After checking out Archos'
404 and
604 portable media players,
CNET's now finally rounded out the
'04 PMP line-up with a look at the last of the lot, the 504. As with the other two, the 504 left 'em mighty impressed, with a great 4.3-inch screen, loads of storage (your choice of 40, 80, or 160GB), a wide range of accessory options, decent battery life (with a removable battery), and a sleek, easy-to-use interface. On the downside, that big screen and massive storage means the unit is quite bulky, and you'll also need to load up on those optional accessories if you want to take full advantage of this device -- namely, the extra kit needed to record audio and video. Going all out for the 160GB model will also cost you quite a premium, with a list price of $600, compared to just $350 for the 40GB and $400 for the 80GB. But still, it's a hundred and sixty freaking gigabytes -- in a PMP.
[Thanks, Pogotom]
posted Oct 5th 2006 12:17AM
hi
i have been using archos 504 80 gb and it was working fine for me but nowadays when i connect my archos to my computer my archos detects the computer and allows me to select the option of charging it or connecting with the computer but my computer is not recognizing my device at all i cannot find any icon or new hardware found option on my computer and thats why i am not able to shift my files from computer to the archos nor from archos to my computer .
please help me out with it
regards
its like a giddy kid at christmas
"But still, it's a hundred and sixty freaking gigabytes -- in a PMP."
i love you engadget
Morning People. Just got the 504 and cant find the timestamp setting to place a timestamp over any recorded video via the external input???
Any bright spark doing this?
Ta
I like this for the storage size, but I still want the 604 for the touch screeen and wi-fi!
Please Engadget, could you give this one away in one of your competitions......and if at all possible, could you make me the winner!
I have the Archos AV500 and (up until I dropped it and broke the screen) it was the best gadget in my collection. All of the iPod fan-boys that spend so much time griping over the Zune should see what a blessing a portable media player can be as opposed to a portable music-only player. (sorry, that ViPod screen doesn't count) Not only that, but my AV500 allowed many more media formats than a lot of players out. And try the 12+ hour flight from MSP to NRT without getting eye strain from the iPod's so-called video screen. I dare you.
Sincerely,
Archos Fan-Boy
http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/18/archos-604-30gb-portable-media-player-reviewed/comments/2332861/
Blademonkey,
For the most part, I agree with your post. I had some frustration with the fact that it says mp4 support, but once you read the manual, you find out it is avi files with mp4 b-frames (if memory serves) I did like being able to sync with my windows MCE recorded tv shows, but now that I'm living in Japan, there are a limited number of ways to get my favorite US shows, and most are not in an archos-friendly format. I guess what I would like to see is an "open" Archos. In the mean time, I have to resort to loading up 4GB SDs into my iPaq. Still, I feel even that is better than many of the options out there for a style/functionality balance.
Archos products rock, my only problem with my AV340 i bought years ago is that while I have it I cant justify the upgrade to the 604. I've got an iPod too, but I only use that in situations where it's likely to be broken, or where i'm more likely to get mugged.
I just dont understand ipod fanboys at all...
I don't think the iPod and the Archos even belong in the same category! If you want a video player primarily, you go with the Archos and sacrifice some portability. If you couldn't care less about watching videos on the go, you get the much more portable and slightly cheaper iPod. Simple as that kids.
I agree. I have been an apple fan for many years. I still have my first generation ipod. I think it is 5g and don't use it any more. My last ipod was a mini and sold it recently to get the archos 604. They are completely different. I love the archos since i only watch videos on my way to work and hardly use it as an mp3 player. Im completely happy with my archos. Love the video quality and the huge screen size. But when it comes to portability, you really can not compare it to any apple ipod. You really need a bag to carry this thing, specially after you put it the carrying case.
dbell-
Apple is trying to make us believe that they are in the same category. Once you start selling videos in your online store, pushing "Video" branded versions of your product, and using the amount of video a device can store as one of the layman's-terms-selling-points you are opening yourself up to those sort of comparisons. If apple were ever to come out with a product that approximated the Archos product line, I might consider one, until then, I'll still take my hx2795 (and definitely my Archos) over a single function device.
Wait a minute, the tech specs on Archos homepage say the screen only does 480 X 272. Not even VGA. Is this some kind of sick joke? Even my HTC Universal does 640 x 480.
All the other feature on the 504 make me want to run out a buy one, but that low resolution is a show stopper.
The screen resolution is 480x272, but it plays files up to D1 (720x576)
I wonder why they didn't use a screen with better resolution. Ater all, if it can play at that res to an external display, then the CPU must be there. Space can't be an issue, as the current screen is already pretty huge, and there are enough smaller screens available with better res. I don't think it would have made much difference in price either, seeing as this already a fairly pricey gadget. Maybe the VGA and above screens just consume too much juice.
