The "Ipod Touch" is undoubtedly a brilliant machine if your interested in the various "apps" and games etc. it has to offer. The archos 605 WIFI will never act as a dog whistle or allow you to drink a virtual pint, but for the costumer wanting intelligent simplicity in an excellent MP4 player the Achos 605 is for you.
The archos 605 WIFI offers several features. It can record from a digital T.V. (which the Ipod cannot), it offers a programe guide to preset recordings, it can play downloaded films, adobe acrobat documents, music and photos either via computer link or directly from the internet, it can play flash videos of around 40% of video sites including google video, dailymotion and youtube, it can be used for answering emails or buying and selling on any site via credit card as well as becoming a member of any site and it can play videos (individually or on the television), music and view photos.
The archos 605 wifi offers all this with an intelligent, user friendly interface, software and web browser, in my opinion much better than the Ipod touch's awkward equivalent. The archos can be operated either by using its excellent touch screen or via buttons for those who are inexperienced touch screen users. The archos offers a much less poky keyboard than the Ipod, which can be difficult to use due to the small size of the letters in comparison to the human finger. The browser is superbly simple offering a double click to englarge the screen option and up to five pages at once accessed via tabs always at the top of the screen, similar to various windows browsers. The various files can be accessed either through a overall file manager or simply through the various icons at the main screen. Idiot proof.
The dimensions of the archos is12.2 cm x 2 cm x 8.2 cm, 150 g, slightly bigger than the ipod but it makes for a 4:3 resolution and a much better screen for watching videos or films.
It does however have certain minor disadvantages. While I have yet to find anything wrong with the actual functionality of the device, apart from very occasional freezing, and certain flash videos unable to play (which are very typical minor flaws of any MP4 player) certain plugins have to be purchased from the archos content store to activate certain feature of the device. These cost around £10 each. Two of these allow certain types and higher quality videos to be played on the archos. However, another is required to activate the WIFI functionality of the device, which, although superb, is frustrating when you relise your going to have to pay extra for such an essential feature of the device. Also, the device that connects the archos to a television, for recording or watching of videos has to be purchased sepparately for around £40. While this may seem like a lot of money for something extra that perhaps could have been included in the package, this would have driven the price up. I am yet to find another MP4 that performs the function of recording and playing on a television and, even with the extra price included, it still is cheaper than the 30gb ipod which does not have the record and play on a tv feature.
You can find the archos for around £155 where as the ipod costs a hefty £250. This is a superb machine and is, in my opinion, better than the ipod 30gb equivalent despite the archos being around £100 cheaper. The ipod and the archos are the best MP4 players on the market, and the archos beats the ipod hands down.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
When it comes to portable multimedia, the ARCHOS 605 WiFi player is setting the bar ... more
higher. It packs several upgradeable featuresand wireless connectivity into one stylish, portable device. With its 4 GB of storage space and its superb 4.3" LCD screen ...
Postage & Packaging: £9.89 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
When it comes to portable multimedia, the ARCHOS 605 WiFi player is setting the bar ... more
higher. It packs several upgradeable featuresand wireless connectivity into one stylish, portable device. With its 4 GB of storage space and its superb 4.3" LCD screen ...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: good sound, picture quality. large memory. wifi. user friendly. big screen Disadvantages: big and heavy, crashes, poor battery life, long charge time.
Flawless228 28.08.2008 ·
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Review of Archos 605 WIFI
Advantages: Great screen quality and size, built in speaker and stand. Disadvantages: The only downside is that it is fragile, and can be hard to get used to the on screen keyboard.
MetalLivesOn 06.10.2009 (06.10.2009)
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Review of Archos 605 WIFI
Advantages: Great for travel entertainment, impressive mic, touch screen Disadvantages: Plugins cost extra, annoying "buy this addon" reminders, not so great battery life
Ultima2876 25.09.2008 (25.09.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Archos 605 WIFI
Advantages: good sound, picture quality. large memory. wifi. user friendly. big screen Disadvantages: big and heavy, crashes, poor battery life, long charge time.
Flawless228 28.08.2008 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Archos 605 WIFI
Advantages: Record from TV/DVD, Excellent for watching movies, has many features Disadvantages: Expensive upgrades, poor inbuilt speaker, limited for gamers
Ruraji 19.08.2008 (19.08.2008)
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Review of Archos605WiFi 160 GB
Jun 9th, 2009
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