Not sure how many of you are familiar with these things, but they seem pretty interesting. Someone I know just got the AV500E model, which is basically a 30 gig portable media player with a 4" screen (slightly smaller than PSP's 4.3" screen). Has a docking station that you connect to your TV, or satalite receiver (to download shows to your player), or VCR for recording movies (unfortunately I don't think DVD security measures allow this) and acts as a spare TV remote. They appear to be made by Archos and he says it included some games (I'm not sure, I just listened to music and watched about 5 minutes of some show).

They seem like a good little media player, I just wish I knew more about them other than what's available at pocketdish.com. Which I suppose is where you come in. Any of you have any experience or know anyone who has one?

It sounds like a gimmick to me, in a way. Any PMP can have tv shows put onto it, and you can probably do it a lot easier and more to your specification if you get them yourself (and there are a lot of places to "obtain" said shows, at different qualities, or you can just get a TiVo and rip it to your PC then select your quality).

That said, Archos is very awesome, however, 30 gigs won't hold as much as you think when it comes to video. I'd suggest aiming at a 60 gig model, at least, and look out for an 80-120 gig model. I know they're out there. They also have quite a bit more of a premium, but you'll appreciate it if you use the device often.

I was thinking of using it more as an ipod video-esque PMP, as the 30 gig model is barely larger, the rest of the crap about hooking it up to a TV and all is just a nice bonus.

How often would you use it though?

I'd also suggest looking into iRiver's PMPs.

Already have an H320.

Was more or less of how good is this thing to recommend to people who are new to the PMP market.