Manage updates with the Download AppArchos Gmini 402 Camcorder (20GB)
Manufacturer: Archos Part number: 500705
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Archos Gmini 402 Camcorder looks more attractive than ever, now that it's added a camcorder and a still camera to its long list of music and video features.
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CNET editors' review
Archos Gmini 402 Camcorder (20GB) price range: $220.00
- Reviewed by: Ben Patterson
- Edited by: Eliot Van Buskirk
- Reviewed on: 02/09/2006
- Released on: 11/11/2005
The good: The Archos Gmini 402 Camcorder boasts a sleek, intuitive design, a sharp LCD; an integrated camcorder and still camera; and support for DRM-protected media. It offers the choice of transferring files via Windows Media Player or Windows Explorer (great for Mac users). Finally, the media juggernaut features voice and line-in recording, as well as support for Mophun-engine games.
The bad: The Archos Gmini 402 Camcorder is heavy for its size, and its hard drive maxes out at 20GB. It doesn't have line-in video recording or a built-in speaker, and the highest volume setting could be louder. Also, the Gmini 402 Camcorder cannot multitask (that is, no background music for photo slide shows), and it has no levels meter for audio recordings.
The bottom line: The Archos Gmini 402 Camcorder looks more attractive than ever, now that it's added a camcorder and a still camera to its long list of music and video features.
User reviews
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Innovation is the key to this product...when will the rest of the industry catch up?
by jasonbeckett on December 1, 2005
Pros: Feature rich, trail-blazing concept, all-in-one wonder
Cons: 1st Generation with limitations, improvements will be welcomed.
Summary: This is the type of product that makes us all smile a little inside. Though it is not perfect is it an improvement in the marketplace. The 402 forces the ...
Summary: This is the type of product that makes us all smile a little inside. Though it is not perfect is it an improvement in the marketplace. The 402 forces the rest of the portable media industry stand up and take notice; to dig a little deeper for ideas and innovations.
PVR, PVP, MP3 and the like are all old news. When you're looking to buy any of these devices you're really just choosing the "look" of the device (since they all do about the same thing). It's producers like ARCHOS that push the limits and make everyone wonder, "what else could we jam into this thing?"
The more advancements that come into the market, the more evident it is that manufacturers like APPLE need to get innovative rather than repackage the same old thing. We all want TV-on-the-go, so why can't the industry make it simple, affordable and fun?
While I doubt the 402 will smash sales records, or even make a blip on the iPod sales radar, I am sure the integration of new features like video capture will change the way we look at and purchase our personal media players.14 out of 19 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great Features, Great Product
by PMR on February 10, 2006
Pros: All around media player with tons of functions. You can play audio, view pictures, and play movies and games. Built-in Camcorder & Camera.
Cons: No USB Charging. No built in FM.
Summary: I was hesitant about buying the Archos gmini 402 CC. I have had it for over a day and I can say that this thing packs tons of features. You ...
Summary: I was hesitant about buying the Archos gmini 402 CC. I have had it for over a day and I can say that this thing packs tons of features. You can do just about anything on this. The games are cheezy, but still fun. Video playback is smooth and crisp, however I have to convert all my videos which is a pain. Music is nice. The movie quality is fairly good and the picture quality is just decent. I wouldn't buy this play for its video recording, but it is an extremely great add-on. The lens on the back is somewhat in an aquard spot. It's hard to put your left hand down without touching it. The only negatives is that there is no FM tuner or recorder which wasn't a big deal. I wished that it would charge via USB, but it doesn't. I was able to hook up my Canon SD400 to the decive using the adapter. While using the AC adapter it is hard to hold the decive. I would have also liked to have seen a sliding lens cover.
For all those iPod vs. "Others", I just want to say that this is not as easy to use as an iPod. That said, it has way more function than an iPod. I bought this at Fry's Outpost for $299. Same as the iPod. However if you think about it you get more in the box. The built in USB Host (iPod Camera Connector - $30) plus the AC adapter (iPod AC Adapter - $30). That right there is $60 saved on, what I think, necessities.6 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.
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READ ME!!!!
by cameronrohani on January 7, 2006
Pros: SO MUCH READ THIS
Cons: SO LITTLE READ IT
Summary: Ok i own a archos av 402 camcorder. there are three differnt mp3 players in my house. 1 this archos 2 ipod video 3creative zen 4. EVeryone in the house ...
