The new Archos 604 gets a hands-on look

Archos is looking like a winner with their new 604 PMP. T3 got some hands-on time with the new player, and they have nothing but praise for the unit. For starters, they much prefer the new rocker key control setup to the confusing layout of Archos' AV500, and find the 4.3-inch screen to be much sharper and glossier than that device as well. There's also a kickstand for propping the 604 up on a desk, and little enhancements like interface tweaks and USB charging. With the weight loss and other refinements, T3 finds the 604 to be "infinitely more portable than its ancestors," but that approximate $510 launch price might keep this thing from mass market aspirations all the same.

[Thanks, Ash]

[DM @ Aug 9th 2006 12:04PM]

Just to be clear - they are comparing the 604 with a 100GB archos av500, which is quite a bit thicker (and heavier) than the 30gb version...

By approximating it seems that the dimensions of this & the 30gb AV500 are more or less the same...

Wonder what the capacity of this particular 604 is... I will be impressed if its 60gb+ :-)

[nlibera @ Aug 9th 2006 12:23PM]

Nice. How many gigs though?

[Dignan17 @ Aug 9th 2006 12:39PM]

Darnit, DM, I was going to post the same thing :)

Funny how "The world's No.1 gadget mag" compares two products incorrectly, and fails to give any real information on a product they're "reviewing."

Honestly, this story could have been written by just looking at the images Engadget posted a month ago.

And I'm pretty sure the 604 has 30GB.

[Dignan17 @ Aug 9th 2006 12:44PM]

"Dude, the Archos 604 is an old model, the new model is the AV 700, the new line has DVR built-in and you can record directly from the tv while watchin' it on the road."

Dude, that's not correct. The model numbers have confused you (when will comanies learn?).

The Archos PMP (AVxxx) products pretty much followed this pattern:

AV3x0 (340, 380)
AV4x0 (the same, although there was a PDA version)
AV500 (with two versions that shared the name, often referred to as the AV530(30GB) and the AV5100(100GB))
AV700 (the one you're talking about)
AV604/AV404 (these are being released next month, or at least the 604 is, according to that article)

I'm sure I messed that up but it's from memory. I've had the AV340 and AV530, and the 604 is looking pretty good, but Archos still has some weirdness that I don't like.

[Yaya @ Aug 9th 2006 12:53PM]

How do I submit information to this blog? A Nintendo (NES) emulator was just released for the Archos Gmini 400 (and 402, 402cc). I have pictures of Super Mario Bros 3 and Mega Man 2 runing on my Gmini 400 for proof. The Program can be downloaded from www.archopen.org. It was created by a brilliant man who goes by "GliGli". I was certainly shouting with gli-gli when i found out about it. I'm surprised it hasn't shown up on engadget yet.

[DM @ Aug 9th 2006 1:03PM]

LOL, If its 30GB they shouldn't be charging 510 bucks for it... I mean it doesnt seem to have any differences from the AV500 other changes which seem to be purely cosmetic!

@yaya
GliGli is a genius... love the amazing support the gmini400 is getting from the community even after 2 years! :-)

[DM @ Aug 9th 2006 1:03PM]

... would really suck if its 30GB though :-S

[Larry The Cable Guy @ Aug 9th 2006 1:05PM]

Dude,**Dignan17**, I don't think your right, by your own numbers:

AV3x0 (340, 380)
AV4x0 (the same, although there was a PDA version)
AV500 (with two versions that shared the name, often referred to as the AV530(30GB) and the AV5100(100GB))
AV700 (the one you're talking about)
AV604/AV404 (these are being released next month, or at least the 604 is, according to that article)


-- you can't jump back a model number, plus the AV 700 is by far much better specs ---

From the News Website @ AmericasNewsToday.Com:

"Archos AV 700 TV, is the world's first digital TV receiver and recorder that combines portable video recorder (PVR) functionalities, two antennas and two DDT (Digital Terrestrial Television) tuners for viewing and recording free TV while on the move."


So, how come the 604 is a step back in specs, if it is a new model?

