Archos 604 30 GB Ultraslim Portable Digital Media Player and Recorder (500860) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Archos 604 Video player is wonderful piece of electronics.It is a great update of the venerable AV500 and takes care of all of the problems of its predecessors.

Package Contained
Archos 604, 1 battery, nice ear bud headphones, 1 proprietary USB 2.0 cable used to charge the device and transfer content from your computer, setup guide and legal stuff, DVR station adapter and a storage sack.

The Great
The screen is totally amazing: Big, Bright and Beautiful in a 16:9 layout. It has a 30 Gig HD which many people will think is probably on the small size, but I find it more that enough to store 8-10 movies and 8-10 TV shows leaving more than 20 gigs for music. And how much do you really need for movies and TV.These are not like music files: once you view a TV or movie a few times you will want to delete it and put newer movies and TV shows on the unit. More space would be nice, but the 30 here is more than enough for what this unit will be used for, ie watching on the go.

Viewing angle is very wide. The unit itself is well constructed and is made up of a high density plastic and metal - a nice surprise when most people are using only plastic to save money and lessen weight. Here too the 604 has really improved the surface of the metal with a very nice brushed surface that always looks clean: no fingerprints show.

Included are a few sample files to show off the 604 abilities in the video and music areas. The manual is right in the unit in a pdf file which is a very nice feature. The 604 can view most pdf files and the screen is so nice reading and viewing them is a pleasure. I bought my 604 to watch stuff on the go, and this unit is PERFECT for that.

Archos technical support is easy to call and they pickup and give advice without putting you through the ringer or automated FAQ system - another nice surprise.

The 604 has a Replaceable battery!Don't by any product where you can't replace the battery.

Battery life is wonderful for music at over 14 hours when listening to music only. When using it to play videos, I am getting 4+ hours of use before the battery is exhausted. Looking at pictures and listening to music falls somewhere between 7 and 10+ hours.

The interface looks really cool with lots of interactive items. When connected to your computer it asks you what you want to do: charge only, sync (via Windows Media 10) or mount as a hard drive. No installation discs come with the unit as they are not needed. Only thing you need to do is make sure Windows Media 10 (a free download from Microsoft) is installed if you want to use the it for syncing files, but it is not required as you can drag and drop files on the the 604 in HD mode just like any regular hard drive.

The speaker is small but actually sounds good considering its size - perfect for office or desk listening or to share video clips with friends gathered around. The built in Kickstand is extremely cool here and makes playing videos and watching them at your desk very slick.

The built in microphone works exceptionally well and picks up even the softest sounds clearly.

The photo viewer is great and and is fun to use (slide show, rotate, etc.). You can even listen to music while you view pictures which is a wonderful feature: just start listening to music before you switch over to viewing photos.

The Not So Great
Many might be disappointed that it comes with no cables to play back video on television, but again what this unit is really useful for is watching video ON THE GO. If you want a DVR for your house, get a Tivo or something similar or get the additional add-on that make the 604 a full featured DVR, but if you go this route, I would suggest getting the 504 with the bigger HD. Although there to you will pay more for the additional storage size, and you will also have to buy the cables to enable it to record live shows.

The navigation buttons take a bit of getting used to of course, but the design is really quite simple and straight forward.

Things to do when you get your unit.
Be sure to go to the archos website and get the firmware update from the download section for the Archos 604 and update it right away. It adds functionality.

The very bad
The storage bag is useless: provides no more protection than a zip-lock bag. Don't worry, there will be many people selling skins for this unit soon.

Update on 9-20-06:
I wanted to pass along a few more things since my review. I have used the Archos 604 for the past 3 weeks now and I am even more impressed then when I first wrote my review. The unit is just so light and compact for what it offers. This is not like an iPod of course, but with that you gain such a beautiful screen for doing all the things an iPod or similar just can't do. I use the Archos to workout (cardio), currently watching LOST, and the time just flies by.

I have not had any problem connecting or transferring files to the Archos 604: it just works well.

Update on October 4th, 2006:
I have played around with the display setting for brightness and have discovered that if you reduce the brightness to the minimum level (still super acceptable for viewing IMO) you can get about an extra 1 hour of viewing of videos.

Update on October 27th 2006:
The H.264 - AAC sound plug-in was released a few days ago. I downloaded it and installed it easily. The plug-in is tied to your unit so no sharing the codex. Now there is no reason to convert iPod videos for the Archos, they play perfectly with this new plug-in. The plug in was $19.99. The DVD video plug-in also works perfectly and I installed it also without problems and have watched some wonderful DVD movies without having to convert them to a different format. This plug-in was also 19.99. I wish Archos had included these in the original price.

Update on December 5th, 2006:
The Archos 604 as of this date supports the following files types (some may require a plugin: see the Archos website for details).
.divx
.xvid
.wmv
.wma
.m4v
mpeg-4
mpeg-2
.vob
.mpg
.ps
.mp4
.ac3
.acc
.mov (H264)

Summary
This is a very cool device and is certainly easy on the eyes. This blows away any other portable video player (PMP) on the market and the price is incredibly low for what it offers. The very low price will make this a must have item for watching video on the go if you can find it for sale. My 604 is just such a joy to use. I am never without high quality TV shows or DVD movies now no matter where I find myself. The size is just perfect, any larger and it would be cumbersome, and smaller and it would produce eye strain like I had with the video iPod.

