Archos 604 30GB portable media player reviewed

It appears that Archos has got this portable media player gig down pat, as the 30GB 604, unveiled as an affordable replacement for the well-received AV500, has done quite a commendable job building itself a bit of buzz. Rather than altering too much of a good thing, Archos decided to just tweak the 604, adding several meaningful extras while removing a few advanced features in order to get that price tag down to near-bargain basement levels. The folks over at CNET were able to get some face time with the new PMP, and in similar fashion to its predecessor, received an excellent rating. Although the 604 isn't the most pocket-friendly unit reviewers had seen, they felt that increasing the screen size from 4.0 to 4.3-inches (and improving its durability / performance) was well worth it. The brushed metal look must have really struck a chord as well, as this sexy sidekick was touted as being "pretty hot" in regards to its design. One feature that definitely made the review crew sweat was the nifty kickstand, something sorely absent on the AV500 (and its "main competitor," the Cowon A2). The controls and well-developed GUI left a very positive impression, and its ability to play back all types of media ranging from AVI, MPEG-4, PlaysForSure WMA and WMV, MP3, and WAV garnered even more praise. But, as expected, not everything was entirely peachy, as those looking to record video / audio right out of the box won't find the tools they need. Archos apparently made a purposeful omission and left the DVR gear as an optional accessory, just in case some folks didn't want to pony up the extra $100 for the at-home convenience. It was noted that the unit performed well when paired up with the Archos DVR Station, and the staff was more than satisfied with the 14+ hours of audio / 4 hours of video use reportedly on tap via the removable battery. If you haven't caught the drift at this point, here's the skinny: the Archos 604 is a worthy update to the respectable AV500, and if you're looking to snap up a PMP (and maybe add recording capabilities down the road), it's not a bad way at all to spend $350.

[Stevenson @ Aug 18th 2006 10:32AM]

Wow only $350? I think I've found my next PMP. And I'm happy to spend the extra $100 for the recording stuff as well.

[Finished.Law.School @ Aug 18th 2006 11:23AM]

I want to know what format this records audio in. I would love to use it to record 4 hour lectures and the fact that I can watch avi. videos on it as well makes it exceedingly attractive.

I do see a problem in that I must pay another $30 for an AC cord... Damn Apple to hell for somehow making this the trend.

[pableu @ Aug 18th 2006 11:48AM]

@Finished.Law.School
According to the specsheets, it records in WAV PCM or WAV ADPCM. The latter consumes about 200MB per hour.

[Anthony @ Aug 18th 2006 12:26PM]

Yes, we only make up between 10 & 20 percent of the population, but this is just another example of why I'm still a fan of the ipod & waiting patiently for their ipod video: control buttons on the right hand side. My right hand is virtually useless for controling anything more complicated than a refrigerator door.

Seriously, left handers are a fairly large market, but I've yet to see a PMP that's not right hand-centric.

[DC @ Aug 18th 2006 2:36PM]

Sure looks nice, but it appears to support a *very* limited number of codecs, just like the AV500. It's frustrating to see Archos get so much right but screw up this one fundamental aspect of functionality.

I wish Archos would hire some of the folks behind the VLC media player, which can handle everything except quicktime files (I think).

[Usman @ Aug 18th 2006 3:46PM]

I got the AV500 from pocketdish for $249, recording dock and remote control included (and a $50 rebate if I subscribe to dish). I absolutely love the device. If 604 is anything like its predecessor, it will an excellent PMP to have.

[Charbax @ Aug 18th 2006 5:38PM]

The Archos has quite good video and audio codecs support. Now you can buy H264, Mpeg2, AAC and AC3 codecs as plugins. This way people who don't need those codecas don't have to pay the codec decoding license, but users who need support for .mpg/.vob/.ps/.ts/.mp4/.m4v/.mov and AC3 sound in DivX files, can just pay the 10$ or so (I guess) that the codec plugins will cost at archos.com

It is also said to support DivX 3.11 and the WMV support is now full DVD resolution, which means all video on demand sites and video podcasts are compatible. And most pirated DivX and XviD movies are now also compatible thanks to Ac3 audio support.

350$ is only the official maximum suggested price, I am sure it will be available for less than 300$ quite rapidly at cheap resellers. As well as the DVR station will probably be available for quite a bit less than 100$. The DVR station is with high quality component and coaxial outputs.

[Nedo @ Aug 21st 2006 2:56AM]

Archos is brilliant. I love their stuff.
I am always smiling when people try to compare an Archos with an Ipod. It's just another dimension.

[General Public @ Aug 28th 2006 12:05PM]

Hey, Larry The Cable Guy, will you please stop spamming the comments with pointless links to that hideously designed ANT website. Or at least stop putting loud self-starting videos on every page.

