How cheap can media players get? This ViewSonic VMP70 plays 1080p video files in a variety of formats for under a hundred bucks. There are HDMI and component outputs in the back, ready to play DivX, XviD, H.264, VC-12, WMV and MPEG1/2/4 files for a relatively small sum. Hey, there's even a digital audio input.

The downside? First of all there's no mention of Matroska video file (.mkv) compatibility, which is quickly becoming the standard of HD video file distribution on the Internet. And there's no network connectivity, so you'd have to use a USB drive to bring in your various video, audio, and pictorial selections.

The list price is $130, but we're hearing rumblings of holiday pricing of $98.99, so look carefully and you might find yourself a low-end video player with similar specs to the Western Digital WD TV Live (find it for a mere $119 here) with better looks at a price that's about $20 lower. But then, the WD TV Live plays Matroska files, so keep that in mind.

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Viewsonic, via Engadget