Archos 405 2 GB Portable Media Player (Silver) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought the 405 in September and the docking station shortly thereafter. To record t.v. you need the docking station and to download a proprietary t.v. program guide using the company supplied Archoslink software. The problem is that you can't download the tv program guide due to some defect in the Archoslink software. Archos has only told me that they have referred this problem to the engineers but I have heard nothing for a month I am not sure if this problem also effects the WiFi versions, but I would definitely not recommend buying this item until they have worked things out. Even then, the interface it very confusing and difficult to use particularly from the machine. The navigation is not at all intuitive and even once you learn the quirky system you still make a lot of mistakes at is that poorly designed.
The company web site shares the software's poor design. For example to download the Archoslink software you need to search create an account with the serial and model numbers of both the machine and the docking station, and then confirm you information and search around for the software. The web site does not save your log in and when you click on a download the archoslink software link it takes you back to the log in page. The website has not have a search function and the software is not under the downloads link where you would expect it.

The device also seems quite limited in they format of files it will play. You even need to purchase a codex to common types of files and many are not supported. There seem to be a number of similar devices out there that make a better choice. Do not be fooled by what at first seems like a low price for such a device. The added cost of the docking station and the necessary codex software significantly raise the cost and the time it takes to set up and frustration to use really add up.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Archos 405 2 GB Portable Media Player (Silver)

The Archos 405 lets you enjoy all your digital entertainment straight from the palm of your hand in an incredibly robust and portable device. Less than 1/2 inch thick, the pocket-sized Archos offers expandable memory with its built-in 2 GB hard drive and amazing video playback on its high-quality 3.5-inch full-color screen. Other great features include mass storage capabilities and photo viewing support.
For added video playback versatility, the player is compatible with MPEG4, AVI, and WMV video files. You can also record live TV or schedule a recording by using the integrated TV program guide available with the compatible DVR station (sold separately). The player features robust music playback features, too. On-board music file playback capabilities support MP3, CBR, VBR, WMA, protected WMA, and WAV files. To help round out the player's multimedia superiority, the Archos even comes with photo viewing capabilities. JPEG, BMP, and PNG files are 100 percent compatible with the player, and the player can pull up PDFs for portable review -- an ideal means to take bigger documents or e-books in PDF format on the road with you.
Because of the Archos's USB 2.0 compatibility, a variety of different media files can be quickly transferred to the device. Charging the device can also be accomplished with an active USB connection. Other great features include mass storage capabilities, automatic firmware downloads, and a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack. With an advanced Li-Poly battery, the player supports up to 16 hours of continuous music playback and 5 hours of continuous video playback. Weighing in at a scant 4.2 ounces, the Archos generation 5 405 measures 3.9 by 3.07 by 0.5 inches.
New Dish Network Plug-in With a new plug-in, you can transfer recorded movies and TV shows from your Dish Network set-top box directly to your Archos 405. Play back Dish Network-recorded movies and TV shows on the go or on TV--in DVD quality.
Multi-language is supported. The plug-in is compatible only with Dish Network STB models 622 and 722.
What's in the Box Archos 405 portable media player, headphones, USB cable, DVR Station Gen 5 adapter, protective pouch, quick start guide, and legal/safety notice.
(1) On average; based on 3.5 mins/song & 64 kbits/s WMA, on 1000 kbits/s MPEG-4 audio/video encoding and 1h30/movie (for near DVD Quality), on JPEG, VGA

Get 75% OFF

Click here for more information about Archos 405 2 GB Portable Media Player (Silver)

Read More...

