Archos 605 Wi-Fi Portable Media Player (160 GB)
 |   Publisher : Archos Company : Archos |
Features
- The ARCHOS 605 160GB, WiFi bridges the gap between the PC and the TV. For the first time, you can stream content from the PC or the Internet to the TV or PMP--all through a wireless home network and the ARCHOS 605 WiFi and DVR Station.
- Play all your digital entertainment: movies, TV shows, photos and music
- Record your favorite TV shows
- Stream and watch videos from your PC
- Download movies and music directly on your PMP using the ARCHOS Content Portal
Product Description
Featuring the highest quality video, touch-screen, and WiFi capabilities for streaming content either directly to the player screen or to a TV, the Archos 605 WiFi has the highest screen resolution (800x480) and the highest quality screen in a Portable Media Player (PMP). Use the touch-screen to easily operate the device with your finger or stylus. Personalize your Archos 605 WiFi to fit your unique lifestyle with an abundance of available plug-ins and accessories. Download content wirelessly and directly to your Archos 605 WiFi or stream movies, TV shows and music from your computer. With an optional Web browser plug-in, you can surf the Web and enjoy videos from online videos sites like DailyMotion and YouTube. Video recording - Records NTSC/PAL/SECAM in MPEG-4 AVI format with stereo sound, VGA resolution (640x480) at 30 or 25 frames per second through an optional DVR Station/DVR Travel Adapter Audio recording - Stereo line-in, WAV (IMA, ADPCM or PCM) format through an optional DVR Station/DVR Travel Adapter Optional Video Podcast plug-in - H.264 up to DVD resolution and AAC Optional Cinema Plug-in - MPEG-2 MP at ML up to 10 Mbps (up to DVD resolution) and AC3 stereo sound (5.1) Optional Internet plug-in - Opera Web browser and Adobe Flash Player for Web browsing Interfaces - USB 2.0 High-Speed Device (compatible USB 1.1), Mass Storage Class (MSC) and Media Transport Protocol (MTP) Power source - Internal Lithium-Ion Polymer battery Device automatically downloads latest firmware updates Battery life - 17 hours Music playback time, 5.5 hours Video playback time Dimensions - 4.8'' x 3.2'' x 0.75'' (122x82x20mm) Weight - 260 gramsAmazon.com Product Description
The Archos 605 generation 5 portable media player comes with a convenient Wi-Fi feature, an attribute that offers the fastest and easiest way to access digital entertainment. You can use the built-WiFi capabilities of the Archos to download online media content from the Archos content portal: All you need is a usable Wi-Fi connection, and you're good to start downloading (fees may apply). With the Archos in hand, for the first time you can download favorite movies, TV shows, and music wherever you are, without being tied to the PC or Mac. Other great features include a full-color 4.3-inch touchscreen that crams in an amazing 800 x 480 picture resolution for superior picture quality and 160 GB of built-in memory.
The Archos 605 features a touch screen, high quality screen resolution, and Wi-Fi capabilities. View larger View bottom - View side.
Download your favorite movies, TV shows, and music, and bring it with you.
With full Internet access, the player's Opera browser plug-in offers Adobe Flash support, which lets you access and enjoy YouTube and other Web video sites on your Archos device. By using the player, you can view and post YouTube videos wherever you are with an active wireless connection. In addition to downloading media straight from the Archos content portal, you can stream and watch videos from your home PC or laptop. For added video playback versatility, the player is compatible with MPEG4, AVI, and WMV video files. The player features robust music playback features, too. On-board music file playback capabilities support MP3, CBR, VBR, WMA, protected WMA, and WAV files.
To help round out the player's multimedia superiority, the Archos even comes with photo viewing capabilities. JPEG, BMP, and PNG files are 100 percent compatible with the player, and the player can pull up PDFs for portable review -- an ideal means to take bigger documents or e-books in PDF format on the road with you. Because of the Archos's USB 2.0 compatibility, files can be quickly transferred to the device in the absence of a Wi-Fi network connection. Charging the device can also be accomplished with an active USB connection. An AC adapter is sold separately for additional charging options. Other great features include mass storage capabilities, automatic firmware downloads, and a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack. With an advanced Li-Poly battery, the player supports up to 17 hours of continuous music playback and 5.5 hours of continuous video playback. Weighing in at a scant 9.17 ounces, the Archos generation 5 605 measures 4.8 by 3.2 by 0.6 inches.
New widgets for the Archos 605 include a calculator, currency converter, unit converter, news, and weather (above) as well as a note writer and data vault (below). 
New Free Widget Pack
Archos has launched a new widget pack that is free for the 605. A widget is a piece of software that adds new features to your player. It gives you fun, quick, and easy access to hundreds of tools, right on the device. The package contains seven widgets, including a calculator, a currency converter, a unit converter, news, weather, a note writer, and a data vault.
To be able to use the widgets, you need to purchase the Web Browser plug-in (about $30). Then, you can download the free widget pack via Archos.com.
