Archos 604 Wifi
Its nearly the ULITMATE in mobile electronics, but
still misses the mark. The Archos 604 WiFi comes as close as possible to being a highly coveted ultimate device, but falls short under real world usage. The tiny (think of a thin stack of 3"x5" note cards) device is a superb audio and video player and recorder accommodating MP3 audio and a variety of video formats (including MPEG-2, MPEG-4, protected WMV, DivX, and H.264) as well as functioning as a photo viewer. The 4.3" TFT screen (480X272 pixels, 16 million colors) has excellent color and clarity for a touchscreen. It also has a little touted but highly useful feature of reading/displaying Adobe PDF files. While the 604 has a very usable incorporation of an 802.1b/g WiFi interface, the one weakness that keeps this from being THE device to have is the Web interface. The inclusion of the Opera browser is a compelling feature, but its inability to execute the Active X and Java as well as render some websites that employ the Adobe Flash plug-in correctly all but killed it for wide use in our company. In a sample test at a shopping center, the 604 WiFi was able to connect to a `free' WiFi site at a Panera Bread shop but wasn't able to properly load the `Flash' graphics or `logon/splash screen that the provider requires passing through. On the other hand, another nearby free WiFi source (Caribou Coffee) had no such `logon' screen and internet browsing worked seamlessly---the virtual keyboard that pops up when browsing to a text-entry box is ingenious--but really demands use of a stylus rather than a finger for tapping the screen. This inability to connect was repeated when attempting to connect at a paid WiFi provider. ATT WiFi service has hot spots at Barnes and Noble, McDonalds and many other high profile locations. Unfortunately a login screen that couldn't be processed by the Opera browser on the 604 limited its use. Weve contacted Archos to inquire about a possible patch/update that cures this limitation, but have not received an answer. The device itself is well constructed and its aluminum case feels quite solid. Operation of the 604 is via the buttons on the right side of the device. Each button is actually two buttons, depending on whether you press it on the left side or the right side, but the concept is not exactly intuitive for ease of navigation its impossible to activate any control (such as volume up/down) without actually looking at the buttons themselves. This was only a minor hindrance.that is once someone created a `cheatsheet' and taped it along the side for reminders. The integrated speaker at the bottom of the row of control buttons is only marginally useful. Sound quality is poor and volume is weak, only being audible in the quietest of situations. The 604 is undoubtedly meant for use with headphones (included in the box) or an external speaker arrangement. The 604 uses USB 2.0 for data transfer and moves data in both directions quite rapidly. A USB cable, included with the player, utilizes a proprietary connector on the device side of the cable --a concern if the original gets misplaced.

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July/Aug 2007
The open end of the cable is a USB type B connector and is used for recharging the unit as well as (and concurrent with) data transfer. The software functions are also solid in operation. The initial GUI home screen consists of two rows of icons, for access to the major features including: Video, Music, Photo, Web, Browser, Resume Playback, TV Scheduler, Video Recorder and Audio Recorder. The icons are large enough to be touch-screen activated using a finger, but some of the finer points of navigation in the GUI demand the use of the included stylus.

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29 July/Aug 2007
The one point of significant irritation that the review staff found was the inconsistency in the players ability to play video. The need to spend extra (and significant, at approximately $40) amount of money to get the MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 video decoder software plug-ins is offensive. The DVR options are equally costunpleasant add-ons taking another $60-$80 to achieve full functionality, although this was clearly spelled out in the product description whereas the software decoders were not. None of the test staff found limitations in the other specifications: The 30GB hard drive provided ample space and the (removable) battery life was quite good---approaching 6 hours of mixed use audio, video and Wifi browsing. The processor performance when browsing could be considered sluggish but has to be weighed against the WiFi source and the sheer convince of having Internet access (when it works). The ML1 Media video specialist summarized it best: "That thing would
be better than the I-Phone (Apple)if it had a phone.it's too bad the I-Phone doesnt have the features of the Archos 604". Archos has just released the model 605 WiFi lineup, which incorporates a resolution of 800x480 pixels on the same 4.3 screen. The storage options include 30, 80 and 160GB models as well as a version that includes a card slot for a 4GB SD flash card. Oddly, Archos has not chose to combine the SD slot version with a hard drive. More interestingly, ARCHOS claims of full-fledged Web browsing including Flash sites for the 605WiFi line of media devices. Of course theres one small irritating catch. The Web browser is available only as an extra $30 plug-in. And not so surprisingly, the video decoder plug-ins are still a separate cost item (at $20.00, each). Our Features Editor has claimed our 604 WiFi unit. No doubt he will give it a long, steady workout. The 605 WiFi is a model we will evaluate more fully before spending our hard-earned expense account/equipment slush fund dollars.

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Features

Video player

The ARCHOS 604 is the perfect companion for people on the move: its 30 GB* hard drive capacity allows you to store up to 40 movies5 encoded with a PC. Play them on the built-in 4.3" LCD color screen or playback on TV in high resolution up to 720 x 576 (DVD quality) with the DVR station. Play a large variety of video files, including MPEG-41, WMV2 and protected WMV2 and read MPEG-4 AAC/H.2643 (.MP4 QuickTime files), MPEG-24, and VOB4 with optional software plug-ins (available on this website). The ARCHOS 604 also offers many more functionalities such as slow motion, adjustable screen size, video editing and even a video bookmarking function.
Record TV or external video sources
Transform your ARCHOS 604 into a Digital Video Recorder with the optional DVR station. Record TV or most video sources such as satellite/cable box, VCR, DVD player6 or camcorder in MPEG-4 format1. Set up the DVR station by connecting it to the external video source; simply slot in your ARCHOS and record instantaneously or make scheduled recordings with the included infrared receiver that controls the external video sources.
Turn your ARCHOS into a camcorder
Record your personal videos. ARCHOS allows you to transform your device into a camcorder: - By connecting most digital cameras to your ARCHOS 604, through the optional DVR travel adapter. - By connecting the optional high resolution helmet camcorder to the ACHOS 604. The ARCHOS 604 records video directly on its 30 GB* hard drive in MPEG-4 format, up to VGA resolution (640 x 480).

