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|  | |  | | | Archos AV500 100 GB Multimedia Player and DVR | | | | | | | |
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DH500709 | | Availability:
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| | Features | 100 GB portable multimedia player with 4-inch LCDPlays and stores up to 400 hours of video, 250 movies, 55,000 songs or 1,000,000 photosCompatible with MP3, WMA, WAV, protected WMA, MPEG-4, WMV and protected Windows Media VideoSupports the Mophun mobile gaming platform; USB 2.0 port for fast file transfersUp to 15 hours of battery life for music and up to 4.5 hours for video playback on the built-in LCD
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| | Description | Store up to 400 hours of video, up to 250 movies, up to 55000 songs or up to 1000000 photos on the 100 GB capacity. Play MPEG-4 files with stereo sound, TV Recorded Shows, Movies and Home videos on the built in display. The 4 inch LCD display has 262000 colors and 480x272 pixels. Or display onto a TV or external screen. Transfer photos direct from any digital camera or PC using the USB host port. View Jpeg or BMP formats. Record music from an analog source in stereo for WAV (PCM & ADPCM) format. External - AC charger adapter System Requirements - PC with Windows ME, or 2000, and USB 2.0 port, Macintosh G3 with MAC OS v10.2.4 or higher, Macintosh G3 and USB 2.0 port Dimensions - approx. 7.6 x 12.4 x 2.4 cm, 3 x 4.9 x 0.9 inch Weight - 315 grams, 11.11 ounces | |
| | Product Details | | Product Weight: | 3.42 pounds | | Package Length: | 10.24 inches | | Package Width: | 7.24 inches | | Package Height: | 4.96 inches | | Package Weight: | 3.48 pounds | | Average Customer Rating: |  based on 39 reviews |
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| | Customer Reviews | Average Customer Review: ( 39 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
99 of 101 found the following review helpful:
Excellent device, but note the limitations Oct 29, 2005
By Clinical Evidence
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.
23 of 25 found the following review helpful:
 Honest Review From An ARCHOS AV500 Retailman and Owner Feb 01, 2006
By Christopher Majewski
"Long time MST3K fan"
Hi, everyone! I work at The Sharper Image here in Cincinnati, Ohio, and I'm intimately familiar with the AV500. I should be! I own one and sell them. So i'm off the clock and comission isn't an issue...
I'm going to touch base first on some aspects of the Archos that haven't probably been discussed, and comparing it to the OTHER pretty cool portable tech item you're all probably familiar with, the current-gen iPod Video.
Basically, this is THE choice for you if you want portable video on the go, with a bigger screen than the iPod Video, and better battery life to boot.
SOUND:
The AV500 (and AV700) offer user-manageable Bass, Bass Boost, Treble and Balance options, most of which the iPod does not, and otherwise opts for preset EQ settings. The Archos DVR units (AV500, AV700) offer built-in speakers, too. While not terribly loud, you'll be pleased as punch with them in a quiet room. As with the iPod, I chucked the offered earbuds as my ears are way, waay too small to wear them comfortably, and besides, pack-in earbuds are almost always pieces of junk with electronics. I opt rather for my Shure E3c earbuds of which you can peruse at your own time later on Amazon. (I reccomend it HIGHLY.)
Lastly, yes..the Archos can be used as an .MP3 player, with what I personally feel is better bass than the iPod, even on it's default setting. It IS compatible with iTunes! (Meaning it can copy playlists, but the interface of the Archos is NOT similar to the iTunes interface. Rather, it uses a ROOT form, much like, I assume Windows computers do..(I'm a Mac user myself.)
VIDEO
Of course, here is where the AV500 (and AV700) truly shine, and with good reason. You get about 4 1/2, 5 straight hours of playback of whatever movies you'd like! It works with the .AVI file system, and records as such. You can convert internet video files to Divx-ready .AVI with Quicktime Pro if you so wish. Instead, I opt most often than not to really use my Archos for a DVR...(oh, and to clarify, the iPod Video works natively with Quicktime .MOV. To me yes..the Ipod has a leg up here, but the pluses outweigh the minuses for me with the Archos. Why is that?.....
The pack-in bypass cradle that comes with your Archos is a self-powered (AC pack) unit that you use to bypass existing video feeds. For example; you run your cable to your VCR, then 'OUT' with AV jacks to your television set. You'd connect your Archos cradle to the 'OUT' AV jack on your VCR, then 'IN' from the cradle to the TV. This then allows for normal TV/DVD viewing, and acts as I call it, a 'passive reciever' for the Archos. In other words, the Archos is a leech on whatever device you connect it to..wether it be a VCR, cable box, or DVD player. As long as your unit uses standard yellow (Video), red and white (left and right stereo ) AV jacks, you're in like Flynn here.
What does this allow? Well, absolutely any DVD you own (AND may I add, the upcoming Blu-ray players too, as long as they have those afformentioned AV jacks, natch) is recordable onto your Archos for use and playback any time you want. I record old family videos to the unit for later archiving to my computer, and also..well, older VHS tapes of Mystery Science Theater 3000.
Hope you guys benifitted from this review!
