LG enters the portable media fray with three new devices

Korean electronics giant LG has finally entered the U.S. MP3/PVP market with the announcement of three portable products. First up is the PM70 Portable Media Center, a 30GB device with a 4.3-inch wide-screen display and built-in stereo speakers. The PM70 is part of the second wave of devices utilizing Microsoft's updated Portable Media Center operating system; other new entries include Toshiba, Dream'eo, and Tatung. In addition to built-in PIM funtionality (you can sync your calendar, your contacts, and your e-mail with Outlook), the PM70 can record A/V sources via line-in and features a line-out so that you can view content on a TV.

Second on the list is the JM53 Portable Digital Player, a supersleek (3.9 by 1.9 by 0.5 inches) 8GB multimedia player featuring a 1.77-inch, 260,000-color OLED and compatibility with MP3, WMA (DRM 10), OGG, ASF, and MPEG-4 video. The black device has a unique controller system that blends a rocker switch and buttons. The unit has staying power too, with a rated battery life of 30 hours.

Finally, the smallest of the bunch, the FM30 Portable Digital Player, is a 1GB flash-based player with a 1.77-inch OLED (260,000 colors) and compatibility with MP3, WMA (DRM 10), OGG, ASF, and MPEG-4 video. At only 2.4 by 1.6 by 0.55 inches, this wearable player is essentially a matchbook-size version of the JM53, and it has a staggering rated battery life of 60 hours. Despite bright OLEDs, the JM53 and FM30's small screen size may be a deterrent to prospective shoppers, though battery life is impressive on both. The PM70, on the other hand, looks like a nice alternative in the Portable Media Center world. Prices for the PM70 and the JM53 have not been announced, though the FM30 will cost $199 when it's available in Q2.