BlueRaven MediaMate 7080

Between the relative successes of the iPod and the Archos line of PMPs, the world hasn't exactly been clamoring for another portable video player. That doesn't mean companies won't keep trying, and Blue Raven's 40-gig MediaMate 7040 is far from an impressive competitor. With a huge, seven-inch widescreen display, the MediaMate at first appears to be a real dazzler, and on paper it has decent codec support (including DivX, XviD, OGG, and more) for a variety of media and "DVR" features. But disappointment sets in the second you flick it on. For starters, the LCD's resolution is an outright depressing 480 x 234 pixels (the Archos 704 is 800 x 480, for example), and the controls are as unintuitive as can be. No touchscreen here, just a set of 12 poorly-labeled buttons, with the up/down/right/left navigation controls split between both sides of the unit. As for the "DVR," the MediaMate can be set to record by time and date only and can't actually retrieve channel programming data. We're reminded of VHS in more ways than one.

WIRED About $100 cheaper than the 7-inch Archos 704. Easy live TV recording via RCA cables. Includes a variety of charging accessories, headrest mount, and remote control.

TIRED No attention to ergonomics or UI design whatsoever. Trouble playing back some ostensibly supported formats. Only four hours battery life on video playback. Dog-slow OS. Terrible resolution. No web browser or other online support. Hefty.

• Style: Audio, Video
• Manufacturer: BlueRaven
• Price: $379