Archos 504 160GB Portable Digital Media Player and Recorder (500896) | 
enlarge | Brand: Archos Category: CE
Buy New: $1,385.00
Rating: 25 reviews Sales Rank: 11294
Color: Grey Media: Electronics Autographed: No Memorabilia: No Batteries Included: Yes Hard Drive Size: 160 Native Resolution: 4.3 Display Size: 4.3 Shipping Weight (lbs): 4 Dimensions (in): 5 x 1 x 3
MPN: 500896 Model: 500896 UPC: 690590508965 EAN: 0690590508965 ASIN: B000HASGF4
Release Date: September 1, 2006 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Shipping: Expedited shipping available Condition: Brand New Item. Factory Sealed. Sorry NO shipping to APO/FPO, PO BOX, Hawaii, Alaska.
| |
| Features:
| • | Lightweight and portable digital video, movie, music player and photo viewer with easy-to-use, intuitive controls and a bright 4.3-inch TFT LCD screen | | • | 160 gigabyte hard disk lets you store up to 80,000 songs, 1,600,000 pictures, or 450 regular movies or 155 DVDs, or any combination thereof | | • | Compatible with MP3, WAV, WMA and protected WMA music files, JPEG, BMP, and PNG picture files, and MPEG-4 and WMV video files | | • | Uses high-speed USB 2.0 for both file transfers and charging, and includes a removable, rechargeable Lithium-Ion polymer battery with up to 17 hours of music and 5.5 hours of video life | | • | Lets you play music through a stereo or videos over your TV via an optional docking station, weighs only 11.15 ounces, and measures approximately 5.1 x 3 x 0.9 inches (W x H x D) |
|
| Accessories:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Product Description With the Archos 500896 504 160GB Portable Digital Media Player and Recorder you have all the entertainment you need at your fingertips, in a package that stays ultra portable. The perfect companion for everything from long trips to short bus rides, from going to parties to just hanging out around the house, the Archos 504 lets you not only take your favorite music, movies, and moments with you, but helps you make new favorite moments wherever you happen to be. With a screen size surface three times that of similar size PMPs (portable media players), the Archos 504 ensures you can thoroughly enjoy movies and videos. This unit uses a bright, 4.3-inch TFT LCD display with over 16 million colors to provide you a crystal-clear, sharp picture with a 16:9 aspect ratio and 480 x 272 pixels of resolution, as well as an intuitive GUI (graphic user interface) for easy-to-use navigation. The Archos 504 not only plays your videos and movies, but lets you store over a whopping 450 regular movies or 155 DVD-quality movies on its hard drive in either MPEG-4 or WMV formats, at up to DVD resolution. You can also purchase and download optional plug-ins from Archos' website that will allow you to play H.264 and MPEG-2 formats up to DVD resolutions as well. Not only is the Archos 504 a portable video and movie player, but a high-resolution photo viewer as well, complete with features such as zoom, music, and transition effects. You can easily download photos from your PC, or transfer them directly to the 504 from your digital camera via the optional docking adapter. This unit is compatible with JPEG, BMP, and PNG file formats, and can hold up to 1,600,000 photos at a time, depending upon file size and what else you are storing at the same time. The Archos 504 can even read and display PDF documents for on-the-fly work situations, although it may not implement all PDF features. For those times when you can't afford the distraction of watching high-quality videos, the Archos 504 can be your music player, storing and playing up to 80,000 songs so you can keep working, walking, or doing whatever you need to with your own private soundtrack. This unit displays the track, artist, album, and album cover of whatever you are playing, and supports stereo MP3 decoding from 30 to 320 kbps CBR and VBR, as well as WMA, protected WMA, and WAV (PCM/ADPCM) formats. Furthermore, the Archos 504 can play AAC music files, and AC3 stereo sound files with the additional of optional software plug-ins that can be purchased and downloaded from Archos' web site. And just in case inspiration strikes or you want to make sure you don't forget something important, this handy media player lets you make voice recordings through its built-in microphone, or via the optional DVR travel adapter or DVR station through a stereo line-in jack in WAV format. The Archos 504 is fully compatible with DVD-quality VOD (video on demand) and online music stores, allowing