The Blue Raven MediaMate 7000 is a monster portable video player with a 7-inch screen, built-in video recording, and TV-output.
Donald Bell
Donald Bell has spent more than five years as a CNET senior editor, reviewing everything from MP3 players to the first three generations of the Apple iPad. He currently devotes his time to producing How To content for CNET, as well as weekly episodes of CNET's Top 5 video series.
Here's a sidelong view of the MediaMate with both its metal stands snapped into place. From the top down, we're looking at the headphone jack, AV output (2.5mm), AV input (2.5mm), and power adapter input. The grill on the bottom hides one of the two speakers built into the player.
The software interface on the MediaMate is intuitive, but nothing to write home about. We actually had more frustrations from the hardware interface. You'll notice the horizontal and vertical scroll buttons are split between the left and right side--but not directly across from each other. We instinctively kept hitting the enter button on the top-right side when we meant to use the up button directly beneath it.
Without intending to, our photographer gives us a perfect illustration of the MediaMate's glossy screen glare. You can see her fingers reflecting back in the middle of the screen. More than likely you'll be using your PVP in dimly lit environments like cars and airplanes where glare from bright lights is minimal. Still, the Archos 704 WiFi and Creative Zen Vision:W were much better at diffusing glare.
Though upside down, we're looking at the top edge of the MediaMate. Left to right (in this view), you'll see the button for switching between viewing content on the built-in LCD or viewing on an external TV; a one-touch record button for instantly activating the DVR; and a button for using the LCD for monitoring the AV input without recording. Next to the buttons is a switch for disabling the controls, a power indicator light, microphone, and a hinged plastic cover that hides the USB 2.0 port and Flash memory card reader.
The included remote has every feature you need to control the MediaMate. It offers a much better layout than the controls on the device itself. If you're just looking for a handheld PVP, however, the remote might be a useless accessory for you.
We should have put an iPod in here for scale. Regardless, you can see how the MediaMate compares to the Archos 704 WiFi (left) and Creative Zen Vision:W (right).
