The Portable Media Center (PMC) is a handheld device based on the Windows Mobile operating system designed to let you watch video, view digital photos, and listen to music wherever you are. The PMC is a battery-powered device with a color display that is about the same size and resolution as the screen on the Pocket PC, but with a horizontal (landscape) orientation. Multimedia content is transferred to the PMC from your desktop PC via a cabled connection and stored on the PMC's standard internal 20 gigabyte hard drive. This ample storage capacity should allow you to bring all the media you want with you, wherever you go. For example, the 20 GB drive can hold over 80 hours of video, 5,000 songs, and 25,000 JPEG photos. The PMC lets you view video recorded in Windows Media Video files (WMV) format, listen to Windows Media Audio (WMA) and MP3 music or audio files, and browse through digital images saved in JPEG format.

Content is transferred to the Portable Media Center from Microsoft's Windows Media Player 10 application, running on a Windows XP desktop, laptop, or tablet PC. If you have a Windows XP Media Center Edition PC with a TV connection, you will also be able to transfer any television shows you've recorded to the PMC.

All Portable Media Centers have a USB 2.0 port (backward compatible with USB 1.1), allowing you to connect to your PC using a cable that comes with the device. In addition, PMCs have a stereo headphone jack and an A/V output port. The latter lets you connect and stream content to a TV, stereo, or other device. PMCs are powered by a rechargeable battery. Microsoft requires that the battery provides at least three hours of continuous video playback and 12 hours of continuous audio playback. However, initial specifications indicate that at least one device exceeds this.

The first version of the Portable Media Center is a closed system. You're able to play/view media content with it, but cannot install third party games and applications as you can with the Pocket PC. The software that powers the PMC was developed by Microsoft, but the physical devices are designed and manufactured by "original equipment manufacturers" (OEMs). Currently, Creative Labs, Samsung, and iRiver have introduced PMC devices that are priced in the $400-700 range. For more information about the PMC, including links to OEMs and related sites, visit Pocket PC magazine's Portable Media Center Web site (http://www.portablemediacentermag.com).

Creative Zen

• Video format support: Windows Media Video (WMV) 7, 8 and 9, MPEG and DVR-MS
• Audio format support: Windows Media Audio (WMA), MP3, WAV
• Digital photo format support: JPEG, PhotoStory
• Display: 3.8-inch diagonal, 320 x 240 pixel resolution, blue-EL backlit LCD
• Media storage capacity: 20 GB hard drive
• Battery life: Up to 22 hours continuous audio playtime or up to 7 hours of continuous video playtime
• Connectivity port:USB 2.0 (backward compatible with USB 1.1)
• Dimensions: 5.7 x 3.2 x 1.1 inches
• Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Signal-to-noise ratio: Up to 90dB
• Warranty: 1 year
• Box contents:Creative Zen Portable Media Center, power adapter, lithium-ion rechargeable battery, protective carrying case, earphones, USB 2.0 connectivity cable, audio/video-out cable, quick start guide, installation CD.