Portable Video Player?

[Haemorrhage]

I am looking for a portable video player for the the wife and I. She travels a lot with work and I would like to watch movies on our crappy TV at the cottage. Video podcasts would be a nice perk as well.

In my research all portable video players have their pros and cons. What is your recommendation for the best PVP and why?

[muddi900]

There aren't any. A laptop maybe. Most movies are made for humongous theater screens, they hardly ever work for TV.

[Whunpo]

The correct answer. (http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/cowon-ships-s9-pmp-to-us-soil/)

[NoName]

My votes on an ASUS EEE PC 1000. Small, SSHD, long battery life, light, and filled with features.

I love mine. It's a bit bigger than a PSP or Zune but you get so much more, especially as a video player.

[MrBibbz]

I have a Zune 30gig and it plays videos fairly well.

[violent]

I chose the Touch because aside from being a nice screen and size, the ability to download an entire season of something to enjoy on a trip has been a huge perk for me.

[PathMaster]

Cowon D2 seems to be a good deal. Plus it can be gotten for cheap and you can use an expansion card with it. Did I mention it also records radio for you?

I too have been looking for a portable video player. I am torn between a Cowon D2 and the Creative Zen.

[pomeroy]

Get a PSP! But not a 3000.

[KingGorilla]

I gotta say, if you want watchable video for travel, get a netbook. I have used iPods on planes, and laptops. There is no replacement for the laptop.

[Haemorrhage]

Wow, you guys are all over the map. Unfortunately, that is what I expected. I guess there isn't a general consensus for the best PVP. Mind you the Cowon does look interesting, I will keep my eyes open for that.

[Haemorrhage]

No explanation for the Zune votes yet. The one reason I am interested in the Zune 120 is the software. Apparently, the Zune software will transcode higher quality video files into the proper format for the Zune. This is a very appealing feature. I am assuming this only applies to WMV and MP4/h.264 files. Does anyone have experience with this feature?

[drobvice]

I've been debating this as well since my iPod just died and I'm looking to replace it. I mentioned to my wife I might like a 16 gb Touch for Christmas as I miss it, especially for simple podcast support. I've never had a Zune but I use the software to download podcasts on my laptop (iTunes will balk and ask if you're sure you want to keep downloading them if you haven't watched/listened in awhile...just shut up and do it already). I noticed the other day that the Zune software will, for example, say you want to keep 3 episodes of a podcast. It won't download the newest episode until the oldest of your 3 is marked as played. And I think I remember a setting where you can set the sync option for the device to "All unplayed and partially played podcasts". These features are very smart. But having never owned a Zune I can't comment if it works as magically as it sounds. The other aspect is if you are looking for more of a pocket computer in the Touch or a multimedia device with lots of space in the Zune. I would love to hear about the Zune in this regard.

[Haemorrhage]

Well the decision was made for me. I received an early X-mas present yesterday, a PSP-2000. Now I'll pick up a mem stick and a couple games then I'm all set.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I may look into buying a netbook in the future though.

[fitbabits]

I was going to toss my hat in the ring for a netbook.

[drobvice]

I was going to toss my hat in the ring for a netbook.

You have a Zune, don't you? Do you like it?

[pomeroy]

Well the decision was made for me. I received an early X-mas present yesterday, a PSP-2000. Now I'll pick up a mem stick and a couple games then I'm all set.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I may look into buying a netbook in the future though.

Mod it ASAP. You'll be so happy.

[KingGorilla]

Dude, you have to download Scumm VM to a flash card.

Also, dollar to dollar, assuming you are ripping movies you own or download, the PSP is a pretty decent video player, battery life has gotten better.

But DUDE!, netbook.

[fitbabits]

You have a Zune, don't you? Do you like it?
I do have a Zune, yes, and I love it.