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 enlarge | Brand: Archos
Category: CE
List Price: $499.99
Buy New: $379.99
You Save: $120.00 (24%)
New (52) Used (4) from $320.00
Rating:  55 reviews
Sales Rank: 5620
Color: Grey
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: Yes
Hard Drive Size: 160
Native Resolution: 7
Display Size: 7
Removable Memory: Unknown
Size: 160 GB
Shipping Weight (lbs): 4
Dimensions (in): 7.2 x 0.8 x 5
MPN: 501016
Model: 501016
UPC: 690590510166
EAN: 0690590510166
ASIN: B000W0Q2PU
Release Date: November 20, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: Brand new, ships immediately!
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| Customer Reviews:
 PATHETIC Sound Levels!! Really Sub-Par! March 19, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
So far, I am VERY unhappy with my Archos 705 Wi-Fi!!!
I can't believe how LOW the volume settings are!
Even if I use an external headphone amp (mine is called a Boostaroo), the volume is way too low!!
Put is this way: If I am on an airplane and eat anything crunchy, like a pretzel, I can't really hear the dialog!
And as for a "theater-like experience" -- forget about it!!
I have spent a great deal of money so far for my unit -- nearly $500 for the unit itself, $100 for the DVR station, $100 for extra batteries (my flights for work are almost all over 12 hours) and hundreds for downloads and driver add ons. For all that I have spent so far, I could have purchased a mini-PC!
But I DO like this unit -- and I DO want it to work better!!!
The features and navigation is very good -- as is the picture quality.
But the sound level is so low that I just can't enjoy this thing at all.
Shame on Archos!
 It Gets you on the Accessories March 17, 2008
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
The following review was written by my 13 yr old son, B.
The Archos 705 is a great product. I was about to get the 704 when I saw that this was cheaper. A lot of people say it's pretty neat when they see me with it. However, before buying it you may want to consider these:
-Price: So far, I've spent a total of $500 on it. I bought the actual Archos 705 (80gb) for $370, the Gen 5 DVR Station-which you can currently buy for $0.01 on ebay ($12 shipping)- for $80, (also, the 705 will work on the Gen. 4 DVR Station too) the $30 Web Browser Plug-in, and the $20 Cinema Plug-in. I will probably buy more accessories including the $30 704 battery that works on the 705 too, the last $20 Plug-in, and maybe some of the $10 games.
-You should buy an accessory: If you don't buy any of the accessories, then you will only be able to listen to some of your music (I tried syncing the Archos with iTunes and only some files would play without a certain plug-in), be able to put photos on to it, and I think you will be able to put videos on it. (You don't order the Plug-ins, you download them straight onto your computer.)
-Scheduled Recordings: You can easily program the Archos 705 to automatically record shows onto your Archos. It works really well because you can leave the house and it will record your stuff. You don't have to worry about leaving it on all day, it's not bad for it and the Archos and it doesn't get hot. You can schedule recordings once, daily or weekly. Also, you can title the video (using the keyboard on it or the one on the built-in remote) so then it will automatically title it for you if it's daily or weekly. The recorder can easily record videos on Demand. Unfortunately, the TV has to be on while recording and it won't automatically change channels for you. However, while recording, you can turn the volume on the TV all the way down. Remember that it does record the TV guide (if you use it) which may block part of your view. And, you must have a cable to record and a special cable for recording stuff from your iPod (you can't sync videos on it form iTunes.) Regardless of some things, it's basically a portable Tivo.
-The Touch screen: The touch screen is a little bit difficult to use. You have to use the tip of your nail. It's not as easy as the iTouch's even though the Archos comes with a 2 styli. The screen itself is 6" by 3.75".
-The Resolution: It doesn't have a really sharp image on the videos that you record on to it with the optional DVR Station. However, it is pretty good (definitely not as bad as the videos on youtube.)
-The Web: The Archos 705 will pick up a WiFi signal from about the same distance that a Mac can. You can easily type in your Web Code address and it will remember it for you. You can also open more then one tab at the same time on it and easily change back and forth through each. It comes with a remote that can act like a mouse (it even shows a little arrow.) Youtube works really well, but I don't know if/how to save videos to your Archos. The Web is a little slow, but it works really well. Google Docs can act as Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, and even excel on the Archos. Note: unfortunately, it's not built for online games.
-The DVR Station: When you buy the $80 DVR Station, it comes with the same remote that Archos 705 comes with. This remote is $15 on the Archos website so, since you have 2, it's kind of a waist of money. The DVR Station also comes with an AC adapter-again, the same one that comes with the Archos 705- too. This adapter could cost up to $30. You can plug the adapter into the Archos or the DVR Station and it will power both so you don't need the second one. If these extra accessories didn't come with the DVR Station (Gen 5), then the cost could possibly be as low as $35.
-It's better than most: I think that the Archos 705 is better than the iTouch, mainly because you can record stuff on to it, where on the iTouch you have to buy everything on iTunes. Like the iTouch, the Archos 705 has stores on it that you can rent (videos only) and buy videos, and songs. The iTouch may be smaller and may have a slightly better touch screen, but I think the Archos 705 is better overall a mainly because of how you can record videos onto it. In fact, the Archos 605 "beat" the iTouch in a comparison article (on the Archos website.)