[jimbob @ Sep 25th 2006 8:44PM]

I just picked up a 604 on sale at Office Depot for $269.99 ($50 instant off and $30 rebate), so run and get one if you can. At that price, they won't last long.

[Blademonkey @ Oct 5th 2006 1:41AM]

I have had the Archos AV500 (30GB) for about a week after it came out. I love it as a PMP, but i have to clarify some things.

First of all, one of the main things that attracted me to the av500 was for the lipstick cam module which is all over their ads. Well, that lipstick cam was not made available to the US for about 1 year. Quite the frustration.

Recording using the DVR station REQUIRES power. on top of that you have to connect more cables to the break out box, it gets annoying. Recording quality is exceptional.

Thirdly, the AV500 does not suppport much Codecs and don't expect Archos to come out with timely firmware updates to add new ones. Look at all the updates they've had for the av500 and how long it took them. They "provide" a converter for the device, but it's basically a frontend to VirtualDub (which you incidently need to have setup).

Lastly, there is no Archos sponsored/or sanctioned forum. This is a huge mistake for Archos since it isolates their users and makes us feel like no one is listening. They dont even have a link to a third party forum. In fact, all of my emails to them about getting one were never responded to.

Conclusion: Archos does make an amazing little product, but without the company support behind it, it falls short of expectations real fast. It's hard to get their attention for simple concerns about codec upgrades. I just wished they showed more love for their legacy product.

Consider yourselves warned.

-Blademonkey

[barneybarkbark @ Oct 29th 2006 5:51PM]

well i have bought the av500 four weeks ago and a agree with blade monkey above. i am going to buy the lipstick cam soon, but what i want to know is can you buy an other camera with higher resolutions for the av500 or any other model?(i don't even know if the av500 will support more than 420 TV lines because i am new to all this gadget stuff)but what i do know is its a great product and there should be a official forum,and more codex for the players,becouse i kind sick of using converter programs all the time :)lol

[[e-mail] @ Dec 31st 2006 10:15PM]

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:
http://www.anythingbutipod.com/archives/2006/04/zen-vision-m-video-cable-other-4pole-35mm-pinouts.php

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.

[count yon @ Dec 25th 2007 8:30PM]

1. the cable isn't that difficult to get used to. You still have to charge an ipod on the computer with their USB jack, the 604 just has something that works funkier. C5 for more on AV

2. thats odd. It plays my AVI just fine. In fact the only things it won't play are some FLV files, but once converted it played it anyways.
--
the plug in decision was a poor one but you can torrent them free online.
--

3. with you on this.

4. HAHAHAHA! if you had read the package it says that it does not come with the DVR saddle, but rather that you can BUY the DVR saddle. silly goose the plastic junk is just a stand.

5. This complaint is annoying. It dosn't come with your standard AV cable because there wasn't room on it. You can buy the AV cable, it plugs into your headphone jack, and it costs less than the ipod version if you know what to look for.

6. you really arn't good with technology. May I ask if you removed the protective film? anyways, I've encountered no such problems, and I've not heard any complaints of the like. sounds like a unit specific problem.

7. the built in EQ isn't that good is it? I ended up bying an RCA plug (easy to get) and just plugging it into my stereo for a much nicer sound quality. then again...most ipods don't even have speakers...
--

If you couldn't guess. I love my machine. I just wish they hadn't done the whole MPEG plug in issue.

[steve @ May 6th 2007 12:22AM]

I love my 604wifi and the fact that soon there will be so much more it will do, with open source, the volume was to low for me but i fixed that with mp3 gain and a pair of shure ec2 ear buds set mp3gain to 100 and this thing will pop you ears and is very clean. try it.

[Lee @ Jun 7th 2007 1:19PM]

I am at least 15 years behind the times but just got an Archos 604WiFi in hopes of being able to figure it out. But what does it mean to "fix it with MP3 gain" and set it to 100. Do I download some program directly into the Archos? What program? The one the MP3gain website says is what most people will want to us? Sorry to be dumb, but I am technologically ignorant and more or less need step by step instructions.

Thanks

[adam @ Jun 9th 2007 11:02PM]

can somebody please tell me how to get songs ad videos onto the archos 604?

[ineedtigetpissed @ Jun 10th 2007 1:08AM]

Open my computer, open archos, find music folder, open itunes, folder on pc, or other storage place, and drag the files to the folder. OR Open windows mediaplayer and sync it to the archos.

[anthony @ Aug 26th 2007 3:57PM]

Can someone tell me what do i need to play archos over my car sterio.