New Dish Network plug-in for the Archos 605.
New Dish Network Plug-in
With a new plug-in, you can transfer recorded movies and TV shows from your Dish Network set-top box directly to your Archos 605. Play back Dish Network-recorded movies and TV shows on the go or on TV--in DVD quality.
Multi-language is supported. The plug-in is compatible only with Dish Network STB models 622 and 722.
What's in the Box
Archos 605 Wi-Fi portable media player, headphones, USB cable, DVR Station Gen 5 adapter, protective pouch, quick start guide, and legal/safety notice.
The device comes with photo viewing capabilities, supporting JPEG, BMP, and PNG files.
Play any content that resides in the Windows Media Player library of your home PC or laptop.
Most Advanced PMP
Featuring the highest quality screen resolution, highest quality video, touch screen, Wi-Fi capabilities for streaming content to the device or a TV, the Archos 605 Wi-Fi is the top product in the line-up for flexibility, portability, features and price.
Touch screen
The Archos 605 Wi-Fi features the highest resolution screen (800 X 480) and highest quality screen in a PMP. Use the touch screen to easily operate the device with your finger or stylus.
Personalize your Archos
Make it yours: personalize your Archos 605 Wi-Fi to fit your unique lifestyle. Abundant plug-ins and accessories are available to customize your device to work the way you do: Go online for full Web surfing, video your friends and family in action, record your favorite TV shows and movies, and share your photos.
WiFi
- Download content wirelessly and directly to your Archos 605 Wi-Fi via the Archos Content Portal and our partners' online stores.- You can also stream movies, TV shows and music that are stored on your computer.
- Your device is Internet ready! With the optional Web browser plug-in, you can surf the Web and enjoy videos from online videos sites like DailyMotion and YouTube.
Your movies, your videos
- Store and play up to 40 movies1- Play the most popular video formats: MPEG-4, WMV, protected WMV, MPEG-2*, VOB*, and H.264* (*with optional plug-ins).
- Play the movies you shot on your camcorder.
Your photos
- Transfer your photos from a PC or most mass storage devices via the USB 2.0 high speed interface.- Store and view up to 300,000 photos1 (JPEG, PNG and BMP formats).
- Display slideshows with music and transition effects.
- Manage your files and folders directly on the device for a better mobility.
Your TV
- Record your favorite TV shows or series directly on your Archos 605 Wi-Fi with the optional DVR Station Gen 5.- Easy programming with the TV Program Guide.
- Record the most video sources such as satellite/cable box, VCR, DVD player in MPEG-4 format.
Your music
- Store and listen up to 15,000 songs1- Play the most popular music files such as MP3, WAV, WMA and protected WMA.
- Easily organize songs with the enhanced ARCLibrary.
- Customize your view by artist, album, type of music, and title, and create your playlist on the go.
Easy navigation
Through the home WiFi connection, you can enjoy the entire shared digital media library of your home PC in your living room, not just in your office.(1)On average; based on 3.5 mins/song & 64 kbits/s WMA, on 1000 kbits/s MPEG-4 audio/video encoding and 1h30/movie (for near DVD Quality), on JPEG, VGA
Customer reviews
Do not buy Archos products 
If you buy a product from this company you are in for a real headache. Their products are glitchy when working, they break easily, and their customer service is HORRIBLE. I bought a unit from them that I had to send back twice within the first seven months of ownership. The second time they had me send the unit in, I was told "Oh yeah your warranty covers this". After multiple calls my unit was supposed to be fixed and sent back to me, after a few weeks I never received my product, so I call again to speak to a manager who tells me that the warranty does not cover my product, and I would have to pay an additional $250, to which I replied, "No Way". When I asked about the four people that told me I was covered under warranty the only reply I got was generic call center jargon and apologies. Do yourself a favor and stay far away from this company.
Very good but some flaws 
I like my Archos 605 wifi (160gb) it plays most video files, all mp3s and it displays PDF files (slowly if they are in color).
Overall I would give it a 8.5 out of 10.
The ability to display PDFs is nice but I really wish the player was better built. A highly colored PDF page can take 20-30 seconds to load.
The ability to record via the DVR dock (not included) is great BUT the recorded avi's are in a DRM encoded format and cannot be viewed on a computer (I have yet to find a decoder)
The wifi web browser is nice but its an extra you have to purchase.
If you want the Archos 605 with all the bells and whistles expect to shell out an extra 100$ or so in add-ons.
I would have preferred a "deluxe" model with everything included.
love it
I've always been a user of the Apple Ipods since they first came out. I still own 3 of them! I don't really consider those portable video players. Watching movies on such a small screen? No thanks!
I don't want this to turn into an Archos vs Ipod Touch review, but I have to point this out. I recently purchased an Ipod Touch 32gb version and could not even get myself to open the package. I ended up spending a ton on it and felt that for what I needed it just would not do the job and returned it. For MY use, 32gb is not enough. I understand it's expensive, because it's a flash drive and made by Apple. It's also really cool, so i'm supposed to pay more for that I guess. I know that sounds dumb, but yes, the Ipod Touch IS pretty cool.
