MP3 player that also shows AVIs?

[cad3]

I know this might be a strech for this forum, but I was looking for a hard drive based MP3/WMA player that can display JPEG and also play AVIs and the various MPEG encodings.

Any recommendations at all?

Oh yeah, it is very important that I don't have to "transfer" / "alter" the files types to get it to work like with the Mustek's PVR-H140.

I'm looking at the IPOD photo, but it doesn't display video. Anyone have any experience with the I-Pod photo? Can I transfer JPEGs to it, not via iTunes and still have them display correctly, or has everything in this world gone completely proprietary?

I'd love to hear any and all comments and if you don't feel like posting, please feel free to PM me. Much thanks!
-The Neophyte

 

[Emmanuel]

Technically speaking, you are not looking for a "MP3 Player" but a "Portable Media Centre". Here's a few (from Microsoft's website):

- Creative Zen
- Samsung Yepp
- iriver PMC-120

I am sure there are more out there but you get the idea.

 

[DRSpeed85]

IMHO if you are interested in a machine that does all that you might as well have a look into PDAs. They do stuff you probably wont imagine them doing. I use my pda as my dap in college and it's just perfect. I can go on the internet, chat on msn messenger, watch movies or just listen to music. In fact I am writing this through my pda as I speak while listening to Thievery Corporation.

However, if you need a HDD type, then the iaudio x5 is your best bet i think.

 

[cad3]

I guess I should make mention that I'm looking for a pseudo laptop replacement. I'm going overseas for 1-2 months, and bringing 2 digicams (Pentax Optio S5n, and Canon 20D).

Thanks Emmanuel. You're right, I'm looking for a complete system, not just an mp3 player (though I still want it to be able to do that, as I've got very long flights across the pond

[SFO, CA, USA -> CAI, Egypt]

I'm looking for something that can hold images (as I'm only getting 1 GB cards). Hence my looking into the I-Pod photo.

A PDA wouldn't work (unless there is a Hard drive based one I don't know about?) Though don't get me wrong, I love my PDA.

The reason I'd like it to play video is for the Pentax S5n. I'd like to be able to see the photos & video afterwards without the use of special software (drag & drop would be ideal!), because I'll probably be using things like the I-pod camera connector (or equivalent), and likely won't have much computer access during that time. So I won't be able to convert, etc. However, if no such machine exists, then I'll make do with simple storage...

Much thanks for your recommendations, I'll be looking into them!
Cheers,
-C

 

[mico730]

you might as well look into

Archose Gmini 400
iRiver PMP

I don't know if they need special software or not to convert the pics or videos though.

 

[GSTom1]

Doesn’t the iRiver H320/H340 display jpeg photos and play avi files? The screen is a bit small, so a portable media player might be a better choice.

 

[YamiTenshi]

I think the iRiver requires the videos to be converted...

Check at misticriver.com, they'll know.

Anyway, are you looking to drop the pictures right on to your player without a computer? Because if you get a player with USBOTG you can drop right on to the player without the computer.

 

[wolfen68]

I don't think I've seen a portable that plays .avi.....but there may be one out there.

Since it's uncompressed video, it takes a little oomph to get .avi's to play smoothly.

 

[cad3]

I expected the Windows Media Centers to have better video quality! Having done a lot more research (Thanks to you ALL!), and followed up on every product listed above, I've found (ironically) that the PSP have better video resolution than any of those products.

The Windows Media Centers only does quarter VGA

(320x240) The Pentax Optio S5n records in full VGA (in avi format).

The resulting low resolution has put me off the 1st gen WMCs. I have no doubt that they'll up the resolution sooner or later, at which point I'd reconsider... but for the time being, I'm just about locked in with the:

Vosonic MMV VP6300 (20 GB).
It's got all the card readers built in, and it's also MP3 capable. But the limited 6 hrs playing time sucks pretty hard

However, it'll give me tunes in airports, and video & image storage on the trip! I'm not sure it'll play my videos, but it will display up to 16 MB Canon images

The resolution isn't any better, but it isn't any worse either

Much thanks again to you for your help. It's greatly apprecaited.
-C
Ps. If you have any specific knowledge of or about the VP6300, please let me know! The good, the bad, and those oh so important tricks and tips. Much thanks!

 

[moi]

http://www.archos.com/products/prw_500619_specs.html

 

[jacquer]

http://www.dapreview.net/comment.php?comment.news.482

 

[cad3]

I guess QVGA is like 3x optical zoom on small cameras. Something that is going to stick around for a very long time. I'm sure it has to do with battery life and whatnot, but palms/pocketPCs have VGA screens... why not something that is actually going to be used to watch video!?!?!?

*sigh*
<rant>
And if mobile center is going to offer memory card slots, I wish they'd include the most current... like Type II CF slots!
http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/mul...e.asp?cid=6007
</rant>