A shame really. I'd love a device that does all the archos does, but I'm no longer willing to annoy myself with sub-VGA screens.
Some people here aren't thinking very well.
Blademonkey, your post is accurate...for the AV500. A simple once-over of the info we have on the 604 tells us that most of your issues have been corrected. I hated the dongle that you had to use for recording purposes. They called it a dock but it was just a clumsy piece of plastic. The 604 has a true dock. As for playback formats, you get what you pay for. I didn't have any issues with the codecs that they claimed to support, and it's hard to argue with much beyond that. Besides, didn't you see that they will be offering additional software to support MPEG2 and AC3 decoding? I'm excited about the AC3 part. As for the forum issue, I can't argue with you there, although it takes a lot for a company to support an official forum, let alone one you expect them to post on. What do you expect? How many companies like theirs have official forums? (yes, I know Cowon does). There are unofficial forums, though. There's a Yahoo group (although I hate Yahoo groups), and there's a forum at gmini400.com, but that one isn't visited very frequently.
The major problem I have with the AV504 is the price for the 160GB version. It's unwarranted as far as I can tell. If you even do a Pricegrabber search on 160GB 2.5" drives, you'll find several for $155 to $175. So even if you bought the 80GB 504 and a 160GB drive you'd come out of it with about $25-45 and a spare 80GB drive. So basically Archos is charging a huge premium on hard drives? Should I get the 40GB version and try replacing the drive myself?
@dignan17
My past experience with Archos denotes the explanations I provide as warnings. What I mean is, when the AV500 came out, it was a very attractive device that supported playing DIVX. The potential firmware updates made me think they would fully utilize the platform to come out with more code support. Unfortunately that hasn't really happened. As Jonathan Cohen accurately stated above, though it plays some AVIs it will not play most of them (granted the AVI is merely a container for codecs).
The point is that the 604 is new and shiny now, similarly to what the AV500 was when i got it. Eventually, there will be more and more codecs that consumers will like to have added to the Archos products (why shouldn't expect it if it's advertised) and I fear this is where they have failed in the past. I just wish they pay more attention to that level of support now.
The HD issue is another point of contention for me (don't get me wrong, i'm not anti Archos). It's not an open format for you to just pop in and out a HD, doing so will woid the warranty. Archos sees fit to charge you more for this premium storage space because they can. They are not touting the AV line as a product but each as specific products that they are hope to market to different consumer cadres.
From what I understand that is somewhat related to a term called skimming, it's in their current interest to make the most out of each product. I can see their point, but i dont really agree with it. Then again, I'm not any kind of business connaisseur so I will not criticize their business practice, just their choice of consumer products and pricing.
@Jonathan Cohen
I laughed when I read the line about the battery meter. I maintain that this indicator is haunted. I've seen it go up after a few hours of listening to mp3s. I thought i was going crazy, but i can def duplicate the behavior.
-Blademonkey
Ofc it's a lot of money for it. But did u ever think about that it might not be that easy to fit 160 gb in a PMP? That's what you're paying for
How does this compare to AV500 and the AV604? I have an AV500 and generally love it, but am wondering if I should upgrade at some point. I don't need video recording anymore (yay MCE), so the lack of a dock isn't a killer.
Gripes about the AV500 I hope they've fixed:
- no MPG-1, MOV, FLV support (okay, I know the FLV and MOV are long-shots, but they'd be nice)
- still some AVIs that won't play
- lousy, lousy speaker. So quiet I can't hear it unless I hold the AV500 up to my ear like a boom box.
- cryptic three-bar battery-life indicator.
But I do love the AV500, for what it is. It's been the best PMP so far.
maybe it's time to upgrade my AV420...
Blademonkey:
Looks like Archos has quite a few advantages that you can't get in iPod flavor including a kick-ass screen, expandable codec library, the ability to use other desktop applications (instead of iTunes), HUGE capacity (160GB!!) and the ability to record your own video with it.
Sure, Archo knows that their product is worth more, and they charge more.They also can't make MASSIVE deals with manufacturers the way Apple can to get bulk savings on components.
Yeah, new codec come along and replace older ones. Not all downloaded movies play right away. But devices age. I can't run newer games on my PC without investing in a new graphics card. I can't run newer Palm apps on my older PDAs.
The device I am waiting to read reviews on is the new WiFi-enabled Archos with a touchscreen. They could EASILY get a sale from me there, especially after hearing about how lackluster Zune's WiFi implementation is.
