Archos 605 Wi-Fi Portable Media Player (160 GB) by Archos
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List Price: Our Price: $275.00 You Save: $124.99 (31%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Network Media Player See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Archos 605 Wi-Fi Portable Media Player (160 GB)
Digital camera Review: Amazing potential, bothersome limitations
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought two of these already--they are that good. The main reason is because there is not anything else out there that can do what these things do.
The main problem is that the Archos 605 does not give you much value for the money you pay. This item is all over the refurb reseller web sites apparently because of returns. After you buy it you find out that you need to buy the H.264 AAC Web TV and Podcast plugin not just to watch Youtube but to watch anything downloadable in MPEG 4 AVC H.264 format. Then you need to buy another plugin to browse the web using Opera, and then another plugin to listen to Internet Radio stations. It charges very slowly from the USB port so the device even asks you to buy a charging dock the first time you plug it in.
The exciting features is that the screen is fantastic. You can watch videos from your UPNP DLNA server, such as Windows Media Center or FUPPES via WiFi. If you have a DISH Network VIP receiver it acts just like the PocketDish so you can copy your DVR programs to the Archos. Speaking of DVR, there is a DVR adapter that lets you watch this on your TV and record off the TV with a nifty remote.
This item is not for hobbyist hackers. This device runs Linux but it's really difficult to hack. This item is for people who want to watch movies and television shows on a huge screen anywhere.
Digital camera Review: An Ipod for adults
Summary: 5 Stars
The device is amazing. It is not apple and so can be accessed as a hard drive by any windows computer (or linux for the geeks among us) and it will do it all. Movies, music, pictures, videos, podcasts, record tv and playback to TV or Stereo system and it is simply the best media player currently available. The company misses some points but the are largely promotional and availability points not quality. I couldn't be more pleased.Digital camera Review: An excellent personal media player.
Summary: 5 Stars
I am really a big fan of my Archos 605. The 800x480 LCD touchscreen was my main reason for purchasing -- 4.3 inches is at the high end for a PMP, no doubt, but the pixel resolution is what really grabbed my attention. If you have video with subtitles or important text, that difference in resolution can be the difference between legibility and an unreadable garble. Comparatively, the iPod Touch's (in my opinion, the nearest competitor) 3.5 inch 480 x 320 screen just didn't measure up.
The web browsing is excellent, and I am particularly impressed by its ability to play YouTube/Google Video flash videos at full screen resolution. The only downside is that there's only two levels of zoom on webpages, where I understand that the iPod touch has several levels of zoom. Even so, both zoom levels are plenty legible for me thanks to the high resolution, and I don't have the best vision. And of course the Opera web browser is far superior to Apple's Safari, which is mandatory on the iPod Touch.
Further to that, the Archos supports Opera Widgets, which are little programs available for free online that do all sorts of things, from paint programs to calendar/scheduling applications.
This isn't to say there are no downsides -- the battery life isn't what it could be, and the included USB charger charges painfully slow. This is
mitigated if you get the battery dock accessory which gives you extra life, or just the mini-dock with AC adapter so you can charge faster. These portable docks also add a USB port to connect flash drives directly to the Archos with no need for a computer, or play video from the Archos on your TV. Even so, these drawbacks aren't enough to stop me from giving the Archos 605 WiFi five stars.
Digital camera Review: Archos - Missing parts in 3 packages
Summary: 1 Stars
Archos 605 Wi-Fi Portable Media Player (160 GB)
The product itself is just great! But in all 3 packages which I've ordered there was something missing (Stylus, Cable and so). Moreover - Amazon's customers service sent me to Archos service who sent me back to "the dealer".
Digital camera Review: Archos - Where "Customer Care" is an Oxymoron!!
Summary: 1 Stars
WARNING -
I loved (past tense) the device, have ALL of the accessories, camcorder attachment, battery dock, docking station, leather case, ad nauseum.
The unit failed after a little over a year later. Contacted their "Customer Service" webpage, left an e-mail got an RMA, got an e-mail telling me they received it.
13 business days later, I called them. And called them. And called them again. I got through to a so-called-customer-care rep, only to be told that they couldn't help me. They transferred my call to "Customer Care"?? I got a message telling me the hours and that they were closed. Problem was it was 6:05 pm CST, a full 55 minutes BEFORE they closed!?
Called again (Yes, I am glutton for heartache)35 more minutes of waiting for the phone to NOT be answered.
I STRONGLY encourage all to NEVER buy any of the Archos Products for any reason. It just simply isn't worth the headache of dealing with these French idiots. Perhaps the Allied Forces should have let Germany have France, at least the Germans understand Quality and know what customer service is.
My problem is, they still have my unit. I am having doubts that I will ever see it again. I should have known better than to buy French.