Archos Generation 4
Encyclopedia
A series of Archos
portable media player
s released from 2006 through 2007. The Generation 4 series is an upgrade to the previous AV
and Gmini series
, primarily the AV500s. There are 8 models in all. All players are Microsoft PlaysForSure
compatible.
Archos employed a philosophy of producing a modular player, making the standard 04 unit base price cheaper with the option of adding on additional features for additional costs. Using the DVR Station or the DVR Travel Adapter, each unit can record from TV and other standard video sources. The DVR Station and DVR Travel Adapter are not included with the units and must be purchased separately.
. Features include a 30 GB HDD, a 4.3 inch, 16:9 aspect ratio widescreen WQVGA screen, a removable battery, a kickstand, and the ability to record video and audio from line-in sources (via the optional docking station or travel adapter), or the included microphone. It is thinner than the 504, and about the same thickness as the 404 and 404 camcorder. The screen is glossy unlike the 604 WiFi and the 404, which have semi-matte finishes. The 604 family uses the Texas Instruments DaVinci
DM644x processor.
The 604 WiFi uses the 802.11g
Wi-Fi
connection and features the Opera
8.5 web browser. This allows for full internet browsing. The surfing experience on the ARCHOS 604 WiFi is further enhanced by Opera's Medium Screen Rendering (MSR) technology to change the page to suit the 4.3 inch screen. The Wi-Fi capabilities also lets the device act as a file server and connecting the device to a home network to transfer files or play content directly from the network. While the device has no other native Internet software such as an e-mail client, some forms of e-mail and instant messaging may be accessed via the browser if that software is browser compatible. The Opera implementation currently lacks Adobe Flash
capability or a Java virtual machine
but does support Javascript
.
only where the integrated Wi-Fi is replaced with a TV Tuner. This is the follow-up to the AV700TV.
The 504 is positioned as a bigger, thicker model with large amounts of storage in comparison to the 604. It is available in either 40 GB, 80 GB or 160 GB capacities, has a removable battery. It retains all of the 604's features. Unlike the 604, removing the battery exposes the 504's 2.5" harddrive. Users have reported successfully upgrading the harddrive themselves. However, this ability has been cutoff in firmware version 1.5 and later, but the users have been able to install the older firmware. The 504 uses the Texas Instruments DaVinci
DM644x processor.
DM644x processor.
format. You can record instantaneously or make scheduled recordings using a program built in to the players.
The DVR station also allows you to turn the players into camcorders by connecting most digital cameras into the DVR station or you can the optional Archos helmet camera
. It records the video directly on the 30 GB hard drive in MPEG-4
format.
. Not all video codec
s work right out of the box. Each unit is capable of playing MPEG-2
/VOB
videos with Dolby 5.1 Sound (AC3) sound and H.264 videos with AAC
sound, however separate plugins must be purchased to unlock these capabilities.
The 604 WiFi has been criticized for its somewhat slow web-browser and lower screen quality in comparison to the 604. The latter is the effect of adding the touchscreen which required the screen to be matte rather than glossy.
The 504 has received some issues with static electricity problems.
The 404 Camcorder has received positive reviews for its wide range of features and low price, however the unit has also been criticised for a low quality image for still shots, comparable to a cell phone.
with help from the same users who had done so on the older PMA400.
Archos
Archos is a French consumer electronics company that was established in 1988 by Henri Crohas. Archos manufactures portable media players and portable data storage devices. The name is an anagram of Crohas' last name, and it is also Greek for 'master'...
portable media player
Portable media player
A portable media player or digital audio player, is a consumer electronics device that is capable of storing and playing digital media such as audio, images, video, documents, etc. the data is typically stored on a hard drive, microdrive, or flash memory. In contrast, analog portable audio...
s released from 2006 through 2007. The Generation 4 series is an upgrade to the previous AV
Archos AV series
The Archos AV series is a line of portable media players from the company called Archos that was released through 2003 to 2005. This series introduced the digital video recorder for the AV500, an optional feature that would be compatible in subsequent players...
and Gmini series
Archos Gmini series
The Gmini is a series of portable audio and video players released by Archos in 2004 and 2005.-Gmini 400:The first audio device to hold a color LCD screen as well as photo, audio and video playback capacities, the Gmini 400 was introduced October 2004....