Overall, I continue to be very, very happy that I bought the Archos 604.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Archos 604 30 GB Ultraslim Portable Digital Media Player and Recorder (500860)

Product Description:
With the Archos 500860 604 30GB Ultra-Slim Portable Digital Media Player and Recorder you have all the entertainment you need at your fingertips, in a package that approaches iPod size. The perfect companion for everything from long trips to short bus rides, from going to parties to just hanging out around the house, the Archos 604 lets you not only take your favorite music, movies, and moments with you, but helps you make new favorite moments wherever you happen to be.
With a screen size surface three times that of similar size PMPs (portable media players), the Archos 604 ensures you can thoroughly enjoy movies and videos. This unit uses a bright, 4.3-inch TFT LCD display with over 16 million colors to provide you a crystal-clear, sharp picture with a 16:9 aspect ratio and 480 x 272 pixels of resolution, as well as an intuitive GUI (graphic user interface) for easy-to-use navigation. The Archos 604 not only plays your videos and movies, but lets you store up to a whopping 85 movies on its hard drive in either MPEG-4 or WMV formats at up to DVD resolution. You can also purchase and download optional plug-ins from Archos' website that will allow you to play H.264 and MPEG-2 formats up to DVD resolutions as well.
Not only is the Archos 604 a portable video and movie player, but a high-resolution photo viewer as well, complete with features such as zoom, music, and transition effects. You can easily download photos from your PC, or transfer them directly to the 604 from your digital camera via the optional docking adapter. This unit is compatible with JPEG, BMP, and PNG file formats, and can hold up to 300,000 photos at a time, depending upon file size and what else you are storing at the same time. The Archos 604 can even read and display PDF documents for on-the-fly work situations, although it may not implement all PDF features.
For those times when you can't afford the distraction of watching high-quality videos, the Archos 604 can be your music player, storing and playing up to 15,000 songs so you can keep working, walking, or doing whatever you need with your own private soundtrack. This unit displays the track, artist, album, and album cover of whatever you are playing, and supports stereo MP3 decoding from 30 to 320 kbps CBR and VBR, as well as WMA, protected WMA, and WAV (PCM/ADPCM) formats. Furthermore, the Archos 604 can play AAC music files, and AC3 stereo sound files with the additional of optional software plug-ins that can be purchased and downloaded from Archos' web site. And just in case inspiration strikes or you want to make sure you don't forget something important, this handy media player lets you make voice recordings through its built-in microphone, or via the optional DVR travel adapter or DVR station through a stereo line-in jack in WAV format.
The Archos 604 is fully compatible with DVD-quality VOD (video on demand) and online music stores, allowing you to purchase and download new music and movies directly online rather than having to transfer everything from more traditional media sources. This media player can also record directly from TV in high-quality MPEG-4 with stereo sound via the optional DVR station, so you can take your favorite television shows with you wherever you go. And if you are at home, the Archos 604 can play back any of your movies or recorded TV programs on your television itself, also through the optional DVR station.
The Archos 604 has a built-in 30 gigabyte hard disk so you have plenty of space for anything you need, and includes a high-speed USB 2.0 connection for transferring files. This unit features a 3.5-millimeter stereo headphone jack mini-jack and TV output, dedicated connectors for hooking up optional adapters or the DVR station, and a built-in kick stand for convenient table-top viewing. The 604 also features a music playback time of up to 16 hours, and a video playback time of up to five hours on its built-in LCD display, all with its internal, removable lithium-ion polymer rechargeable battery that charges via computer through its USB port, or more quickly with the optional docking adapter or DVR station. The Archos 604 is compatible with both PCs and Macs with a USB port and Linux, Windows ME or higher, or OS X or higher, and requires Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or higher and Windows Media Player 10 or higher for use with PlayForSure video and subscription services. This media player allows firmware updates to be downloaded via www.archos.com, weighs approximately 9.05 ounces, and measures approximately 5.1 x 3 x 0.65 inches (W x H x D).
What's in the Box
Archos 604 portable media player and recorder, headphones, dedicated USB 2.0 cable, DVR station adapter, pouch, quick-start guide, and legal and safety notices.

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Archos 504 80GB Portable Digital Media Player and Recorder (500870) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Received my Archos 504 a couple days ago and I've been putting it through it's paces.The player is very solid and well made.The rocker buttons are easy to push with a tactile feel, but navigating the archos is anything but intuitive.Having to use 3 rocker buttons to navigate up, down, left, and right does not work nearly as well as a directional pad.The screen is very bright and crisp.Unfortunately, out of the box, the Archos doesn't play certain video codecs.MPG4 with AC3 and H264 with AAC both require codec plugins which are going to cost $15 per plug-in.So if you want full video support, add $30 to the price of the 504.The kicker, though, is that these codecs are not yet available and tech support has no idea when they will be available.Also the internal speaker volume is not very loud.Even at full volume, you have to listen closely to video dialog in a quiet room.If there is background noise, forget about it, plug in the headphones.

