THE LATEST portable device using a computer hard disk drive, the Archos AV120 aims to put more features and functions than you could ever imagine into a device that you can carry around with you everywhere you go.
Do you want MP3s? Do you want a digital camera and photo album? Do you want a camcorder and video player?
The AV120 has it all, plus add-on modules that allow it to record directly off a television set or radio, to take digital photos, and even read data off a range of portable memory formats, including CompactFlash, MemoryStick, SmartMedia and Multimedia Card (MMC).
Central to the AV120's capabilities is its 20-gigabyte storage capacity and colour screen. Unlike other portable HDD devices like the Apple's iPod and Philips' upcoming HDD100 that play only music, Archos' colour display and built-in software allow it to become a portable photo and video player.
The 20 GB memory space lets the AV120 store up to 40 hours of MPEG video or 40,000 high resolution photos.
You have the option of transferring the video and photo content directly from your PC, or record it off your TV with a digital video recorder attachment. Or you can buy a 1.3 Megapixel camera add-on to take both photos and videos with the AV120. What the AV120 can't do is store your contacts list or play games like the new iPod.
The AV120 is also a bit chunkier and heavier (290 grammes) than most other HDDs and to some extent, less sleek design-wise than its rivals.