<% rating = 0 %>If you check out the product specs of the ZEN, you will notice that it only plays Windows Media Video 7, 8 and 9, Windows Media Audio 8, Windows Media Image, MP3, JPEG and TIFF files. Great, but this is suppose to be a Portable Media Center… right? A device that syncs up and plays the files stored on your full blown media center. That’s what I thought… but the Microsoft Media Center computer only records MPEG-2 files because it uses a hardware encoder. How am I suppose to playback my Seinfeld and Daily Show clips for when I’m on the go? You’re probably saying to yourself, “Microsoft can just change that and let you record shows in the WMV format”. Sure, but then you have the problem that the Portable Media Center cannot play anything bigger than 320×240… I think this is due to lack of CPU power in the devices. In the end, you are stuck using Windows Media Player 10 (in Public BETA now) to convert and sync up your files. Let’s say I have an episode of TechTV’s ScreenSavers on my HP Media Center that I wanted to copy over. To simulate converting of a video asset, I brought it into Window Media Encoder to see how long it takes to encode a MPEG-2 show that is 30 mins long. It takes about 45 mins. There is no way this would fly for anyone on the go, unless you’re very organized and plan months in advance. When I first heard about these Portable Media Players I was thinking they would have fast CPUs and the ability to play any type of video files but as I’m seeing the specs come out it makes me think that I’m wrong.. I’d rather invest $400 in a PocketPC and do the exact same stuff via SD cards, today. Plus, a PocketPC can do A LOT more than just playback media assets. If you want a device that is small, portable, and can playback anything XP can, plus has the power of a full blown machine, then the only option worth considering is the $2000 OQO. I guess will just have to wait and see…