Korean electronics brand iRiver has come out with a new touchscreen media player called the Smart HD, which predictably supports high-def video playback. Aside from the ability to handle most common audio and video files, this slim device also comes with support for the Matroska MKV file container, which gives this portable player the power to play digital video files with extras… like compressed movies with subtitles that you may or may not have somehow downloaded for free off the net.

Think of it as an alternative to the iPod touch: the Smart HD features a 3.5-inch screen and a touch-based interface that can be customized and added to with the use of onscreen widgets. The battery is listed to last for up to 18 hours of audio and 6 hours of video, giving you enough juice to go through around 3 regular movies or two runs of The Fellowship of the Ring. As a bonus for kids (Korean kids, at least), it’s also designed for educational purposes with built-in support for reading copy-protected eBooks.

An entry-level 8GB model starts at $203 in Korea, while a 16GB version that’s preloaded with educational content sells for $265. We’re not quite sure if Korean educational content makes sense for anyone else outside the country though. A model equipped with Wi-fi is also available for $310. The prices are all based on the local (Korean) release, but the rest of the world should see international-friendly versions of the Smart HD soon.

Tags: iRiver, Portable Media Players

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