Grundig propels camera-packing Archos rival

Empty those bulging pockets of loose change and designer hankerchiefs. Great: now you have room for Grundig’s new personal media player.

The VP6200 has a hoard of goodies on board, including an AV input for recording radio and television, built-in stereo speakers, JPEG, MP3, WMA and DivX  player, FM radio, and a TV output. Best of all, though, are the 1.3MP digital video camera – similar to Archos’ Gmini Camcorder – and the handsome, 3.5inch, 65,000 colour screen.

It’s handy for carting files around too, since you can convert CDs, radio and TV to MP3/4 using the line-in and make the thriftiest use of the 30GB storage. The memory’s enough to store more than fifty films which, using the TV output, you’ll be able to watch on a big screen. We’re waiting to hear confirmation on battery life.

So, have Grundig created a movie monster capable of duelling with Archos, Creative and Apple? We doubt it, though this is by far the coolest gadget we’ve seen trundle from the Grundig lair in an age. The problem’s not the features or the design – in fact, it’s quite a handsome creature with its matching dock – but the £350 price, which is just a shade too steep. We’re crossing our fingers the price’ll come down soon.    

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