There's a DVX-POD Headed My Way...

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.amatechnologies.com/' target='_blank'>http://www.amatechnologies.com/</a><br /><br /></div>The DVX-POD is one of the most hotly anticipated portable media players in recent months, and given the crowded market, that's saying a lot. It's scheduled to be released in November, and will have a price tag of $599 USD. When you consider the size of the screen and all the features, that's a very reasonable price.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/DVX_POD_7010_for_print_01.jpg" /> <br /><br />• 6.5" 16:9 720 x 480 LTPS wide-screen<br />• 170 degrees of viewing (30 degrees more than TFT screens)<br />• Direct PVR (TV and DVD players)<br />• One-click scroll wheel for easy and intuitive navigation<br />• Compatible with popular formats: MPEG, DivX, WMV, WMA, MP3, JPEG, GIF<br /><br />It will be available for purchase directly from <a href="http://www.amatechnologies.com/index.php">AMA Technologies</a>. Will it live up to the hype? I sure hope so - it photos it looks fantastic, so let's hope it lives up to my expectations. Once I receive the unit, expect a detailed report.

[rlobrecht]

now this is a portable movie player worth having (assuming that it meets the specs you've quoted.) I've tried video on my Pocket PC, and while its nifty, its not really worth watching. All the MS PMP have similar sized screens. But watching DVDs on a 7" portable DVD player is worth watching, so this should be too. hopefully it has enough horsepower to decode video at 720x480.

[Mojo Jojo]

Taking requests for things to look for when you get the unit?

[Jason Dunn]

Taking requests for things to look for when you get the unit?

Sure, what would you look me to check out?

[Mojo Jojo]

You might already be planning to do some of these, but some of my more nagging questions regarding the unit are...

Highest Quality Bitrate
This may be a bit subjective but what I am curious about is if the device can play full screen, between 24-30ish frames per second (more the better) and still have the image crisp and clear with good color saturation (none, or, not noticeable color dithering preferred)

Outdoor visiability of screen
How is the screen outside in normal sunlight, in a car/train, does the screen washout or does it maintain its clarity...

View Angle
Can two people watch if say they sat next to each other on a plane or bus and still see the screen respectably? Of course I don't expect you to go on a plane or a bus or anything but just general feel if you moved the device off center say by half a foot or so.

Screen Glare
Does it have a shiney surface that might catch over head lighting? Is it a semi-hard screen with a plastic layer? Does the screen smear easily with oils from finger tips?

[dean_shan]

What format does it record in? Is it DIVX or some other codec?