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The Archos 605 WiFi is a powerful WiFi-enabled portable media player (PMP). Its standout feature is its large, high-quality 4.3" touch screen display with 800 x 480 resolution. It is a viable alternative to the recently released Apple iPod Touch because of its extensive media format capabilities, large screen and customization options.

Pros & Cons

Pros:
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Supports many video formats including XviD and DivX
+8agreedisagree

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WiFi enabled for streaming and web browsing
+7agreedisagree

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Supports Adobe Flash for embedded video
+6agreedisagree

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Good price considering the featureset
+5agreedisagree

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Large, high resolution screen
+4agreedisagree

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Kickstand for supporting the player for extended viewing
+2agreedisagree

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Stream media from PC or laptop
+2agreedisagree

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Customizable and skinnable
+1agreedisagree

Cons:
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No OGG Vorbis support
+5agreedisagree

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Requires plugins for MPEG-2 and H.264 support
+5agreedisagree

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Have to pay $30 for Opera plugin to browse Web
+4agreedisagree

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UI isn't as slick and organized as iPhone/iPod Touch
+4agreedisagree

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No storage space for included styli
+2agreedisagree

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Prone to crashes when web browsing
+1agreedisagree

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Lackluster battery life (~5 hrs for video)
-2agreedisagree

Competing products

Archos 605 WiFi is ranked 6th.  See the top picks in Internet Media Tablets

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More information

Customizable

The Archos 605 is highly customizable and is popular with geeks, enthusiasts and hackers. The 605 player can be upgraded with plugins available from Archos, or can be hacked and skinned to further customized your UI. A French developer has created an iPhone skin that emulates the popular UI on the Archos.

Media formats

Archos advertises that the 605 supports MPEG-4 and WMV video and MP3, WMA, and WAV audio, however it features native support for the popular DivX and XviD video encoding schemes. It does not support the open-source OGG Vorbis audio format. The Cinema plugin the 605 can be extended to play MPEG-2 encoding video (.vob, .mpg, .ps), and the Video podcast plugin adds H.264 audio/video support (used by iTunes, and podcasts).

WiFi streaming and Web Browsing

It includes a 802.11g WiFi access allowing you to stream media content from your network PC. Also, with the purchase of Opera Web browser plugin ($30), you can browse the web. The browser support Adobe Flash, therefore you can play any embedded web videos like YouTube and DailyMotion. The browser automatically detects the presence of video on a web page and automatically will go into a full-screen viewing mode.

Features

  • 4.3" TFT LCD touch screen, 800 x 480, 16 million colors
  • Customizable with plugins (Cinema, Web, Video podcast)
  • WiFi enabled for streaming media content from your networked PC
  • Browse the Internet with Opera plugin - support Adobe Flash
  • Can be used as a DVR with DVR Station Accessory
  • Battery life: video - 5.5 hours, audio - 17 hours
  • Dimensions:
    • 4.8'' x 3.2'' x 0.6'' (4GB/30GB)
    • 4.8'' x 3.2'' x 0.75'' (80GB/160GB)
  • Weight: 5.3 oz (4GB), 6.7 oz (30GB), 9.2 oz (80GB/160GB)

The Archos 605 WiFi was released in August 30th, 2007 and starts at $230. It is part of the Generation 5 product line including Archos TV, Archos 705 WiFi, Archos 405, and Archos 105. It comes four months after the release of the Generation 4 Archos players that included the Archos 704 WiFi player.

There are four specific models with different capacities to choose from: (1) 4 GB (flash storage) - $230, (2) 30 GB - $299, (3) 80 GB - $349, and (4) 160 GB - $399. All of the models except the 160 GB version have an SD slot for adding additional storage. The 4GB version features a flash storage solution, and the others have an internal hard drive.

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4 comments about Archos 605 WiFi

1.  avatar Erik  Sep 15, 2007 2:02pm

Basically, the larger screen, streaming, and DivX/Xvid support make this a formidable contender against the iPod Touch.
2.  avatar born4thesurf  Oct 03, 2007 10:32am

I recently found a great deal of an Archos 605 player plus 2 Movies for ?199 from movie downloads website vizumi: http://www.vizumi.com. Great deal and great player!
3.  avatar cybernaut  Oct 07, 2007 1:18pm

I have the 160gb version. It has a large screen and plays about anything I want to put on it. I have the DVR dock - great for recording shows and watching at lunch or at the bookstore. Iniitial charge took me 70 hours - now only about 3-1/2 hours - it takes longest to charge via USB. Bummer is you have to pay form Opera ($30), MPEG-2 ($20) and H.264/AAC ($20). I also have 30 gb 604 - which has a better external design.
4.  avatar JoeC  Jul 19, 2008 10:21am

I purchased then sold it. The web browser is not good, could not even check my emails. They charge you 100.00 to record from the TV. expect to pay another 70.00 for software to so you can play your video files you download from the net (if you can play them at all). When you are finished buying every thing you get a slow sub-par system. Would be cheaper to buy a 399.00 laptop from a discount web retailer. You get a bigger screen, you can buy ($30) a USB HD Tuner/ recorder, and surf the web. I hate doing business with a company that is out to nickle and dime you for everything. Buy a laptop your money will go 10X further.
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    Key Features:

    Manufacturer Archos
    MSRP $230.00
    Product Line Archos Generation 5
    Release Date Aug. 30, 2007

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    6424 views and 147 edits (see all)
    Created: 09/15/2007 - 13:56
    Modified: 09/05/2008 - 19:11