Published on 09/28/2006
Philips' new PMC7230 portable media player offers a couple of special features that puts it a shadow's length ahead of other devices in its class. Sure, the PMC7230 comes with standard features such as MP3 and MPEG 4 playback, a 3.5" color display, a 30GB hard drive, and support for PlaysForSure Windows Media files. What sets it apart is the picture frame form factor that comes with a swiveling arm at the back, enabling you to prop it up like a standard picture frame on your desk when you're unwinding with your favorite movie. It also comes with integrated A/V inputs that enable you to record video off any standard NTSC and PAL source. The PMC7230 has a batter life of 18 hours for audio and 5 hours for video. It is more expensive than the Microsoft Zune by a single Benjamin at $350 and will be available shortly.