[DM @ Aug 9th 2006 1:33PM]

LarryGuy, why dont you go to the archos website and check out the current lineup? you wont find the 604 anywhere cus it aint yet released

The AV500 & AV700 are the ones which are on the PVR section now...
The thing is the AV700 has a huge 7 inch screen, which makes the whole unit huge and therefore, less portable - there is no freakin way anyone can carry it in their pocket! Also the resolution of the AV700 is similar to the av500, even though the latter only has a 4 inch screen.

So basically, the 604 is a new product (with a 4 inch something screen) which is going to be released next month as a probable successor to the av500 (which also has a 4 inch screen). It is NOT meant to be a successor to the av700, archos will probably release that later...

phew! long post :-P

[Aaron @ Aug 9th 2006 1:49PM]

Looks spiffy, but I don't really have $500 to blow... Besides, it would be one more thing to stuff in my pocket, or one more charger to stash in the suitcase if I go somewhere. I know everybody is trying real hard to do it, but when will we see the ultimate do-everything device, something that will still be useful 5 or 6 years from now? Or how about some sort of system in place to exchange it when the newer, better model comes out? I guess I'm a dreamer...

[DC @ Aug 9th 2006 1:50PM]

Regarding "the confusing layout of Archos' AV500," I own an AV500 and there is nothing confusing about it. Any halfway sentient being using it for more than two minutes should have no problem operating this device. The only real complaint I have is the very limited number of codecs supported.

[LordTemple @ Aug 9th 2006 2:26PM]

The 604 and 404 look awesome, the specs and rumors that seperate it from past models suggest that the units will have many add-ons available, they will also have better resolution, menus, on screen displays and battery life.

http://www.digital-lifestyles.info/display_page.asp?section=platforms&id=3535

I agree with DM, Just because it is a lower number doesn’t mean it’s an older device (look at BMW and Nokia who give numbers to series). I agree the 700 series isnt a pocket device and the 30gb is to small, but im still waiting for the 504 which is rumored to have wifi, but these all look very desirable pieces of kit.

Finally im not American, but the price ive read is around £200, which is about $375...

[Richard @ Aug 9th 2006 2:48PM]

"... would really suck if its 30GB though :-S"

According to this week's Stuff podcast, the 604 and 404 will both be 30GB :(

[K1ller 1nst1nct @ Aug 9th 2006 10:45PM]

PDF Support?

All the eink ebook readers are late or in beta.

[Nastyatak @ Aug 10th 2006 6:07AM]

Hello


http://www.archoslounge.net

[PoisonGodmachine @ Aug 10th 2006 9:38PM]

A guy told me that the 604 and 404 will ONLY be in 30gb version.
But we must remember that past Archos models have been released in 2 sizes (30g and 100g or 80g).
I hope this one has a big HD version!
Then I will CERTAINLY buy it!

[Mikey @ Aug 26th 2006 1:20PM]

It is really unfortunate that Archos, much in the same manner as Iriver, chose to go backwards, (smaller), on their overall capacities. For something of this nature at least an 80gb drive should be an option. I will give the av500 a try for awhile.

[victor @ Aug 29th 2006 4:50PM]

Does someone know how I can make my PMA 400 / pocket media assistant work as GPS? Or is there software that is compatible with it.

[mike @ Aug 30th 2006 8:15PM]

Hi
I baught the 700 and the 500.... and took them both back!

Firstly the AV 700 claims to have the same resolution as the 500 yet it cannot cleanly display its own menu logos. Also black levels are really iffy so this went back first.

I then baught the 500 but found that its not really 16x9, Archos now admit that there is a flaw in the firmware that they will not be sorting out. The DVR's record a strange cropped format which us useless to any professional user.

Anyone know if theyve cured this with the 604?

Mike

[Jim Frits @ Sep 10th 2007 7:24PM]

I have been interested int the 604 to download my Sd card mpg4 movies from my Kodak V410 and V610 cameras, but no one (contacted sellers and manufacturer) has been able to confirm it will store and playback the movies. I also believe I have to get an adapter to enable the 604 to download from the SD card. Any information would be appreciated. Thx