Archos 605 160GB Wi-Fi Digital Multimedia Device-ARCHOS 605 160GB SD SLOT USB2 PERP4.3IN TFT LCD

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the audio track is completely indecipherable at max volume. If you're going to use this out in public (and isn't that the point of the whole device?), you're going to need noise-cancelling headphones at a minimum.

- This is a portable device, but I would not call it a "pocket" device. It has some serious heft to it (especially the 160 gb version) and it's pretty big. Fortunately, most of the device is taken up by the screen, which makes it more worthwhile; still, this is not at all something you stash in your shirt pocket.

- Plenty of others have mentioned the short battery life, but it bears repeating. This is especially notable since the battery is non-removable, so you're completely stuck with it unless you're using some external power. I find it reasonable for most uses, but don't forget to recharge at the end of every day or it will become a doorstop on your next commute.

- Generally the OS works well, but sometimes loads very slowly (hourglass or splash screen for quite a few seconds) and occasionally outright crashes. I have had to reset the device a handful of times already.

- The audio track on large video files (2+ hour movies) can get out of synch with the picture if you jump around too much using the controls. This is especially sad because there is absolutely NO "resume" functionality, so you are forced to load the file from the beginning and jump forward if you are resuming watching a file.

- The touchscreen works well overall, but the smaller buttons can be fairly difficult to press. (The pop-up USB activation button sometimes requires some serious button-mashing in particular.)

- The unit comes with two plastic styli to use on the touchscreen, but there's absolutely nowhere to store them. (i.e. they don't attach to the device as is the case with pretty much every other stylus-using device.) It's nice having a stylus but this screams "Lose me."

- The PDF browser is *extremely* slow. It can take upwards of 30 seconds to draw each individual page, and any slight navigation or zooming can cause it to redraw forever again. Not to mention it seems like they are just "printing" the content to a PostScript file and then displaying it, so protective "print only" watermarks actually show up on the screen. I was looking forward to this feature for browsing scans of some graphic novels, but the load times make this far too frustrating to be practical.

- The DVR function is somewhat of a joke. I'm not even sure why they include the "TV Guide" and timer functionality, since it won't record anything unless your TV and cable box are on the right channel at the right time. It will record TV shows, but I'm not sure what functionality the "DVR" adds since it's pretty much the same as just connecting the device and pressing record when your show is on.

- On a related note, the optional "DVR Station" is also somewhat of a joke. I think it flirts with false advertising to label a device as a "TV recorder" when it doesn't even accept a cable signal. It's really just a docking station with some additonal outputs, and doesn't get around the fact that you have to manually set your TV and cable anyway.

- The manual that explains the functions of the device is wrong in many places. For example, the placement and function of the LEDs is completely different than the diagram. (In fact, for some inexplicable reason the HDD light is on the *back* of the device, so you never really see it.) I suspect they cut and pasted the diagram from another device (the 04 series?) and didn't update. Somewhat minor, but there are enough functions on the device that this is annoying when trying to learn them all.

All in all, you might find this device useful if the above quirks don't really bother you. It's still fairly nice to have on a long commute, but it's not quite the "wonder device" that some have painted it to be.

Archos 605 160GB Wi-Fi Digital Multimedia Device-ARCHOS 605 160GB SD SLOT USB2 PERP4.3IN TFT LCD

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stylus. Sure you can use your finger, but sometimes it seems you need the stylus for better response for the touch screen.

Pros:
Great size and quality for viewing pictures and watching movies and browsing the web.
The touch screen works very well with only a few hiccups here and there.
The side buttons are nice to have at times when the touchscreen is not cooperating.
The speaker comes in handy when you want to play something for others, or just to have background music.
Every video I've loaded has played on my player, as I bought the plug-in.
Watching Youtube clips on this is very nice. Sometimes it takes a while to load, but once it does, it is great.
The 160 Gig drive is a must for keeping lots of movies, pictures, music, and files. If you can afford it, get this larger drive. You will regret it when the lower capacity drives fill up.