Photo wallet

Transfer your photos from a PC or most mass storage devices via the USB 2.0 high speed interface or directly from a digital camera, on the move with the optional docking adapter, or at home with the DVR station. Store and view up to 300,000 photos5 (JPEG, PNG and BMP formats) and display slideshows with music and transition effect. Manage your files and folders directly on the device for a better mobility.

Music Player

Store up to 15,000 songs5 on the hard drive and play most popular music files such as MP3, WAV, WMA and protected WMA files. Easily organize songs with the enhanced ARCLibrary and customize your view by artist, album, type of music, title, year, and create your playlists without having to use a computer. Use the voice recorder to store notes quickly for a later use.

Charge and sync

Charge your ARCHOS 604 via the USB 2.0 interface or plug the device into the DVR station to get a quick charge (faster than USB). Purchase, download, subscribe to or rent protected video and music content from the Microsoft PlaysForSure websites. Using the high-speed USB 2.0 interface, the ARCHOS 604 will easily auto-synchronize this content with Windows Media Player 10 each time you connect it to your PC, or convert your Windows Media Player 10 library content to one of the many compatible formats (MP3, WMA, WAV, protected WMA, MPEG-41, WMV2 and protected Windows Media Video2).
1 GB = 1 billion bytes, formatted capacity is less. MPEG-4 ASP@L5 AVI (up to DVD resolution) (MPEG-4: ISO standard by Moving Picture Experts Group ; AVI: audio/video file container by Microsoft) without GMC and Quarter Pixel. (2) Microsoft WMV MP@ML (up to DVD resolution) (3) H.264 up to DVD resolution. AAC sound. (4) MPEG-2 MP@ML up to 10 Mbps (up to DVD resolution). AC3 stereo sound. (5) On average; based on 3.5 mins/song & 64 Kbits/s WMA, DVD resolution MPEG-4 encoding at 1000 Kbits/s and sound at 128 Kbits/s based on 1h30 per movie, on JPEG, VGA. (6) External video output disabled for Macrovision-protected contents

Tech Specs

Capacity: 30 GB* Hard Drive to store up to 40 Movies1, photos1 or songs1 Display: 4.3'' TFT (480X272 pixels) 16/9, over 16 million colors Video playback**: MPEG-42 (ASP@L5 AVI, up to DVD resolution) WMV (MP@ML, up to DVD resolution). With optional software plug-ins: - H.264 up to DVD resolution and AAC sound. - MPEG-2 MP@ML up to 10 Mbps (up to DVD resolution) and AC3 stereo sound. Audio playback**: Stereo MP3 decoding @ 30-320 Kbits/s CBR & VBR, WMA, Protected WMA, WAV (PCM/ADPCM). With optional software plug-ins: - AAC3 music files - AC3 stereo sound files Photo viewer***: JPEG, BMP, PNG Transfer directly your photos from a digital camera with the optional Docking adapter PDF viewer: Reads PDF documents. May not implement all PDF features; Video recording4: Via the optional DVR Station: record in MPEG-4 SP with ADPCM stereo sound, resolution VGA (640x480) @ 30 or 25 f/s, in AVI format. Audio recording: Voice recording through the built-in Microphone Via the optional DVR travel adapter or DVR Station: stereo line-in, WAV (IMA ADPCM or PCM) format. Interfaces: USB 2.0 High-Speed Device (compatible USB 1.1): Mass Storage class (MSC) and Media Transport Protocol (MTP). USB 2.0 Host : Mass Storage class (MSC) and Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) (with optional docking adapter). Connections: 3.5 mm stereo headphone mini-jack and TV output (AV cable sold separately). Dedicated connectors to connect optional adapters and DVR station. Battery life Music playback time: up to 16 hours5. ARCHOS 604: Video playback time: up to 5 hours5 on built-in LCD Power source: Internal: Lithium-Ion Polymer battery. External: charges via computer USB port, or faster with the optional docking adapter or DVR Station. Scalability: Download firmware updates from www.archos.com Dimensions & Approx. 130 x 78 x 17 mm 5.1 x 3 x 0.65 Approx. 255 gr. 9.05 oz weight: Package includes: ARCHOS 604, headphones, dedicated USB 2.0 cable, DVR station adapter, pouch, QSG, legal and safety notice Minimum system For PC: Windows ME, 2000, XP, Media Center; Macintosh: OS X or higher (with USB Mass Storage requirements: Class support), Linux (with mass storage device support), USB port. For PlaysForSureTM video and subscription services: PC with Windows XP SP 2 or higher, Windows Media Player 10 or higher, USB 2.0 port.

1 GB = 1 billion bytes, formatted capacity is less. Certain bitrates, resolutions, and/or file variations may not be compatible (***) Certain resolutions and file sizes may not be compatible (1) On average; based on 3.5 mins/song & 64 Kbits/s WMA, DVD resolution MPEG-4 encoding at 1000 Kbits/s and sound at 128 Kbits/s based on 1h30 per movie, on JPEG, VGA. (2) MPEG-4 ASP@L5 AVI (up to DVD resolution) (MPEG-4: ISO standard by Moving Picture Experts Group ; AVI: audio/video file container by Microsoft) without GMC and Quarter Pixel. (3) Do not read AAC protected files (4) External video output disabled for Macrovision-protected contents (5) Rechargeable batteries have a limited number of charge cycles and may eventually need to be replaced. Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings.