New Archos 5 with Android unboxed, meets its chubby predecessor
By Paul Miller 
posted Oct 15th 2009 11:34AM
posted Oct 15th 2009 11:34AM
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Has anyone owned one of these before? I've always been curious about them but I'm not familiar with their brand enough to want to make a purchase.
My ex had a much older archos. It was really big and clunky, but aside from it's size it was really nice, easy to use, and built fairly well too. The annoying thing is that after you buy the actual device in order to use certain codecs you have to buy the codec separately. Also, if you want to use it to record tv you have to geet a seperate dock for way too much money, but I guess that's pretty standard.
I don't know why so many people complain about the separately-purchased codecs. That's like Archos being kind enough to provide a discount for individuals who don't need certain codecs.
Anyway, I used to like Archos until they started delaying plugin/codec launches and eventually started caring less about their primary function which is to provided PMPs and moved towards Internet tablets and nettops (or was it laptops...?).. and what not...
I just picked one up. 32 GB model. Android is slick and Archos' codec support is awesome. Plays almost any file I throw at it. Also it has a 5 inch screen which is gorgeous.
I know why ppl don't like to pay for codec's
Its because they are FREE
Try:
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/K_lite_codec_pack.htm
No reason Archos could not include this codec pack in its software...
I would never buy an Archos because of this very reason.
don't compare codecs for Windows and for customized Linux or Android its a bit big difference.
@jason51873
I believe there's also licensing involved so really it's not the same as codecs you download for your PC.
Also, codec packs are from hell... if you need a codec, find it and install it.
I hope it's more stable than my 605, which seems to be possessed by poltergeists that enjoy randomly rebooting it. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of all the docks & extra-cost add-ons they have, as many of those functions (e.g., AC charging) should really just be integrated into the core device.
the "random rebooting" is actually a feature for keeping the internal clock in sync and is done when the device is in standby (not fully shut down)
will these work with Dish Network...I know Archos had a model you could connect to a dish network receiver and pull the video off of. Haven't seen those for a while.
Archos NEVER deliver on their promises: I'm still waiting for the promised HD plug-in for their TV+ box. I'll never buy anything from them again!
entirely different devices.
Ok seriously. I'm all about competition n rooting fir the underdog.
But can someone seriously tell me y I should replace my iPhone with this??I mean is this better than $149 iPod touch at 85000 apps n counting?
I have seen people carry around a bb or pre or android or nokia in left pocket. And in right pocket they carry iPod touch , hilarious to think their smartphone can't fully replace an iPod.
It has nothing to do with the fact that the iphone is only for at&t.
Or their really expensive iphone plans?
Hilarious to think that you couldn't have thought of that yourself.
The archos supports hard drives up to 500gb. Last I checked the biggest iphone was only 32gb. If you have over 32gb of movies and music and carrying it all with you is a priority, then the archos can carry more of it. The Archos also records and plays HD video. And, as it's android, will be much more customizable than the iphone or ipod touch. Yea, you're probably not going to replace your iphone for this, but there's plenty of room in the market for it.
Dude, do you relaly need to sabotage every single post in the face of the Earth with your uncalled, annoying, pathetic, repetitive "iPhone ownzzz" comments.
Do you have something else in life useful to say ? Did the iPhone finally gave meaning to your empty life and now you adore him like a holy cow in an Indian Field?
From my circle of friends no one has an iPhone and only has has an iPod Touch he found in our campus bathroom.
So, NO, each of the 304,059,724 souls that live in the US don't own an iSomething less the 6,706,993,152 that live in the world.
I have a bb and I also carry around a samsung p3. The bb is perfectly good at playing music and video but in doing so, just like the iphone the battery is depleted much quicker. Also as I am interested in sound quality my p3 blows the bb and the iphone out of the water! isn't it hilarious that apples players are not great sound quality......
Oh, and in addition it has expandable storage via microsdhc, and you can get a dock for HDMI out.
Why do you guys even respond to crap like this? The only reason why he posts those comments is to bait you idiots into replying to him. If you didn't respond to his posts then he would not be around. Read the comment, down rank him and then ignore him.
DFTT: Don't Feed The Troll.
Android certainly is getting into everything, huh?
Hmmm...think Google is working on auto systems?
SHHHHHHH, Google might hear you!
Serious question.
Can this be docked to a remote control surround?
Exactly it can't. Next fail !
You know that when you put serious question that you actually mean you have a question right?
Next to you, Truth, Hitler looks like a puppy. You are an Apple Dictator - expecting everyone in the world to like what you like and thinking only Apple can create real products in the world.
I hope Apple soon invents some iToiletPaper for you... so that you can clean up your mouth and your fingers.
go home truth, go f*** your mono audio iphone.
I dont understand the appeal of a "dock", you take an expensive device with reasonable audio quality, fill it with compressed audio and plug it into a dirt cheap speaker, its like sticking remould tyres on your Corvette. If you spend serious cash on a dock then thats even worse, like polishing a turd ;)
back on track looks like a nice device, but not sure it really needs android but if it does the job and is free why they heck not.
Archos France did a good job with this Android device. What can I say, I have no French Resistance.
Pfft... Low ranked by iFanBoys!!! Mon coeur et mon esprit sont forts comme les roches !!! Vive les États-Unis et la France :D
5 minuites later France surren.... Ohh, nvm.
How long until this POS is pulled by Amazon for OS defects, just like the 250gb 5 and 160gb Android Archos units. This company is an embarrassment... and keep your B.S. to yourself Charbax.. no one is buying your reteric anymore.
Please define the following:
Reteric
Charbax
Who is the embarrassment now? Who is?
Thank you!
100+ points
Charbax- A huge Archos fanboy who will NEVER admit that there is anything wrong with an archos device. This fanboy aslo happens to run the archosfans forum, where he has kicked people out of the forums before for criticizing an archos device.
Reteric - a novice misspelling of "rhetoric", which means: empty or meaningless speech
Could you fix the link please...
He meant Rhetoric, gesh. English isn't everyone's first language keep you grammar and spell check to yourself.
Charbax is a Archos employee who act like he is 12.
sorry, this was suppose to be a reply
@tikiteko
all u have to do is add a phone to this and you got urself one bad ass mofo.
their phone is coming sometime next year i think.
Apple sucks Truth, get your head out of Job's behind and actually learn some truth.
This would be a great Tablet if Archos would stand behind their products. Go to archos user forums to read horror stories of Archos 5 users getting stiffed with unreliable hardware, crappy firmware updates, etc...
The specs are fantastic. Too bad Archos sucks as a company. They want customers to act like beta testers for rushed to market products.
ARCHOS CLEAN UP YOUR ACT!
It's "Who is it?", not "Who is?". Unles you leave in the hood. And it is you that is embarrassing.
and I know the 's' was left off of unless... but I didn't know this was going to become a spelling are grammar lesson.
DFTT: Don't Feed The Troll.