Summary: Ok i own a archos av 402 camcorder. there are three differnt mp3 players in my house. 1 this archos 2 ipod video 3creative zen 4. EVeryone in the house agrees the archos is the best!! why? well the video hour is around 3:30 which owns the ipod video. It also has a camera and video camera. it doesnt take the best pictures but the pictures are actualy not that bad. THE GAMES ARE 100x better then any other mp3 player games! It works easily on both macs and pc's. I could go on with the pros but now im going 2 go the cons
cons well the battery life 4 games is only around 2:30 hours
... for me this doesnt matter but... it only reads all avi video files and a few mpg4's... but you can get a converter of the internet that converts videos into avi's... mac comes with one...
ya so overall the best mp3 player on the market right now is this TRUST ME IF UR LOOKING 4 a MP3 PLAYER BUY THIS YOU WILL BE SATISFIED6 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Take your digital camera with..
by darrelph on May 22, 2006
Pros: Excellent MP3 and Video, Great cam, all in a small package.
Cons: Lousy still camera, useless storage bag
Summary: I purchased this unit for a family vacation. I originally wanted a smaller digital camera that could easily fit in a pocket and would'nt be a problem to carry. ...
Summary: I purchased this unit for a family vacation. I originally wanted a smaller digital camera that could easily fit in a pocket and would'nt be a problem to carry. I spoke with a sales clerk and he had a few sugestions which were ok, then he showed me this. As a techie I was instantly hooked and forgot what I originally came in for. The concept of having a camcorder that fits in a pocket intrigued me. I bought it, and could not wait to get it home. After a few hrs of playing around I've come to the following conclusions.
The good: Overall id say that it is an amazing little device.
* The video camera is excellent, especially at the lower resolution. When the resolution is raised to vga the video becomes a little grainy but is still pretty good.
* The video / audio playback is flawless.
* The MP3 playback is excellent, controls are intuitive, awesome sound with the right headphones.
* The small size of the unit vs it's features makes it a unique product.
The bad: My biggest problem with this unit is the lousy still camera.
* The still camera is horrible. DO NOT buy this unit for still pictures, it will disappoint.
* This unit is a little light on battery
* The storage pouch is useless, it may prevent scratches but if you drop it, it's over. Buy a better case.
* I agree with other reviews, the manual is less than informative, but, the controls are fairly easy to figure out.
* Headphones are not the best.
* line in recording is audio only, which is not a really a flaw.
* Lense placement takes some getting used to, my hand naturally wants to cover it.
I hope this helps.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Like it...but won't blow your mind
by cmdoheny on March 16, 2006
Pros: Functionality is key. Video quality is good.
Cons: CNET Review dead on. User navigation is difficult and not intuitive. Movies do not play on Windows Media Player.
Summary: Like a lot of people, I want the most functionality for my money and can appreciate a small device that meets all my needs (music, movies, camcorder/photos, and games). ...
Summary: Like a lot of people, I want the most functionality for my money and can appreciate a small device that meets all my needs (music, movies, camcorder/photos, and games). Now that I have it, I'm more taken with the camcorder feature than anything else. As a MP3 player, navigation and controls are everything. This player just does not match up with the Ipod in that department. It would be nice if they gave you one or two games instead of just the demos. It is frustrating that you can't listen to music and look at photos and videos at the same time.
No matter what, Archos is ahead of the pack in technological convergence. The only thing better would be a phone that can do all of this and had a minimum of 20GB of memory.2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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THE REVIEW YOU MUST READ!
by Inspektah_Gadget on May 16, 2006
Pros: Do I have to mention....an mp3 with a CAMCORDER built-in!
Cons: Device is flawed by sub-par battery-life and low volume.
Summary: I had nearly ALL ARCHOS products so I know what I'm talking about here....
I've owned and written reviews on the AV420, 500, 700 and now its time ...Summary: I had nearly ALL ARCHOS products so I know what I'm talking about here....
I've owned and written reviews on the AV420, 500, 700 and now its time for the Gmini 402cc. I've had it for about a week. This has to be the greatest if not the BEST all-in-one portable music device on the market. Superb alternative to the iPod. Let me break down the pros/cons of this device...
