Archos 5 Internet Tablet makes an honest PMP out of Android
By Paul Miller 
posted Sep 15th 2009 1:30PM
posted Sep 15th 2009 1:30PM
But that's all pretty regular Archos-ey stuff. The newness for Archos comes in the form of Android, which has been fairly seamlessly melded with the Archos layer -- which hovers over the vanilla Android install when needed. The OS scales up pretty nicely to 800 x 480, which is a relief because the touchscreen keyboard is a bit of a chore with the 5's resistive touchscreen. Since it's not a Google-blessed device, you'll have to score a copy of Gmail on your own time, but the regular Market is available if you want to risk going around the 5-optimized AppsLib store. Several third party apps are included out of the gate, including ThinkFree Mobile, which should be updated to allow for document editing in the near future. When plugged into a dock and paired with an optional mini-QWERTY keypad (or any regular Bluetooth keyboard and mouse) the 5 becomes a rather nice way to surf the internet on your TV. It's missing in-browser Flash, but there should be an update to rectify that soon. Out of the house the tablet offers a high-end GPS experience, including hugemongous birds eye photo maps of major cities, and can tether with a 3G phone over Bluetooth for a bit of data. So, Archos 5 might not be Android's killer device, mainly because it isn't a phone and doesn't make for pleasurable mobile data entry or consumption. Still, it's doing stuff with media that the relatively sluggish crop of Android handsets have failed at so far, and hopefully will spur the community to greater heights. The player is available as of today, with prices ranging from $250 to $440, not to mention accessories galore. Check out videos of the tablet in action after the break.
ARCHOS BRINGS THE ANDROID PLATFORM TO A LARGE-SCREEN INTERNET TABLET WITH THE NEW ARCHOS 5
ARCHOS Introduces the Ultimate Internet Tablet with Android Applications, Bluetooth, GPS and High Definition Video in One Handheld Device
DENVER, CO – September 15, 2009 – ARCHOS, Inc., a top innovator in the portable media market, announced today the new ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet that combines the best of ARCHOS, featuring high-definition content, TV recording and built-in GPS, with the best of the Android platform for Internet browsing and nearly unlimited customization with applications .
The ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet features a sleek and slim design, 5-inch high-resolution touch-screen, ultra-fast speeds of a PC, full fledge Internet browser, 3D GPS navigation, integrated applications that rival Mobile Internet Devices, and far more capacity and flexibility. Up to 500GB of capacity ensures the ARCHOS 5 keeps up with the growth of consumer content, offering the ability to store Android applications along with hundreds of full-length HD movies, songs, photos and more.
"With the steady growth of mobile Internet adoption, easier ways to access the Internet and digital media, and an increasing need for device customization, ARCHOS brings it all together by integrating GPS, HD and the Android platform," said Henri Crohas, ARCHOS chief executive officer. "Android offers to the consumer unlimited ways to customize the tablet with thousands of apps, all easily available on the device or through the AppsLib Store."
New AppsLib Store for Large-Screen Android Applications
ARCHOS introduces the AppsLib Store for unlimited access to free and paid applications developed specifically for the larger 5-inch touch screen display of the ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet. Consumers can simply access Android applications from the AppsLib Store through the ARCHOS 5 device and download in one-click, with the application resizing to fit the larger screen in portrait or landscape view.
In addition to accessing applications through the AppsLib Store, the ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet will include several pre-installed Android apps, including the popular eBuddy instant messaging app, Twidroid for sending and receiving tweets, Craigsphone for posting or accessing classified ads, Thinksfree for viewing Microsoft® Office™ files, Quickpedia and much more.
Fastest Wireless Connection
With WiFi n network capabilities, the ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet is connected where and when consumers want and with broadband-like connection speeds. Without WiFi access, consumers can use the 3.5G connection of their mobile phone and connect through the Bluetooth™ to the ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet, without requiring an additional subscription.
The brilliant 5-inch screen of the ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet, combined with the new superscalar microprocessor ARM® CortexTM A8 from Texas Instrument, allows consumers to surf the Web on a high-resolution 800x480 touch screen, as if they were surfing on their PC. Unlike the small 2- and 3-inch screens of most Smartphones and media players, the ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet makes surfing the Web, watching movies, sending email, Twittering or updating Facebook pages easy and comfortable.
