Holiday Gift Guide 2009: Digital Media Players
For this Digital Media Player Holiday Guide we will be taking a look at the best devices that offer a complete music playing and video watching experience. There are still some devices that specialize in one or the other, but the capability has improved in most of them so that both types of media content can be enjoyed. Last year we looked at both MP3 players and portable digital video players in two Guides, but are merging them this year since most perform both functions well. Some of these devices can be used for web browsing, 3rd party application usage, and gaming, but we will focus on the music and video support while mentioning some of these more advanced capabilities.
You will see some of the same brand names in this Holiday Guide, but you will also see that updated models continue to improve on the media experience and for the most part you can't go wrong with these players. You will see that the Guide is arranged in order from highest price device to lowest price device since price is a major factor when you look at one of these media players to purchase.
Archos 5 Internet Tablet
In addition to the various hard drive capacities, the Archos 5 has a microSD card slot with support up to 32GB, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, FM receiver with RDS, and FM transmitter. There are a couple additional accessories to extend the functionality of the device to your TV as well.
With the Google Android operating system you will find that many third party apps seen on Google Android smartphones also work on the Archos 5 Tablet.
Price: $499.99 MSRP for 500GB unit, $399.99 for 160GB, and $379.99 for 32GB Flash drive
[Check out review pages for the 500GB and 32GB models]
Sony X-Series Walkman
Supported video formats include AVC(H.264/AVC), MPEG-4, and WMV DRM. Supported audio formats include MP3, WMA, AAC, and L-PCM. The X-Series also has an internet browser you can connect via WiFi. Slacker Radio is also supported to help you discover music.
The Sony X-Series Walkman has a long rated battery for 33 hours of music playback and 9 hours of video playback and in all the reviews I have read the audio quality was reported as top notch.
Price: $399.99 MSRP for 32GB and $299.99 for 16GB
Apple iPod touch
You will also find a web browser that does quite well, as well as thousands of applications and games to make it a full featured media and gaming device.
Price: $399.00 for 64GB, $299 for 32GB, and $199 for 8GB
Microsoft Zune HD
The Zune HD has a brilliant 3.3 inch 16:9 OLED display in 480x272 pixel resolution that supports capacitive touch. The entire experience is fluid and fast on the Zune HD. A HD FM radio is included and you won't go back to standard FM radio after experiencing HD radio where you can also choose to add songs to your cart as they plan on the radio.
A web browser is provided, but the real strength of the Zune HD is the music and video support. You can pay just $15 per month for unlimited music on the Zune Marketplace with 10 free song credits given to you each month. There are multiple ways to discover new music (social integration, Smart DJ, and more) and with the Zune Pass you never have to worry about loading up the device to your heart's content. I also find Zune players to have higher quality audio quality than other media players.
Price: $289 MSRP
Apple iPod nano
The iPod nano has an integrated microphone for recording voice notes and capturing audio during video recording. A pedometer is now included with the iPod nano so you can use it to capture the number of steps you take as you walk around or run.
The iPod nano is available in nine brilliant colors so you can choose something personal when you buy one and if you pick it up from Apple you can even throw on some custom engraving for free.
Price: $179 MSRP