Size -
Very portable, about the same LENGTH as the iPod, although not as slim. But, who needs a pencil thin device that can break in the palm of your hands? The 402cc fits perfectly in the palm of my hands. I dropped it on the floor today and there was no problems, no skipping or reboot whatsoever. It's about the same thickness as an NGAGE Nokia phone, or a Cable remote.
Audio -
From what I noticed, the volume isn't that loud, not as loud as the AV500 was atleast, but nothing significant. But its highly recommended if not REQUIRED, that you get a better pair of earphones. Those with money should get the Shure E4C's. Those with a lil' budget should get the SONY Premium Stereo Earphones (I got them, and they are good for the price). I still don't like the fact you cant listen to music while viewing photos though.
Design -
Love the design, wish the screen was a little bit bigger though, all that extra space between the right side of the screen and the buttons could've been used. Buttons are great and are easy to use. Don't like the fact that there's no way you can browse through your music library any faster than holding the down button and waiting for it to build speed.
Video -
Videos come out crisp, especially considering its screen size. Videos take about as quick to load as it does for a song, unless its a movie, then you'd have to wait an extra 3 seconds. Viewing videos does take up a chunk of the battery life, so try not to alternate between viewing videos and listening to music too much.
Photos -
Not much to say other than I wish you can listen to music while viewing them, other than that, photos come out good. Slideshow is great.
Camcorder -
A camcorder/mp3 player? GENUIS! ARCHOS continues to put out great ideas into pvp's. The camcorder is a great feature. Yes, its 1.2 megapixels, but so is the average camera phone. With a little light, it can take real crisp, clear videos/snapshots. Also the audio on the camcorder picks up well. The only thing is that its hard to keep your finger out of the len's way.
In my opinion, this is a MUSIC PLAYER first THEN a video player/recorder and camcorder. So you can't expect it to have a speaker like the ARCHOS products before it....what mp3 that is out now has a speaker? It cannot record off the tv like the other ARCHOS products, but what mp3 does? This is the most fun you'll have with an mp3 player. Although its flawed by sub-par battery life and no easy way to browse through music, its still a solid device and reigns as the PORTABLE MEDIA CENTER KING. I paid $259 for it...now if that's not a great deal, I dont know what is. Go and get a Video iPod for $300 that only accepts one type of video format, scratches easily, and pay for all the video you want. But I rather spend $41 less, with a variety of video formats, a camcorder, AND an INCLUDED accessory to let me hook it up to the TV.
Send all questions/comments to JeffreyG718@yahoo.com And I'll be glad to answer them. Thanks for reading my review!1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Nice overall product
by DeadMetalHead on April 1, 2006
Pros: Records movies very well, nice sound quality, very easy navigation
Cons: Need lots of light for recording or picture or else its looks like crap, little bulky for being 20gb
Summary: Its a nice device, i bought it about a month ago and i have enjoyed it alot. some of the downsides are some of the songs i have dont show ...
Summary: Its a nice device, i bought it about a month ago and i have enjoyed it alot. some of the downsides are some of the songs i have dont show the album art because of the way windows media player finds album info. It feels somewhat bulky, and the carrying case i bought for it is jacked, the top left kinda sticks out and the case kinda covers the screen. Movies are easy once you get used to the converter. Its a nice product that im glad i purchased. It has many more features than an ipod, easy to use and you can change formats so you can stick more music on it than an 30gb ipod, even though its only 20gb. Price recently went down to $300. Its very sturdy and feels very reliable, the ipod's feel like they will snap in half. If you dont want a cruddy ipod this is the ultimate alternative, if you dont want to be just like everyone else watching american idol, going to mcdonalds, driving a civic, wearing levis.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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HARD DRIVE ISSUES
by TECHMANEM on March 1, 2006
Pros: Amazing features, nice screen, small and compact
Cons: hard drive issues, battery life
Summary: I have bought MANY mp3 players over the past few years. Different companies have different pros and cons, but I have always liked archos' features. However, it seems that all ...
Summary: I have bought MANY mp3 players over the past few years. Different companies have different pros and cons, but I have always liked archos' features. However, it seems that all there products break easily. I had 2 different archos product which broke within the year I bought them.
