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Archos' Upgraded AV500 Jukebox Detailed

Posted by simoniker on from the geek-toy-heaven dept.

An anonymous reader writes "According to a piece on Mobilemag.com, the Archos AV500, newly shown at Cebit 2004 in Germany, will be the all-in-one answer to the clutter of handheld devices - this is a PVP [personal video player] and PDA combo handheld around the size of a Jornada with 20 or 40 gigs storage. Watch movies, read emails, connect your digital camera for backup, the list goes on.." The piece also notes: "Archos also added EPG (Electronic Programming Guide) technology, to allow you to control the AV500 with a remote control as a video player/recorder."

8 of 179 comments (clear)

  1. Rock Box by djhertz · · Score: 5, Informative
    I have the Archos 20 gig FM recorder (mp3 player that has a radio and record function) and had some really bad issues with it crashing. I got no help from Archos at all, but found this site: Rock Box which has an open source OS for it and never had a problem since. I have also found numerous other people in forums with the same story.

    Now, what I don't understand is how come Archos wouldn't get involved with the Rock Box guys and try to just use their OS, or buy it from them, or something. I mean, the Rock Box os fixes so many bugs, and adds all kinds of features. The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts. -- Bertrand Russell (1872-1970)

    --
    Modest doubt is called the beacon of the wise - William Shakespeare
    1. Re:Rock Box by Some+Clown · · Score: 2, Informative

      I'll second the comments on Rockbox... definitely a better OS than the stock Archos version (on supported models - which at this point are limited to the Player/Recorder versions.)

      I'm an avowed Archos fanboy, no apologies given. That being said, I'm still not sure how much I need a device with so many different functions. Cost is an issue of course too, as is storage. Archos led the pack with 20GB back when, and now they've been pushing the limits with the AV380, going to 80GB. What I need now is 120GB... I'll do it myself if they don't, but of course price starts becoming an issue then.

      I have to say that the other thing I appreciate about Archos, is there is no special software required to move files around. Plug in... drag files to new drive letter (in Windoze anyhow), or just plug in and tar/untar from bash. Whatever.

      Now... as others have said... if we could just get some better batteries! Though on a side note there, for those of you with the older NiMH "tube" 1500 batteries... you can replace 'em with 2100, up the cache memory to 8megs (on Recorders) and bump battery life to 20 hours or so.

      --
      "...The mice will see you now..."
  2. Technical Data, Including Battery Life by hng_rval · · Score: 4, Informative

    Can be found on Amazon

    3.5 hours of video
    10 hours of playing mp3s

    Not too bad, and at $500 it's not too much more than an iPod.

    --
    Thank you Mario! But our princess is in another castle!
    1. Re:Technical Data, Including Battery Life by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

      That's for the 320 not the 500

  3. Rockbox by wtfover · · Score: 3, Informative

    I bought (what is now an older) 20 Gig MP3 recorder/jukebox made by Archos. I haven't RTFA, but going by past experiences with my recorder and what i've heard from others, i'm guessing the firmware will be junk. Thank god for open source and the good people at Rockbox. These guys have made my MP3 player useable, and continue to develop a darn fine product.

  4. In Case you were wondering by Blasphemy · · Score: 2, Informative


    YES it runs linux.

    I have a Zaurus SL-C760 (great PDA) and I reconize the
    Qtopia interface in the pictures. The Qtopia PDA apps
    aren't all that great but the do the job. The best
    part is that they should be able to be easily replaced...

    With the huge hard-drive, you may even be able to run
    evolution on it.

  5. Re:PLEASE combine these 2 items!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    they claim that there's a DVR built in. I wonder if you could just plug a jonescam into it.

  6. Re:archos = 'crappy build quality' by NoOneMuch · · Score: 2, Informative

    I've had an Archos Jukebox Recorder 20 for close to two years now. In fact, I'm listening to MP3s on it as I type.

    I've dropped it about four times, banged it into walls, and taken it on my motorcycle numerous times. The thing still works great.

    So I'm at least one person who says that their build quality isn't too bad. And it's also a great portable 20GB USB 2.0 drive!