I really want to like the 504.The price is good for an 80 gig player, but be aware that Archos will nickel and dime you for accessories like an AC adapter (which is only available with the dock or dvr adapter), and the codecs.

If Amazon begins shipping the Zen Vision W 60 GB model soon, I may return the 504.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Archos 504 80GB Portable Digital Media Player and Recorder (500870)

Product Description:
With the Archos 500870 504 80GB Portable Digital Media Player and Recorder you have all the entertainment you need at your fingertips, in a package that stays ultra portable. The perfect companion for everything from long trips to short bus rides, from going to parties to just hanging out around the house, the Archos 504 lets you not only take your favorite music, movies, and moments with you, but helps you make new favorite moments wherever you happen to be.
With a screen size surface three times that of similar size PMPs (portable media players), the Archos 504 ensures you can thoroughly enjoy movies and videos. This unit uses a bright, 4.3-inch TFT LCD display with over 16 million colors to provide you a crystal-clear, sharp picture with a 16:9 aspect ratio and 480 x 272 pixels of resolution, as well as an intuitive GUI (graphic user interface) for easy-to-use navigation. The Archos 504 not only plays your videos and movies, but lets you store over a whopping 226 regular movies or 58 DVD-quality movies on its hard drive in either MPEG-4 or WMV formats, at up to DVD resolution. You can also purchase and download optional plug-ins from Archos' website that will allow you to play H.264 and MPEG-2 formats up to DVD resolutions as well.
Not only is the Archos 504 a portable video and movie player, but a high-resolution photo viewer as well, complete with features such as zoom, music, and transition effects. You can easily download photos from your PC, or transfer them directly to the 504 from your digital camera via the optional docking adapter. This unit is compatible with JPEG, BMP, and PNG file formats, and can hold up to 800,000 photos at a time, depending upon file size and what else you are storing at the same time. The Archos 504 can even read and display PDF documents for on-the-fly work situations, although it may not implement all PDF features.
For those times when you can't afford the distraction of watching high-quality videos, the Archos 504 can be your music player, storing and playing up to 40,000 songs so you can keep working, walking, or doing whatever you need with your own private soundtrack. This unit displays the track, artist, album, and album cover of whatever you are playing, and supports stereo MP3 decoding from 30 to 320 kbps CBR and VBR, as well as WMA, protected WMA, and WAV (PCM/ADPCM) formats. Furthermore, the Archos 504 can play AAC music files, and AC3 stereo sound files with the additional of optional software plug-ins that can be purchased and downloaded from Archos' web site. And just in case inspiration strikes or you want to make sure you don't forget something important, this handy media player lets you make voice recordings through its built-in microphone, or via the optional DVR travel adapter or DVR station through a stereo line-in jack in WAV format.
The Archos 504 is fully compatible with DVD-quality VOD (video on demand) and online music stores, allowing you to purchase and download new music and movies directly online rather than having to transfer everything from more traditional media sources. This media player can also record directly from TV in high-quality MPEG-4 with stereo sound via the optional DVR station, so you can take your favorite television shows with you wherever you go. And if you are at home, the Archos 504 can play back any of your movies or recorded TV programs on your television itself, also through the optional DVR station.
The Archos 504 has a built-in 80 gigabyte hard disk so you have plenty of space for anything you need, and includes a high-speed USB 2.0 connection for transferring files. This unit features a 3.5-millimeter stereo headphone jack mini-jack and TV output, and dedicated connectors for hooking up optional adapters or the DVR station. The 504 also features a music playback time of up to 17 hours, and a video playback time of up to 5.5 hours on its built-in LCD display, all with its internal, removable lithium-ion polymer rechargeable battery that charges via computer through its USB port, or more quickly with the optional docking adapter or DVR station, or a separate optional power charger. The Archos 504 is compatible with both PCs and Macs with a USB port and Linux, Windows ME or higher, or OS X or higher, and requires Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or higher and Windows Media Player 10 or higher for use with PlayForSure video and subscription services. This media player allows firmware updates to be downloaded via www.archos.com, weighs approximately 11.15 ounces, and measures approximately 5.1 x 3 x 0.9 inches (W x H x D).
What's in the Box
Archos 504 portable media player, headphones, dedicated USB 2.0 cable, DVR station adapter, protective case, quick-start guide, and legal and safety notices.

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Creative Zen Sleek Photo 20 GB Multimedia Player (Aluminum/White) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is an awesome MP3 player and really cheap for 20 gigs and a color screen!One drawback: can't view photos at the same time as listening to music.I personally use Windows Media Player to sync all my music but other programs like Rhapsody will do the job.Don't install any of the Creative software that comes with it because it sucks.This player is very easy to use and sync.I plug it in, Windows Media Player syncs it with my licenses and music from my CD collection and my subscription at the Urge music store (get Windows Media Player 11 for this).
Simple.Reliable.What's not to like?
PS: You MUST have Windows XP to use this.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Creative Zen Sleek Photo 20 GB Multimedia Player (Aluminum/White)

Product Description:
Living up to its name, the svelte and elegantly designed Creative Zen Sleek Photo Multimedia Player can carry thousands of MP3 and WMA music files as well as your favorite snapshots. It is compatible with secure PlaysForSure WMA files downloaded from online music stores and subscription services (like MTV's Urge, Napster, and Rhapsody).