While I thought this one would be different, I was wrong. I have had it for 6 weeks, and already the hard drive randomly freezes. Also, the camera/video very often malfunctions and the only way to get it working is by hitting the side of the player a few times. Overall, I think it's a great device with plenty of options, but I would advise only buying it with a great warranty.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Philips SGP5012 Charger works with Archos Gmini 402
by rcadet on November 20, 2010
Pros: Philips SGP5012 Retractable AC/DC Charger works for Archos Gmini 402 Camcorder. I had one in the house for a PSP and lost the Archos charger...So just plugged it in and it worked. Archos Gmini 402 Camcorder great little product.
Cons: none as I can see maybe the Audio & Video out adapter is a bit strange
Summary: Philips SGP5012 Retractable AC/DC Charger works for Archos Gmini 402 Camcorder. I had one in the house for a PSP and lost the Archos charger...So just plugged it ...
Summary: Philips SGP5012 Retractable AC/DC Charger works for Archos Gmini 402 Camcorder. I had one in the house for a PSP and lost the Archos charger...So just plugged it in and it worked.
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this camcorder is average
by I_lurve_cookies on February 6, 2010
Pros: easy to carry, easy buttons, has demo games on it, has average voice recorder.
Cons: bad picture quality, good video quality in daylight, cannot take pictures in dark.
Summary: this was an okay camcorder to start off for, worked for about 2 years, but then I added music onto this camcorder and listened through the night with it and ...
Summary: this was an okay camcorder to start off for, worked for about 2 years, but then I added music onto this camcorder and listened through the night with it and that might have been a problem because soon after it wouldn't even turn on anymore. it has pretty bad picture quality, but it's video quality is O.K. not the best. I wouldn't recommend getting this camcorder
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Archos
- Part number: 500705
- Description: The Gmini 402 Camcorder is the first MP3 player with a built-in camcorder. Take it with you to capture up to 50 hours of personal videos or enjoy your favorite songs on the go.
General
- Device Type Digital AV recorder
- Key Features Game console ,
Digital audio recorder ,
Digital photo viewer ,
External HDD function ,
Voice recorder ,
Digital audio player ,
Digital video player - Compatibility PlaysForSure Audio
- Width 4.2 in
- Depth 2.4 in
- Height 0.7 in
- Weight 5.6 oz
- PC Interfaces Hi-Speed USB
- Features Mophun game engine
Display
- Display Type LCD 2.2 in - Color
- Display Form Factor Built-in
- TV Standards Supported NTSC,
PAL Memory / Storage
- HDD Capacity 20 GB
- HDD Form Factor Built-in
Digital Camera
- Optical Sensor CCD
- Digital Zoom 2
Digital Audio
- Supported audio formats PCM ,
ADPCM ,
WMA ,
Protected WMA (DRM) ,
WAV - Supported bit rate 30 - 320Kbps
- Audio output Built-in speaker
- Microphone Built-in microphone
- Digital audio features VBR
Still Images
- Supported Still Images Formats JPEG,
BMP - Photo Playback Modes Thumbnail,
Zoom in,
Zoom out,
Rotate
Video
- Video Playback Formats MPEG-4 SP
- Video Capture Supported Yes
Connectivity
- Connections Audio line-in,
Headphones,
Audio line-out,
Composite video output - RCA,
Hi-Speed USB - USB Type A Battery
- Rechargeable Battery Rechargeable
- Battery Enclosure Type Internal
- Technology Lithium ion
- Battery Life Details MP3 playback - up to 10 hour(s),
Video playback - up to 4 hour(s),
Video recording - up to 2 hour(s) Software
- Software Included Drivers
System Requirements
- Operating System MS Windows ME,
MS Windows 2000,
MS Windows XP,
Apple Mac OS X 10.2.4 or later Miscellaneous
- Firmware Upgradable Yes
- Included Accessories USB host cable , Power adapter,
USB cable,
Carrying pouch,
AC adapter,
Stereo headphones
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Archos products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:Archos
- Address:
3A Goodyear, Irvine, CA 92618 - Phone: 1-866-489-4718
- Email: us-sales@archos.com
- Fax: 303-962-3365
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