Archos to launch new 404 and 604

We're getting a clearer picture of Archos's new line of portables on the horizon, and we like what we see: the 404 (aka the Page Not Found) media player looks to be equipped with a 3.5-inch QVGA 4:3 aspect ratio display, while the 604 packs a 4.3-inch 480 x 272 16:9 aspect ratio screen. Both should have 30GB of storage to work with in their 0.6-inches thick frames, and support a video-capturing DVR-Station and travel DVR adapter, camera add-on (on the 404), and play back MP3, WMA, WAV, MPEG-4, XviD, DivX 4/5, and WMV9 (don't rule out PlaysForSure capabilities at all). We should know more any time now, since it seemed like they were on target for a July / August launch, last we heard about this new series. Oh, and for what it's worth the 404 is listed to be going for about €350 (about $450 US), and the 604 for about €400 ($510 US)

[San @ Jul 30th 2006 6:04PM]

I think Archos' new line up looks really cool! I might have just picked up one for myself, but its really hard to convince myself as to why i'd need one when i have a pocket pc (i have the HTC universal). I still dont knw what I would eventually do....but i cant deny that its rather tempting!

Cheers,
San

[E71 @ Jul 30th 2006 6:25PM]

I don't see any advantages over the AV500 100GB except its sleeker looks.

Was hoping they'd cut the thickness in half and add Windows Media Center. Dang.

Oh, don't forget stereo built-in speaker to replace the mono-one (which lacks dBs too).

[Galley @ Jul 30th 2006 6:44PM]

It supports MPEG-4 video, but not audio (AAC)???

[Dave @ Jul 30th 2006 6:56PM]

I can't find the Archos 404 anywhere!

[mastershake916 @ Jul 30th 2006 7:55PM]

The 404?
ERROR ERROR!!!!

[pableu @ Jul 30th 2006 7:56PM]

I got a chance to take a quick look at the spec-sheets as we got them emailed by archos on friday evening (I work for a small MP3-store in Switzerland).

The "new" thing about these two players is, that they come with relatively (!) few features and accessories for starters, but you can add quite some functionality later on.

For example, you can buy a software-plugin for playing back H.264-videofiles oder MPEG-2-files (even with AC3-sound). Or you can buy the "DVR Station" which enables you to record from TV and playback to the TV.

The upside of this (in my opinion): The players seem to be cheaper than their predecessors, and you can buy exactly the accessories that fit your needs anytime you like.

Downside(IMO): It becomes a bit iPod-ish. There isn't even a wallcharger included anymore, and you'll have to buy accessories for even the most simple things.

Oh, and according to the specs, its USB 2.0 Host, not just USB 1.1 Host, and the USB Host now also works with PTP-Cameras, not only with UMS/MSC-Cameras.

[Finished.Law.School @ Jul 30th 2006 9:11PM]

Not including a wall charger is just stupid.

[Adam @ Jul 30th 2006 9:59PM]

Is it just me, or does Archos make the ugliest electronics? Look at Apple, Creative, Toshiba, iRiver, and then Archos. It's all boxy and bland with the crappy buttons. It seems they're a few years behind with the design.

[Charbax @ Jul 30th 2006 11:22PM]

You can charge them using usb-cable, so some people might not want to get the charger, takes a few $ off the price..

Point with this series Archos devices, is that Archos can make it 100$ cheaper than the competition, cause expensive Mpeg2, H264 and Dolby codecs are available as plugins, expensive accessories are optional and there will be modules for Wifi, WiMax, 3.5G, GPS and DVB-T so you can add a few millimeters of thickness to the device for it to do those extra cool features you like to add.

I am not sure about the module thing, though modules are part of Archos latest information about their strategy, and Wifi, 3.5G, GPS and DVB-T is in their official roadmap for their fourth generation product series. There just might be a connector on the device which is proprietary for fast digital connection and energy sharing to permit any kind of module to be fixed behind the device.

One thing I am wondering is if there will be versions with Wifi, if there will be versions with touch-screen, and if there will be the modules for IP centric features or if those features will only come with new products.

[quahogian @ Jul 30th 2006 11:41PM]

can somebody explain this 480 x 272 res..WTF? Is VGA that hard to do? this technology evolution is pathetic

[jack @ Jul 31st 2006 2:00AM]

I would like one of these with wifi so I can watch my stored videos around the house, in bed, hook in to my big TV. Will this unit fulfill my needs?

[pableu @ Jul 31st 2006 4:15AM]

@charbax
> some people might not want to get the charger, takes a few $ off the price..

You are right, partially. The problem is that not including the charger normally takes less $ off the price than buying the charger additionally adds.

@quahogian
> can somebody explain this 480 x 272 res..WTF? Is VGA that hard to do?

Yeah, VGA (a 4:3 resolution) is indeed hard to do if you have a widescreen (16:9) display :p

[Ameya @ Jul 31st 2006 11:21AM]

YES! I've been waiting so long to find out about the 604. And it's cheaper than I expected. If any of you saw the video from a while back, at the beginning it seemed like there was a camera on the back of the 604. It also has WiFi, GPS, and DVB-T (I think) capability. I know $510 seems a lot to you, but here in the UK it's less than expected!

[scottyn @ Aug 4th 2006 6:33AM]

"Is it just me, or does Archos make the ugliest electronics?"

Are you kidding? This player is beutiful, i would choose this over an iPod any day

[Johan S @ Mar 2nd 2007 5:56AM]

buttons??? what happened to touchscreen interface only? Get rid of all buttons except one for power and another for battery ... or at least hide them