Best PMP for under $400?

[qkslvr221]

Hey neowin, ive been looking for a good portable media player for under 400 bucks to give as a gift to my nephew for xmas. So far ive found the RCA RD2780 and the ARCHOS AV320. Both have 20gb storage and are under $400.

Are there any more you guys know of that can beat these, and if not, which one is a better value?

Thanks in advance.

[TaylorTAP]

Your gonna spend 400$ on a nephew for xmas?? Holy crap, my parents don't even spend that much on me ever!

Anyways, personally I'd go with an iPod but some will say the iRiver.

[Timmah Veteran]

iPod? The iPod's an MP3 Jukebox, or a HDD DAP.

A PMP USUALLY involves video playback of some sort, and of course picture viewing etc...

I'm not sure as to whether the Archos is a good choice as I've heard the other models have rubbish firmware (hence http://www.rockbox.org) but I've heard lots of good things about the PMP-120 from iRiver, but thats because I frequent MisticRiver.net an excellent iRiver resource. Have a poke around, the PMP is quite a popular range amongst those who can afford it.

Here's a picture:

I can recommend iRiver products because I'm the extremely pleased owner of a iHP-140 :D

[cyansky]

I agree, get the iRiver if you want to play video also. If you just want music then grab an iPod.

[Silverity]

I like Creative Zen PMC more, but it's $499 as iRiver's

[Brandon]

Zen = windows CE Media Center

Iriver = Linux

FYI

[qkslvr221]

Zen = windows CE Media Center

Iriver = Linux

FYI

585031625[/snapback]

Ive tried out the creative, but its way too bulky IMO, id like to get him something portable.

Ive seen the PMP-120 for almost 200$ more than the other two, it looks like a great PMP, but is it worth the price increase? I cant see anything that really stands out from the RCA and ARCHOS.

[Kaidiir]

I'm a bit of an Archos advocate...I've owned several Archos devices and loved them all. a little browsing around on www.shopping.com and you can find an Archos AV420 for about $430. it's a little more, but from what I've heard the device is worth it.

or, you could get an iRiver :whistle:

[qkslvr221]

The PMP-120, AV420, and ZEN video are just too much for my budget, so that leaves me between AV320 ($330) and RD2780 ($300).

Im leaning towards the RCA as of now, only bad thing ive read is battery life, but i wouldnt expect more than a few hours from these little buggers. Any personal experiences with either of these would be greatly appreciated.