Integrated GPS Features 3D Maps and Adventure Mode Compass
The ARCHOS 5 features an embedded GPS application that can be used in the car, around town or even in "adventure mode" for off road travels. With voice assistance, Points of Interest, multiple-route calculations, maps from TeleAtlas® with 3D landmarks, and a unique 3D photo realistic feature for in-city navigation edited by BLOM, the ARCHOS 5 ensures one less device in the pocket and keeps consumers moving. With multiple view angles, four zoom levels and digital compass, the ARCHOS 5 keeps users on track whether in city or back-country.
ARCHOS offers a seven day free trial of the GPS features to test the power and performance before subscribing.
Entertainment Your Way with the Highest Quality Content
The ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet offers a host of content options, including:
16GB to 500GB Capacities: Provides enough storage to hold up to 710 full-length, HD quality movies, 3.2 million photos or 190,000 songs.
HD capabilities: Consumers don't need to make compromises concerning their videos. The ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet can handle the widest range of video formats even at HD 720p resolution (H.264 HD, MPEG-4 HD, and WMV HD).
Web TV and Radio: Users can stream thousands of Web TV channels and more than 10,000 radio stations directly to the ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet.
TV Recording: With the optional DVR station accessory, ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablets offer a fast and easy way to record live TV and play back favorite HD movies directly on the Tablet or TV.
ARCHOS Media Club: The easiest way to access content on the go, the Media Club features the latest movies, TV shows, music and games from a host of providers.
Personalize with Plug-Ins and Accessories
Furthering the company's strategy to offer multiple customization options, the ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet offers a host of optional plug-in and accessories from the ARCHOS store or Web site:
HD Cinema plug-In: Play WMV HD movies in 720p resolution as well as movies in MPEG-2/VOB format with AC3 sound.
Accessories: DVR Station, Battery dock, HDMI Mini-Dock, GPS In-Car Holder, , and more can be used to record TV, charge the device, transfer photos from a digital camera, record videos on the go, etc.
Pricing and Availability
The ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet will be available from retailers, Amazon and the ARCHOS Website beginning September 16, 2009, at prices ranging from $249.99 to $439.99.
Order information and customer support details are available on the ARCHOS Web site at www.archos.com.
About ARCHOS
ARCHOS introduced the hard-drive-based MP3 player with the Jukebox 6000 in 2000, and since that time has revolutionized consumer electronics devices. The company introduced the portable video player in 2003 and was the first to bring TV recording, wireless and touch screens to the portable media player. The ARCHOS Internet Media Tablet and PCtablet offer consumers uncompromised access to the Internet, movies, photos, video, music and television anytime, anywhere. ARCHOS has offices in the United States, Europe and Asia, and is quoted on Compartment C of Euronext Paris, ISIN Code FR0000182479. More information is available online at archos.com
Android has hardware accelerated OpenGL ES 1.0
OpenGL ES 1.0, to be specific.
Now that I look stupid, that was supposed to say:
Android has hardware accelerated OpenGL.
OpenGL ES 1.0, to be specific.
That's gonna be my first Android addition!
Will it fit in your pocket? Looks pretty darn big! lol
It is longer than the A5.
The Car or the PMP?
its as big as 2 ipod classic combined
but this thing can HDMI output videos without a dock station and 500GB for around 300$~ or so when it get released on amazon ;o
Of course the PMP, Archos 5 = A5. Also the A5 barely fits in the pocket lenght wise as it is let alone a longer one.
@DR house
Actually its $429.99 from Amazon. Its just not posted.
LOL, I was only joking. :D
Andriod. Released. Crappy. Hulk. Of. Shit
Sorry, but you just have to joke about how odd you will look if using this in public, lol
But really, for it's purpose it seems ok :D
@Brdy that's the MSRP price, amazon always sell it cheaper
For example the new ipod 3G official MSRP is 299$ but amazon is selling it right now for 279$
Archos 5 official MSRP is 449$ is being sold for 269$
The new archos 5 500GB MSRP is 429$ so i expect it to be 299$ at amazon one week after launch
Do not want. Bring me the Archos 9 tablet and you will have my $500.
