Avis sur le produitArchos 605 WiFi Silver (160 GB) Digital Media Player

Superb image browser, average media player.

Things I like about Arcos 605 WIFI 160 GB: nice interface and GUI (looks really slick), web browsing ability via WIFI (though you have to pay extra to enable it), superb picture browser (shows thumbnails and you can use your finger to zoom into a picture and pand around), fairly fast in loading media files, easy scrolling of long lists, well designed MP3 player (shows album art in hi-res, has on-screen touch-sensitive buttons for previous/next song with song descriptions etc). The price is good for what you get, USB 2.0 connection to your computer is fast, USB host speed is good too and 160 GB is currently probably the largest offering of its kind.

Things I didn't like: though it has a 800x480 hi-res screen, the contrast and clarity is not as good as Cowon A2/A3 and the screen exhibits a shimmering effect when moved around (probably due to its touch-screen coating). Sound quality is fairly poor (you can hear a constant background hiss), volume is fairly low even at maximum sound levels and there aren't many options beyond the standard equalizer to enhance the sound (wheres the Cowon A2/A3 has crystal clear sound with great sound enhancement options). Also battery life is so-so. When fully charged, you can get 4 hours and 50 minutes of video out of it, but when powering down the device, you have to choose between suspend mode, which drains the battery even when you don't use the device, or complete shutdown, which makes for a very slow startup. Most users will use suspend mode but then they'll never get the advertised playback time. In fact after a week of not using the device, I was unable to even power it up, although it had been fully charged before - that's how badly the suspend mode drains the battery. Further complicating the matters is the fact that it takes about 10 hours to completely recharge the battery - and that is slow compared to the 3-4 hours of most competitors. You can speed up charging time by getting a separate dock, but I tried one (the battery dock) and it is one of the clumsiest and least elegant accessories I've ever used.

Also button placement is not the smartest - its sensitive buttons are right where you'd want to place your thumb to hold the device, so you'll be pressing those buttons even if you don't mean to. And there's no auto-resume. You can still manually resume the latest file you were watching/listening, but Cowon A2/A3 can auto-resume right after startup (if you set it up in options) plus it maintains a long list of various files that you can resume, not just a single latest one like the Archos.

All in all I'd say it is currently the best image browsing device of its kind (the pictures look amazing on the screen and the ease of touch-sensitive zooming and panning has to be seen to be believed), unique in its WIFI and web browsing abilities (also supports flash and Youtube) and the 160 GB offers a monstrous amount of space compared to the competition. But if you want the absolute best video and audio quality, and don't want to buy various accessories to use all the features that should be standard in the main unit (like faster charging, longer battery life and ability to connect to and record from TV), there are better options out there (mainly the Cowon A3 comes to mind once again).Lire l'avis complet...

Should be more standard accessories...

I like the five-inch screen on this player. It definitely beats the much-smaller screen on my Tilt smartphone. And I *definitely* like not having to deal with balky software, like I did with my Zune. I really liked that player, but the software would refuse to transfer some photos and videos to the player, and would only give the most basic of explanations (usually "unknown error," which is useless). None of that with the Archos.

However, I *don't* like the fact that a hard-drive-based player ships with only a USB connection, not an AC adapter. Spinning hard drives use more power than flash memory, and Archos should take that into consideration with the accessories they provide in the packaging. The consumer should not have to pay extra ($30!) for a power cord.

Neither should anyone have to pay in order to view videos in MPEG4, the most common video format at present. Fortunately, I have quite a few video converters (Format Factory and Rad Video Tools, among others; in a pinch even Windows Movie Maker) so I can convert to just about anything without having to pay extra for plugins. Since converting to MPEG4 or "standard" AVI means paying for an AAC audio plugin, I convert to AVI (MPEG4 video/MP3 audio), which apparently plays on everything, even Windows Media Player.

I suppose I shouldn't count these things against the player, since I did see in more than one review that many things that add to the value of the player also add to the price, but I just think expecting the consumer to pay more to get full enjoyment of their purchase is just tacky.

Good player, though. Archos just needs to stop trying to nickel-and-dime customers.Lire l'avis complet...

Archos 605 WIFI 160gb

I love this media player, it has very few set-backs, but there are a few. First, the battery life is somewhat weak if do not completely power down the unit when finished using it. It has a suspension mode and then complete power down, if you don't hold the power button down long enough the unit will not completely power down and seems to use up battery life much faster. Second, the add-ons to make the Archos fully functional are somewhat expensive, for example the internet browser is $29.95, the Itunes M4A add-on is $19.95, and these are just two of the available extras, there are many more and all are around this price range. As far as functionality, this unit is very easy to use, and is quite nice, I love mine, but it could be made better.Lire l'avis complet...