, primarily the AV500s. There are 8 models in all. All players are Microsoft PlaysForSure
Microsoft PlaysForSure
Starting in 2004, Microsoft PlaysForSure was a certification given by Microsoft to portable devices and content services that had been tested against several hundred compatibility and performance requirements. These requirements include codec support, DRM support, UI responsiveness, device...
compatible.
Archos employed a philosophy of producing a modular player, making the standard 04 unit base price cheaper with the option of adding on additional features for additional costs. Using the DVR Station or the DVR Travel Adapter, each unit can record from TV and other standard video sources. The DVR Station and DVR Travel Adapter are not included with the units and must be purchased separately.
| 604 | |
 |
|
| Storage : | 30 GB Gigabyte The gigabyte is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information storage. The prefix giga means 109 in the International System of Units , therefore 1 gigabyte is... |
|---|---|
| Display: | WQVGA resolution, Truecolor , 4.3" glossy TFT LCD |
| Video: | MPEG-4 AVI, WMV. With plug-in: H.264, AAC, MPEG, MPEG2 |
| Audio: | Stereo MP3, WMA, Protected WMA, WAV. With plug-in: AAC5, AC3 |
| Photo viewer: | JPEG, BMP, PNG |
| PDF viewer: | Reads PDF documents |
| Video recording: | With DVR Station/ Travel Adapter: NTSC/PAL/SECAM in MPEG-4 AVI with stereo sound, VGA resolution @ 30 or 25 f/s |
| Audio recording: | With DVR Station/ Travel Adapter: Voice recorder and Line-in in WAV format |
| Interfaces: | USB 2.0 in MSC MSC - Computers:* Mario Strikers Charged* Microsoft Common Console Document, file for the Microsoft Management Console* Microelectronics Support Centre* Microsoft Corporation* MIDI Show Control* Message Sequence Chart... or MTP Media Transfer Protocol The Media Transfer Protocol is a devised set of custom extensions to the Picture Transfer Protocol . Whereas PTP was designed for downloading photographs from digital cameras, Media Transfer Protocol supports the transfer of music files on digital audio players and media files on portable media... |
| Battery life: | Music playback: 14 hrs, Video playback: 4 hrs. Removable Battery |
| Charge : | USB, optional: DVR Station,Wall outlet |
| Dimensions & weight: | 5.1" x 3" x 0.7" - 9.17 oz Ounce The ounce is a unit of mass with several definitions, the most commonly used of which are equal to approximately 28 grams. The ounce is used in a number of different systems, including various systems of mass that form part of the imperial and United States customary systems... |
604
The 604 is the flagship model, and the main successor to the AV500Archos AV series
The Archos AV series is a line of portable media players from the company called Archos that was released through 2003 to 2005. This series introduced the digital video recorder for the AV500, an optional feature that would be compatible in subsequent players...
. Features include a 30 GB HDD, a 4.3 inch, 16:9 aspect ratio widescreen WQVGA screen, a removable battery, a kickstand, and the ability to record video and audio from line-in sources (via the optional docking station or travel adapter), or the included microphone. It is thinner than the 504, and about the same thickness as the 404 and 404 camcorder. The screen is glossy unlike the 604 WiFi and the 404, which have semi-matte finishes. The 604 family uses the Texas Instruments DaVinci
Texas Instruments DaVinci
The Texas Instruments DaVinci Technology combines TI's offering of digital signal processing chips, software, tools and support for developing a broad spectrum of optimized digital video end equipments...
DM644x processor.