So yes, this is a nice product overall in my opinion. It has only locked up on me a few times since I've had it, but I keep a handy paper clip in my wallet to push into the hole which resets it. Movies look very nice on this, however, I think they look better on my Creative Zen Vision:M player, but that screen is much smaller. The picture is still very nice though. Transferring files is fairly fast with the USB 2.0 connection.
I also bought the Mini Dock and the DVR station. I wanted the MiniDock for the extra battery life, as well as a very portable charger.(charge time varies, but seems to fully charge in about 2 hours. Just a guess) I bought the DVR station(which also charges the device) so that I can record my own shows easily, and it also has video ports to watch the movies and such on a TV. It isn't high def, but it is still cool to be able to watch what you want on the go and share with friends and family.

Do I recommend this to someone considering it? Well, I can only tell you that the only regret I have about buy this 605 Wifi is that just a few months later, the new series was lined up for release. I think they look so nice, and they do everything this does, and more, in a nice new sleek package. The one version will have 3.5G for internet anywhere, which would be nice also, so that you don't have to rely on a stationary Wifi connection. But for what the 605 Wifi has, it is a great device which has provided me with numerous hours of entertainment on my train rides to work.

***Also, I purchased the Noreve leather case for the 605, and I love it. As a bonus, this case has a slot for the Stylus inside. Kinda looks like a ladies wallet, but once you get passed that and understand that you paid good money for the 605 Wifi, you want it protected from damage. I don't have any problems with the buttons not fitting in the case. And it is easy to slide in and out of for DVR station usage.

Archos 605 160GB Wi-Fi Digital Multimedia Device-ARCHOS 605 160GB SD SLOT USB2 PERP4.3IN TFT LCD

...

stylus. Sure you can use your finger, but sometimes it seems you need the stylus for better response for the touch screen.



Pros:

Great size and quality for viewing pictures and watching movies and browsing the web.

The touch screen works very well with only a few hiccups here and there.

The side buttons are nice to have at times when the touchscreen is not cooperating.

The speaker comes in handy when you want to play something for others, or just to have background music.

Every video I've loaded has played on my player, as I bought the plug-in.

Watching Youtube clips on this is very nice. Sometimes it takes a while to load, but once it does, it is great.

The 160 Gig drive is a must for keeping lots of movies, pictures, music, and files. If you can afford it, get this larger drive. You will regret it when the lower capacity drives fill up.



So yes, this is a nice product overall in my opinion. It has only locked up on me a few times since I've had it, but I keep a handy paper clip in my wallet to push into the hole which resets it. Movies look very nice on this, however, I think they look better on my Creative Zen Vision:M player, but that screen is much smaller. The picture is still very nice though. Transferring files is fairly fast with the USB 2.0 connection.

I also bought the Mini Dock and the DVR station. I wanted the MiniDock for the extra battery life, as well as a very portable charger.(charge time varies, but seems to fully charge in about 2 hours. Just a guess) I bought the DVR station(which also charges the device) so that I can record my own shows easily, and it also has video ports to watch the movies and such on a TV. It isn't high def, but it is still cool to be able to watch what you want on the go and share with friends and family.



Do I recommend this to someone considering it? Well, I can only tell you that the only regret I have about buy this 605 Wifi is that just a few months later, the new series was lined up for release. I think they look so nice, and they do everything this does, and more, in a nice new sleek package. The one version will have 3.5G for internet anywhere, which would be nice also, so that you don't have to rely on a stationary Wifi connection. But for what the 605 Wifi has, it is a great device which has provided me with numerous hours of entertainment on my train rides to work.



***Also, I purchased the Noreve leather case for the 605, and I love it. As a bonus, this case has a slot for the Stylus inside. Kinda looks like a ladies wallet, but once you get passed that and understand that you paid good money for the 605 Wifi, you want it protected from damage. I don't have any problems with the buttons not fitting in the case. And it is easy to slide in and out of for DVR station usage.