In among a flurry of announcements made at CES in Las Vegas in January this year, Microsoft's CEO, Bill Gates gave the first demonstration of a new type of portable device.
Acknowledging that people can potentially carry around with them too many entertainment devices, he promised to shoehorn them into one small unit. The unit uses a version of the Windows CE operating system, which bears the fancy title of Media2go.
The prototype device from Viewsonic (although Samsung, I-River, Sanyo and Creative Labs have also promised some too) paired a 20 Gigabyte hard disk with a large 4inch colour screen.
Gates told the delegates that users would plug the device into a hard disk based video recorder, or even better a Windows-driven PC, and record and store TV programmes, home videos etc, which they could then review on the move.
Naturally the devices also play back MP3 and Windows Media Audio files and store JPEG images.
Although most observers seemed fairly impressed with the new format there were probably a few sniggers at the back from the staff of a French company called Archos. For while Media2go devices won't reach the stores until the end of 2003, Archos had just scooped an award from CES for delivering a product now that pretty much does everything Media2go will do.
Last the year the company unveiled the Multimedia Jukebox 20, a model that also included a 1.5inch inch screen and a 20 Gigabyte hard disk. It also featured a camera for shooting and storing images and played music too.
Now the company has just launched the Archos Multimedia Jukebox 120, which will also play back video. The unit itself, which sports a 20Gigabyte hard disk (a 40 Gig version is also on the cards) and a 1.5inch screen, retails for £380. Smart owners, however, will also add the £60 JBM Digital Video Recorder a device that enables the Jukebox to store video from any RF source.
Essentially this includes direct from a TV, video from a PC (it comes with a fast USB 2.1 connector) or even from a VHS video recorder. The files are then converted to the MPEG4 format enabling many hours (Archos claims up to 80 on the 20 Gig Jukebox) to be stored in what the company claims is VHS video and CD sound quality.
With the prospect of a long bus journey looming, now seemed as good a time as any to put the Jukebox to the test.
Setting up isn't too tricky. The video unit snaps on the end of the Jukebox with its connectors facing outwards. Then it is matter of connecting various phono leads to the Scart adaptor that comes with the unit and then plugging the Scart into the TV.
After a bit of fiddling with the settings - I almost forgot to change from NTSC to PAL - an image comes up on the LCD screen and you are recording.
A couple of hours later I was sitting on the 73 catching up with last night's "I'm a Celebrity." Image quality is on the whole pretty good. VHS quality? Well it's hard to tell.
The fundamental issue with the Archos is the size of the screen, which at 1.5inches is about the size of those found on camera phones. Inevitably after a few minutes I began to tire of the small picture and eventually got out my book instead. Archos is addressing this by launching a version with a 3.3 inch screen in late Autumn.
The light on the bus wasn't too bad, but I can imagine the LCD would struggle in strong sunlight.
To be honest if I lived with the Jukebox I would probably load up videos of family, pets and big occasions to bore my friends with. I'd maybe add a few choice footballing moments too. And while it offers a neat way of catching up on soaps, I'd be amazed if anyone has the patience to sit through an entire film on it.
Significantly the Media2go devices will boast much larger screens, - 4 inches is being touted as the minimum - which might make viewing a little more conformable. Of course increase the screen size and there inevitably will be issues with battery life. Microsoft is claiming an incredible six hours of viewing before the Media2Go devices will need a recharge. Given that many personal DVD players with significantly larger batteries as well as that the Jukebox 120 with its smaller screen doesn't run for anything like that length of time, I think Microsoft is a tad optimistic.
Still, it is early days for video on the move and Archos should be congratulated for getting there first. I am sure a market for personal video players will develop, but as for cutting down on the number of gadgets? Well maybe factoring a mobile phone into the entertainment device would be the best way. And therein lies another tale.