604 WiFi
The Archos 604 WiFi is a touch-screen multimedia player which also provides access to the Internet. It has the full capabilities of the standard 604 with the added built in Wi-Fi, touchscreen, and a web browser. The touchscreen required the screen to have a matte finish and the Wi-Fi module adds an extra stub to the unit's side. It is otherwise identical to the 604.The 604 WiFi uses the 802.11g
IEEE 802.11
IEEE 802.11 is a set of standards for implementing wireless local area network computer communication in the 2.4, 3.6 and 5 GHz frequency bands. They are created and maintained by the IEEE LAN/MAN Standards Committee . The base version of the standard IEEE 802.11-2007 has had subsequent...
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
connection and features the Opera
Opera (web browser)
Opera is a web browser and Internet suite developed by Opera Software with over 200 million users worldwide. The browser handles common Internet-related tasks such as displaying web sites, sending and receiving e-mail messages, managing contacts, chatting on IRC, downloading files via BitTorrent,...
8.5 web browser. This allows for full internet browsing. The surfing experience on the ARCHOS 604 WiFi is further enhanced by Opera's Medium Screen Rendering (MSR) technology to change the page to suit the 4.3 inch screen. The Wi-Fi capabilities also lets the device act as a file server and connecting the device to a home network to transfer files or play content directly from the network. While the device has no other native Internet software such as an e-mail client, some forms of e-mail and instant messaging may be accessed via the browser if that software is browser compatible. The Opera implementation currently lacks Adobe Flash
Adobe Flash
Adobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
capability or a Java virtual machine
Java (programming language)
Java is a programming language originally developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and released in 1995 as a core component of Sun Microsystems' Java platform. The language derives much of its syntax from C and C++ but has a simpler object model and fewer low-level facilities...
but does support Javascript
JavaScript
JavaScript is a prototype-based scripting language that is dynamic, weakly typed and has first-class functions. It is a multi-paradigm language, supporting object-oriented, imperative, and functional programming styles....
.
704 WiFi
The 704 WiFi operates similar to the 604 WiFi but with a 7-inch screen that has a resolution of 800x480 (WVGA). The side buttons have also been removed as the touch screen becomes the main means of navigation. This is the follow-up to the AV700. The processor used is reported by third parties as a Texas Instruments DM420 (a technology neighbor to the early members of the DaVinci family, the likely full name probably is DM320DM420DSC; that was seemingly only available to selected customers).704 TV
A modified 704 released in FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
only where the integrated Wi-Fi is replaced with a TV Tuner. This is the follow-up to the AV700TV.
504
Texas Instruments DaVinci
The Texas Instruments DaVinci Technology combines TI's offering of digital signal processing chips, software, tools and support for developing a broad spectrum of optimized digital video end equipments...
DM644x processor.
404
Designed to be the budget level PVP, the 404 was created as a smaller version of the 604. The 404 retains many of the same features and all accessories and plug-ins for the 604 are also compatible. The major difference is the screen. It is shortened to 3.5 inches and is not wide. The screen has a QVGA resolution and 24-bit color. The unit has 30 GB of storage and a voice recorder microphone. The main market point from Archos was that it was similar in size to comparably priced PMPs but has about twice the screen size (by area compared to 2.5 inches). The 404 family uses the Texas Instruments DaVinciTexas Instruments DaVinci
The Texas Instruments DaVinci Technology combines TI's offering of digital signal processing chips, software, tools and support for developing a broad spectrum of optimized digital video end equipments...
DM644x processor.
404 Camcorder
A variation of the standard 404, adding a 1.3 MP camera on the back to take stills images and video recordings. It also includes all the features of the standard 404. While it is the only one of the series to have the camera built-in, the other players can use a the "helmet cam" accessory for similar operation. It is the follow-up of the Gmini 402 Camcorder.Portable Audio
204
The device has 20 GB of storage. It supports no video playback. The display is an OLED type with 1.8" and a color depth of 3x6 bit. Other features are the same as for the Archos Gmini XS 202 that comes with a 2" gray scale display.DVR Station
The DVR station (Digital video recorder) is available as an optional accessory for the 4th Gen players and allows the user to Record TV or other video sources such as satellite/cable box, VCR, DVD player or camcorder in MPEG-4MPEG-4
MPEG-4 is a method of defining compression of audio and visual digital data. It was introduced in late 1998 and designated a standard for a group of audio and video coding formats and related technology agreed upon by the ISO/IEC Moving Picture Experts Group under the formal standard ISO/IEC...
format. You can record instantaneously or make scheduled recordings using a program built in to the players.