Archos has it almost right, they are just missing a few things! I am just going to wait for the 9 myself, it was quite beautiful from the videos i saw on it a while ago.
I realy like it. Good job Archos
"Android, which has been fairly seamlessly melded with the Archos layer" I knew they would screw this up somehow. Come on, Android on their Crapware OS? Can't even get their OS working properly let alone with a Android layered on top. Super Stupid! Like Suba Steve Stupid!
You do know that Android is the OS, right? The Archos layer is on top of it. You've got it backwards or, in this case, upside down.
@Brdystyls You're an idiot... Take that BackTrack icon off.. BackTrack users know what they are talking about before they post and you're just posting a load of BS. You can't even get the non-tech stuff like the pricing right? Come on now.. you are full of phail.
- RocVa cupcakehax0r.com
Dude seriously get a fu*king life. The only thing you posted here is this comment. Seriously I doubt you even owned a A5 before let alone have take apart the coding to even know how they work. You probably wouldn't even know how to even read coding. Go fu*k yourself before you piss someone off enough they hunt you down.
That actually looks...really good. $250 isn't bad at all for the low end model, hopefully because it's Android (and the therefore the first open Archos device) we'll be able to see PSX, N64, Dreamcast emulators and such that are WIPs for other OMAP3 chipsets like the Beagleboard, Pandora, and Pre.
HAHAHAHA!!!!!
You think they will allow that? Its on top of their original crappy os. That is closed sourced, meaning you will have to buy everything from Archos for a premium price. I am sure plugins and any Android software (that I am sure can only come from Archos).
@Brdystyls
They built their stuff on top of Android, not the other way around. And you most definitely can install free programs on it because it comes with the Android Market preinstalled. Did you even read the article or just see the word "Archos" in the headline and come down to the comments to bitch?
I read the article. And you obviously never owned an Archos either.
Not its Android on top of their linux os. The A5 (regardless of model) use a proprietary HDS type of file system. They would HAVE to build it on top of their linux OS.
Someone doesn't know what "application layer" means.
Hooray an Archos device that you won't have to pay way over-the-odds prices just to enable the web browser!
With the old Archos 5, the web browser was enabled for no charge when device was registered via WiFi. The 605 required a pay for plug-in.
Wow, no whining about how resistive tech sucks?
I'm impressed!
No they did, don't worry:
"which is a relief because the touchscreen keyboard is a bit of a chore with the 5's resistive touchscreen"
NNNNOOOOOOOOOO, why a resistive touchscreen, I hate them since using the Smasung Omnia (worst phone ever)
Have not used the keyboard on this device, but the keyboards on the original Archos 5, and previous version 605, were very responsive. Due to the larger physical size, it was easier to type on the Arhcos resistive screens than the smaller, capacitive iPod touch screen.
So, this device might not be a dedicated phone that people already with phones really want, but ... the guy (me) who has no mobile could get this device and use GV app and voilla !
How about its abilities for multitasking?
Sorry,
As far as I'm aware, it still needs to be a phone for GV to work... you can't use WIFI unless you do GV over VOIP ... which I'm not sure is possible with GV.
Anyone care to support/pwn me
Correct. GV not gonna happen on this. Its not a Voip.
why wouldnt google voice work with this? i see no reason to think otherwise. If you're comfortable using your phone only in wifi equipped areas
And what about my original Archos 5 that I got a few months ago? Will there be an update or am I getting left in the dust?
Yes your boned .. no more updates for you
Which sucks. I want Andriod on my A5.
@BigD145
No $hit! I wish they weren't so money hungry (just to keep their failing business going) I could actually hope for Android on the Original A5. It does seem promising but the "new" OMAP processor in it isnt much faster than the orginial. I doubt it run Android very well. Let alone it running at all on the original A5.
