Audio Player, Video Player, Photo Viewer, Voice Recorder - 4.3" 130560 Pixel - 16 Hour Audio - MPN: 500872
Strengths: TOUCH SCREEN, wi - fi , direct video recording (with optional stand), easy navigation
Weakness: Optional (100 dollar) stand needed to direct record TV, no stylus cradle in device , 30 gb
This is a review for the New WI-FI enabled Archos 604. I have had a few other archos players (last was 500) so I have been able to compare the models. First off let me say that for an all in one media device the Archos KILLS the Ipod Video or the Zune (I have both). The Ability to use the device as a DVR (records TV in avi format) is amazing. The 604 wi-fi is a definate improvement over my previous models for a few reasons... 1. The touch screen makes navigation simple -- forwarding through commercials was almost impossible with the other models -- but now touch the bar on the screen and presto you are there...2. Wi-fi -- uses opera browser -- works well, good range, 3. music playback is improved -- syncs with wmp -- shows album artwork etc. The few gripes I have with the device are 1. have to buy a separate dvr stand to actually use it for what it is meant for (I didn't have to with the older models) 2. No place to put my stylus (there is a place in the included case -- but I'd like one on the device itself) ... A few people have complained about it being only 30 gb --I haven't had an issue with this because I use my other devices for music...
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TopStrengths: Big Screen, Touch screen, Metal housing, Replaceable battery, DVR capable, Thin profile
Weakness: Slightly bulky and large, 30gb is great, 60GB and 100GB models are too thick
I have been waiting to replace my old Creative ZEN 20GB (owned it for 4 years). But I was waiting for a player with WiFi. This is it! The Wifi has great range and works well the secure networks I have at work. Also works great for public networks too, I have used this at bars, coffee shops and restraunts with no problems. It does draw alot of attention, because everyone is is so used to seeing the iPod, and this is quite different. They ask "what is it"?
I use it as a pocket device (shirt pocket), but it is a bit heavy, but I trudge along. I will probably get an 8GB flash player to be a companion with this, for when I want to get really portable. I have the DVR station, and it works great. I record a show, and watch it during lunch the next day. I wish the battery life was longer, but it does allow you to carry all the spare batteries you need.
The audio quality is great! and the Video quality is very impressive. I rip my DVD's to AVI's to watch on this unit. Each movie is ~ 240MB to 450MB in size. It only comes with a limited video codecs, but you can purchase additional codecs from Archos. I use Super Convertor to convert all video content to Divx5.0 and rip movies using Divx5. All in all very pleased.
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TopStrengths: Great screen, great wifi, easy to use, lots of functions
Weakness: small community, doesn't come w/ software to sync, lots of problems w/ accessories
This product looked very promising at first. It delivers everything it advertises: plays mp3, movies, reads pdfs, great browser. It is slightly sluggish but I don't have a problem. My problem is with the small stuff: they didn't release source code even though it's linux, no pda functions, accessories don't work well (adapter doesn't work properly, leather case doesn't fit properly, etc)
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TopStrengths: Touch screen
Weakness: No AV cable, No DVR staton, Poor Audio, Touch Screen dones not work many times, Need plug ins software
Archos 604 WiFi
I have compared many other similar products/features but Archos 604 WiFi it is simply worthless product – as compared to many other similar products. It should not cost more than $200 as such!
I am giving lowest ratings for these reasons/problems:
1. A product of $450 and they are so poor that they can’t even supply AV cable? I will cost less than 50 cents for a company if get it from china. iPod cable is available for just $ 3 online. One can even make/modify cable, please see below:
www.anythingbutipod.co...
2. I could not play any movies that were stored in iMac. Mp4 or even AVI movies did not work! Unit displayed a message that we need to buy plug software in from Archos website. It is another trick/gimmicks to cheat people and force them to buy accessories and software. I converted MPEG4 movie to AVI from QuickTime software but it did not play in Archos unit.
3. I was told by a tech person (pre-sale) that this unit gives dual display - on TV as well as in the handheld unit. But once button to TV out was pressed, screen became blank! A major defect! How can I forward or reverse or stop or pause? I have to switch back to unit and then again back to TV. In comparison, once out put to TV is selected in iPod and Vision M (from Creative) these units shows interface on unit though but you can/t see movie in unit itself- but nothing in Archos 604! I wanted to use this product so that I can show movie/clips to audience (by using big screen projector) and be able to watch (at the same time) what is being displayed in handheld unit. But this unit is just hopeless about such regards.
4. I got it from Sams Club and even the sales person was little confused once he read that unit description that it comes with DVR saddle. We did not know what saddle is but we assumed that it is a bundle and comes with a DVR station. However it turned out that a saddle is a strip/piece of plastic junk, which costs no more than few pennies for Archos to manufacture in bulk!
5. Even 20 years old camcorders have technology of using AV cable which can serve both purposes- out to TV and as well as for recording in camcorder Ecen mini DV camcorders have AV wire which can record and play too. Why Archos did not use same technology? Obviously they wanted to make fool of us- to make a DVR station! It is just anther way of rip off!
6. Most of the times, unit failed and did not work- regarding touch screen features. I had to calibrate several times –built in feature to repair it so much hidden that it was tough to find a way to repair it. It is almost last feature on screen. Even after calibrations, same problems persisted.
7. Audio is very very poor quality (compare with Samsung, creative or ipod nano) . Whether I use flat, rock, live it does not make much difference!
Eventually I returned unit back to Sams Club.
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TopHi Mac User my advise to you is do your homework. Don't buy expensive electronics from a warehouse. And, just because your used to the simplicity of a mac don't expect every other electronic device on the planet to cater to you not reading the owners manual, or for that matter being computer illiterate. It seems your experience was bad but your own fault. The archos specs clearly state it doesn't play quicktimes and, if you code to a avi from quicktime that is an unreliable and irresponsible way to code your movies. Get procoder and run with the real stuff. Stop crying and do your homework. Oh and use spellcheck .
Audio is Good according to 6 MP3 Player experts. -- "The ability to play back AVI, MPEG-4, WMA, WMV, MP3, and WAV make it extremely impressive."-testfreaks.com -- "great sound, video and picture quality"-circuitcity.com -- "Sound quality is decent at higher volumes (bright highs, average low end, punchy mids)."-reviews.cnet.com Read more to find expert opinions on more features like Interface,...
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Testseek.com has collected 26 expert reviews for Archos 604-WiFi and the average expert rating is 74 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use Testseek.com to see all ratings, product awards and conclusions.
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Archos 604 Wifi 30 GB receives an overall TopTenREVIEWS score of 3.05 out of 4.00. It is ranked the #14 hard drive MP3 player of all time. The overall rating represents an intelligent balance of features, value as a function of price to features, and a summary of reviews from a variety of sources. The TopTen REVIEWS' formula gives a picture of important consumer features, market value, and a...
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Awesome Gadget
Strengths: Wifi, Big Beautiful Screen, ease of use, simple firmware updates
Weakness: Small hard Drive, Have to buy additional software to compress movies, Need additional hardware to record tv shows
I love my Archos, it's this best gadget I have ever purchased. It does everything accept phone calls. Plus I can take it anywhere where there is a open wifi connection and without carrying a big clunky laptop
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