The MP3 player range from SanDisk is still one of the best and cheapest alternatives to Apple’s all conquering iPod range. This one is a video and MP3 player with a built in 16 GB memory. The 2.4 inch screen features a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. There is also a built in FM radio function and the built in microphone allows you to record audio. Loading files onto your Sansa View is easy via a USB 2.0 connection and you can simply drag and drop MP3, WMA, WAV, non-DRM AAC, MP4, WMV, H.264 and JPEG format files.

You can add more memory with a microSDHC memory card. A fully charged battery will give you around 35 hours of audio playback or 7 hours of video playback. This is quite an old device now but when it comes to value for money with a price tag of $89.99 for a video MP3 player the Sansa View is worth considering for the budget conscious.

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This portable DVD player features a 7 inch wide screen display. It is extremely light and compact which makes it an ideal portable device for movies on the go. It supports various formats of disc and you can enjoy music or movies on it as well. There are built in speakers but in case you need to avoid disturbing those around you there are also 2 headphone jacks so you and a friend or partner can watch and listen together.

The rechargeable battery gives you 5 hours of playback so you’ll have time to watch two or three films and a car adaptor is included as well. This is a stylish flip open device with a textured finish. It supports Dolby Digital soundtracks but not DTS. Ideal for road trips and for the reasonable price of just $88 this could well be worth investing in to keep the kids quiet.

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There is no escaping the dominance of the iPod in the MP3 player market but there are alternatives like the GoGear range from well respected electronics company, Philips. There are a range of models and this is the 4 GB version which also offers video playback on the 1.5 inch color display. It will more likely serve as a display for your music and it can also display album art. The player supports MP3 and WMA formats as well as subscription services like Rhapsody.

It also features a built in FM radio with 20 presets. You can pack about 25 hours of music on to it or 4 hours of video and loading files on via your computer is fairly easy. The sound quality is good and it does the job well. The low price makes it an attractive option for anyone seeking a basic MP3 player and you can order one on Amazon for $39.88.

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This video MP3 player from Archos has 8 GB of memory, enough to hold over 4,000 songs. It features a 3 inch LCD touch screen with a 400 x 240 pixel resolution for easy navigation of your files and watching videos or looking at photos. It also has a built in FM radio and an FM transmitter so you can transmit music to your car radio. There is also a built in microphone which allows you to record voice notes. Finally there is a calendar and a stopwatch.

The device supports audio, video and image files in the following formats – MP3, WMA, and WAV for audio, MPEG 1/2/4, WMV, FLV, AVI, RM and RMVB for video, and JPG, BMP and GIF for images. The touch screen isn’t the most responsive but it is a very compact and useful device and the FM transmitter is a great feature. You can order one from Amazon for the relatively low price of $69.99.

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If you’re looking for a really compact and stylish MP3 player then this might be up your street. The Samsung U5 has 2 GB of flash memory with a direct USB plug and it looks much like a small flash drive. It has the DNSe 3.0 sound engine which supports a surround sound effect. It has 6 preset EQ settings and 1 user EQ setting. There is an OLED display with a resolution of 128 x 64 pixels which is just enough to display track information. The player supports MP3, WMA and OGG audio formats.

You should be able to fit around 500 songs on the device and you’ll get 20 hours of playback from a fully charged battery. It is compatible with Windows Vista and XP and plugging it directly into the PC it will take about 2.5 hours to recharge versus 2 hours with the charger. It also has a clock display and a built in FM radio with 30 preset stations. There is also a built in microphone which you can use for voice recording notes. It costs $39.99.

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More famous for their car audio equipment Kicker has now released a portable system for the home which is designed for use with a Zune portable media player. This is a powerful Zune docking station which features 40 watt stereo amplifiers, 5 inch woofers and a 6 inch subwoofer for top quality bass. Although it is dedicated to the Zune it has an auxiliary port which means you could use other MP3 players with the device.

If you do plug in a Zune you’ll find the slim remote control gives you full access to the features and with the composite video and stereo RCA outputs you could pass on audio and video to other devices. It works with all Zune models and will give you full feature access to the menu system and charge the device even in standby mode. This is a great quality system and you can order one for $169.95.

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This is a highly portable 7 inch TV. It supports a maximum resolution of 480 x 234 pixels and has a widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9. It also has built in TV tuners, both ATSC and NTSC. It also comes with an antenna but as with all TVs the reception you get will depend on where you live and a small antenna may not pick up all the channels you want. This TV also has built in speakers and a built in rechargeable battery.

The picture is good and the resolution easily high enough to be detailed on a screen this size. It is very portable and it comes with a protective pouch in case you want to take it on the move. It would also serve well in a kitchen. There is a six button remote control for your convenience and while the whole device feels quite cheap the price tag is low. You can order one of these for $84.99.

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There are plenty of docking stations and speaker systems for the iPod range but this effort is dedicated to the Zune. All Zune players can connect through a certified connection which charges the device and allows you to access the content. It features stereo speakers with four preset EQ settings. There is also a 3.5 mm auxiliary jack for other devices. The RCA video output also allows you to watch video from your Zune on your TV.

Additional features include a see-through LCD with white backlight which displays the time. You can use two AAA batteries as a back up so the time is always right. The device produces decent quality sound but not exceptional although the price is low so it still looks like good value. It also ships with a full feature remote control so you can relax and select music from across the room. You can get this system from Amazon for $49.99.

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This versatile portable TV and DVD player from Philips is now available for under $100 and it looks to be a real bargain. It features a 7 inch screen and folds away for easy carrying. It supports all kinds of discs including standard DVD, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, VCD, CD, and CD-RW. It also supports various file formats including MP3 and JPEG so you can listen to music or review your photos as well as watch movies or TV on this device. It also picks up free to air digital TV broadcasts.

The built in speakers aren’t great but there is the option to hook it up to external speakers and of course there is a headphone jack. The built in rechargeable battery will give you about 3 hours of playback from a single charge and it comes with a car adaptor so you can plug it in while in the car. It also comes with a slim remote control. This is easy to use and great value for money.

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This is a rotating dock for your iPhone or iPod which provides decent quality speakers and can be folded into a portable shape for carrying around with you. The cradle allows you to slot in your iPhone or iPod and you can twist it to view multimedia files in landscape. It doesn’t actually charge your device but it does pack a rechargeable battery itself and a full charge will give you up to 16 hours of music. The idea is to use the Livespeakr as a set of portable speakers to take with you.

The speakers are shielded against RF or GSM interference so nothing will spoil your enjoyment of the music. The device also has rubberized feet to prevent slippage and it looks quite stylish. It ships with a USB charging cable and a USB wall charger as well as a travel bag. They come in black or white and will cost you just over $70.

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