Great Player if you are able to dismantle it for repair

Wow what can I say the Archos 605 Wi-Fi 160GB is an awesome little player. The screen was beautiful the Web Browser looked great and in combination with the DVR dock this is at the top of all portable devices. That being said buyers be aware that if you are buying it USED ask the seller to test it for a full 17 hours for audio and 4 hours of video because, apparently there is a big epidemic in this player that comes at the one year mark, where the player no longer holds a charge.

Of course this is fine if the 605 (like it's predecessors) had a quick interchangeable battery but, it doesn't. What is worse is that the 160gb version has a non existent replaceable battery. So even if you could magically find a replacement (or found away to use a different battery in it) for the 160GB version you will have to completely dismantle your device and solder on the replacement.

Even more so if you are in the U.S. the Archos user base is quite small. The user base in the U.K. is bigger so you can rely on some tech-savvy user to replace the battery for you, especially since most users agree that the Archos customer support is horrible. It seems that Archos just made sure that you can't ever install programs outside of their own select few (that they will charge a premium for)and, they proceeded to close all support for the 605.

Prior to this I owned a Creative Zen Vision M that lasted me 4 years before it started giving me problems(note: started giving me problems not Dead). Although now the Zen Vision M is archaic in terms of features it served its purpose great while it was still active. I cannot recommend a USED Archos 605 Wifi 160 GB to anyone that is not willing to open it up to replace a battery. Even if you are so lucky to find a NEW one or REFURBISHED one be aware of the one year mark where it will most likely lose it's ability to hold a charge.

Final little tidbits on the player the 30GB version is thinner as well as the flash 4GB model. The SD card reader is only available on the 4 GB model. There are 3 or so battery replacements. One for the 30GB and 4GB, one for the 80GB and 120GB (120GB is only found in the UK I think), and one non existent one for the 160GB model. Buyer be aware!!!Lire l'avis complet...

Despite having a battery that dies in about the same amount of time that my 504 does I love this product. Archos rules!

Despite having a batter that dies in about the same amount of time that my 504 doe I love this product. Archos rules! I love everything about it, and am satisfied with the battery life. I'm used to it. I bought an external battery that makes this product last a LOT longer on it's own battery. All the features this product packs makes it legendary.Lire l'avis complet...

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Archos 605 WiFi - better than iPod and Zune!

I adore the Archos 605 WiFi. I had considered buying the iPod Classic ($250), but decided to buy the Zune instead ($250) because it had a bigger video screen. I do think the Zune has a slight edge over the gimicky iPod, but it was such a hassle to use. You cannot access the Zune like a hard drive, and the interface is very difficult to use. I started to regret it. Then I found Archos. Initially, I was intriqued with the fact that you download content directly from Dish Network receivers (some of them). I learned that the Archos 605 WiFi can do so much more than iPod or Zune. You can access it like a hard drive, so you can copy, delete, reorganize, etc. any way you want. There is no gimicky interface to use. You can also connect to any available wireless connection. This is great because you don't have to kick a family member off the computer, find the USB cable to connect, etc. Just connect to the wireless network and you are done. I don't think iPod has a standard wireless connection (if at all), and Zune is limited to communication with other Zunes. Also, you can surf the net. I did not think this would interest me, because I did not think I'd want to surf on such a small screen. But I found it quite fun, especially for sites like YouTube. iPod and Zune do not surf the web. The screen is much bigger than iPod and wider than Zune. I thought the Archos 605 size might be and issue, but I found it not to be an issue. If you have a problem with the Archos 605 size, then it will be an issue with iPod and Zune as well. Also, Archos has a touch screen. This is very handy! iPod and Zune do not have touch screens (the more expensive iPod touch does though). I thought maybe the touch screen would be a problem with getting it dirty, but it has proven not to be a problem for me. Another nice feature is the built in speaker. Granted, it is not the higher quality sound, but if you have a little child who wants to watch a movie and you don't have headphones for them on you, it is very nice to have. Also, the speaker isn't that bad to use when your ears get a little tired of having earbuds in them. iPod and Zune - no speaker. That's a big deal sometimes. The Archos 605 can do pretty much everything the iPod and Zune can with regard to Video, Music, and Photo's, so you do not lose out on any features. Again, if you have Dish Network, you can transfer recorded content directly to your Archos via USB in about 5-10 minutes per hour of content. That is a HUGE feature for me, because I want to take my programming with me to work or elsewhere so I can watch it when I want to. Without this feature, you have to record to it in real time. iPod and Zune do not offer that feature. I also recommend buying the Generation 5 docking station. With it, you can record directly to your Archos. Can't do that with the iPod or Zune (although, they might have their own docks, I'm not sure). With the docking station, you can program your Archos to record certain programs and download program guides and listings (schedule) - basicly it becomes a DVR (like TiVo). Also, for another $120 or so, you can buy an attachment that makes your Archos 605 a GPS device! Very nice. iPod and Zune - nope! Also, there are 'widgets' that you can install for free that add features. I added one that makes mine a calculator. Archos is designed to add future features via their website with simple downloads. I'm out of space, but I could go on. Archos simply blows everything out of the water!Lire l'avis complet...

