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The Archos MP3 and PVP clan |
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 James Kim Senior editor |
November 15, 2005
Many of you have viewed the Apple iPod family album, but there are certainly other tightly knit tech families out there. Take Archos, the undisputed champion in the growing world of portable video players (PVPs). Since the release of Jukebox Multimedia 20, Archos has evolved from "that esoteric French company with a strange but affordable product" to purveyors of portable multimedia. Archos products were among the first portables to record video, including the first to record DVDs. Now, the premium AV500, the gargantuan AV700, the sleek Gmini 402, and the hot new Gmini 402 Camcorder (not shown) are considered best of breed, though Creative and others have some nice devices too. Archos's MP3 players--the stylized XS100 and the affordable XS202--are pretty decent as well. More resources
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| Product name |
Archos AV500 Mobile DVR (30GB) 
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Archos Gmini 402 (20GB) |
Archos Gmini XS202 |
Archos Gmini XS 100 (3GB, Techno Blue) |
Archos AV700 Mobile DVR (100GB) |
Archos Pocket Media Assistant PMA430 |
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| Review date | November 11, 2005 | October 5, 2005 | October 3, 2005 | August 11, 2005 | October 11, 2005 | April 5, 2005 |
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Editors' rating (Editors' rating explained) |
8.3
Excellent |
8.0
Excellent |
7.7
Very good |
7.3
Very good |
6.7
Good |
7.3
Very good |
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| Buying choices |
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| Product videos |
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| Review summary | The well-appointed Archos AV500 puts wide-screen video in your pocket, but we're still waiting for a point-and-click way to get video into the device. | Archos's supercompact Gmini 402 portable video player adds DRM-protected media to its long list of features. | Although identical in appearance to the Archos Gmini XS200, the still-economical XS202 offers better features under the hood. | If you're looking for a small MP3 player with a stylish and ergonomic design--and you don't need a ton of storage--consider Archos's Gmini XS 100. | Proof positive that bigger isn't always better, the Archos AV700 fails to make the most of its wide-screen LCD. | Sticker shock and minor problems notwithstanding, Archos has crafted the most capable, enviable PVP we've seen yet with the PMA430. |
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| Product series | See all products in this series | N/A | N/A | See all products in this series | See all products in this series | N/A |
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| User comments | 8.2 Excellent (from 94 users) | 8.2 Excellent (from 35 users) | 7.7 Very good (from 18 users) | Be one of the first to rate this product! | 7.7 Very good (from 26 users) | 6.6 Good (from 29 users) |
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• 30 GB • 4.9 in • LCD 4 in - Color • Hi-Speed USB • 9 oz • 3 in • MPEG-4 SP • 0.7 in • JPEG , BMP • PAL , NTSC • WMA , WAV , Protected WMA (DRM) , MP3 • MPEG-4 SP , MPEG-4 , AVI , WMV • Lithium ion • Video capture from external source , Digital audio player , External HDD function , Digital video player , Digital audio recorder , Digital photo viewer • Stereo headphones , TV Tuner Recorder / Docking Station , Carrying case , Remote control , Audio cable , Video cable • Digital AV recorder Full specifications |
• 20 GB • 4.2 in • LCD 2.2 in - Color • Hi-Speed USB • 5.6 oz • 0.7 in • PlaysForSure Audio • 2.4 in • JPEG , BMP • WMA , WAV , Protected WMA (DRM) , PCM , ADPCM • XviD , MPEG-4 SP , DivX • Lithium ion • Digital audio player , Voice recorder , External HDD function , Digital video player , Game console , Digital audio recorder , Digital photo viewer • Stereo headphones , USB host cable , USB cable , Carrying pouch , AC adapter • Digital AV recorder Full specifications |
• 2.3 in • WMA , WAV , Protected WMA (DRM) , MP3 • No built-in memory • 20 GB • 0.8 in • Hi-Speed USB • 4.2 oz • Stereo • 3 in • Classic , Techno , Rock , Jazz , Live • 17 hour(s) • Digital player • 128 x 128 • Lithium ion • 2.3 in x 0.8 in x 3 in Full specifications |
• 1.7 in • WMA , WAV , MP3 • 3 GB • 0.5 in • Hi-Speed USB • Blue • 2.8 oz • Stereo • 3.6 in • 1 year warranty • 14 hour(s) • Microdrive • 128 x 128 • Lithium ion • 1.7 in x 0.5 in x 3.6 in Full specifications |
• 100 GB • 8.2 in • LCD 7 in - Color • Hi-Speed USB • 20.8 oz • 4.2 in • MPEG-4 SP • 0.7 in • JPEG , BMP • WMA , WAV , MP3 • MPEG-4 SP , MPEG-4 , WMV , DivX , DivX 5.0 , DivX 4.0 • Lithium ion • Video capture from external source , Digital audio player , External HDD function , Digital video player , Digital audio recorder , Digital photo viewer • Stereo headphones , TV Tuner Recorder / Docking Station , Carrying case , Remote control • Digital AV recorder Full specifications |
• 30 GB • 4.9 in • TFT 3.5 in - Color • Infrared (IrDA) , USB , IEEE 802.11b • 9.9 oz • 0.8 in • MPEG-4 SP • 3.1 in • JPEG , BMP , PNG , GIF • WMA , WAV , PCM , MP3 • MPEG-4 SP • Video capture from external source , Digital audio player , Voice recorder , External HDD function , Digital video player , Digital audio recorder , Digital photo viewer • AC adapter • Digital AV recorder Full specifications |
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