Portable media player
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Capabilities of portable media players
The main attractant of portable media players is often their versatility: being able to load and play different formats of video (including MPEG, DivX, and XviD), audio (including MP3, WAV, and Ogg Vorbis), or digital images, (including BMP, JPEG, and GIF).Portable media players capable of displaying video and/or images typically feature a color LCD or OLED screen. Other capabilities seen on various portable media players include the ability to record video and audio, and include card readers (SD, MMC, etc.) which makes it convenient to store audio, video, and photos on the road.
Types of portable media players
A portable video player is a type of portable media player which focuses on the playback of digital video. Some portable media players can store and display digital images. In this instance the Apple 5th-generation iPod could be considered a portable media player- as it is capable of playing back audio as well as displaying digital pictures and video. Also the Creative Zen Vision:M is another player that can play both audio and video, as well as the larger screened (2.5" to 4" respectively) Zen Vision. The Sony HMP-A1, released only in Japan and Europe, had these same capabilities as well as longer battery life. The Samsung Yepp YP-T8 also provided these capabilities, as well as voice, FM radio, and line recording. It also included a USB host capability for link up to other portable devices without the use of a PC. Some other examples of portable media players with these capabilities include the Archos Gmini series, aigo E-858, X2 MegaView series, the Neuros 442, the iriver series of media players, the Olympus m:robe, the acclaimed iStation v43, [MP4 Star by Intechip Corp.] and the Cowon A2. MSI developed and showcased the first solar powered player, the MSI MEGA 540, at CeBIT in Hannover, Germany [link].Downsides of portable media players
Often downsides of portable media players are their size, cost and battery life. Some may be the size and thickness of a large paperback, enormous compared to other miniaturized players. In addition, the cost of these players can be prohibitive, often in the 400-800 dollar price range.Now, however, companies such as Apple and Creative are pushing the price mark lower, with their additions (Apple iPod 5G 30GB- $299.99 and Creative Zen Vision:M 30GB- $299.99).
See also
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