MP3 players that play video

Donald Bell, Senior Editor

Updated October 29, 2008

People who just can't get enough video in their lives have no qualms seeking out full-fledged portable video players with wide screens, large hard drives, and high price tags. There are others who couldn't care less about watching videos on their portable gadgets, and prefer a utility MP3 player that just handles music playback. Most of us probably fall somewhere in-between.

The following MP3 players include convenient video playback features and screens measuring less than 3.5 inches diagonally, making them perfect for users who merely dabble with video on-the-go. These MP3 players are designed to play music, first-and-foremost, but their video capabilities come in handy when you need to kill the boredom of flights and road trips. Compared with the larger screens and higher resolutions of traditional portable video players, these MP3 players typically offer superior audio and video battery life, making them well-suited for long treks.

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Product name	Apple iPod Classic (second generation, 120GB, silver)	Microsoft Zune 120GB (third generation, glossy black)	Samsung YP-P2 (8GB, black)	Creative Zen (16GB)	SanDisk Sansa View (16GB)	Cowon D2 (4GB, red)

Review date	October 01, 2008	September 17, 2008	November 07, 2007	September 14, 2007	October 26, 2007	February 27, 2007

CNET editors' rating	8.0 Excellent	8.0 Excellent	8.0 Excellent	8.3 Excellent	7.3 Very good	8.3 Excellent

Users' rating	Be one of the first to rate this product!	Be one of the first to rate this product!	8.2 Excellent ( from 28 users)	7.5 Very good ( from 84 users)	5.7 Average ( from 21 users)	9.4 Spectacular ( from 9 users)

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Review summary	The iPod Classic refines the formula that put the iPod on the map. Few can match its combination of storage capacity, battery life, and intuitive user interface.	The Zune 120, with a unique focus on music discovery, is a fierce competitor to the iPod Classic. The Zune's substantial storage capacity combined with its Zune Pass music subscription makes it an ideal solution for restless music fans with large appetites.	The Samsung YP-P2 is an excellent-sounding MP3 player that will appeal to those looking for a cool touch-screen interface and stereo Bluetooth capability.	We're hard-pressed to find anything not to like about the Creative Zen. It's a great option for anyone looking for a great-sounding, pocketable MP3 player with an excellent, video-capable screen and plenty of extra features.	If you value features and price over a flashy interface and excellent sound quality, the SanDisk Sansa View digital media player is definitely worth a look. It's easy to use and offers a relatively large screen and a memory expansion option.	If you can get on board with the Cowon D2's PDA-like touch screen interface, the reward is great-sounding audio, a smorgasbord of features, and a fantastic battery life.

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Basic Specs
PC interface(s) supported	Hi-Speed USB	Wi-Fi , Hi-Speed USB	Bluetooth , Hi-Speed USB	Hi-Speed USB	Info unavailable	Hi-Speed USB

Digital storage media capacity	120 GB	120 GB	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable

Dimensions (WxDxH)	2.4 in x 0.4 in x 4.1 in	2.4 in x 0.5 in x 4.3 in	3.9 in x 0.4 in x 2 in	3.3 in x 0.4 in x 2.2 in	Info unavailable	3.1 in x 0.7 in x 2.2 in

Weight	4.9 oz	4.5 oz	3 oz	2.3 oz	Info unavailable	3.2 oz

Resolution	320 x 240	320 x 240	480 x 272	320 x 240	Info unavailable	360 x 240

Battery technology	Lithium ion	Lithium ion	Lithium polymer	Lithium ion	Lithium polymer	Lithium polymer

Mfr estimated battery life	36 hour(s)	30 hour(s)	30 hour(s)	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	52 hour(s)

Product type	Digital player	Digital player / radio	Digital player / radio	Digital player / radio	Info unavailable	Digital player / radio

Color	Silver	Black	Black	Black	Info unavailable	Red

Sound output mode	Stereo	Stereo	Stereo	Stereo	Info unavailable	Stereo

Width	2.4 in	2.4 in	3.9 in	3.3 in	Info unavailable	3.1 in

Depth	0.4 in	0.5 in	0.4 in	0.4 in	Info unavailable	0.7 in

Height	4.1 in	4.3 in	2 in	2.2 in	Info unavailable	2.2 in

Digital player (recorder)	AAC , MP3 , WAV , AIFF , Audible , Apple Lossless	AAC , MP3 , WMA , WMAPro , Audible	MP3 , WMA	AAC , MP3 , WAV , WMA , ADPCM , Audible	Info unavailable	MP3 , WAV , WMA , FLAC , Ogg Vorbis , MPEG 1 Audio , MPEG 2 Audio , MPEG 2.5 Audio

Flash memory installed	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	8 GB	16 GB	Info unavailable	4 GB

Flash memory form factor	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Integrated	Integrated	Info unavailable	Integrated

Software type	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Drivers & Utilities , Samsung Media Studio	Drivers & Utilities , Creative Media Explorer , Creative ZENcast Organizer	Info unavailable	Cowon jetShell , Cowon jetAudio VX

Manufacturer warranty	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	1 year parts and labor warranty	1 year warranty	Info unavailable	Info unavailable

Amplifier total output power	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	44 mW	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable

Digital player signal-to-noise ratio	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	97 dB	Info unavailable	95 dB

Equalizer factory presets	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Pop , Jazz , Rock , Disco , Vocal , NewAge , Classic , Acoustical	Info unavailable	Pop , Jazz , Rock , Vocal , Normal , Classic

Device type	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Portable media center	Info unavailable

Key multimedia features	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Digital photo viewer , Digital video player , Digital audio player	Info unavailable

Flash memory cards supported	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	SD Memory Card slot	Info unavailable

Display type	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	LCD 2.4 in	Info unavailable

Supported still images formats	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	JPEG	Info unavailable

Supported audio formats	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	MP3	Info unavailable

Video playback formats	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	MPEG	Info unavailable

PC interfaces	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Hi-Speed USB	Info unavailable

Included accessories	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	30-pin to USB cable	Info unavailable

Sound effects	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	BBE , Mach3Bass , MP Enhance

Amplifier response bandwidth	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	20 - 20000 Hz

Product name	Apple iPod Classic (second generation, 120GB, silver)	Microsoft Zune 120GB (third generation, glossy black)	Samsung YP-P2 (8GB, black)	Creative Zen (16GB)	SanDisk Sansa View (16GB)	Cowon D2 (4GB, red)

Full specifications	Full Specifications	Full Specifications	Full Specifications	Full Specifications	Full Specifications	Full Specifications

Price range	Check latest prices $220-250 from 11 stores	Check latest prices $233-264 from 9 stores	Check latest prices $160-240 from 8 stores	Check latest prices $155-180 from 8 stores	Check latest prices $160-189 from 11 stores	Check latest prices $n/a from 0 store