It's Here! The Holiday Buyer's Guide 2004

5. The Classic Archos

The Archos PVR-AV480, with its 3.8" LCD, may have a smaller screen than the DVX-POD, but it makes up for it in features. From viewing and recording video to displaying your photos from a Compact Flash card, the AV480 can do almost anything.

This 80 GB portable media player can play back most audio, photo and video formats. Audio recordings can be made using the built-in microphone, and with the optional FM module, you can even listen to and record FM radio.

With the included TV docking cradle, TV input and output is easy. You only need to plug the composite or S-Video cables from the cradle into the VCR or TV once. Thereafter, whenever you want to record TV shows, you just drop the AV480 into the cradle and you are good to go.

The PVR-AV480 is available for $799.95 directly from the Archos website . The AV480 is like a portable ATI All-In-Wonder - assuming you can stomach the price.