""new" OMAP processor"
is the same ARM Cortex A8 as in the iPhone and Palm Pre, except the one in this tablet is running at 800MHz compared to 600MHz in the 2 phones. Should run Android quite well actually, considering every currently available Android phone is running the older generation of Qualcomm 528MHz CPUs, and they already work fairly smoothly.
This was by far my worst purchase ever. I totally regret buying the Archos5. What a bunch of dicks. I should have seen it by the quality of their website. To think you have to pay for additional items that should come standard on the device: direct advertisements in the firmware is real tacky. I'll be honest, I really thought the community would be designing custom firmwares for it, thus unleashing it'd true potential.
To leave last generation with no support is poor judgment. Even apple, my worst enemy, doesn't do that.
Archos Customer server is just bad..just pray that your archos doesn't break
my archos 5 broke and I'm still waiting check out the pictures
http://s617.photobucket.com/albums/tt256/Brokenarchos/
Then it worked it was good but it's not fun being stuck in CS hell
Noooooooooooo
I read the press release on TI website a while ago, and really thought this device would feature 3G, hence be a phone. I need to be able to connect to the net anywhere i go.
It has everything else, big 16/9 screen, powerful gpgpu in the omap 3440.
Add 3G !
Add a capacitive screen and i am sold !
I completely agree with you.
The 3G (3.5G) enabled version's name is (Archos) "5G" not just "5", check here:
http://www.archos.com/products/imt/archos_5g/index.html?country=hu&lang=en
+ other MID/PMP from China with interesting specifications (in the background) 7" touch screen, WinCE OS, WiFi, 3G, GPS, DVB-T, PMP(1080p), E-book, HDMI/SATA: Smit MT1300 (the video is about the MP 1101 model)
http://www.netbooknews.com/899/smit-mid-mp-1101-with-dvbt-gps-wifi/
I almost was ready to buy this until the good ol' pay plugins showed their ugly heads. I refuse to be nickel and dimed if I'm to fork out $400+ for a portable media device.
While I don't think this device is for me I'm a happy Archos customer. On one I didn't buy any of their add-ons and was happy having a lower price (rather than them being forced on me with a higher price) and the other I made sure I knew what options I'd want and was still happy with the total price before buying.
Archos gets a lot of crap about the add-ons but they make it pretty clear up-front what you get for the base price. Again, I'll gladly pay the lower price if I don't need the codecs rather than paying for licensing I will never use.
@Pingles
Uh it not about their plug ins it about their crappy os, hardware (see ToykoRob post in the Archos Site is Down blog), and complete lack of customer service.
Hmmm, I was thinking this might be a nice living-room Internet device but that screen is a bit too small. A light-weight, 7 or 8 inch screen with WiFi web-browsing and I'm sold. Maybe Apple's tablet will be cheap enough.
So when will PMPs and smartphone's officially merge together? I don't want to lug around a big PMP and a smartphone when they can both do very similar functions.
Tablet looks nice, though.
I like the HTC Sense and the the Moto Blur but I really want these multimedia features on my next Android phone.
800 X 480 screen with better codec support will help Android match Apple for multimedia perception.
@Brdy that's the MSRP price, amazon always sell it cheaper
For example the new ipod 3G official MSRP is 299$ but amazon is selling it right now for 279$
Archos 5 official MSRP is 449$ is being sold for 269$
The new archos 5 500GB MSRP is 429$ so i expect it to be 299$ at amazon one week after launch
Just started using the zune software and so far really enjoying it and my 14 day free trial period. I would love this media player but than again I don't see it working with zune 4.0 like a zune would assuming it syncs at all. If I enjoy the trail it will make purchasing my next media player much harder to do. Why can't everything just work with everything?
don't get sucked into the whole "DVR" hype like i did, Ive yet to be able to record anything besides direct video camera input, let alone any television, and don't even think about getting channel listings to come up if your in silicon valley area, were so unimportant that we cant even pull up the television listings in the area to record the channels we don't get, because surprise, you cant input television to it, it doesn't have a tuner, and you have to schedule recordings if you just happen to have a cable box for it to be stuck in front of, FACING the box, so that it can change the channels through IR.