Archos AV500 100 GB Multimedia Player and DVR Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Note: I have only had the player for a week. This is a first impressions report.
Overall: the Archos AV500 100 gb player is pretty impressive. It is a good size, the screen is bright, and the built-in interface is easy to navigate. It feels small and heavy at first. Built-in speaker is tinny but adequate for its size. 100 gb is a lot of space! It is a little heavier than the AV500 30 gb model, but I don't have one for direct comparison.
Functions tried:
(1) Links to Windows XP computer via USB 2.0 without a problem, can use as Device Player with Windows Media Player 10 (auto-sync libraries, etc), or can set to Hard Drive Mode and drag and drop files. USB 2.0 is fast.
(2) Transfer DVDs: Lots of stuff on the internet about doing this for Archos devices, but this is still complicated and some technical savvy is required. There is some built-in software that I didn't bother with.
The easiest (and legal) way is to just record direct from your DVD player; however, not the best quality by report and any Macrovision protection is preserved (can only view on LCD screen, not video out). I actually have not tried this yet, though.
If you have DVD's without copyright protection, one of the better (and free) programs (in my opinion) at this point is Auto Gordion Knot (or AutoGK for short) to convert these to the DIVX format. This works well; however, conversion is processor-intensive (5 hours on my 3000+ Athlon XP for 2 hour video). The picture is pretty good, some minor compression artifacting. There is a large community working on DIVX codecs. I used the XVID codec, which the AV500 is compatible with (even the Windows Media Player 10 didn't think so and refused to transfer without conversion).
(3) Listening to music was easy. Dragged and dropped a bunch of MP3's, worked well. Nice loud volume.
(4) Slideshow for pictures work well. JPEG and BMP only. Can't listen to music while looking at pictures, though.
Functions haven't tried yet:
(1) Camera record - can hook up lipstick camera (separate accessory) directly to AV500 and record.
(2) Direct file transfer from camera. (Has separate mini USB port and cable to hook into camera)
Drawbacks:
(1) Probably a little fragile - handle with care. Lots of people have reported issues with the previous AV400 models. Basically, this is a very fancy hard drive with a screen. In fact, if you take the battery off, you can see the hard drive sitting in there.
Running with it, or any activity with lots of vibration/shaking will likely cause early hard drive failure. It would be like running with your laptop. You might get away with it for a while, but those hard drives can't take a lot of jolting.
I can see mashing the small buttons could result in problems. This is not a ruggedized portable by any means. Even thought the case feels solid, the buttons are cheap-feeling and flimsy. My bet is that the buttons would be the first component to break on this device.
(2) Video transfer is still complicated. Could try Windows Media Player 10 for automagic conversion, but I like to have more control over settings. Video must be DIVX in specific format. This is not a Video Ipod. It takes some savvy.
(3) Note before you buy the file types it supports. Won't do AAC, Ogg or other music formats.
(4) Comes with a disc shaped connector hub for AV in/out connections, but no travel AV in/out. That is a separate accessory. So, if you want to see your video on a separate TV, bring the big hub, or spring for a separate set of travel connectors.
(5) Inadequate carrying case provided. I am already looking for a better carrying case.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Archos AV500 100 GB Multimedia Player and DVR

Your movies, your games, your music, your photos -- all in one little device. That's the Archos AV500 100 GB Mobile Digital Media Player. This exciting media companion offers direct TV recording and the best of home cinema, gaming, digital music and more. Now you can bring all your entertainment with you wherever you roam. This 100 GB model, which is less than an inch thick, lets you store up to 400 hours of video, 250 movies, 55,000 songs or 1,000,000 photos. Using the AV500's rechargeable, removable battery, you'll get up to 15 hours of life for music and up to 4.5 hours forvideo playback on the built-in LCD.
Personal Video Player Used in conjunction with the included TV docking pod, you can record television programs, movies and home videos directly from your TV, VCR, DVD player, cable box or satellite receiver. Then watch themon the go whenever the notion strikes you. Plus, with the integrated scheduler you can program your recording schedule a week to a month ahead of time. Play back your favorite program on the 4-inch widescreen or on any external screen in near-DVD quality. The unit plays DivX, Windows Media, protected Windows Media, and MPEG-4 video files. You'll also have excellent control over your viewing experience with features such as slow motion, adjustable screen size, video editing, and a video bookmarking function.
Photo Viewer The AV500 is a great digital photo companion. Transfer thousands of photos directly from your digital camera, or another mass storage device using the built-in USB connection. You can also transfer from a computer using the AV 500's high-speed USB 2.0 interface. Then, organize your photos and watch them in slide shows on the unit's screen or on any external display.
Music Player The AV500 features Archos' newly-designed music player application. Now you can easily organize your songs and customize your view by artist, album, type of music, title, year, and play lists without having to use a computer. The AV500 also offers an audio recording application that records in high-quality WAV format from almost all analog stereo sources. You can also use the stereo microphone if you want to record notes, presentations and lectures.
ConnectivityThe player has a USB 2.0 port that enables you to copy, share, connect and transfer files directly from other powered mass storage devices. The unit is also recognized as a mass storage drive on your PC or Mac, giving you the ability to transfer any computer file using the high-speed USB 2.0 interface.
PlaysForSureThe AV500 lets you purchase, download, subscribe to or rent protected video and music content from Microsoft PlaysForSure websites. The Archos AV500 works with many online subscription and pay-per-download music services such as Yahoo! Music Unlimited and Napster To Go. The PlaysForSure designation ensures compatibility with Windows Media Player 10 and Windows XP. Using the USB 2.0 interface, the AV500 will easily auto-synchronize this content with Windows Media Player 10 each time you connect it to your PC, or convert your Windows Media Player 10 library content to one of many compatible formats (MP3, WMA, WAV, protected WMA, MPEG -4, WMV and protected Windows Media Video).
Play Games AnywhereBecause the AV500 supports the popular Mophun gaming engine, it's designed to integrate with the Archos Web site for purchasing and downloading games. You can also connect an optional mini game padto kick your games up a notch.
What's in the BoxAV500, TV docking pod, remote control (with batteries), audio/video cables, USB 2.0 cable, USB hostadapter, AC adapter and charger, stereo headphones, protective case, user guide.

Click here for more information about Archos AV500 100 GB Multimedia Player and DVR

Read More...