Saying Apple invented the MP3 player is like saying Eric Clapton invented the blues. Both are false statements. However, both are understandable misconceptions considering the undeniable influences the Cupertino, California-based company and "Slowhand" have had on today's musical landscape. Clapton helped bring blues to the mainstream, which in turn exposed legends such as B.B. King and Howlin' Wolf to the masses. The technology parallel is present in how the new iPod has opened our eyes to video MP3 players, such as the Creative Zen Vision, the Archos Gmini 402, and the veteran iRiver PMP 140, all of which already exist.

History repeats itself. We witnessed the same thing earlier this year when Apple held out for the market to gain interest in flash players...and then strategically unleashed the iPod Shuffle at just the right time. Within weeks, the gum-stick-sized unit became the top-selling flash player in the world, despite its bare feature set and screenless design.

Indeed, Apple and its trusty iPod together have a knack for blowing away the competition. The bright side for the other player manufacturers (such as Creative and Sony) is that explosive iPod trends help the MP3 industry in the long run. With that in mind, let's check out the new iPod, and shed some light on the other top portable video players available today. (Reviews below courtesy of CNET).

Apple iPod (60GB)

It looks like Apple didn't want to let all of its cats out of the bag during its exciting September 7 announcement, which included the unveiling of the iPod Nano and the Motorola Rokr phone. Today, despite Steve Jobs's previous claims that a video-enabled iPod was not ripe for the market, Apple introduced the long-rumored video iPod, in addition to a new iMac and an updated version of iTunes. Available in white or black and in capacities of 30GB and 60GB, the iPod features a big 2.5-inch photo- and video-friendly screen, as well a superthin design previously reserved for smaller-capacity MP3 players. The new iPods will be available beginning next week for $299 and $399 for the 30GB and 60GB versions, respectively.

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Archos Gmini 402 (20GB)

Archos makes a great personal video player (PVP) even better with the Gmini 402, an impressive update--if not a wholesale revision--to last year's top-notch Gmini400. Just like its predecessor, the 402 ($330) packs in plenty of features, such as video and MP3/WMA playback, photo storage and image viewing, voice and in-line recording, and gaming via the popular Mophun engine. But this time, we also get support for Windows Media Player syncing, including DRM-protected music and video. However, the 402 isn't without its problems: It's saddled with poor viewing angles on its otherwise gorgeous 2.2-inch LCD, so-so battery life, less-than-stellar volume, and lack of direct video recording, but considering the Gmini is nearly small enough to fit in a jeans pocket, we're still duly impressed.

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Archos AV700 Mobile DVR (100GB)

With its 7-inch-wide screen, TV-friendly recording capabilities, and kitchen-sink roster of media features, the Archos AV700 would seem to be the ideal traveling companion for movie buffs, couch potatoes, and music fans alike. However, it's expensive--$600 and $800 for the 40GB and 100GB models, respectively--and far too bulky to slip into a pocket. What's more, while the AV700 does a fine job of recording video from external sources, such as a TV, it offers no clear-cut way to play back wide-screen movies or, for that matter, wide-screen TV. Thus, the sizable screen goes largely to waste. Further complicating matters, converting video files is a hassle, and the screen itself isn't that great, though its wide viewing angle should accommodate everyone in the backseat. Ultimately, the AV700 is best suited to tech-savvy users who have cash to burn and a firm belief that a bigger screen makes for a better personal media player..

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Cowon iAudio X5 (30GB)

Take one look at the Cowon iAudio X5's feature list and you might peg it as an iPod killer. On paper, the 30GB, iPod-size X5 ($350; also available at 20GB for $300) has everything that Apple's ice-white wonder does--including music playback, a photo viewer, and on-the-fly playlists--then it piles on video playback, an FM radio, voice and line-in recording, and even the ability to read and save images directly from a digital camera without an adapter. Sounds like a no-brainer, right? Unfortunately, the X5 suffers from poor music browsing, some odd design choices, and a half-baked photo viewer; additionally, converting your videos so that they'll work on the player is a multistep process. Video addicts willing to process their movies for the X5 and who don't mind viewing them on a two-inch screen might get a kick out of the palm-size device. But music lovers with gigabytes of songs and iPod converts accustomed to seamless iTunes integration should think carefully before taking the plunge. Fortunately for X5 users, an August firmware update will make the player easier to use, compatible with music stores and services, and an overall better device--with a CNET rating closer to 8.0.

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Creative Zen Vision (30GB)

The Zen Vision, Creative's latest effort to craft the ultimate portable video player (PVP), improves on its predecessor, the Zen Portable Media Center, in almost every way. Though it's smaller and more elegant, it packs a larger 30GB hard drive and a longer list of features, all for a lower price ($400). True, it can't compete with the kitchen-sink feature set of PVPs such as the Archos PMA430, but that device costs almost twice as much. Plus, the Creative Zen Vision has two enviable features the Archos lacks: a VGA screen and support for content recorded on TiVo DVRs. Unfortunately, it can't record video or audio directly, and copying and converting files can be a time-consuming hassle, especially for novices, as Creative really skimps on the instructions. But the payoff is worth it because the Creative Zen Vision's screen dazzles like no other. It's no slouch when it comes to music, photos, and FM radio, either.

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iRiver PMC-120

In the past few years, Korea-based iRiver has been a contender in virtually all portable media categories, including flash, microdrive, and hard drive-based MP3 players, as well as portable video players (PVPs). In fact, it's the only company in the world to offer the two prevalent types of PVPs: the open-ended, MPEG-4-friendly PMP-120 ($450) and the user-friendly Microsoft Windows Mobile-based PMC-120 ($500). The two 20GB devices look identical and play back audio, video, and photos. The similarities, however, end there, and our pick would definitely be the PMC, as it has both a better software and hardware interface. That said, because of its average battery life, the iRiver PMC-120 isn't the best PMC out there.

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iRiver U10 (1GB)

Today, the iRiver U10 made its official debut in the United States. The distinctive flash-based player comes in 512MB and 1GB capacities--at $199.95 and $249.95, respectively--and can play back subscription-based music, as well as photos and video. Its compact, miniature TV-like design also represents a departure from not only previous iRiver products but also MP3 players in general. In short, it's a bit pricey, but the U10 is a polished player that should appeal to a broad range of consumers.

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