JVC XA-HD500, 6GB player

Here's JVC's new 6GB portable audio player, called the "XA-HD500." Though we tend to groan when any company mentions some technology with a fancy name as being the key point for a new portable audio player, JVC slapped their own "K2 Technology" on this one. It helps to restore the data that was cut during the MP3/WMA encoding process. Sounds familiar.

MP3 and WMA files are supported, and DRM support for WMA files runs up to version 10. JVC says the player's 30 hour battery life is the longest for any player that uses a 1" hard drive. That could partly be due to the LCD not being a color one. The company has also taken some steps to bridge the gap between home stereo setups and portable audio players; a cradle is included with the unit, and the font size of the LCD can be adjusted for easier reading from afar. More importantly, however, an infrared remote control is included. Now that's a habit we wish other makers would pick up.