Samsung YP-Q2 v. Sony E-series deathmatch

However, the two players are very finicky about what video files they will play and, in both cases, unless you want to spend a lot of time looking at a screen that reads "Format Not Supported", you are best advised to convert and load video files using each manufacturer’s own media management software or Windows Media Player.

The Sony's the only player here with external volume controls

With screens this small, any video playback ability is of questionable value but, since Samsung claims the Q2 “works with BBC iPlayer”, we downloaded an episode of Wainwright Walks to check out some scenery and Julia Bradbury's bottom.

Or rather we did with the Sony Walkman, which accepted the DRM file without any fuss and played it back in a manner both crisp and colourful. When we tried to repeat the process on the Samsung, a Windows pop-up appeared telling us there was a problem with the device's licence.

Try as we did, we couldn't get around this, so we asked Samsung for its take on the problem and were told us it was probably a firmware issue. When we looked for an update, we discovered that version 1.19, the one in our player, was the most up-to-date available. So if it is a firmware issue, it’s something Samsung needs to get fixed pronto.

Resorting to a non-DRM WMV file, the Samsung proved every bit as competent a video player as the Sony. Not something you would want to watch a feature film on, perhaps, but fine for the odd music video or film trailer.

Not as nice as Julia Bradbury's rear...

When playing music, the Samsung displays the relevant album art at full screen, so it’s a shame it proved far less reliable than the Sony at actually reading embedded artwork.