, the sad part about this is, as a consumer right now we don’t really have too many viable choices. Archos, on paper, was the obvious choice. Plenty of storage. Touchscreen. Stylish in design. Once you have it and use it however it’s a different story. Battery life is sub-par (4 hours for video and about 15 hours for music). Unstable (crashes and freezes often). You must pay for certain codecs (which is a joke and should already be included). I mean I can continue but you get my drift.
I too wish there was a 80gb+ pmp with true HD support (.MKV files anyone). A player which you would be able to connect directly to your t.v. for video output. That had good battery life and played music and displayed photos. Touchscreen would be nice but not a deal-breaker If a player comes out that includes everything I just listed and had a stable system I’d jump up and get it immediately.
April 17th, 2009 at 7:11 am
An 80GB HD player with HD screen? And has to fit in pocket? Hm, I’ve been looking for that too. There is the Zen Vision:M. it does not have HD support and maxes out at 60GB, but it’s a two-year-old player or more and Creative will not refresh their HD line, not to my knowledge at least.
April 17th, 2009 at 7:49 am
I have been looking for something similar for a while. I currently have a Creative Vision:W and I’m hanging on to it until something comparable comes along. Ed, thanks for your comment on the Archos 5 as I was seriously looking at that. I’m anticipating the final specs of the Zune HD though and hopefully it will meet all the requirements.
April 17th, 2009 at 8:01 am
No problem Tabularo. I’m intrigued over the proposed ZuneHD as well but I keep reading that it will be something comparable to the iTouch as it will max out at 32gb. Hopefully that will not be the case.
April 17th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
What about the Ramos T9 on mp4nation. 119.50$ with 8 gb. mem. Just buy 2 32 Gbs. microsd card for the media. It plays videos 800×480 resolution and has tv-out. Slick look also.
April 17th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Alex,
So is total capacity 32gb or 32gb plus the 16gb it originally comes with for a total of 48gb?
Also, I saw no mention of support for HD .mkv files.
April 17th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
If you have have a 30gb creative zen vision w you can upgrade the hdd to a 100gb Toshiba MK101GAH HDD link is here; http://onemansblog.com/2007/07/20/tutorial-how-to-upgrade-the-creative-zen-vision-w-hard-drive/
I’ve done this and its great. I like the form factor of my vision and the file support. It doesnt do HD but it has all your other requirements met.
April 18th, 2009 at 10:18 am
“32gb plus the 16gb it originally comes with for a total of 48gb?” Indeed, this one.
I don’t think there’re too many playes MKV ready currently. You may want to wait for the Ramos T12 as it plays MKV (but it’s 5 inch.)
April 20th, 2009 at 3:21 am
I can’t believe someone recomended an Ipod as a PMP sigh what has the world come to. ZuneHD… you may want to wait on that one. I currently use IUBIBLUE60GB the newer one is called the IUBIH80 which is pretty much what you are looking for. http://iubi.co.kr/product/pro_content.asp?pro_idx=28
you can check that out. Another site is http://www.advancedmp3players.co.uk/shop/Portable_Media_Players.3/?amp3sid=6dfg3nplfon7tum0rh7m52fnj3 that has most of the PMPs that are out on the market. A reliable company is Cowon, from what I hear.