Simply the best!!

The Archos 605 wifi is by my standards one of, if not the best media player out there. I am sure the new Archos is probably even better. If you have never owned one, they are the best way to watch movies on the go. You can store movies, pictures, music, etc. I use mine exclusively for movies and I have 2 of them. The picture quality and easy to use touch screen is amazing. What makes this better than any Apple media players mainly is the price, but also you can by means of a docking system, place any of your dvd movies on it right through your dvd player! Which brings me to my only gripe with Archos and it is not the product. The company tends to "Nickle & Dime" you for the accessories. They really stand behind their products and have some great features but just to surf the net requires the purchase of a "pluggin" which is a small flash program.
All in all it is a fantastic product and would highly recommend this size and model. Remember you can never have to many gigs of memory.Lire l'avis complet...

Archos 160

I like the idea of being able to record TV and watching it later while I am flying or waiting at an appointment. I don't like the tech help as they never have come on the line as of yet and I have had my ARCHOS since late Nov. They have had an operater come on and say they will call me back because of such high volume of calls, but still waiting 3 weeks later and no call as of yet. I need to fix a small problem and need to ask how to do it since it is not in the manual. If you are a very smart tech person you will enjoy this, if you are not a smart tech person as I am, you will have problems and not be able to use the archos to your satisfaction. It is Feb 8, still no response to my request for help. If anyone is experienced on this product and would be willing to help I would appreciate it.Lire l'avis complet...

Archos 605 WiFi (160 GB) Digital Media Player

I am writing the review on the first Archos I bought. Haven't had time to check out the 605 I got here on eBay yet. But my getting a second Archos should say it all!

I love my 605 WIFI 160 gig. I have plug-ins (19.99-29.99). With the additional plug-ins I now can save any file format and it plays... without having to convert every movie you add. Like most MP4/5 players.

You have a regular hard drive in your Archos so you can drag and drop files from your computer. How much easier can they make it for us? Why buy from I*unes and other places and pay for your music? Many torrent sites provide everything you could possibly need to fill your huge 160 gig hard drive free!

It's got a touch screen so you can use your finger to pick and navigate or the stylus provided. You have a huge screen over 4". So you can actually see and enjoy watching the unit. Or you can invest in the Generation 5 DVD dock ($100), But, with the docking station you can view your movies on your TV or even record from the tv to your Archos...how cool is that!!?!!

I bought many mp3/4/5 players and either returned for various reasons or just used as a mp3 player because I could never get the provided converting software to work. The clip they provided played but nothing I tried to add ever displayed for me ... go figure. I decided to invest more and stop wasting my time and energy on the little units and found the ARCHOS605 WIFI to be the best user friendly product on the market!

The only draw backs I can see are the games and plug-ins. They are not included and have to be bought separately from Archos.com I got some plug-ins on eBay, they worked perfect.

I totally give this ARCHOS 605 WIFI 160 gig 5 STARS AND A GLOWING REVIEW.
When I get my eBay unit I have 135 gig of movies to add and will be looking at another to buy soon.

Read up on these. I know your going to think about the 7 series for the larger screen...but appears everyone prefers the 605 over the 705 after switching ... you decide.Lire l'avis complet...

Best Media Player Available

If you're serious about your portable media, buy this device.

I bought the 160 gb Archos, and love it completely!

I use linux machines, so the drag and drop is very useful. I was able to transfer 80+ Gigabytes of movies within just a couple of hours.

However, with the wifi, when I am at home on my network, I can even watch movies and play music right from the media server.

The 605 wifi is a little more pricey than most PMP's but its TOTALLY worth it. The features are amazing. The wifi and web browser are cool, and the touchscreen makes it great. You can build playlists right on the device, and the quality is awesome.

Its not so cool how archos tries to get everything they can out of you (with plugins and such), and I don't know if the web browser is worth $30, but mine came preinstalled, so I'm good by it. The dock makes this incredibly useful (DVR, network media player, etc).

It DOES play divx files right out of the box (which I couldn't confirm 100% by looking on the internet) which is great, cause that's what my media is in.

If you're looking for a media player that will store a lot, and be usable anywhere (think about taking 100 + full length films with you on vacation) with the output cables or docks, then look no further. Granted, its not a tiny device, but if you're using it for video, its the best you'll find!Lire l'avis complet...