View the stunning, high-intensity 1.7-inch OLED screen from any angle.

The Sleek Photo 20 GB player holds up to 10,000 WMA or 5,000 MP3 songs. View larger.
This 20 GB digital audio player will store up to 10,000 WMA (encoded at 64 Kbps) or 5,000 MP3 (128 KBps) CD-quality songs. The internal rechargeable lithium-ion battery offers up to 19 hours of continuous play. The cutting edge, 1.7-inch OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) screen looks terrific from every angle and it draws less power than conventional LCD displays. It displays 262,144 vivid colors, ensuring every picture is sharply detailed and extraordinarily clear. In addition to standard slideshows, you can also set up custom slideshows complete with music.
Tune in to the built-in FM radio (which features 32 station presets) and listen live or record programming for listening when you're ready. Use the built-in microphone to record your voice--dictate memos, record meetings, hours of notes, lectures and reminders. Sync with Microsoft Outlook to transfer your calendar, contacts and task list so you'll never forget important anniversaries and appointments. You can also use the Zen Sleek Photo as an external hard drive for saving and transferring your most important files.
The equalization feature offers nine acoustic environments, such as "rock" and "jazz," enabling you to customize your listening environment. Other features include a 5-band graphic equalizer, easy-to-use touch pad control buttons, and upgradeable firmware. It connects to PCs via a USB 2.0 connection (cable included)--which features download speeds of up to one second per song--and it's compatible with Windows XP SP1/SP2 systems with Windows Media Player 10 software.
The Zen Sleek Photo Multimedia Player uses PlaysForSure technology. Look for the PlaysForSure logo if you're shopping for a portable music or video device and you want to make sure the digital music and video you purchase will play back on it every time. Match the PlaysForSure logo on a large selection of leading devices and online music stores. If you see the logo, you'll know your digital music will play for sure. Choose from a large number of digital music and video stores, including MTV's Urge, Rhapsody, Yahoo!, MSN Music, MusicMatch, MusicNow, Napster, Wal-Mart Music Downloads, and many more.

What's in the Box
Zen Sleek Photo digital audio player, earphones, power adapter, USB cable, pouch, CD-ROM with software and user guide, and printed Quick Start guide.

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iriver S10 2 GB Multimedia Player (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)When I made my purchase, I can only find the player in amazon markplace, ebay or warehouse123. Since warehouse123 provides 1 year warranty for my S10. I ordered from them and it took only 2 days to receive my player.

Packing: I enjoyed the packaging. It's a square main box with angled corner. Two more small boxes are inside. The S10 is put inside one box and the rest of the accessories are put inside the other. The packing did wow me as Apple's packaging does. iRiver included some plastic molds to hold the player to make it seem more professional. It's an incredible unboxing experience.

Design: The S10 is one of the most beautifully designed MP3 players I have ever seen. For the interfaces of most mp3 players, there are a few small buttons for navigation. The iRiver D-Click allow me to navigate the interface by pressing the four sides of the display itself. The button-less screen creates a very clean and sleek. Since there are no buttons to press, navigation is done through pressing the sides of the screen. Around the edges of the iRiver S10, you'll find the remainder of the controls. The S10 is actually very usable with one hand. It's simple and easy to control the player.

Sound:It has excellent audio playback and recording quality. The stock headphones are not good enough. I wish iRiver could improve the quality of the headphones. I'm using the Audio Technica Ath-CK7 which helps me get the best out of the player. Sound quality is very good as is normal with iRiver players. It produces crystal clear sound as well as smooth and powerful bass.

Transferring music & Battery Life: I would prefer drag-and-drop over iRiver plus 3. I can simply drag and drop my music into the music folder. Since the player is 2GB only, I don't think it needs any music management program. I love the USB portion of the device. I can just plug my device into any USB port in a computer makes up for the 8 hours battery life and it only takes a few minutes to recharge your MP3 player.

My only complain: iRiver doesn't sell the S10 in Blue color. The sound is great. The player is packed with useful options; FM radio, voice recorder, many EQ presets and custom EQ settings. I find the navigation intuitive and easy to use. The cost is very good for what I get. I'm very pleased with my purchase.

P.S. I need to say thank you to Jenn in pocketables who provides a very detail review for the iRiver S10. I read her review before I purchased my S10. Highly recommend to read her review.

