Archos announces 605 WiFi

We're obviously sooo surprised that the device pictured above turns out to be the 605 WiFi -- we're not sure if it's the fact that it was a 5th-gen player being launched that looks like the 604, or that the player has "605 WiFi" emblazoned on the front that tipped us off.

605 users can expect a far higher res 800 x 480 4.3-inch touchscreen display (that's 200ppi, take that 160ppi iPhone), WiFi to connect with Archos's new digital content portal and the interweb (including video centric sites), and will be available in 4GB with an SD slot, and 30GB, 80GB, and 160GB drive sizes.

[Via ArchosLounge]

[psychofire1 @ Jun 14th 2007 1:38PM]

sexual...im glad i didn't just rush out and get the 704 wifi...least i think i am? im trying to wait and get like the best one good screen lots a memory wifi hopefully but if every couple months they release a new one i have a feeling im gonna get pissed off every couple months

[angelsvairwaves1 @ Jun 14th 2007 1:42PM]

But its not 16x9

[angelsvairwaves1 @ Jun 14th 2007 1:45PM]

oops ok yes it is. the picture is just squished...

[Rick Lyon @ Jun 14th 2007 2:06PM]

It's 4:3, so no, it's not 16:9.

[Bobo e @ Jun 14th 2007 1:46PM]

No matter how good this product is, it is doomed to failure because of the brand name...

what is archos?

[paloooz @ Jun 14th 2007 1:51PM]

I don't know ... what is HTC? Never heard of them. They are doomed to failure.

[Flying? @ Jun 14th 2007 1:55PM]

It is an acronym from the founder named Henri Crohas ... it has also a mythical signification ...

[MDB @ Jun 14th 2007 5:53PM]

Acornym? I think you mean anagram, RETARD

[cami @ Jun 15th 2007 12:05AM]

MDB....it must feel so good to be so smart.....get a life loser.

[Opie @ Jun 17th 2007 12:02AM]

wait until you see what happens after you own one of these french things. do a look up of the 504 and see what happens when you touch the unit. A static charge shouldn't disable the player, but it does and Archos takes the unit back for "repair", but give it back to you with the same problem, which means they put it in a different box and ship it back.It is a defective product, and I hope I'm part of a class action suit in the future. I took the leap on the 504 a while back after have issues with my jukebox 20. Fool me twice, shame on......okay I'm a friggen idiot. Never again Archos

[Raggamofyn @ Jul 2nd 2007 3:36PM]

Hopefully they'll fix that some day or get an insulating material in there.

My friend has a 504 and he loves it, enough to show it off to everyone, at least. I don't think he's had any problems with it.

[Dustin Frazier @ Jun 14th 2007 1:47PM]

Sounds good. I like Archos because they offer huge storage capacity in their devices. They kind of worried me last generation with some of their stuff only being 30gb. With music collections getting ever bigger, 4 and 8gb devices just seem pointless. I still wish they would offer a product like the Gmini400 with 100gb. Products like the 604 and 605 are just too big to be everyday portable for me but they work as great external hard drives and for transporting your media. One last gripe, why the heck haven't they protected the screens yet with a clear plastic cover like the psp? I made one for my av500 because i nearly impaled my screen one too many times.

[Alex @ Jun 14th 2007 1:55PM]

I'm with Dustin Frazier on this one, the last generation they had some with huge capacity, and some with top-notch features, but no combination. It looks like they've really hit the spot, wi-fi, 160gb, and they tossed in a high-resolution screen as well. Fap-tastic!

[w00fd06 @ Jun 14th 2007 1:50PM]

If this thing turns out to have great features, and if the price is below $450, then I will definitely get one.

[McGinley @ Jun 14th 2007 6:30PM]

300 dollars on the website.

[McGinley @ Jun 14th 2007 6:31PM]

sorry my bad its 300 euro,i forgot i was on the ireland site.

[Bob Evans @ Jun 25th 2007 3:49PM]

I hope their technical support for it and the preloaded software are better than on their 704 WiFi. I've found them to be absolutely hopeless and would advise anyone against buying one after my experience and frustration with getting any response from the company. From me, it's a huge thumbs down

[Flying? @ Jun 14th 2007 1:57PM]

Archos TV Plus ... an Apple TV challenger ;-)

[Sean @ Jun 14th 2007 2:20PM]

Rick, I believe they're stating 4.3", not 4:3 format.