-Other: You should take the time to read the 80 page built-in owners manual. You have to register your Archos online at the Archos website in order to put any of the Plug-ins onto it. There is a headphone jack on the side. The Archos 705 is easy to use and has a lot of handy things on it (such as the 8 Widgets.) It automatically shuts off after 1-9 mins (under settings) except for when recording, and can be put on standby for quick start-up, or it can completely shut off. You can easily change the background picture on it too. The speakers aren't the best, but the work pretty well. It also comes with a small carrying case similar to the iPod. Unfortunately, the files are a little bit hard to manage but you can rename and delete them on the Archos. It also has a hold button.
I rated the Archos 705 4 stars mostly because of its price. However, I think that it's definitely worth getting. Lots of people who see it say they want one. It's much better than my Gen. 5 iPod. Although I have had to take out its battery sometimes because it froze, it's still very good. The Archos 705 is almost like a small computer with its WiFi (with google docs), videos, music, photos, and even better than a computer in a way because you can record stuff onto it. I would definitely recommend this.
Good, but a little funky March 11, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
The main thing we use it for is WiFi browsing. The Opera browser is a bit too stripped down, so that it's awkward. There is very little documentation, and the touch screen is a bit temperamental.
We'd still buy it again.
 Awesome Video Player March 10, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I reviewed several video players prior to purchasing the Archos 705 160 GB. Then once I chose the 705 I had to wait about 2 months to actually find one in stock (more time to see other options). I have nothing but the highest praise for this device. But it is not one to carry around everyday in your pocket. This is a big 7 inch screen and rather heavy but it is exactly what I wanted. I can put it in my briefcase or just use it around the house. If you know what your main reasons for purchasing this is, then you will easily decide for yourself if the 705 meets your needs. If it does, the product is very nice.
A great player! March 8, 2008
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
I read through all of the reviews of this player before I bought it, and if I were to sum up the other reviews, they were 50/50. I felt like I should give a little back so here is my experience:
Battery Life - I just don't understand what problem people are having with the battery life. When I got my Archos 705, I plugged it in overnight and then transfered some Xvid's the longest movie I had was 2.5 hours long. I unplugged the player and put on the movie, it made it through twice plus 30 minutes... so I got about 5.5 hours out of it (FWIW it was a letter boxed movie so maybe since there where black pixels use less power and make it last longer, I donno know but I thought I would mentioned it). I also picked up a "double" battery" that is twice the size with twice the juice. Watching movies/shows while flying across the country I never dipped below 50% power. On a side note why is there not an option to see how much power is left or estimated time?
Add Ons - Ok this is a gripe I can agree with I spent another $70 to get the web browser and 2 additional codecs. Seems pretty crappy that after spending $500 to get the player that I needed to spend anther $70 to get the features that I really wanted. Like I mentioned before i spent another $35 to get a "double battery" (we are planning to fly to Hawaii from the East Coast, seemed like a good investment). So in total I spent another $105 on things to get what I originally wanted.
Stylus - Ok perhaps this is just me, but there is not place to put the stylus on the player. The player comes with a case (nothing special) that has a little pocket in it. I just got back from a trip using it and when watching the player I just stuck it in my shirt pocket when watching videos and put it with the case when I was not it.
Video Quality - Maybe I have just have lower expectations, but I think movies look great (yes my eyes are fine). If anything when the size of the video was not close to the specs of the screen, it did not look awesome but that is my fault not the player. When I have ripped shows that are close to the screen specs, it looks great.
Web Browsing - I have not played around with this too much, but so far it looks nice. I will play with this more and report back... But it was no problem to get on my WPA2 wireless connection. Again with the screen, it looked really sharp.
Wow factor - I have to say, on every leg of my trip, people asked me about the player. If you are watching it in public space, expect to talk about it.
Touchscreen - So I have to agree a bit with the other reviews that the screen is not the most responsive (I have never played with an Apple Touch so don't really have a comparison). There are times when it seems a little "touchy" or rather "not touchy" where you have to press the screen multiple times to get it to do what you want. But really this is not the end of the world when watching videos since you so rarely need to touch anything when watching videos. When I was playing around to explore the machine it was annoying from time to time, but nothing to stomp my feet over. Note that it is very important that you read how to select things from the manual. Sometimes it is a double tap, sometimes a single tap, etc...
Volume - It is not awesome, I will agree with this. While watching videos I had it full on the player and almost full on my headphones... this was loud enough for me, but that is almost maxing it out to get there. Seems like it should get louder than it does.
What I have not tried - I have not played with the content portals, I have all my own content to move over on the machine. Games - you can pay money for games... I might get around to it, but really just like watching videos for it. I have transferred a few MP3s to it, seems to play nice but I already have an iPod Nano that I use for music.
Wrap up - I bought this player to watch videos, everything else is just gravy. I am not a video snob so 200k colors versus 16 mill, does not bother me at all, all I know is for what I watch it looks great. I hated bringing a portable DVD player around with DVDs and this is a very nice solution to that problem. I would gladly recommend it, with the cavet of spending the extra $105 to get the additional plug ins and the double battery... if you are not going to do that you might feel limited... I gave it 4 out of 5 stars since it is not perfect, but it really does everything that I bought it for, though there is room to grow and do these things better. Also I bought mine for $499. Not sure why this is currently priced $850....
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