Click Here to see more reviews about: iriver S10 2 GB Multimedia Player (Black)

Product Description:
The iRiver S10 might be small and compact in size, but it still manages to pack in some amazing features--including 2 GB of internal storage, a 1.15-inch full-color screen, a digital FM radio, and more, all in a sleek design. With support for MP3, WMA, ASF, and OGG (including Q10) audio file playback, the S10 supports up to eight hours of multimedia playback powered by its internal Li-Poly rechargeable battery. Easy to use, the S10 features iRiver's legendary iRiver D-Click system interface.
The S10's usability goes far beyond the typical multimedia playback abilities that most MP3 players boast. In addition to audio playback and picture-viewing capabilities (the player supports BMP picture files), the S10 supports a voice recording mode--a great feature for students and business users--and even allows users to use its ample 2 GB of storage space as a mass storage device. Other great features include a digital clock, an alarm, and a timer. The S10 is compatible with Windows 98SE, Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Vista, and Mac OS by 10.2 and later operating systems. Sporting speedy USB 2.0 connectivity, the S10 measures 1.65 by 1.18 by .42 inches and weighs a scant 0.62 ounce. The player is backed by a 1-year limited manufacturer's warranty.
What's in the Box
S10 2 GB multimedia player, iRiver earphones, installation CD, USB 2.0 cable, and printed manual.

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Archos 604 30GB Wi-Fi, Ultra-Slim Portable Digital Media Player and Recorder (50872) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have had this product for several weeks now.I thought long and hard about which type to buy (I finally settled on Archos as the manufacturer) and went with the 604 WiFi due to the size (704 is too large for what I wanted) and cost (the 604 without WiFi was about the same price).

I also prefer the removeable battery, which the 605 does not have. The 605 does allow you to stream video whereby the 604 doesn't, so if this is an important feature for you keep that in mind.Also, oddly enough, the 604 WiFi comes with the Archos browser already loaded, and it appears you have to pay extra for this with the 605.

Learning how to convert files took me a while, but I found a good software to use (there are several freebies out there) and through a bit of trial and error, I have it down to a pretty good routine now.I've put about four movies on it and they work fine, although one I may have to reload because the movement on the screen is a little choppy for some reason.Converting DVDs to .avi takes a while, so I usually do this in the background while doing something else.Transfering the file to the Archos only takes a few minutes.

I see many complaints about the fact that you have to buy extra accessories, which is apparently true for most any Archos PMP. You should, of course, do your research ahead of time and figure those costs in the final price before you make the decision to buy it in the first place.If you want any cables, the docking station, etc. add those into the total cost when you compare, presuming that whatever you are comparing it to has these already included.I have ordered the docking station but it has not yet arrived, so I can't comment on its usefulness (or lack thereof).I also bought the two plug-ins online at the Archos web site.I knew in advance that I would incur these costs in addition to the cost of the 604 if I wanted them.Considering the price I got if for on Amazon, though, I still considered it to be a good buy.

Several comments have also been made regarding the sound quality of the speaker.Well, of course it's bad! It is a tiny little thing on a faily small device, so don't expect thundering surround sound.All I use it for is to make sure that the movies I have transferred to it did transfer successfully with the sound. In that respect, it's pretty handy to have.

I plan to use this to watch movies while traveling by plane, and I think it is perfect for that purpose.It is heavier than I thought it would be and IMO it is not a good choice if you mainly want MP3.There are many lighter options for this with probably better sound quality.In no way would you want to go jogging with this thing; it's simply not made for that.

If you do decide to buy this device or another model, check out www.archosfans.com to get some useful tips on using it.For newbies like me in regard to file conversion, a great resource on this site is http://forum.archosfans.com/viewtopic.php?t=8348, which guides you step-by-step.

All in all I have been pleased with my purchase and will probably buy a second one to give as a gift.I do recommend it.

EDIT 05/30/08:I have had this unit for about seven months now and continue to be pleased with it.I have it continually sitting in the docking station to charge and have learned how to set the timer. So, while in the docking cradle, it will turn on my Dish receiver, turn it to the correct channel, record the program and then turn the receiver off.You cannot transfer Dish recorded material to the unit, although you can do this with a free plug-in from Archos with the 605 or the 705 units.I am a bit irritated that Archos updated this feature for the 605/705 devices but not for the 604/704 devices, but such is life, I guess.

If I have any regret in buying it, it is that I didn't get the 80 GB or larger option instead of the 30 GB, but on the other hand this does make me delete those files I don't really need.It serves the exact purpose I wanted it for, though.When I travel, I now have a variety of programs to watch at my finger tips instead of being at the mercy of "AA Eye On American" every flight.It is one of the better buying decisions I've made.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Archos 604 30GB Wi-Fi, Ultra-Slim Portable Digital Media Player and Recorder (50872)

Product Description:
With the Archos 604 30 GB portable digital media player and recorder, you have all the entertainment you need at your fingertips in a package that approaches iPod size. The perfect companion for everything from long trips to short bus rides, and from going to parties to just hanging out around the house, the Archos 604 lets you not only take your favorite music, movies, and moments with you, but helps you make new favorite moments wherever you happen to be.


The unit's 4.3-inch TFT LCD display delivers a crystal-clear picture. With a screen size surface three times that of similar size PMPs (portable media players), the Archos 604 lets you thoroughly enjoy movies and videos. This unit employs a bright 4.3-inch TFT LCD display with over 16 million colors to deliver a crystal-clear, sharp picture, with a 16:9 aspect ratio and 480 x 272 pixels of resolution, as well as an intuitive GUI (graphic user interface) for easy-to-use navigation. The Archos 604 not only plays your videos and movies, but also lets you store up to a whopping 85 movies on its hard drive in either MPEG-4 or WMV formats at up to DVD resolution. You can also purchase and download optional plug-ins from Archos' website that will allow you to play H.264 and MPEG-2 formats up to DVD resolutions as well.


