Personal Video Players May Be Next Big Wave

The market for these products is just beginning to emerge, and analysts are split on its future. Some expect the devices to gain significant acceptance once vendors address issues, such as high prices and digital-rights management. Others think that user interest will be limited to videophiles, and the number of consumers who need a video fix is not as great as those who desire music.

Michael Gartenberg: After reviewing a pre-release version of the Creative Zen device: “While the market might not be as large for video as it is for audio, PMC does for video what the iPod did for audio. Makes it accessible and usable for more mainstream users and not just a plaything for uber geeks.”

Comments have been disabled for this post