The DVR station also allows you to turn the players into camcorders by connecting most digital cameras into the DVR station or you can the optional Archos helmet camera
Helmet camera
A helmet camera, otherwise known as a micro video camera, bullet camera, or lipstick camera, is a camera attached to a helmet allowing someone to make a visual record from their point of view , while keeping their hands and vision free....
. It records the video directly on the 30 GB hard drive in MPEG-4
MPEG-4
MPEG-4 is a method of defining compression of audio and visual digital data. It was introduced in late 1998 and designated a standard for a group of audio and video coding formats and related technology agreed upon by the ISO/IEC Moving Picture Experts Group under the formal standard ISO/IEC...
format.
Criticism
The Generation 4 products are often criticized for charging for accessories and audio and video codec support that originally came packaged with the last generation AV series players. These include the DVR capabilities, and support for files such as MPEG-1MPEG-1
MPEG-1 is a standard for lossy compression of video and audio. It is designed to compress VHS-quality raw digital video and CD audio down to 1.5 Mbit/s without excessive quality loss, making video CDs, digital cable/satellite TV and digital audio broadcasting possible.Today, MPEG-1 has become...
. Not all video codec
Video codec
A video codec is a device or software that enables video compression and/or decompression for digital video. The compression usually employs lossy data compression. Historically, video was stored as an analog signal on magnetic tape...
s work right out of the box. Each unit is capable of playing MPEG-2
MPEG-2
MPEG-2 is a standard for "the generic coding of moving pictures and associated audio information". It describes a combination of lossy video compression and lossy audio data compression methods which permit storage and transmission of movies using currently available storage media and transmission...
/VOB
VOB
A VOB file is a container format in DVD-Video media. VOB can contain video, audio, subtitle, menu and navigation contents multiplexed together into a stream form. VOB is based on the MPEG program stream format, but with additional limitations and specifications in the private streams...
videos with Dolby 5.1 Sound (AC3) sound and H.264 videos with AAC
Advanced Audio Coding
Advanced Audio Coding is a standardized, lossy compression and encoding scheme for digital audio. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves better sound quality than MP3 at similar bit rates....
sound, however separate plugins must be purchased to unlock these capabilities.
The 604 WiFi has been criticized for its somewhat slow web-browser and lower screen quality in comparison to the 604. The latter is the effect of adding the touchscreen which required the screen to be matte rather than glossy.
The 504 has received some issues with static electricity problems.
The 404 Camcorder has received positive reviews for its wide range of features and low price, however the unit has also been criticised for a low quality image for still shots, comparable to a cell phone.
GPL code release
In order to comply with the GNU/Linux license (the GPL), the source code for some of the firmware in the 4th Generation players has been released.QTopia
The 605 WiFi, along with, reportedly, the 705 WiFi and 604 WiFi, were successfully hacked to run the Linux platform QTopiaQtopia
Qt Extended is an application platform for embedded Linux-based mobile computing devices such as personal digital assistants, video projectors and mobile phones...
with help from the same users who had done so on the older PMA400.
See also
- Archos Generation 5Archos Generation 5Archos Generation 5 is a series of portable media players introduced in 2007.-705 WiFi:The Archos 705 WiFi was released on November 16, 2007 in capacities of 80GB and 160GB, with the same overall design of the last generation and an updated operating system and hardware compatibility...
- Comparison of portable media playersComparison of portable media playersThe following comparison of portable media players compares general and technical information for notable digital playback devices.- General :- Technical specifications :- Syncing and transfer :- Wifi Connectivity :- Audio formats :...
- List of portable media players with Wi-Fi connectivity