Connections include a USB 2.0 interface, a dedicated DVR connector, a 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack, and a TV output. Not only is the Archos 604 a portable video and movie player, but a high-resolution photo viewer as well, complete with features such as zoom, music, and transition effects. You can easily download photos from your PC or transfer them directly to the 604 from your digital camera via the optional docking adapter. This unit is compatible with JPEG, BMP, and PNG file formats, and can hold up to 300,000 photos at a time, depending upon file size and what else you are storing at the same time. The Archos 604 can even read and display PDF documents for on-the-fly work situations, although it may not implement all PDF features.
For those times when you can't afford the distraction of watching high-quality videos, the Archos 604 can be your music player, storing and playing up to 15,000 songs so you can keep working, walking, or doing whatever you need with your own private soundtrack. The unit displays the track, artist, album, and album cover of whatever you are playing, and supports stereo MP3 decoding from 30 to 320 kbps CBR and VBR, as well as WMA, protected WMA, and WAV (PCM/ADPCM) formats. Furthermore, the Archos 604 can play AAC music files and AC3 stereo sound files with the additional of optional software plug-ins that can be purchased and downloaded from Archos' web site. And just in case inspiration strikes or you want to make sure you don't forget something important, this handy media player lets you make voice recordings through its built-in microphone, or via the optional DVR travel adapter or DVR station through a stereo line-in jack in WAV format.


Touch screen LCD lets you navigate through menus with a fingertip or stylus. The Archos 604 is fully compatible with DVD-quality VOD (video on demand) and online music stores, allowing you to purchase and download new music and movies directly online rather than having to transfer everything from more traditional media sources. This media player can also record directly from TV in high-quality MPEG-4 with stereo sound via the optional DVR station, so you can take your favorite television shows with you wherever you go. And if you are at home, the Archos 604 can play back any of your movies or recorded TV programs on your television itself, also through the optional DVR station.
The Archos 604 has a built-in 30 GB hard disk, so you have plenty of space for anything you need, and includes a high-speed USB 2.0 connection for transferring files. The 604 also offers Wi-Fi capability that lets you more easily transfer files to and from your Archos media player and other Wi-Fi enabled devices or computers. This unit features a 3.5-millimeter stereo headphone jack mini-jack and TV output, dedicated connectors for hooking up optional adapters or the DVR station, and a built-in kick stand for convenient table-top viewing. The 604 also features a music playback time of up to 16 hours, and a video playback time of up to five hours on its built-in LCD display, all with its internal, removable lithium-ion polymer rechargeable battery that charges via computer through its USB port, or more quickly with the optional docking adapter or DVR station.
The Archos 604 is compatible with both PCs and Macs with a USB port and Linux, Windows ME or higher, or OS X or higher, and requires Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or higher and Windows Media Player 10 or higher for use with PlayForSure video and subscription services. This media player allows firmware updates to be downloaded via www.archos.com, weighs approximately 9.05 ounces, and measures approximately 5.1 by 3 by 0.65 inches (W x H x D).
What's in the Box
Archos 604 portable media player and recorder, headphones, dedicated USB 2.0 cable, DVR station adapter, pouch, quick-start guide, legal and safety notices.

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iriver CXW-2G Clix 2 GB Digital Music and Video Player, White Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)*I bought the Clix with the Dock as a complete package from iRiver and this review covers both items*

Packaging

iRiver does a good job with their packaging by making it simple and clean, probably taking note of Apple's packaging strategy, though not as refined.All the included accessories are placed in clearly labeled paper boxes making it simple and easy to find what you need quickly.There is no foam padding of any sort to protect any of the accessories or the player itself but I do not think this will be a problem because the Clix is a flash based player.The Clix itself is protected by a sticker with a printed on animation of the "now playing" screen.There is a "starter kit" that comes with the Clix that contains the manual, quick start guide, software CD, various documentations, and a neoprene case with a screen cleaner.The case fits the player very snugly and is padded enough to ensure proper protection.The screen cleaner does a decent job though I sometimes found that it just smeared the oils from my skin instead of absorbing it.

The packaging for the cradle dock contains a series of boxes as well with no foam padding to protect anything but everything came out of the box in perfect condition.The cradle comes with a line-in cable, 3.5mm extension plug, the dock itself, and an IR remote.

I enjoyed the packaging but it did not wow me as Apple's packaging does.I was concerned with the lack of protection for the components though none of them were damaged.I would like it if iRiver included some plastic molds to hold their components to make it seem more professional while adding some protection at the same time.