you to purchase and download new music and movies directly online rather than having to transfer everything from more traditional media sources. This media player can also record directly from TV in high-quality MPEG-4 with stereo sound via the optional DVR station, so you can take your favorite television shows with you wherever you go. And if you are at home, the Archos 504 can play back any of your movies or recorded TV programs on your television itself, also through the optional DVR station. The Archos 504 has a built-in 160 gigabyte hard disk so you have plenty of space for anything you need, and includes a high-speed USB 2.0 connection for transferring files. This unit features a 3.5-millimeter stereo headphone jack mini-jack and TV output, and dedicated connectors for hooking up optional adapters or the DVR station. The 504 also features a music playback time of up to 17 hours, and a video playback time of up to 5.5 hours on its built-in LCD display, all with its internal, removable lithium-ion polymer rechargeable battery that charges via computer through its USB port, or more quickly with the optional docking adapter or DVR station, or a separate optional power charger. The Archos 504 is compatible with both PCs and Macs with a USB port and Linux, Windows ME or higher, or OS X or higher, and requires Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or higher and Windows Media Player 10 or higher for use with PlayForSure video and subscription services. This media player allows firmware updates to be downloaded via www.archos.com, weighs approximately 11.15 ounces, and measures approximately 5.1 x 3 x 0.9 inches (W x H x D). What's in the Box Archos 504 portable media player, headphones, dedicated USB 2.0 cable, DVR station adapter, protective case, quick-start guide, and legal and safety notices.
Product Description Archos 504 - At home we crave to surround ourselves with the highest quality devices we can afford, in order to enjoy our digital entertainment to the fullest. The Archos 504 takes that same desire into the portable realm, following through with an amazingly vibrant 4.3", true 16:9 widescreen display, and a giant 160GB hard drive. Both of which support the playback of digital video, music, and picture files in multiple formats. Take a peek below for the full list of the 504's capabilities Picture Viewing - JPEG, BMP, & PNG Customize your view by Artist, Album, Type of Music, Title, Year, or create your own Playlists Voice Recorder Function with Built-in Microphone Reads PDF Files (may not implement all PDF features) 3.5mm Stereo Headphone and TV Outputs Removable Lithium-Ion Polymer Battery Battery Life (music) - up to 17 Hours Battery Life (video) - up to 5.5 Hours (on built-in LCD) Connects to a computer via USB 2.0 for charging and data transfer PC and Mac Compatible Minimum System Requirements - Windows ME, 2000, XP or higher, Mac OS v.10.3.9 and Linux (with mass storage device support) (For PlaysForSure - PC with Windows XP SP2 or higher, Windows Media Player 10 or higher, and USB 2.0) Unit Dimensions - 5.1 x 3 x 0.9 Unit Weight - 11.15 oz.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 20 more reviews...
ARCHOS Still Insists on FAT32 Limitations November 9, 2007 I would give this product the highest number of stars possible, +1 if they'd just realize that the FAT32 format limitations are extremely annoying!
This portable DVR is among the best for size, quality, ease of use, etc. Problem is, they insist on keeping the FAT32 limitation -- presumably because they don't want to have to make a separate version for Mac computer users.
What does this FAT32 limit mean? If you have a movie that is longer than 2 hours, or you want DVD quality of any show longer than 1 hour, the protocol causes the file to split because of the 2 gb file size limit. In other words, if you take a movie like Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (which my kids love) and want it in DVD quality, the file will actually split TWO TIMES. How frustrating when you're watching the movie and have to wait while it closes file #1 and opens #2, then does it again for file #3. Yes, you CAN configure the Archos to automatically open the next file in a folder/subdirectory, but there's still the time lapse and annoyance.
Sure would be more than willing to pay a little more for a device that is NTFS -- so this annoying, outmoded/outdated protocol and it's limitations are removed!
Great, by the way, for using as a travel companion on airlines and in hotel rooms!
