Personal video players

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KnickNut3

Platinum Member
Oct 1, 2001
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Most of the discussions I've seen in this forum discuss these players from a primarily MP3-playing perspective. I've got a new job that may require a long commute on public transportation (if I don't move), so I'm looking for a quality video player so that I can get some TV series/movies to pass the time. My concerns:

- screen size/resolution
- battery life playing video (my iPod 5G drains very quickly playing video)
- support for codecs (xvid, etc.)

Archos scares me with the "everything costs extra," I don't know about iPod Touch or Zune's battery lives, and I don't necessarily want to invest in an "all in one" Touch-type device since I'll be getting a work Blackberry and might get an iPhone when my contract expires.

Thanks for the suggestions.
 
mugs

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
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I don't think they make it anymore, but there may have been a replacement - I love my Creative Zen Vision W. Nice sized OLED screen, good resolution IIRC. I can get about 6 hours of video on a charge, but I have an external battery pack that'll let me run it off 4 AAs, so I essentially have unlimited battery life for long plane flights. It's not so small that you'd carry it in your pocket, but it doesn't take up much room in a carry-on bag. It supports a lot of codecs, and it comes with software that'll transcode (some) unsupported files.
 
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KnickNut3

Platinum Member
Oct 1, 2001
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Hm, looks interesting, thanks. Anyone have thoughts amongst the current generation of players?
 
buck

buck

Lifer
Dec 11, 2000
12,273
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Originally posted by: mugs
I don't think they make it anymore, but there may have been a replacement - I love my Creative Zen Vision W. Nice sized OLED screen, good resolution IIRC. I can get about 6 hours of video on a charge, but I have an external battery pack that'll let me run it off 4 AAs, so I essentially have unlimited battery life for long plane flights. It's not so small that you'd carry it in your pocket, but it doesn't take up much room in a carry-on bag. It supports a lot of codecs, and it comes with software that'll transcode (some) unsupported files.
Click to expand...

I have this one as well, I prefer it over the itouch for flights, boat rides, etc.
 
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KnickNut3

Platinum Member
Oct 1, 2001
2,382
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Eh, looks like Archos gives people some bad expriences. I'll do some more Cowon research...
 
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KnickNut3

Platinum Member
Oct 1, 2001
2,382
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Arg I'm so confused. Cowon S9 doesn't look bad. Archos 5 is really appealing (not too much more, much larger screen, seems to fix the problems of the 605), but if it happens to be defective, apparently I'm screwed b/c of terrible CSR. Any advice? Thanks!
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,382
10,775
126
How about a netbook and spare battery? They have more general use than just a media player.
 
BrokenVisage

BrokenVisage

Lifer
Jan 29, 2005
24,771
14
81
Originally posted by: mugs
I don't think they make it anymore, but there may have been a replacement - I love my Creative Zen Vision W. Nice sized OLED screen, good resolution IIRC. I can get about 6 hours of video on a charge, but I have an external battery pack that'll let me run it off 4 AAs, so I essentially have unlimited battery life for long plane flights. It's not so small that you'd carry it in your pocket, but it doesn't take up much room in a carry-on bag. It supports a lot of codecs, and it comes with software that'll transcode (some) unsupported files.
Click to expand...

The Creative Zen Vision W gets my vote as well and mugs pretty much echos my sentiments on it exactly. However, I bought mine about 3 years ago and there are other options to choose from at this point. I'd say go for an Archos PMP, my Mom has one and it looks great, has good battery life, a nice screen, and is more portable then the Vision W.
 
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thecrecarc

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2004
3,364
3
0
Originally posted by: KnickNut3
Arg I'm so confused. Cowon S9 doesn't look bad. Archos 5 is really appealing (not too much more, much larger screen, seems to fix the problems of the 605), but if it happens to be defective, apparently I'm screwed b/c of terrible CSR. Any advice? Thanks!
Click to expand...

For what it is worth, I used to be a fan of archos. I had their jukebox, gmini, 605, and finally currently an archos 5 60gb. However, their quality and service is so horrible with the archos 5, that I will never recommend archos again.

My first archos 5 randomly froze. Returned to store, got another figuring I'll give it another try. This one's headphone jack stopped working and had a strange spot on the LCD, so I once again returned it to the store and got yet another one, merely saying it is bad luck. Now, my current one is in the mail to archos RMA because its headphone jack ALSO broke! Unfortunately, it was after the store return period so I couldn't ditch the damned thing.

With all three, there were also paint problems as the paint rubbed off easily.

So right now, I am on my third archos waiting for my fourth. It is insane how badly built these things are. It is unfortunate, because if it were better built, it would be awesome. Great hard drive space, brilliant screen. Nonetheless, I highly advise against the archos 5 unless you want to use it as a paper weight or spend money and time returning it.

Edit: Oh, btw, the 605 was quite a bit better than the archos 5, and was very good for its time. However, you can probably find a better choice these days although I personally have not looked.

If you have any questions on archos products, just ask.

 
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KnickNut3

Platinum Member
Oct 1, 2001
2,382
0
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That's interesting thecrecarc. All the other reviews I've read has said the 5 is a big improvement over the 605. But yes, the horror stories are very unsettling.

So the Archos is much more feature rich and a larger screen than the Cowon S9, but there's a lot more risk involved. Any other opinions? Thanks.
 
BrokenVisage

BrokenVisage

Lifer
Jan 29, 2005
24,771
14
81
Originally posted by: SilentZero
I just use my video ipod for this purpose.
Click to expand...

Fascinating. But the OP isn't looking for a MP3 player with a color screen. A PMP like the Archos 605 destroys the video iPod in terms of video, not to mention the difference in audio quality is negligible IMO. Just get the Archos from Amazon and bite the bullet on if you'll ever have to deal with their warranty service. Or you could shell out a hundred more for the Zen Vision W 30GB, it's older tech but still beautiful and reliable as heck.

And very pretty in a Noreve leather case (mine hasn't faded or broke or ripped in years)
 
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thecrecarc

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2004
3,364
3
0
Originally posted by: KnickNut3
That's interesting thecrecarc. All the other reviews I've read has said the 5 is a big improvement over the 605. But yes, the horror stories are very unsettling.

So the Archos is much more feature rich and a larger screen than the Cowon S9, but there's a lot more risk involved. Any other opinions? Thanks.
Click to expand...

At first glance, the 5 is a huge improvement indeed. But quality and hardware failures is not something one can detect in a review I am afraid :(.

Some people on archos forums claim most of the hardware failures happen on the thinner 60gb version I have, not the thicker larger capacity ones, and that the thinner ones are more fragile. If you really want to risk it, your chance. If you get lucky and acquire a working one however, the very high resolution screen is beautiful for video playing, even in direct sunlight.

Here is a 120gb for 250$ if you really want to risk it... http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16855501028 Personally though, I am never buying an archos device again.
 
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KnickNut3

Platinum Member
Oct 1, 2001
2,382
0
0
Interesting, and thanks for the link. I may give it a shot, since that is a great price. I may regret it.
 
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