Archos - 604 Review Roundup

Last Updated
- Added review by IT Reviews ( 16th November, 2006)

Archos - 604 WiFi is a Video/Audio Portable player featuring 4.3-inch touch screen with slim size of only 17mm thick and available in sleek silver and brushed steel casing. This latest Archos 604 also equips with large 30GB storage, 802.11g WiFi wireless technology, and DVR station supported. Now you are able to access Internet, Web-Based Email, and transferring and playing files directly from PC to the device or TV. The Archos 604 is available at a price of $449.99

+ REVIEWS:

IT Reviews reviews the Archos 604, they write:
“This is a stunning looking device, backed up by an excellent LCD that boasts a crisp, vibrant display for your movies and photos…Display quality for videos is inevitably excellent, although by this point we’d be surprised if it wasn’t. It’s easy to scroll back and forth during playback, you can change aspect ratios, playback speed, sound and equalizer settings, set bookmarks and even snap stills to use as thumbnails or wallpaper, but this is only the start of the 604’s video capabilities.”

CNET reviews the Archos 604, they rated the player 8/10 and write:
“The good: The Archos 604-WiFi gives you access to the Web and e-mail; touch-screen experience is good; vibrant widescreen display; can record audio and video with the optional kit; has a removable battery, a built-in speaker, and a built-in kickstand; sophisticated interface; can view photos and listen to music simultaneously; compatible with subscription services; it’s durable and compact for its screen size; excellent photo viewer; can be used as a wireless file server… The bottom line: The do-everything Archos 604-WiFi is completely stacked with awesome video playback, Web surfing, and other useful features, but the sluggish processor keeps the experience from being totally satisfying.”

+ PRESS RELEASE:

ARCHOS Introduces WiFi-Enabled, Touch-Screen Portable VIdeo Player

The ARCHOS 604-WiFi Includes Integrated Wireless Capabilities for Surfing the Web, Accessing Web-Based Email, and Transferring and Playing Files Directly from a Network PC to the Device or TV

Denver (November 9, 2006) - ARCHOS, Inc. announced today the general availability of the ARCHOS 604-WiFi, the industry’s only portable video player with integrated wireless technology and brilliant 4.3-inch touch screen for simple navigation. The 604-WiFi features 802.11g wireless connectivity, which allows consumers to browse the Internet, send and receive Web-based email, and play media files from their home computer to the device or to the TV. The 30GB* device retails for $449.99 and is available now at www.archos.com and select Sam’s Club stores nationwide, with broad retail availability later this month.

“Being a technology leader is a priority for ARCHOS and we’ve introduced many firsts in the portable media category, including the world’s first portable video player in 2003,” said Larry Smith, ARCHOS Chief Operating Officer. “The ARCHOS 604-WiFi allows us to continue that tradition by bringing together the benefits of Internet access with portable entertainment in a truly open device for consumers. Unlike other video players, ARCHOS supports open standards, making it easy for all consumers to play any content—whether it’s from the PC or Mac, Internet or TV, DVD player or cable box—and enjoy all their media in one portable player.”

Wireless Touch-Screen Meets Portable Media Player
The new ARCHOS 604-WiFi is perfectly designed for watching video on the go, and allows consumers to stay connected and navigate through menus easily with a stylus, fingertip or intuitive right-side buttons. The touch screen and wireless interface appeal to consumers who want to access their media wherever they go, including surfing the Web, sending and receiving email from Web-based applications, and connecting the device to a home network for transferring files or playing content through the home network.

When connected wirelessly to a home network, the 604-WiFi becomes a conduit for playing content from the PC or Mac directly to the TV. Because the 604-WiFi is recognized as a drive on the home network, any media files can be transferred onto the device or streamed out to the TV. The 604-WiFi acts as the missing link between the PC and the TV, enabling full integration between the home network and entertainment system.

The ARCHOS 604-WiFi contains a 30GB hard drive and is one of the slimmest, lightest, large-screen players on the market. The 604-WiFi features a large, 4.3-inch color touch screen, and capacity to store up to 25 DVD resolution movies1, 130 hours of TV shows1, 300,000 photos1 or 15,000 songs1. As a part of the new ARCHOS Generation 4 line of portable media players, the 604-WiFi includes a new simple navigation system, intuitive button layout, and plays standard video formats in full DVD resolution on the device or a TV.

Turn the 604 Wi-Fi into a Portable DVR or Camcorder
The ARCHOS Generation 4 line of products, including the 604-WiFi, features a host of accessories for customizing the device to suit specific lifestyles. The DVR Station accessory turns the 604-WiFi into a portable Digital Video Recorder (DVR), letting consumers schedule and record favorite movies and programming directly from the TV, DVD player2 or satellite receiver onto the device. The new Helmet Camcorder turns the 604-WiFi into a camcorder with DVD resolution. Other accessories for the Generation 4 line of players include speakers, cases, car adapters, extra batteries and more.

Specifications, Photos and Availability
Product specifications and photos are available for download from the ARCHOS Website at http://www.archos.com/corporate/press/. The ARCHOS 604-WiFi is sold today at select Sam’s Club stores with broad availability to top retail outlets and online stores this month. The 604-WiFi retails for $449.99, with the DVR Station priced at $99.99 and discounted when sold together. The Helmet Camcorder retails for $149.99 and is available with all other accessories on the ARCHOS Website at www.archos.com .

About ARCHOS
ARCHOS is a global consumer electronics manufacturer and the technology leader in the field of portable entertainment. Committed to the most innovative technology and inventor of the portable video player, ARCHOS offers award-winning pocket-sized products that feature audio and video recording, photo viewing, and other multimedia and productivity applications for the enjoyment of the most exciting entertainment anywhere, anytime. ARCHOS has offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. More information is available online at www.archos.com .

* 1GB= 1 billion bytes; actual formatted capacity is less.
(1) On average; based on 3.5 mins/song & 64 kbits/s WMA (for better quality 128 Kbit/s or more recommended), on 500 kbits/s MPEG-4 audio/video encoding
(2) External video output disabled for Macrovision®-protected content.