Unless your in France, or some sort of Euro area, forget GPS, forget the mobile TV tuner, forget most of the DVR function, the only accessories i think would be useful would be the one i don't have which is the helmet cam. BTW don't think about being slick and purchasing the DVR station to use for inputs for the helmet cam, because surprise, it wont let you use ANY of its ports unless you have direct AC into the DVR station, none of the usb ports, none of the input or outputs, oh and by the way, want to watch a movie or listen to music on your Archos while its charging on the DVR station? better have external speakers plugged into the DVR station because otherwise it doesn't give the option to use the built in speakers at all.
Very informative, thanks for all that. It's good to know that they made so many poor choices when it came to this device. No versatility kind of kills this thing, and a huge price tag as well as the nickel and dime apps and accessories break this thing.
OR get Dish DVR and the Dish rebranded Archos. You can move anything around between the two devices.
Chris, I feel your pain. The only plus of having the DVR is it can charge your Archos since they conveniently LEFT OUT an AC charger (USB takes forever!!!). Most people complain about being nickel and dimed on plugins but I think this is even more egregious.
And I have no interest in paying $500 to be their beta-tester again.
I don't know why you've had so much trouble, I got the TV program guide working the first day I got it, and I live in little po-dunk Half Moon Bay (I'm sure you know where that is if you live near the Silicon Valley area). The way I have it set up to record TV is I have the tuner box in the same cabinet as the A5 and close the door, so the IR bounces around to the tuner. It works just fine. And actually, it does give you the option to use the built in speakers, you just have to go to the audio options in the main menu and select the built in speaker.
eh, I wasn't really planning to anyway, great advice though. I don't don't watch tv, Hulu FTW. yeah so my worry was that it couldn't fit in the pocket and you couldn't use it in portrait
that's the beauty of Android, it runs a Linux kernel so anyone could easily add opengl support or any other Linux module with little effort
Obviously you have never owned a Archos. It's locked. Good luck cracking the private key.
Just give me a music and video player more than 120gb that isn't an Ipod or a Zune, please! This thins is too big.
Keyboard looks very comfortable. All you need is a phone with one of those applications that turn it into a wifi spot and you're good to go.
What so it is not a phone, not cool, i dont want it any more.
so which do i get?? this?? the zune hd?? the zii egg??... its TOO MUCH FOR MAH BRAIN
i say wait to see how the creative zii is, open source is nice.
Better take your time until there´s more information to base your decision on.
I am sold. :)
Will it be necessary again to pay extra in order to unlock all the features that should have been available right from the start?
I sure will have too.
is the hdd user replaceable? stick a 750gb 2.5 in there if so.
Dont count on it.
"makes an honest PMP out of Archos"
The words "honest" and "Archos" should never be put in the same sentence. It is disgusting. Want to make Archos honest? Give all of us, that hey have sold LEMONS too, for the past 5 years, their money back. Any unit they use for presentation or send to a review board like Engadget, while have been combed over carfefully first. Then the actual units they ship will be plastic, fragile garbage, with it 10,000,000 crippling glitches and without at least a 1,000 feautres missing from the review item, because they want $2.5million to open those features with plug-ins. As for actual add-ons... forget it. They never come until 5 generations later. Archos was talking up HD codecs for TWO generation before this one. Was their selling points. Guess what... NEVER HAPPENED. COMPLETE GARBAGE COMPANY. AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE.
HAHAHAHA. Your so funny, yet so right.
Sadly that´s pretty much the whole truth about Archos.
A shame since their products are actually quite interesting.
missionsparta and Brdystyls are the same person. Weird he keeps answering himself with "you are so funny and so right".
Your funny Charboner.
IS this the A5H or A5S
and when will the other be released?
I believe they're called it the A5IT.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10318292-1.html
The home screen seems to scale well to WVGA. I would love to see it run some standard Android apps, though.
If it plays MKV containers as claimed, and high-profile H264 up to 720p, that would be pretty incredible. No more transcoding!
Hopefully it lives up to the claims/specifications.
Might be possible in theory. But seeing as it´s Archos we´re talking about.you´d probably have to pay additional 30 bucks for each of those features.