[Jesse S @ Jun 14th 2007 2:07PM]

I suppose x264 support is too much to hope for...

[Flying? @ Jun 14th 2007 2:09PM]

Nope .. it does support H264, but only up to dvd resolution for videopodcast ...

http://www.archos.com/products/gen_5/archos_605wifi/tech_specs.html?country=global&lang=en

[Rick Lyon @ Jun 14th 2007 2:11PM]

So HD resolution to watch movies either squished or with black bars? OK, dumb move there.

[john @ Jun 14th 2007 3:12PM]

This DOES HAVE a 16:9 screen. I have the 604 wifi and love it except for the relatively low resolution for web browsing (and the underpowered browser not being able to run newer flash content like youtube videos). The 605 solves the resolution problem with the 800x480 res. Lets hope they have solved the browser issue too! Ajax apps running on this would be very nice!

Don't forget this also records TV from most analogue AV sources too (albeit only while attached to the dock).

Expanded capacity is great too.

[Jayayess1190 @ Jun 14th 2007 2:16PM]

Website is back up!

[dark star @ Jun 14th 2007 2:22PM]

does it support Joost???

[lefty.crupps @ Jun 14th 2007 4:13PM]

>Can I read eBooks in the Microsoft Reader and the Mobipocket formats?
If the formats have open specifications, you should be able to... if not, you shouldn't buy those to begin with.

Why people spend money on content that locks them in is beyond me. That's why Archos rocks and Apple doesn't -- Apple does their best to lock you into their platform. Microsoft is no better. If you want to read your MSeBooks, go buy a Zune.

If you want to USE your content (not have it use you), buy some with out a lock and this kick-a55 player.

[Simon @ Jun 14th 2007 2:22PM]

I played with one of these beauties today. Awesome picture quality. Archos are a really smart bunch who are going to give Apple TV a run for their money. By not being tethered to any specific service they are much more appealing to retailers and other content service providers.

[Irfan @ Jun 14th 2007 2:54PM]

800/480 = 1.66:1 , not 1.33:1 .... not quite widescreen... but 800*480 shoudl still give a good 720*480 picture.

[Sam @ Jun 14th 2007 3:07PM]

Anyone know if the HD versions also come with an SD slot, so you can upload pix from your camera?

[AlexInCA @ Jun 17th 2007 8:00AM]

You don't need any flash memory slots with the Archos. If you buy the optional travel adapter, you can connect any USB drive or camera and the Archos will see it as a hard drive.

[AlexInCA @ Jun 17th 2007 8:49AM]

Correction: I meant Docking Adapter to connect to a camera or USB devices. It also includes a power supply and travel adapters.

[Rick Lyon @ Jun 14th 2007 4:10PM]

That's confusing then because they say it's 4:3 right there during the presentation.

[Sheila @ Jun 14th 2007 3:19PM]

Can I read eBooks in the Microsoft Reader and the Mobipocket formats? If it does, I will buy this device.

[Kevin Gass @ Jun 14th 2007 9:09PM]

On the Archos website it says Optional Internet plug-in (Opera® Web browser and Adobe Flash® Player) for Web browsing (for purchase on www.archos.com). Does that mean we'll have to pay extra for the web browser? Thats disappointing, but I'm still going to pick one up.

[JohnTitor @ Jun 16th 2007 6:44PM]

its not dissapointing, if every device game with it, then the device itself would just cost more because Archos would have to pay for Opera, instead Archos prices the player cheaply and lets you pay for what you want

[AlexInCA @ Jun 17th 2007 8:49AM]

I'm bummed. I just bought the 604 a few days ago with a host of accessories. I would have loved to have the higher res of the 605. I just hope that at least the DVR Cradle (Archos equiv. of Tivo) and battery are still compatible when/if I upgrade.

The increased res is great but I hope Archos improves overall. They would be OUTSTANDING if it weren't for...
1. You have to buy codecs (eg. MPEG)separately. My workaround: transcode MPEG videos to AVI using shareware. But what a pain. Some vids play OK but others encoded with "QUARTER PIXEL" don't play.

2. The documentation needs massive improvements. The provided pdfs and written docs are just quick reference guides which point you to other quick references for details. Also, it took me forever to figure out which option does what. I eventually found a web document which compared all docking and DVR options - It wasn't obvious that the travelling DVR option is included with the external video cam.

