Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Archos 404 Camcorder, 3 Feb 2008
To me, this product outruns any ipod or creative by a long shot. Plenty of hard-disc space means never ending video shoots, photos, songs etc. The video quality is not fantastic, but it is smooth, not jumpy, colours are bright, and quality does not diminish when blown up to computer screen size. Not a proffesional gadget, but perfect for private use.
One problem with it is that the very large very bright screen makes it quite power hungry, but it still lasts maybe 8 hours music, or 3.5/4 hours watching videos. Also it only comes with a USB charger which is slower than Id like (3 hours for a full charge from flat).
Unfortunately, when I had had mine for less than a week, my sister knocked it out of my hand, it flew up then bounced on a wooden floor. I thought we'd got away with it as it still worked, but it couldnt read the hard drive after a few hours. This makes it sound very fragile, but no hard drive likes to get bashed around.
Despite this, It is such a fantastic product that I am scouring the internet for another one at a low price (I got my original one from Pixmania for £136 but they no longer stock it).
Note: For anyone who is scared about breaking it, Allianz will insure it from accidental damage for three years, for £35. I would advise this.
I hope this sways your decision away from an ipod, towards the archos 404 camcorder because that is a decision you won't regret.
|
|
|
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant pocket sized device - not a camcorder replacement, 5 Jun 2009
I already have the Archos 500 and was delighted to find that the 404 is built to the same high quality. Being much smaller and bought mainly as a MP3 player but still a very strong movie player to.
The reason I bought this player is that the newer 405 only has 2Gb of memory, additional can be added but..
This player as 30Gb.
Some reviews have stated that there are battery issues with the model but I have left mine unused for months and found the battery pretty much as I left it.
MOVIES
On this note if you want your film to be resized from your existing DIVX collection then try looking up and downloading the free program POCKETDIVXENCODER which doesn't convert to Divx just fine tunes the existing file to work better and be smaller (changing audio files and screen sizes). My 404 films coming out at 300Mb per film (lot more on hard drive if needed).
The only downside is that the screen is in 4:3 format unlike the other players in this series, this isn't a breaking problem but one to be aware of.
MUSIC
As always excellent in terms of sound and display while playing, which the included hard pouch it is hard to control the player, so invest in a better case as I have done that will allow access to these.
On a downside there is no spelling out of titles when searching for albums or tracks by the titles simply a list style, which is annoying in folders with over 900 tracks. No going straight to your chosen track.
Pictures
A nice thumbnail page greets you with the focus picture being enlargerd as you toggle through all your picture and when selected these go full screen in a good resolution to enjoy. You can also activate a slide show option of the folder if you want to better show off your holiday snaps.
Camcorder
This works as both a Video recorder and Picture camera.
Satisfactory but not better than a specific Digiatal camera of camcorder. DO NOT BUY THIS INSTEAD OF but to compliment any recorders you might have.
RECORDING TV
this can be done but with the seperate docking station, and as my 500 does this as standard I have no need to try out this extra, My personal preference is still to use software to convert film to DIVx perfectly and to stick to this option.
As for Battery life when the screen is off the audio playtime is mammoth, although in movie mode the battery life is a good 3 plus hours. Charging takes longer via the USB than the mains charged predecessors, although I have heard and have ordered the docking station (NOT THE DVR station) as this has a mains feed and charges quicker.
On this front Archos have changed the charging leads from a standard 5v Mains plug to a fancy interface lead that connects to the mains/USB mains adaptor(not included) much like simple MP3 players come with.
So for travelling save money and buy a Mains USB output plug for under a tenner.
|
|
|
1.0 out of 5 stars
Caution - Faulty Design - same faults as noted by others, 27 May 2009
I have the Archos 404 with camcorder but have exactly the same problems as noted by several other people on the non-cam version. Battery completely discharges itself spontaneously within 48hours of a full charge - since new; the casing has warped/bulged within a couple of months; and most recently the screen has now stopped working - within less than 3 months of purchase. AVOID AVOID AVOID. I bought from somewhere other than Amazon and am having problems returning it.
|
|
|
|
With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is). 
Make sure you always get what you want with an Amazon.co.uk 
Amazon Home