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/10/04
@Kamalot
"Yeah, new codec come along and replace older ones. Not all downloaded movies play right away. But devices age. I can't run newer games on my PC without investing in a new graphics card. I can't run newer Palm apps on my older PDAs."
But you can invest in a new graphics card. On the AV500 there's no upgrade option for free or for pay. We're the red headed stepchild of the series now, how long before the 604 shares the same fate?
"Looks like Archos has quite a few advantages that you can't get in iPod flavor including a kick-ass screen, expandable codec library, the ability to use other desktop applications (instead of iTunes), HUGE capacity (160GB!!) and the ability to record your own video with it."
True that, as stated beforehand I'm not anti Archos. I actually love my AV500, but i do have a high tolerance for these things. all quirks put aside, the Archos beats the pants off of the Ipods.
"The device I am waiting to read reviews on is the new WiFi-enabled Archos with a touchscreen. They could EASILY get a sale from me there, especially after hearing about how lackluster Zune's WiFi implementation is."
Unless the touchscreen if for the 604 or 504 line, im pretty sure it's going to be a 404 feature. Wifi and Touchscreen on a PMP would make it market leader (as long as the implementation is done right).
About the low resolution:
It hasn't seemed to have gotten any bad reviews. In fact, they've been nothing but praise. No show-stopper for me.
well, i purchased my archos av500 on woot for $270.
i am now discovering that it will not play all AVI files. does anyone know how to determine which files the archos is capable of playing?
specific details please.
for example:
why will it play some AVI files and not others?
what specific types of AVI files should i look for?
and is there a converter that i can get which will convert files from whatever format to the AVI format that the archos av500 can play?
any help would be greatly appreciated,
stevenbryanlim@gmail.com
I used to own an Archos 340 and I enjoyed being able to video record into AVi converted files. These I could then drag on to my Computer and playback.
However I have recently upgraded to the Archos 504 and after recording into AVi file format, I find that these files will not playback on my Computer. Strangely enough old AVi files will still play. Can anyone offer me any advice? It would be appreciated. Thanks
Very Important: You cannot currently upgrade the hard disk on an Archos 504. Not only does it void the warranty as Archos expressly forbid upgrading the HDD, they have also hardware locked the 'Hitachi Travelstar' 2.5" drive to the machine so that it will not boot up when you replace the drive with a bigger/non-Hitachi one. I sure hope somebody manages to crack this aspect as I bought the 40gb version expecting to be able to fit my new Seagate Momentus 120gb, but doesn't work. 40gb just isn't big enough!! Love to hear from anyone who can get around this HDD lock which in my mind is against the spirit of the thing and totally unreasonable. Shame on you Archos for in-building obsolescence.
Archos 504 PMP & DNR Station.
I am having a problem getting colour on my tv when hooked up to the station.
Can anyone help?
eekieb
I have an AV500 and love it, particularly the sound quality compared to Sony and iPod MP3's, and especially when using Sehheheiser in-canal pods. But after very little use, it's gone down. The on light flashes during re-charge and the system won't unlock by using 15 secs on the off switch or by removing and relacing the battery (after cleaning contacts). Has anyone experienced this problem; Archos seem to be preparing me for a big bill.
I have an AV500 and love it, particularly the sound quality compared to Sony and iPod MP3's, and especially when using Sehheheiser in-canal pods. But after very little use, it's gone down. The on light flashes during re-charge and the system won't unlock by using 15 secs on the off switch or by removing and relacing the battery (after cleaning contacts). Has anyone experienced this problem; Archos seem to be preparing me for a big bill.
Can anyone help, just bought Archos 504 80 Gb. I am having problems while playing video / watching pictures, there is too much of a blue tint and the colors are very unnatural. Can anyone one help, otherwise good money has gone down the drain
Only had a 504 for a few days but really impressed with what it does. Awesome is the word that comes to mind. I had a V@mp which was good for watching television shows I recorded but that wasnt anywhere near the level of this gadget.
Does anyone know if it is possible to download photos straight from the camera on to the archos 504 ?
"Does anyone know if it is possible to download photos straight from the camera on to the archos 504 ?"
Just bought a 504 specifically for that purpose. Had to buy the Docking Adaptor to do the direct transfers, but not only did it work flawlessly and quickly, but the added benefit (aside from its really small, portable size) was that it came with a travel charger, so you never have to use a computer to charge the Archos. In fact, since its capacity is so high, i will be using this as a primary outboard storage device for my laptop generally, with the ability to store data files as well. My photo transfers were from a Canon Power Shot G7, by the way, and were immediately read and stored by the Archos.
Thanks J Lester.
Can You browse the downloaded photos or they are just files without the possibility of viewing theme?