It's funny how much subjectivity is involved here (not to mention the extreme generalizing).

I don't use my N800 as a media player, typically, but when I have the results for me have ranged from poor-to-great. That's what makes these "it sucks" comments so ridiculous IMO. The experience isn't black and white.

A buddy of mine easily converted the movie Ice Age and it ran almost flawlessly on his N800. On the other hand, I've played some videos that were horrible. Bottom line folks: YMMV. And the fault doesn't lie 100% with the device.