17 of 18 found the following review helpful:
"The absolute, very best PVP/PMP on the market as of 5/22/06, bar none!" Jun 24, 2006
By Monkboon
I love this gadget. It almost does everything. My primary reason for buying is the fact that I can backup my DVD's on the unit, w/o using a computer. When I was looking to upgrade from my Creative Nomad Zen Xtra 30 GB, I was looking at the Creative Vision M (30gb) and the Cowon A2 (30gb). I was that close to buying the Creative Vision M (never once considered the Ipod Video) until I happened upon the AV500 in Frys and compared all the features. Except for the price tag, the AV500 eclipsed the Vision M in all areas imo. I initially held off buying the AV500 because of the steep price.
I can honestly say that I am yet to experience any of the flaws that some reviewers have posted. My unit has never frozen, not once. The fact that I now don't have to lug around my huge DVD case and the fact that I can play my movies on a regular TV at work are huge pluses in my book. This little gadget in the one to have. It's funny how I used to be in awe of one of my fellow co workers RCA Lyra and the videos he had on board. Not anymore, that's for sure. This is a great product and one that I'm glad I purchased. I highly recommend this product, Monkboon....
+'s:
(1) 100GB of memory (More that any computer in our house)
(2) Can backup/rip personal DVD's w/o the use of a computer. (My primary reason for the purchase. (Now I don't have to lug around DVD's and cases everywhere.)
(3) Can be used as a DVR to record your favorite TV shows from your Cable box, VCR or basically anything you can think of.
(4) Complete ease of use.
(5) Has a picture viewer.(Holds like a trillion pictures.)
(6) Has a voice recorder. (I'll never use it, but it's there if I need one.)
(7) Can pretty much record any type of video from many different formats. (I recorded my kids playing XBOX games just to fool around with the video settings)
(8) Replaces your current MP3 player. I just transferred 5714 songs and it's barely using 8 gigs.
(9) Easy to transfer files and navigate.
(10) Screen is larger than most video players of this caliber.
(11) Can view movies from the unit on your Television.
(12) Can create and edit play lists on the fly.
(13) Exceptional battery life for this type of device.
-`s:
(1) Not really a -, but something that would have been nice is if there were a FM tuner.
(2) Missing a hole for the AC adapter when the unit is in the closed case. (nit picky)
(3) One must connect the unit to the computer to access the "real" user manual.
(4) Terrible speaker, you will need headphones (I have BOSE) unless using quality external speakers.
(5) Had issues syncing with WMP10 and play lists. Had to use Creative Media Player to transfer 5500 songs from my computer. The WMP10 issue is more than likely my inability to do anything worthwhile with Windows Media. So again, this may not be a con.
(6) Some movies/DVD's will not play on the unit or television.
I'm extremely happy with my purchase.
24 of 27 found the following review helpful:
Great Device Once You Figure It Out. Jun 17, 2006
By Barry Robinson
The Archos AV500 is no joke. It truly does allow you to do everything it states. It just has a bit of a learning curve. Do not expect it to work just like your best friend's ipod. I got all my 2000+ songs on the device with no trouble at all, but the key factor (recording video) just wasnt working for me. After owning my AV500 for about 6 hours I had every intention of sending it back and giving it a terrible review on Amazon.com. I swore it was the most user unfrendly thing I'd ever used. I slept on my frustration and approched the device the next morning. I was not going to let my new toy defeat me. By that afternoon, I was watching Revenge of the Sith and Band of Brothers in perfect DVD quality. Now, almost a week later I am just simply loving my AV500. It goes everywhere with me and I've mastered it down to the littlest detail. When your looking for the best in DVR and portable entertainment, look no further than this. It works wonderfully and the screen is awesome. When looking at it from every angle, there is no glare. This makes it easy for people at your sides to enjoy videos also. The resolution is terrific and navigating thru files is simple. And the fact that you can store music on here is no tack-on. The quality you get out of the music is fantastic too. I did go out and buy some better headphones as the earbuds supplied where too big for my eyes and a bit chinsy in quality. However, the actual device is no joke. It is quality and you feel privilleged to hold it. Another thing I should point out before closing is that the battery life is awesome - 15 hours of audio, about 5 hours of video. The battery did not almost make the estimated time, it surpassed it. So that makes me really happy. I also had really great technical support when stumped on a few things. The Archos AV500 is a great, great little toy that does everything it promises. The only thing I suggest is reading the manual and contacting support because your bound to be stumped on a few things. But once you learn the basics, this thing couldn't be easier. Absolutley Wonderful. Thanks for reading.
9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
Worth the money Feb 12, 2006
By Hog Heaven
If you are in the market for a mobile digital video record that plays mp3 songs, works as a storage divice for all your digital photos, and plays back videos recorded from your TV, DVD, VCR or Satellite, this it the one to buy. And when connected to a VCR, you can record your old tape videos to the Archos AV500 and then transfer to your computer to burn to DVD. Everyone I've showen the Archos AV500 to has asked where they can get one. It blows everyones mind that a divice this small can do so many things.
I was amazed with the video quality when recording from my TV. The sound quality of my mp3 songs sound better than my mini ipod and it was so easy to upload and backup my photo library.
I highly recommend this product with only a few minor drawbacks. First, the built-in speaker is mediocre but I do not rely on it when view videos, I plug in my head-set. Second, since it records in avi format, it will only play in avi format. I tried uploading other video formats and Archos would not recognize them. I solved this problem by using a software program called "Video Vault". This software will convert any video format to avi which than I can transfer to my Archos AV500.
I hope this review was informative and helpful.
See all 39 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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