Understanding the Functionality of Portable Media Centers

In today's fast-paced world, mobility is key. With portable devices like cell phones, laptops, personal data assistants, and portable MP3 players, tasks that once required a desktop computer can now be completed while on the move.

Portable media centers allow you to store and access nearly all of your digital entertainment on a sleek, lightweight device about the size of a paperback book. They can handle TV recordings, movies, home videos, music, and digital photos. Plus, when you don't need portability, you can easily connect your media center to a TV or stereo via the A/V-out jack.

This article will explore the extensive storage options and cutting-edge features offered by portable media centers.

Storage Capacity and Supported File Formats

Currently, Windows Mobile-powered portable media centers come with storage options of 20 GB or 40 GB, capable of storing and playing not just music and photos but also videos. A 40-GB device can hold up to 160 hours of video, up to 10,000 songs, or tens of thousands of digital images. Archos also offers portable video players/recorders with similar features to Windows PMCs, but with storage capacities reaching up to 100 GB (or 400 hours of video).

Supported File Formats

Windows Mobile-based portable media centers are compatible with various file formats, including the following:

Windows Media Player 10 includes a built-in feature that allows it to convert large Windows Media Video files and JPEG images into a format and size that is compatible with a PMC. Note that Windows Mobile-based portable media centers do not support iTunes music files.

How to Add Music and Video to a PMC

By using Windows Media 10, you can easily transfer files from your personal computer to a portable media center via a USB 2.0 cable. Windows PMCs are compatible with the following file types from a computer or laptop:

Portable media centers are capable of playing high-quality music and video content that has been downloaded from a variety of online platforms. However, it's important to note that DVDs you own cannot be transferred to the device due to copyright limitations.

File Transfer

To transfer files from your personal computer to a portable media center, you can use Windows Media Player 10. If the portable media center doesn't support a specific file format or size, Windows Media Player 10 will automatically adjust the file to a compatible type and size. You can configure Windows Media Player 10 to sync the media of your choice whenever you connect the device to your PC.

The process of synchronizing files with Windows Media Player 10 is fairly simple:

If you'd like, you can adjust the sync settings in Windows Media Player to ensure only specific types of media, such as music or photos, sync each time you connect your portable media center to your computer. To modify these settings, go to the Sync tab and click the Sync Settings button. A new dialog box will appear, allowing you to select the files you want to sync when the portable media center is connected. By default, all available media files will be synced automatically.

Certain audio and video files might need to be converted in order to be compatible with your portable media center. To manage these conversion settings, navigate to Tools > Options in Windows Media Player 10. The conversion settings can be found under the Devices tab. To optimize the sync process for large files, you can enable Windows Media Player to perform the conversion during times when your computer is not in use.

Windows-based Portable Media Centers

Currently, there are three leading brands offering Windows Media-based portable media centers on the market:

Creative Zen Portable Media Center

iriver PMC-120 (20 GB) and PMC-140 (40 GB)

Samsung Yepp YH-999 Portable Media Center

Alternatives to Windows Media Players

Non-Windows-based portable media players are also available, such as the Archos AV420 (20 GB), AV480 (80 GB), and the new AV4100 (100 GB) Pocket Video Recorders.

One key benefit of the Archos devices is their impressive storage capacity. Additionally, these players can record TV shows and movies directly from a TV, VCR, or cable/satellite. In contrast, Windows Mobile-based portable media centers require a PC running Windows XP Media Center as an intermediary for transferring video. However, a downside to the Archos players is the lack of the simple, automatic file synchronization process that Windows Mobile provides.

A strong competitor in the portable media player market is the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP). This compact, pocket-sized gaming device supports a wide array of digital content. The PSP boasts a 16:9 widescreen display, USB 2.0, and 802.11b WiFi LAN connectivity, along with the ability to play games, videos, and MP3 audio.

Furthermore, competition is heating up between Windows Media-based portable media centers and Apple iPod media players. The latest iPod models support up to 150 hours of video and come in 30 and 60 GB versions. Apple has already secured network deals for downloadable TV shows and is in negotiations with TiVo to enable integration between home DVRs and iPods.

The Future of Portable Media

Will portable media centers capture the attention of today's on-the-go consumers? Only time will reveal. While Windows-based portable media centers are bulkier and heavier compared to MP3 players like the Apple iPod, they offer larger displays, an intuitive Windows interface, and a broader range of media options. The future holds the promise of even more video and audio content tailored specifically for portable media centers. Some of these upcoming features include:

If portable media centers prove to be a hit with consumers, we can expect even more impressive storage capacities and more stylish, lightweight designs in the future.