Archos 604 WiFi 30GB portable media player reviewed

If you've ever gazed at the Archos 604 and longed for wireless connectivity, you can want no longer. Reviewers at CNET got their palms on Archos' latest gig, the 604 WiFi model, and gave it the usual rundown. Mimicking the review given to the 802.11-less flavor earlier this year in a myriad of ways, reviewers felt that the "awesome video playback," removable battery, built-in kickstand / speaker, and "vibrant widescreen display" were all unsurprisingly top notch, but the web browsing itself (along with opening files and navigating around the GUI) was deemed "sluggish" due to the lackluster processor speed. Apparently, however, Archos didn't learn from the previous gripes regarding the lack of extra accessories right in the box; the WiFi unit requires additional purchases to get a power adapter, recording equipment, and plug-ins for certain types of video files. Furthermore, reviewers felt that the inability to "feed the device content in an easy way" (considering the Linux-based environment), the meager 30GB hard drive, and the "substantial hit" that enabling wireless took on the battery were all disappointments. Overall, however, the Archos 604 WiFi got dinged on details that won't matter much when you experience all the things it does well, and it was deemed the "the answer to many mobile users' idealistic dreams" if they don't mind waiting around a bit for the GUI to catch up.

[Thanks, Nanatech]

[harley.copping @ Nov 11th 2006 8:31PM]

Damn that looks nice. I really wish they would make these things play back all video types straight out of the box. Still nice though.

[VideoFlying @ Nov 11th 2006 9:23PM]

The idea of allowing customers to choose which codec they're gonna use (and also which codec license they'll be paying for)isn't IMHO as bad as it could look like : you got a customizable price which means you won't pay for what you won't use. :-)

[applesucksLeo @ Nov 11th 2006 10:28PM]

Wow...I want one so bad. This just shows what competition can give us. This is like comparing a BMW to a Honda (ipod).

[yorkule @ Nov 12th 2006 12:18AM]

I wonder if the GUI and browser speed can improved with updated firmware? Or perhaps this is a hardware limitation.

[zona @ Nov 12th 2006 1:10AM]

I got mine on Thursday, along with the DVR kit. It is an incredible little device!! Video quality is tremendous, the GUI is not really sluggish in my estimation. The DVR kit will change channels on my satellite receiver and record according to the schedule I set. I am actually sitting in my family room right now with my wife and kids watching "Superman Returns" from my 604 connected to my 42" plasma. Awesome!
I looked at the Zen Vision:W and Cowon A2, and the 30GB hard drive size of the Archos I thought would be an issue - but it works just as well with my PC and my Mac G4 laptop, so that was a big selling point.
There is a limiter on the volume set my Archos to keep people from hurting their ears - disappointing, but it is still plenty loud for use with movies, music, etc.
The touch screen works really well with your fingers or included stylus - but some of the smaller menu buttons on screen are too small to use your finger very easily.
The wifi and Opera browser so far have worked really well, and the pop-up on screen keyboard comes up whenever you start to enter a url, etc. Very nice.
I am very happy so far - and for $369 and Sam's Club (not including the DVR kit - that was $79 at Walmart), it is really a smokin' deal.

[Mojorisin69 @ Nov 12th 2006 1:48AM]

I sent engadet an email about this a while back they have been at Sam's club since the Nov 2. I have one and it's awesome I recommend the Cinema Pack. Also I think you can get on the internets pretty good. It also has a built in file server so who cares if you can't go ad hoc. You can also stream video,music,photos from a PC or what I do is froms an NSLU2 and an external drive so no computer needed.

[ben @ Nov 12th 2006 4:22AM]

When do the larger models come out? I can't buy one until I have the 160GB model.

[Ben Freedman @ Nov 12th 2006 6:59PM]

Here's a link to a nice little video overview:

http://www.neo-fight.tv/2006/10/episode_079_archos_604_media_p.html

[DanTheMan @ Nov 22nd 2006 6:54AM]

Looks like a great product... But, why did they neglect a simple radio? Or even an ability to record radio?
I agree that they should have included all the available codecs with their product.

[Venkat @ Dec 8th 2006 6:10PM]

It would be great, if it supported Bluetooth and let me use my bluetooth keyboard.

[Reggie @ Jan 29th 2007 2:22PM]

Archos is on the high road to the perfect device.

Imagine an Archos 704 with b/g/n high speed connections,
200 GB hard drive and HD Video.

The goal - to be able to do more than your desktop computer,
and still fit in the palm of your hand.

Nice touch screen!