Archos 5 250 GB Internet Tablet by Archos
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Digital camera reviews of Archos 5 250 GB Internet Tablet
Digital camera Review: Beautiful upgrade for an Archos 605 fan
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased this as an upgrade to my beloved Archos 605 160GB. I actually purchased this directly from archos because I had trouble getting it through Amazon.
First impressions: beautiful sleek design, love the rubbery backside and the enlarged screen! I find that the touch screen user interface is quite improved over the 605, the buttons all flash when you press them so that is a nice confirmation that you hit it. Also, play buttons and such seem to be bigger than before, easier to hit. Although the glossy, shiny look is pretty to look at, it also shows fingerprints (much like the Touch). Not a big deal to me, I'm used to wiping off my glossy surfaces regularly.
So lets get into the nitty gritty, starting with the things I love about the new Archos 5. Just one caveat, I am using this primarily as a replacement media player for the Archos 605 so I won't speak much to internet browsing issues. I will use as a basis of comparison my collection of MP3 players (ok I'm an addict so sue me!) which includes iPod Touch 2nd Gen 32GB, Creative Zen WiFi 16GB, iPod Classic 160GB, Archos 605 160GB, Archos 604 30GB, iRiver Clix2 8GB.
*) 250GB: gotta love all that storage space, especially since the new Apple Classic tops out at 120GB now it seems Archos is in a class all to itself.
*) Big beautiful glossy color screen, definitely an improvement over 605.
*) Easily connected to my Wifi, browser is now free instead of costing extra like before. Upgrade to firmware was accomplished easily.
*) Easy synchronization of my entire music library and playlists using Media Monkey in Windows Media Mode (605 had problems here, so glad Archos fixed this!)
*) Beautiful full featured DVR dock available (apple doesn't even make one as far as I can tell!)
*) Esthetically the most appealing player I've seen yet from Archos.
*) Nice context menus on most pages (tap upper right corner) that make it easy to get around.
*) Love the ability to switch between hard drive mode and Windows Media Mode (something I do quite frequently). Also nice to be able to put a password on folders with sensitive or Adult content.
*) Ability to play all kinds of audio/video files, although you do have to pay up to $40 for additional plugin firmware in order to play apple and cinema formats.
*) On screen touch qwerty keyboard is really nice, easy to use -- I found it much easier to type accurately than the Touch/iPhone onscreen keyboard.
*) Browser supports flash controls, woohoo, welcome to the 21st century fercrissakes!
*) That 250GB of data is readily available to the PC as a hard drive so I can use it for backups or whatever else I want to do with it. (unlike the Creative Zen for example).
*) Convenient built-in speaker can be used in a pinch: everybody seems to have one of these now but as far as I can tell Archos did it first on the 605!
*) Now Playing music screen is easier to use, volume, and play buttons are easier to use now and it displays the name of the next and previous songs: a feature that I don't see on any of my other MP3 players.
*) Nice dedicated volume and power buttons, the volume buttons are definitely easier to find and use than the 605.
And now, my suggestions to Archos for how they could improve on what I think is a cutting edge beautiful product. Please understand, I'm a nitpicking software engineer so I give 5 stars even though I can find room for improvement!
*) I miss the dedicated hold/tv-out button which has been removed. Not a big deal since can still be done through the context menu.
*) Some of the text menus just look a little strange and seem to take a too much space on the screen. For example, I have to scroll down to get to the "Playlists"... at the very least "Playlists" should be on the first page as its the one I use the most. Really it seems like too many button presses are required to dig down and play a playlist, I wish "playlists" was available from a top level menu because I use it more than anything else...
When all is said and done, I honestly believe that there is no comparable product with a big beautiful high resolution screen like this and a huge hard drive. This is it!
Now if you are happy with a smaller screen and less storage, the iPod Touch is arguably a better product: my solution? Buy one of each!
Update 12-31-2008: As of New Years Eve I am still quite happily using my Archos 5 as an entertainment center. It seems Archos heard me and they have made the album art a little bigger in firmware release 1.2.05!
Update 1-24-2009: Firmware update 1.3.05 works great! Had to use my Touch for a few days and very happy to have my Archos back on the speakers, I do believe the sound is better through the same speakers.
Update 3-14-2009: Updated to firmware 1.5.08. Due to previous upgrade, the upgrade process is MUCH easier now because it doesn't try to rebuild its library from scratch (this takes hours when you have a lot of files like I do). I'm also enjoying the "parental control" password which allows me to protect my data from unauthorized access. Still a happy customer :)
Update 5-22-2009: Still very happy with my 5. Firmware version 1.6.53 now offers support for their GPS package and High Def. I tried the GPS package before and it was ok, my favorite thing about it was the windshield mount which really comes in handy on a long drive. The GPS itself is decent considering it doesn't cost much, but can't compare to Garmin. Still, how many MP3 players even offer a GPS option?
Digital camera Review: Beautifull!!!!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I decided to buy this as an upgrade to my Archos 605 (160 gig). I figured I'd keep one in my car & use as an mp3 player & take the other to work to watch movies at lunch. The differences: The 505 right off the bat has a much clearer picture, touch response screen is more sensitive, sound is about the same, internet - much faster!!!!! Not really using it for internet access, but definately faster. Most important: IF YOU WANT TO TRANSFER MOVIES / CD'S WITHOUT PAYING ARCHOS FOR EVERY LITTLE UPGRADE, PLS DO YOUR RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AS THERE ARE MANY PROGRAMS AVAILABLE THAT WILL ALLOY YOU HASTLE FREE TRANSFER W/ NO PROBLEMS!!!!!Digital camera Review: Best Mp3 Player PERIOD.
Summary: 5 Stars
Pros: 1.4.8 inch touch screen at 800x480.
2. 250gb HD.
3. AAC support (pay extra but worth it.)
4. Great sound.
5. The best web browser on any Mp3, PMP player.If you think the iphone has a good browser then think again. Like browsing on a laptop.Flash 8 and 9 support.
6. Easy to Navigate and great interface. The fonts look so clear. Beautiful and yet simple GUI.
7. Kickstand.
8. AVI support. Ripped some DVD to AVI at 720x480 at 2.5mbps. Amazing detail. Like watching a HD movie.
Cons: 1.Battery Life.
2. Its not Open source.
Summary: This is the best Mp3, PMP player i ever owned and let me tell you, i don't regret spending almost 500 bucks on it.
I owned alot of mp3 players (ipod classic, Zune, Cowon D2) and they all had their cons. This does have it cons but its not as bad the as the others.
Avi movies looks soo good on this, almost feels like watching HD content.
Digital camera Review: Beware
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought my Archos 5 at a local computer store and my main purpose for this is to watch high def videos. I dropped tons of money on this already and it was a huge disappointment when I uploaded my videos to it, I could not play it and the message it tells me is that in order to play high def videos, I will need to buy an additional plug-in to play high-def. That is bull.Digital camera Review: Broke within a day
Summary: 1 Stars
Buyers Beware!! After 1 day device would not even turn on. It is now an expensive paperweight.