There are no plugins required for H264, AAC, DivX, SD-WMV, Mp3, Flac, Ogg Vorbis, and plenty more codecs..
My only question is about battery life. If it can do 15 hours of audio playback, this could replace my iPod.
It does up to 22 hours of music playback.
The Archos store says they're out of stock already on all of the units and the ones listed on Amazon look like the old, non Android model. Are they available someplace else?
If you read the press release it states that it will be added to the Archos store and Amazon September 16th.
It's the 17th and the store still says "Coming Soon". I'm losing hope of getting this thing.
Figured it out. They were released in the UK (at least two models were), but not yet in the US.
very nice
@Brdystyls You keep posting comments related to the Archos OS. Are you really that illiterate that you can't read that this is the Android OS with Archos layer on top?
You haven't used this device so stop wasting your time and everyone else's with your fibbing.
Again the Archos OS uses a HDS file system which protects its hardware from being changed, messed with, flashed or hacked. The HDS file system is more secure way of protecting this hardware than Android (being open sourced). Archos will never let people hack the hardware if you knew anything about their past you would know that.
I for one am very disappointed in Archos. This was the first time it looked like they had a product that would bring them in to the spotlight. I thought that this product was going to make Archos a household name. Why would they make this device without giving it the ability to be a phone? Why is Archos attacking the iPod Touch market when it could add a sim card and become a real competitor in the iPhone market? There has been a lot of talk about android because it is a highly adaptable operating system that allows its users to do a cool stuff with their phones. This device had a lot of potential but it looks like they aimed at the wrong target. It is dumb mistakes like this that have always made Archos a company that few know of. I am sure well Archos is learning of their mistake someone else will be coming out with a true 500gb Android Phone. Good luck Archos you are going to need it.
It supports VOIP applications, which is better than being a phone.
Though I agree that Archos needs to give dates and info on when 3G connectivity will be provided inside the device either on contracts with certain carriers or provided as an unlocked 3G device.
DIVX? XVID? Bueller?
Capacity • Flash Memory: 8 to 32 GB* + Micro SD Slot (SDHC compatible)
• Hard Drive: 160 to 500 GB*
Display • High resolution screen, 800x480 pixels, 4.8'' TFT LCD, 16 million colors
• Touch screen
Video playback 7 • MPEG-4 HD (up to 720p)
• MPEG-48 (ASP@L5 AVI, up to DVD resolution)
• H.264 HD (up to 720p)
• WMV (MP@ML, up to DVD resolution) including WMV protected files
• M-JPEG (Motion JPEG Video) in QVGA resolution
With optional plug-in (downloadable from your tablet or on www.archos.com):
• Cinema: MPEG-2, WMV HD (720p), VOB
Audio playback 7 • Stereo MP3 decoding @ 30-320 Kbits/s CBR & VBR, WMA, Protected WMA, WAV (PCM/ADPCM), AAC9(except protected content), AAC+ stereo audio files, Flac and OGG Vorbis.
With optional software plug-ins (downloadable from your tablet or on www.archos.com):
• AC3 stereo audio and 5.1 sound files (via SPDIF output of DVR Station )
Photo viewer 10 JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF
Subtitles Support subtitles files with .srt, .ssa, .smi, .sub extensions
Video recording 11 • Via the optional DVR Station or DVR Snap-on. Records NTSC/PAL/SECAM in MPEG-4 AVI format with stereo sound, VGA resolution (640 x 480) @ 30 or 25 f/s
• Via the optional TV Snap-on (only available for Europe): Records TV in MPEG-2 TS format.
Audio recording • Via the optional DVR Station or DVR Snap-on: Stereo line-in, WAV (IMA ADPCM or PCM) format
• Voice recording with the built-in microphone
Others applications Webbrowser, Email, Contacts, DroidIn™, Ebuddy™IM, Twidroid™, Deezer™, Dailymotion™, QuickPedia, ThinkFree Mobile, Moov, CraigsPhone, Pages jaunes™ (only for France), High Paying Jobs (only for US & Canada), Alarm clock, Calculator...