Picked up the Archos and plugged it into my Computer. No drivers to install AT ALL! Took me hours to get my music and video collection organized with Windows Media Player, but that's my own problem. It turns out that you don't even need to use Media Player to copy files over. Nice! That's what I prefer.
The price isn't that good and after all the small "upgrades" of codecs you can buy, it probably comes out to a little less than a 32gb IPOD. I haven't added it all up.
Yes, they do "nickle and dime" you, but it's not as if they're forcing you to buy stuff you don't need. The most annoying thing is making an XVID movie with ACC sound, only to find out that it won't play due to needing a thirty dollar codec download. Stupid thing won't even play without sound! Geez, at least play the video and disable the sound. I had to instead either A) Buy the codec or add in mp3 sound. Second most annoying thing is actually telling you in the device that you can buy a codec for playback.
Charging the device via USB is a pain. It's slow. It's almost if they mean to make it slow just to get you to buy the dock charger. That's another thirty or so.
The orange menu icons are ugly and the interface is a bit "clunky" as someone pointed out. At least you can change the background. They also could simplify the display by turning off certain menu items. Simple is good.
Seriously, I can't possibly going into details as to how many things this thing can do. There is NO WAY EVER the Ipod Touch can match it. I could play around for hours it seems like.
Here's the coolest thing I didn't know about this device before buying it. You can setup and share video on your PC with TVERSITY or Windows Media Player and connect to it with this device! 160gb not enough? You can access all your media on your PC with this device if you wanted.
Now onto more negatives. The web browser is slow. It's not my connection. Browsing webpages is slow, yet playing youtube videos is perfectly fine!
Another VERY BIG negative is that this doesn't seem to support any lossless audio codecs that i'm aware of. There is WAVE format, but that's a HUGE waste of space. Could they at least offer FLAC support?
It's also a pain converting all my Itunes music over. For some of them, i'd have to burn them to CD and encode them to WAV and then to mp3. Not the players problems, but it is hard going without Itunes at first, but that's something i'd like to get used to.
I find it funny how people who love the IPOD touch say such negative things about the Archos. The one thing they seem to mention first is the size and how it's like a huge brick. Sure, it's large, but did anyone ever complain about how portable CD players were so large and a pain to carry around? No. This can still fit in a pocket and it's not that large. Obviously, you probably wouldn't want to go running or to the gym with this thing. For that, i'd go with something else. I find this to be more of a portable video player more so than a regular music player.
I do play a lot of WAVE files on this and even with a portable headphone amp, it does not seem to power my AKG 701 headphones as well as the IPOD Classic. I just wish the volume could go up a little higher.
I have to mention the touch capabilities. I honestly don't use them really, so I can't comment. I just use the buttons.
When playing a video, it takes 3-5 whole seconds to load. Oh Darn, better not buy this! Get an ipod, it will play them in 2!
I don't know if this is for everyone. It depends on what you need. If you want a music only player, then there is no point to get this probably. I actually now like to watch movies on this. Never really did that with the IPOD classic I still have and use.
Now all they need is a remote for TV usage and a Sound Dock like they do for the Ipod.
6-29-2008 UPDATE:
Unfortunately I am forced to return this. I REALLY wish I didn't have to. Three times now I have turned the device on and it freezes up. Once it would scan all my files and then reboot. Turn it on and it does this again.
Last night I connected it to my PC and it was not detected. Tried again and it went into an endless connected/disconnected state. Another time it shows a drive letter for the device, but will not let me access it. My PC is unchanged and not the problem. I did a factory restore of the device and now it was not even detected on any PC.
It's too bad and I really liked the thing. I may just delete the review, but I haven't decided yet.
So now I have a Dock and sixty dollars worth of upgrades that are useless to me now.
Great toy to play with. 
I thought at first it was a waste of money but the more I spent time playing with it the more fun I'm getting out of it...
Enjoy it while you can 
I love the Archos product line and have had various units over the last 6 years or so. I love them immensely----until they break. You are then in customer service / product support HELL!!! Archos has the worst customer service I have ever encountered.
Beware. The 605 has a proprietary battery which can only be replaced by Archos. They do not tell you that if your product does manage to last for 3 years or more, you will have NO product support, including replacment of their proprietary batteries. I have this issue with an older model AV480 unit. That is insane. Why make batteries that are not removeable if you will only support them for a few years. If I had known this, I would have purchased backups!
Also, I encountered the same hard drive issue as another user on the AV480 series and went through 3 units and loss of files before they finally admitted that they had a hard drive defect on many units they shipped.
The bottom line is that I love the Archos product line for being on the cutting edge of pvp technology. I want to continue to buy their new releases. I am, however, getting a little gunshy given my unavoidable experiences withthe product support.