Design

The Clix is one of the most beautifully designed MP3 players I have ever seen.The button-less screen creates a very clean and sleek look that resembles a flat panel television.Since there are no buttons to press, navigation is done through pressing the sides of the screen.The sides of the screen are tactile buttons and not touch sensitive, which would have made it too sensitive.The rest of the controls are located on the sides of the player which include dedicated volume buttons, a power button, a "smart key," and a hold switch.The hold switch does not only cease the function of the screen buttons but actually locks the screen buttons into place so they can not be pressed.This is a wise choice by iRiver because it will prevent wear and tear on the buttons.The back of the player is made of glossy white plastic and has a clean look to it instead of having a bunch of Windows, SRS, WOW, and other logos.While the screen of the player seems very scratch resistant, the back seems to be more prone to scratching so users should exercise caution.One of my favorite design features of the Clix is its ability to switch between landscape and portrait modes.Portrait mode is useful in allowing one-handed operation of the player, though it is a little more difficult that I would have liked it to be.Since users have to touch the sides of the player to navigate, they will find their thumbs and hands obstructing their view when pressing some buttons.Though it this is a little annoying, it is bearable and does not take away from the overall pleasurable experience of using the player.Another gripe is that the reset button can only be pressed by inserting a paperclip into a pin-sized hole located at the bottom of the player.Both Creative and iRiver have to find a simpler way to reset the player.I really like the simple button combo that makes the iPod reset itself.Creative and iRiver should take note.

Once in the Cradle Dock, the player will resemble a retro-style television which will draw stares and wow your friends.There are tiny speakers on the back of the dock that allow wireless use of your player.The dock gives the player the awesome feature of line-in recording but also disables an important feature, the FM tuner.I assume this happens because there is no headphone lead to act as an antenna, which would have given the player horrible reception.The dock also lets you connect a line-out cable so you can listen to your music on better speakers and there is a mini-USB connector to allow you to sync your player while it is still in the dock.The included IR remote is the only method of navigating the player while it is in the dock.The remote has a very slim profile and membrane type buttons and while this remote provides excellent functionality for the player while it is in the dock, it is poorly designed because the buttons become a little exhausting after prolonged use and the directional buttons are a bit more spread out than I would have liked.The remote also looks quite cheap with an uneven fit and finish and lack of attention to detail.Perhaps I am being nit-picky but I do enjoy the fact that every function can be accessed wirelessly.

One design feature that I find refreshing is the USB cable that is provided with the player.It has a mechanism that locks the player into place on the cable and can only be unlocked by holding buttons on the side.This results in a secure attachment to your computer, making it impossible to accidentally disconnect your player while it is performing a sync which could wreck the player.More manufacturers should take note of this simple, yet ingenious locking mechanism.

Finally, if you are worried about the durability of Clix, worry no more.I gave this Clix to my sister as a present and she has the reputation of having the "touch of death" with all things electronic.It has been over two weeks and I'm happy to report that the player has not scratched.This is truly an amazing testament to the kind of plastic that iRiver chose to make the Clix's screen with.

Performance

Once I fired up the player for the first time, I was immediately impressed with the fluidity of the interface and how beautifully simplistic, yet sophisticated the menus were laid out.Everything is laid out very logically and can be picked up without reading the instruction manual, which I believe most people do.The GUI reminds me of Windows Media Center, which makes sense because iRiver worked very closely with Microsoft on the development of this player.The "now playing" screen really impresses me in that it uses its screen real estate to deliver tons of information without searching through a sub menu.Song title, album name, song rating, artist name, year of album release, time, battery meter, EQ setting, number of songs in current playlist, and my favorite, next song.More companies should add a "next song" display on their players.Though this may seem like an overwhelming amount of information to be displayed on one screen, I did not find it confusing at all.One thing that bugged me about the interface was the fact that you could not delete songs or recordings from the player.

Pictures are browsed on the player in list form, displaying a small thumbnail of the highlighted picture.Photos look accurate and fluid on the screen as it would on the computer screen though detail is lost because of the 320x240 resolution.There is no over saturation as with other players, namely my Creative Zen Vision: M.Videos can also be played on this device and look good for 15 frames per second (fps).I expected the video experience to be severely degraded compared to the 30fps that my Vision: M is capable of but I am pleasantly surprised that there was minimal difference.Music videos looked great and the screen provided excellent viewing angles.I would advise against watching anything longer than a few minutes on the Clix because of two reasons: one being that the screen is so small and will fatigue your eyes and two being the fact that the player maxes out at a dainty 2 GB.

My favorite feature about the Clix is its ability to record in several different ways.There is FM recording which is very handy for catching shows or songs you want to save, thought the RIAA will not be happy about the latter.You can also perform voice recordings and line-in recordings.Voice recordings were of average quality and had a hard time picking up sounds that were far away.I would not use the Clix to record lectures or conferences though it is a handy tool for taking notes or to do a casual podcast.Line-in recording provided much more of a use because of its excellent recording quality.If set at "high" recording quality, files are encoded at 256kbps MP3s and 128kbps at "medium" quality.Recording whole albums is a simple process though editing the file names and ID3 tags of the songs is not as fun or pleasurable.I did encounter a few problems when recording, one of which was the recording volume.Even when set at the highest recording volume and max volume from the recording source (my ZVM) the volume of the recorded tracks was still lower than I would have liked them to be.Another problem I encountered was the track splitting function which breaks up the recording when it doesn't sense any sound for 2 seconds.For classical albums, it could not sense the gaps correctly and recorded the album as one huge MP3.My final gripe about the line-in recording function is that the recordings are stored deep in the submenus of the "Extras" section which is irritating when you want to find your recordings and listen to them since they are not included in your library.Hopefully a firmware update will place a folder in the music library for recordings.

