Updated 18 May, 2013, 1:46 pm IST

PMPs with Connectivity

29 Jul, 2009 | by Shayne Rana

If you're looking for a multimedia player with connectivity options here are a few choices.

In this day an age of technological wonders the simple portable FM radio evolved into a music playing Mp3 player and further on into the PMP, Personal Media player with support for video as well. This evolution has further witnessed advancement with the incorporation of wireless connectivity options like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, thereby enhancing a player’s appeal. With that in mind, here are a few options for potential buyers looking for PMPs with wireless connectivity options, take a look.

iPod Touch – Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
32GB – Rs. 21,000,
16GB – Rs. ,
8GB – Rs. 12,800
One of the premiere PMPs according to the general consensus is Apple’s own iPod Touch. The latest firmware update to version 3.0 makes quite a difference to existing users. For new users, it won’t really matter as the Touch is still a pretty good device. When it comes to connectivity the device is equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Wi-Fi works seamlessly with Apple’s Safari Browser, with the device's email feature and other network oriented options like You Tube, connecting to the App store etc. Bluetooth connectivity is rather limited though just like its mobile counter part the iPhone. It supports A2DP but no AVRCP for controlling audio to play or pause or skip.

The iPod is also more than competent when it comes to gaming as Apple’s App store has developers pushing some really brilliant 3D games. What it lacks is an FM radio though which is quite ok considering all the other specs.

Cowon Q5 – Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
80GB – Rs. 28,000,
40GB – Rs. 25,000
Here’s another well endowed portable media player that can also be classified as a Portable Multimedia tablet, Cowon’s Q5w. The Q5w has a 5-inch LCD touchscreen with an 800 x 480 pixel resolution and runs on a Windows CE 5.0 Professional OS, so this is probably more akin to being a netbook than the Archos 7. It’s loaded with most features you’d expect out of any device that’s using a Windows OS from document readers to a browser and it even has a voice enabled messenger.

There’s plenty of video codecs on board like other Cowon devices so you can simply copy paste videos for instant playback. Bluetooth is also part of the device's make up with full A2DP compatibility for wireless audio and data transfer between compatible devices. It also supports WLAN and in a Wi-Fi enabled area it’s almost like using a tablet PC. There’s also a stylus included in case that’s something you’re used to or aren’t interested in using the touchscreen. It even comes with a remote control and AV out capabilities.

Archos 7 – Wi-Fi
320GB – Rs. 39,600,
60GB – Rs. 32,800
Archos has also been around for awhile but just recently made its debut into the Indian market. The Archos 7 is so much larger and heavier than the iPod Touch but that’s also because it’s classified as Multimedia Internet Tablet and not a PMP. It’s the closest thing to a netbook there is with a high memory capacity and a large 7-inch touchscreen display sporting an 800 x 480 pixel resolution. It comes with support for plenty of video and audio formats include DivX, XviD and FLAC. The Archos 7 also lets you configure your email accounts (POP3 and IMAP) onto the player for download when you’re in a Wi-Fi hotspot location.

With an Opera Browser on-board the Archos 7 makes internet surfing really easy and it’s large onscreen full QWERTY keypad makes typing a cinch. The problem is, in order to record from TV you’ll need a DVR station to connect it to which is extra expenditure. There are also a couple of these add-ons that are required to run a few other apps which only add to the already huge price tag. To be honest, the Archos is a great device - it’s just that it costs an arm and a leg, so if you have extra cash, go ahead.

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Tags: Touchscreen , PMP , Bluetooth , Apple , iPod