3. It doesn't come with a power supply. You can charge using the supplied USB cable but you can't use it while the unit is charging. You get a power supply when you buy the DVR cradle.

[Scott Kingery @ Jun 19th 2007 6:15PM]

I'm not an iPod hater but I wouldn't trade my Archos 402 for anything...other than another Archos. And my old one doesn't even play all the current standards for video. I've had that solved for a long time by converting podcasts to xvid: http://www.techlifeweb.com/2007/04/how-to-convert-ipod-video-to-divx-or.html

[AV @ Jun 21st 2007 1:21AM]

Don't laugh, but I almost purchased a portable DVD player yesterday. All of a sudden I'm getting picky about resolution and screen size.

My iPod and I are going through a very difficult relationship right now. We have disagreements with higher res file types, we have arguments over space (capacity), and we hardly see each another anymore because the damn screen is too small.

In any case,...lol


Although it will be hard for me, I have to do what's best for me and ask these three questions.


Concerning this Archos 605: (3 Simple Questions)



1st
What is the highest resolution video file format that can be played on this Archos 605 device?




2nd
Which software program can convert DVD’s to this file type?




3rd
What is an estimate range of how big this file will be @ max (assuming it’s a 2.5 hour movie)?





I need some relationship advice yall, holla @ Me.

[siouxmoux @ Jun 23rd 2007 2:56AM]

Finally Someone gets around and Posting the release date when Archos 605 WiFi. coming out this September. I search and googled for the release date for the Archos 605 WiFi. If Apple does not annouce the along waited 80gig Widescreen IPod Video. I am going to save up money to buy this one.

[Alchemist @ Jun 28th 2007 4:32PM]

According to rumors and the French/UK websites the 605 wifi will be available July 15th in those countries. Nothing about it at all on the ARCHOS US store though... so im eagerly looking for a US release date.

I recently picked up a SANSA 280R from best buy for $149... its a nice player but if for $300 i can nab one of these ill likely take it back... if the 605 will see the light of day around the same time... if its not coming til fall ill keep what i got and drool over the 605 later. :-)

Anyone have US release dates?

[roach @ Jun 29th 2007 9:14AM]

it's not just a rumor, the 605 is available for preorder with a ship date of 7/15/07 http://www.archos.com/store/psearch.html?country=gb&lang=en&prod_id=archos605wifi

[Devildog @ Jul 2nd 2007 4:19AM]

The 80GB and 160GB versions are available for pre-order on Amazon and show to releasing on the 1st of September. The prices are $349.99 (80GB) and $399.99 (160GB) with free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_e/104-6021224-5420729?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=Archos+605

[david @ Jul 16th 2007 5:11PM]

hey i tried so hard to preorder the archos 605 everywhere but its still not available. anyone know where i can actually get it from?

[Nas786 @ Jul 17th 2007 8:27PM]

People, im gettin annoyed now.... ive been looking around at archos's for a long time now and i have heard about the new archos 705 wifi soon to be out this fall. can anyone guide me to the best archos to buy with a web browser???
anybody??
holla @ me....
NAS

[JacinHB @ Jul 18th 2007 12:00PM]

MDB- are you OK? Maybe you forgot to take your medication today.. Anyway, in my experience, the one calling other people names.. like "moron", usually also has questionable intelligence.. smart people don't call other people names, except in junior high school.. are you in junior high?

When will the Archos 605 be available to buy? Anyone know the release date?

[SoccerFreak8 @ Jul 20th 2007 7:08AM]

1. If only archos knew how to advertise...2. To tell the truth i
wanted an ipod before i got my gmini 402 camcorder, but now i sold it
to my sis what happened to archos making devices with built in
camcorders (i thought it was very useful)?
3. Goddamnit someone just announce the us/canada release date!

[SoccerFreak8 @ Jul 20th 2007 7:11AM]

BTW when i said i sold it i meant to buy the 605 ya,(my comp. froze)

[Graeme Allon @ Jul 20th 2007 7:50AM]

Just got mine today...

Beautiful bit of kit - decent interface.

The problem is power... In order to be able to power this up away from a PC - you need to buy a power adapter and a docking station, total £60! ($120)

[Mo @ Nov 19th 2007 7:14PM]

How do i get rid of usb mode wen i start up 605 whth no connection,tis is a fault somewere as as it just