With all of these extra features, it is easy to forget what the Clix was designed to do and that is to play music and boy does the Clix deliver.This is one of the best sounding MP3 players I have ever heard.There is also an incredible amount of adjustability with this player.Users can choose from a...Read more›

Click Here to see more reviews about: iriver CXW-2G Clix 2 GB Digital Music and Video Player, White

Product Description:
The iRiver Clix features an eye-catching, direct-click interface that makes it easy to fly through your media collection and find the right song, video, photo, or video game. The unit is centered around a vivid 2.2-inch color LCD display, which delivers remarkably clear 320 x 240 (QVGA) resolution for watching videos and playing flash-based games. With support for MP3, WMA, ASF, Ogg, JPEG, MPEG-4, and Flash Lite 1.1 files, users can choose from a ton of other audio and video formats. The iRiver Clix even works with Windows Media Player 10 and its variety of affiliated online music stores and subscription services, including PlaysForSure services such as Napster and Rhapsody.
Measuring just 2.7 by 1.8 by 0.6 inches and weighing a mere 2.5 ounces, the Clix is about the size of a business card. But don't be fooled, as the unit features 2 GB of internal flash memory, which is capable of storing approximately 32 hours of CD-quality MP3 music (encoded at 128 kbps) or 64 hours of WMA tracks (at 64 kbps). The Clix also plays MPEG-4 Simple Profile (SP) files at a maximum of 384 kbps and 15 frames per second, with audio encoded in MP3 format. Should you need to convert other formats to MPEG-4, simply download the free iRiverter utility and you're set.
The display also doubles as the control interface, so you don't have to mess with any cumbersome buttons or controls. And unlike the touchscreens normally found on PDAs, the Clix's direct-click feature responds to gentle fingertip pressure, eliminating the need for pens or control keys.
Meanwhile, a built-in microphone makes the iRiver Clix an ultracompact dictation machine. The recording quality is freely selectable and is controlled automatically. And listeners who hate to miss their favorite public radio program will dig the built-in FM tuner. Finally, the unit comes with several free Flash Lite games, including Launch Fighters (a Space Invaders remake, Log Jam, Barn Baron, and Sudoku.
Audio-wise, the Clix offers 10 EQ settings along, a user-defined EQ option, and SRS WOW virtual surround sound, which creates a 3-D soundscape and a superior bass performance. In addition, the Clix, which is compatible with Windows XP operating systems (SP1), sports a fast USB 2.0 interface for speedy file transfers. The device comes with a rechargeable lithium-polymer battery that delivers up to 25 hours of battery life per charge and is backed by a one-year warranty.
What's in the Box
iRiver Clix media player, earphones, carrying case with screen cleaner, USB 2.0 cable, Easy Start installation CD, user's manual.

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Creative Labs NOMAD Jukebox Zen NX 30 GB MP3 Player Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought the Nomad Zen NX fully expecting to return it and buy an iPod. I was having a discussion about the two players with a friend and he suggested that I buy the Zen NX. At $200 less than the iPod, I was skeptical but bought it knowing that if I didn't like it, I could always return it. I have to say that he was right! The Nomad Zen NX boasts incredible sound quality (remarkably better that the iPod), a replaceable lithium-ion battery and a stylish look, though not as sleek as the iPod. The sizes and weights of the two are quite comparable.
However, I do have a few reservations... I don't like that all the controls are on the sides. There are none on the face of the player. This makes it especially difficult to navigate with one hand.
The scroller/button is a nice navigation tool, but you have to press it dead-on to be able to select the items you are shooting for.
The bundled software is a pain to deal with especially if you are dealing with a huge MP3 library that you already own. It's all good if your MP3 tags are correct to begin with, but if not, you are in for hours of tedious tag editing. Because the player uses these tags to sort your files into albums. (Save yourself some time, buy a copy of Notmad from Red Chair Software.)
The bundled earbuds are a joke as with any other player on the market. Buy good earphones to experience the true quality of this device.
The included case is nice, but it's annoying that it covers the LCD screen.
I have owned another hard drive based player and liked that it had a drag and drop interface. Each folder became an album. Not so on the Nomad. It would be nice if this was a fix in future versions of the firmware.
My advice? If you are looking for superior sound quality, buy the Creative Nomad Zen NX. If you are looking for something more sleek and curvaceous with a super-expensive Apple logo, buy the iPod.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Creative Labs NOMAD Jukebox Zen NX 30 GB MP3 Player

Product Description:
Carry all your favorite digital music in NOMAD Jukebox Zen NX with total style! With ultra-fast USB 2.0 connection, you just transfer all your music into the player with Creative MediaSource, hit the play button and you're all set to enjoy high fidelity music. NOMAD Jukebox Zen NX also comes with advanced features like the integrated clock feature, powerful navigation tools and EAX audio technologies to elevate your digital music experience.More than a digital music player, NOMAD Jukebox Zen NX is also an external hard drive for storing all your photos, documents and other data files. Cased in anodized Aluminum with a choice of storage capacity, the feature-packed NOMAD Jukebox Zen NX is not to be missed.

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