Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL.... apart from a few little things, 1 Mar 2007
Ok, I won't dwell on the pros, because basically, this device is STUNNING. Beautiful screen and video playback quality is incredible - and that's why you're buying it. It looks good, the finish is nice, and it's not big or chunky. I highly recommend getting one - I even watch it at home it looks so good!
However, I think the important thing for me is to cover the annoying things you will encounter. So here goes:
1. Very limited windows explorer facility on device, i.e. u cannot create folders or subfolders, or even move files around, and you can't see any folder properties (e.g. folder size etc.). You have to do all your creating/editing/rearranging, on your pc, and then copy it onto the archos. It seems silly if you want to rearrange files that are already on the archos. (No big deal though)
2. The screen smudges easily so get a screen protector even before u start using it.
3. Also doesn't come with a case, but I got a nice one from i-nique for about £15. Does the job.
4. Having to buy separate power adaptor? - hmmm..... not good
5. 30GB?? That's less than my mp3 player from 3 years ago. But then again, if I had a pound for every track that has remained completely unlistened to over these 3 years .... Anyway, at least it keeps it "outstandingly" slim. Just be prepared to rotate your video files - does anyone really need more than 10-20 films on there at any one time?
6. Takes a little while to get used to the buttons and navigation, but you can work things out relatively easily - haven't needed any documentation yet. It would have been nice if the buttons lit up too, because it is impossible to see in the dark. Once you are used to them though, then I guess it's not really an issue.
7. The photo viewer initially displays all photos even if they are in subfolders. This can be annoying if there are certain photos you would rather not have displayed for all to see when photo viewer is selected (is there a way to stop this?)
8. Music quality is alright. Not stunning, but it's definitely not bad and u can still enjoy it. If listening to music is a secondary function for you then the video playback will certainly make up for it. If you want buy something primarily for the music, with video playback a secondary function, then you MIGHT want to go with something else - although, different earphones and the EQ settings has a huge impact on the sound - I like the Jazz settings.
9. Nearly all of my music and video files are in supported formats so I can't really complain about video format issues. It's a little annoying that it doesn't support other picture formats like gif or bmp, but I was aware of all of this when I bought it.
A note: when updating firmware, the device must be charging (is it just mine?). So, plug the USB cable in and select "charge only". The archos website doesn't mention this.
All in all...a good buy, you won't be disappointed, though be prepared to spend money on accessories (I spent over £100 - case, battery pack, DVR station, screen protector). A little more thought given to the little things (and the music quality) could have gotten this device all 5 out of 5 ratings. Maybe Archos should read these reviews and bear it in mind next time - I know when I see an average rating of 5 out of 5 for a product, across lots of reviews; it practically makes my mind up for me. If i could have given 4 1/2 stars, i would have done.
NEW: Since writing this, i have on occassion felt a little bit more let down by the music quality. It isn't brilliant. Could have been better - i take back the 4 1/2 stars, stickin with just 4. If music IS of main importance, then there really are better machines out there, although you will miss out on what is still amazing video playback.
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23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant piece of kit, 9 Feb 2007
Does what it says on the tin. Wonderful bright screen, amazingly slim (for what it does) easy controls (when you've used them a few times).
played my Divx films straight away (with just a message to buy the plugin for a couple that had AC3 sound, got around that by using the free AC3 -> MP3 encoder from http://divx.ppccool.com/
Am using CloneDVD Mobile from Sly Software to copy my (paid for) DVD's to ARCHOS format, works a treat. Able to get over 30 films in high quality on the 604 with a few of gig left over for music, photos, pdf's (it displays these too!) , files... whatever you want to put on it!
Some people complain about lack of dock, etc. but personally I don't think I'd use one that often, it's far quicker to copy files from a PC than wait for 'real time' video transfer from a video source - Easier to copy it to DVD-RW locally (if you can) and sort it out on the PC later!
TIPS:
Blackberry mains chargers with usb outlet will charge the 604 (slow as PC USB charging though)
Get the Noreve Traditional leather case - you won't be sorry, fits like a glove AAA+++
Got a i-nique Enhanced Top-Coat Anti-Glare Screen Protector - Excellent!
GROANS:
Small one - An included quick mains charger would have been nice.
Big one- Kit unjustifiably dear in UK, Docks, batteries, etc, are priced $ for £ (or less!) on the US Amazon site, but the won't let us buy them (probably not Amazons fault) I tried, but they said that the manufacturer won't let them - shame, i'd much rather pay $29 + a few dollars shipping for a genuine battery from the 'States - £15 against £47 here. I'd like to hear someone trying to justify that!!!
Nonetheless, Highly Recommended! Buy one!
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37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
High expectations met..., 9 Oct 2006
This is the best machine on the market for me,and its upto you to decide whether it is for you too...
The Key areas to look at are Cost,Screen size and quality,weight and size,contents of the package and the ease of adding new material.
I previously owned a Creative Portable Media Centre and this machine beats it hands down,but it also suits me far better than the latest ipod and creative handheld PVPs...
The screen is monstrously sharp,and very large...the machine is light and very thin,the battery is the one point that in my opinion should have been better,it lasts about 4hours on video mode,which is less than my previous PVP...I found that the latest Creative and Apple small screened machines were not good enough for me,if youron a long trip you dont want to be squinting the whole way...
The machine takes most file types,i have a lot of videos on pc of all types and some I have been unable to upload so far,but having emailed archos,they replied within a working day to let me know that plugins were on the way...
30gb is more than enough space,although i managed to fill it up on the first day,but changing and uploading things is so easy!you simply drag and drop files into the device...
People are complaining about it not coming with an adaptor(plug socket) but it can be easily and quickly charged via your computer but admittedly it was cheeky of them not to include one.
also the dvr stand being sold seperately does not affect me because i do not record from tv programs...But people who rely on this as a means to supply programs to their devices would have to shell out[money] for one...i might do so at some point.
One other thing that people have complained about on sites [...],is that the sound is poor.When listening through headphones,the sound is excellent,however when using the built in speaker,its not incredible but not awful...Again this doesnt affect me at all because i use it on trains with headphones...
Hopefully this has helped you decide,i am really into gadgets and i did ALOT of research before choosing the Archos,but i really feel like it was a wise decision because it very light,and thin and has a great screen,extremely easy to add files to(and very fast transfer rate too)...
ENJOY IT!
ps incidently i didnt want the 404 because i heard that the picture is grainier than the 604 but im sure its also great...
The price is very fair,[...]for this device is an extremely cheap release price...It is in my opinion very stylish,easy to use,
compared to its rivals this wins handsdown,i have researched alot and this is the best choice
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