VERY SENSITIVE MEDIA PLAYER October 2, 2007 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is my second ARCHOS that I've had and I feel that it needs to be more durable for all the money you shove out to get it. My first one fell out my locker and I definitely accept responsibility for that, but this second one I've bought takes the cake. At first, it was doing fine. No issues. But now, it has shut down and it won't start back up. I went to the site and tried to reset it like the instructions said but that didn't work. So, I sent an email to the ARCHOS site and now I'm awaiting a response. I think I've finally learned my lesson. All that glitters is not gold!!! Beware Buyer, unless you are the type that don't mine spending money or super careful of all your stuff.
So glad I purchased this! September 25, 2007 I had initially set out intending to just go and buy an iPod video - I had one of the original iPod's which proceeded to break, and then I had the colour photo one which made it to just over a year after I bought it and then decided to stop working. Something inside me said that after two failed products it probably wasn't the best thing to do to fork out some money to Apple for another product that would just give up on me when it felt like it. So I got out there looking for something similar and came across the Archos 504, and BOY am I glad I did.
At the time I purchased this it had been about for a while, and new more advanced models coming out with touch-screen and wi-fi capabilities. However I opted to go with this model for several reasons which I will now outline. Most appealing had to be the fact that the 504 offered 160GB memory which was unparalleled in the other models and any other rival products I had seen. Also I felt that seeing as the 504 had been about for a while any issues that caused problems with it would have been ironed out so I would be purchasing a more reliable product rather than getting something that felt like it still needed some beta-testing. I have to say that I've now owned it for a month and haven't experienced any problems.
Something that was both attractive but also a slight worry with this product was the size of it. It was appealing to have a screen that made videos watchable on the go without any strain being put on you, (having tried out the iPod video I felt this wouldn't have been the case as the screen is WAY smaller than what the 504 offers. However I didn't want a unit that was cumbersome and required a bag to go anywhere with. I am a big guy, so for any lasses out there this wouldn't fit in your pocket - but it fits nicely in mine I will admit which was a huge relief.
I've heard the controls on the unit described as counter-intuitive, and that has to be something I disagree with. I felt the controls made total sense and I still get a thrill of the way the whole thing works together.. it just makes a lot of sense to me. Perhaps I am counter-intuitive in that case? What is a shame is that there's no backlight for the buttons, so when it is dark it is not easy to distinguish which button is which, but I've found after a month you can operate the unit with your eyes closed. The menus in all the different features are very self explanatory I feel and they are easily learned.
The player can handle a lot of video formats, my favourite of which is the DivX playing capability. I have not yet purchased the cinema-plug-in which I fully intend to do because it allows you to play some other useful formats such as .vob from a DVD disk for high and AAC audio. I think this will be a worthwhile plug-in though. I'll be purchasing it soon.
I am so pleased I decided to buy this Archos 504, it was worth the waiting for. I feel like on some occasions it is a little obvious, but it does the perfect job so far
Gav
LOVE IT! September 24, 2007 While this was a gift. I have to say this device is a great gadget to have... I have been able to subscribe to iTunes and convert all my purchased songs to mp3 playable formats for the Archos.... this toy is a head turner when you are flying.
Abysmal Customer Service August 31, 2007 4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I apologize in advance that I am able to offer no insight whatsoever into this player's capabilities. You see, mine does not work. This would be much less a problem if Archos' customer support functioned at all. Perhaps in this day and age it is too much to ask, but given what I paid for this device, to say nothing of the money you have to sink into accessories before it will do almost anything, it seems reasonable to ask for more. The only available technical support is a baffling webform on the Archos website, and although they promise a response in two business days, they have never gotten back to me in less than a week.
After some fantastically stupid "support", they finally agreed to fix it. I sent it to them, they sent it back and absolutely nothing has changed (it has a bad hard drive or processor, hard to say which) and the problem is obvious enough that they clearly did not QA the thing at all before they sent it back. So now I am getting back on the carousel. Sigh.
Many of the opinions on here seem well-considered, so you should certainly believe them about functionality. However, if you buy this and you ever need the company (this is not a $40 disposable player, after all), it will be a sad, sad day for you stretching on into weeks, maybe months.
|
|
|