Interfaces • USB 2.0: Media Transport Protocol (MTP)
• USB 2.0 Host: Mass Storage Class (MSC) and Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) with optional Mini Dock, Battery Dock and DVR station
• Micro SD (SDHC compatible) on ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet 8 to 32 GB
• Add-on connectors to connect to the DVR Station and other ARCHOS add-ons
Communication protocols • WiFi (802.11 b/g/n)
• Bluetooth 2.0
• FM transmitter
• FM receiver (RDS)
Miscellaneous • Built-in speaker"• Built-in leg stand• Built-in Microphone
Power source • Internal: Lithium Polymer battery
• Device charges via computer USB port
• External: Power adapter/charger (via optional add-on)
Battery life • Music playback time12: up to 22 hours13
• Video playback time12: up to 7 hours13
Scalability • Device automatically downloads latest firmware updates when the WiFi connection is activated
• Updates can also be downloaded at www.archos.com
Dimensions & weight • ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet Flash series: 143,2x78,8x10,4 mm - 182g• ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet Hard Drive series: 143,2x78,8x20 mm - 286g
Minimum system requirements • Microsoft® Windows® XP, Vista, or higher (with Windows media Player 11 for MTP)
• Linux (with Mass Storage Device Support)
• USB 2.0 interface
Package includes ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet, earphones, Standard USB cable, DVR Station adapter, Quick Start Guide (QSG), legal and safety notice.
*1GB = 1 billion bytes; actual formatted capacity is less.
1/ Actual screen size is 4.8 inches.
2/ 7 day free trial. Software and maps sold on archos website.
3/ With the optional TV Snap-on only available for Europe.
4/ HDMI connection with the optional DVR Station or HDMI Mini Dock.
5/ With the optional HD cinema plug-in (included WMV HD in 720p, MPEG-2, DVD, AC3) 4/ with the optional accessories: DVR Station, DVR Snap-on or TV Snap-on.
6/ TV Program Guide is only available for the following countries: UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, and UK. The first year of subscription is free.
7/ Certain bitrates, resolutions, and/or file variations may not be compatible.
8/ MPEG-4 ASP@L5 AVI (MPEG-4: ISO standard by Moving Picture Experts Group; AVI: audio/video file container by Microsoft) without GMC and Quarter.
9/ Does not read AAC protected files.
10/ Certain resolutions and file sizes may not be compatible.
11/ External video output disabled for Macrovision®-protected contents.
12/ Rechargeable batteries have a limited number of charge cycles and may eventually need to be replaced. Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings. Test run on an ARCHOS 5 60 GB with low backlight.
13/ “Depends on model. Rechargeable batteries have a limited number of charge cycles and may eventually need to be replaced. Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings. Test runs with low backlight.”
Right - I was merely noting their absence on the official spec list. Colossal fail on Archos' part. Maybe they'll get around to it later. In any case, this thing would have to be near-perfect for me to buy another Archos device. Those docks are terrible - a painfully obvious point of failure from an engineering/design perspective. It's downright shameful considering that it's a $30-$50 extortion fee to be able to properly charge the device.
I figured as much. I just thought I would post it. Colossal fail or just Archos being Archos. I am sure it'll charge for the codecs if it does come available. Yeah they charge out the butt for these so called "docks" and they either dont work half the time, or they (as in the DVR) never update the EPG or its down for months on end, or the proprietary connection breaks/ loosens/ just doesn't work, it doesn't work (TV) outside Europe, etc etc etc
Complete And Utter Failure- Nice try Archos but you still didn't bring your A game. Try again in 6 months when this device is being replaced by the A6 or whatever you want to call it.
As one who purchased an Archos 5 completely kitted out with DVR Station case, GPS unit and a few add-ons, (the price of which I'm too embarrassed to total) I'm unlikely to buy anything with the Archos brand again.
As an example, the only way that I got my GPS unit to function properly was to download a file posted on a file sharing site by a fellow Archos victim who managed, somehow to figure out that the North American English version of the software was missing a few things.
When I asked Archos support for help, I was told they'd refer the problem to someone higher up and they'd get back to me.
They never did.
Look! A device with real storage space. Wow.