Advantages: Great LCD, Battery Life, Versatility, just an awesome device.
Disadvantages: Converting your DVD's for it can be technical.

...The Archos AV500 is a mobile DVR; Digital Video recorder. So what does that mean and why should you be interested? Hopefully this review will help you. Lets start with a basic specification, the Archos AV50 comes in 3 sizes (yes 3 despite what Archos' own site indicates!) 30, 60 and 100GB. It can play Divx 5 and 6, as well as Xvid and Microsoft's PlayForSure video content. It can play WMA, MP3 and WAV files. It can record from a number of sources and it can playback to the TV as well and it understands both PAL and NTSC. It has a 4 inch screen of excellent quality for solo viewing, but because its viewing angle is excellent two people can comfortably watch the screen without both people having to meld their heads together!!! It can display photos's BMP and JPG (but not progressive JPG) and it can act as aUSB host for self powered... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Excellent device with many features. rock solid.
Disadvantages: Video compatability is an issue

...So what is the Archos AV500: In short it is a DVR which stands for Digital Video Recorder and allows the user to record, view and store videos and pictures from an external device like your TV/computer. However the Av500 has many more great functions that I have found incredibly useful. Il talk more about these later. Basic Features: Record directly from your TV, VCR, DVD player, cable or satellite box. Make scheduled recordings. Store up to 130 hours of video, 85 movies, 15, 000 songs or 300, 000 photos. Transfer photos directly from your digital camera using the USB host port. Play MPEG-4 files. Play TV recorded shows, movies and home videos on a 4" color screen, your TV or any external screen. Originally I did not set out just to buy a DVR but for a device I could use to record from a helmet camera I had been given... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: High capacity; records from television with included accessories
Disadvantages: Unattractive design and interface

...This review is for the 80GB version with TV docking pod. Looking for a practical upgrade for my Creative Zen Nano Plus MP3 player, I had a look around and decided on the Archos AV500. Capacity was the primary concern; I wanted to be able to store all (~40GB worth of) my music on there. I'll admit, I kicked myself a little bit after making the purchase, because for half the price I could have had a Creative (can't remember the model name) MP4 player - I'd bought the AV500 for the top-end price from eBuyer. I would also have had a smaller solution, rather than the hard drive-based clunkiness of the AV500. But the main selling point for the AV500 over the other MP4 player - and ESPECIALLY the iPod - was the ability to record directly from television. First thing you'll notice is that the AV500 isn't the prettiest of MP4 players. I... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Big screen, TV recording. Loudspeaker
Disadvantages: Quite Big

...computer but do not have the cable handy. It also provides extra storage which is always handy. Overall, this PMP is excellent, and I think that the only better PMP is the Archos AV500, which I am now looking to buy.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: 20 GB of MP3 storage
Disadvantages: a tad bulky

...Archos 204 MP3 Player 20GB Storage 15,000 song storage on your player. - Introduction - Archos Established in 1988 Archos found there niche market in portable components for entertainment and digital storage. Being one of the earlier pioneers in digital storage; early in 2006, Archos launched the MP3 player ‘Archos 204’; which is a portable MP3 Player without the (UI) User Interface facilities, like many other Archos products have. They have been a global leader in portable technologies Archos. If, you are not aware of Archos; I can state that everyone in the Western world has certainly used their products and technologies on a daily basis. Anyone who has been through an electronic door while on a shopping trip, or had had their credit card scanned or even used a ‘touch-screen’ for map reading, or purchasing items, have at some... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: fantastic media features
Disadvantages: requires daily wipe due to fingerprints

...**Archos 704 Portable Media Player Wifi 40GB** ----------------------------------------------------------------- -- Archos – The portable entertainment manufacturer -- Archos; was established in 1988, it is a global electronic manufacturer leader for portable components in the field of entertainment and digital content storage. They specialise in UI (User Interface) technologies, more known a ‘touch-screen’ technologies. Since 1988, Archos have expanded their technologies facilities into infra-red – body temperature – body movement – and laser. The 704 Media Player; is the first ‘touch-screen’ portable media player, that has been launched in UK and Europe since April 2007. Archos have released the 704 Media Player, with the help of ‘Mediatechie’ ahead of schedule. It is already been regarded as a pioneering portable media... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: incredible amount of storage
Disadvantages: interface sticks a little

...**Archos 704 Portable Media Player Wifi 160GB** CIAO Review - 18-08-08 Titled: Archos's memory just gets better!! ----------------------------------------------------------------- -- Archos - way back when -> Archos; was formed in 1988 - They are a global electronic manufacturer leader for portable components in the field of entertainment and digital content storage. They specialise in UI (User Interface) technologies, more known a 'touch-screen' technologies. Since 1988, Archos have expanded their technologies facilities into infra-red - body temperature - body movement - and laser. The 704 Media Player; is the first 'touch-screen' portable media player, that has been launched in UK and Europe since April 2007. Archos have released the 704 Media Player, with the help of 'Mediatechie' ahead of schedule. It is already been... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: great sound n video performance
Disadvantages: size of storage

...CIAO Review on the Archos 105 - Colour: Silver 12/02/2008 Archos 105 2GB of Storage Available RRP date - 06/2007 - Archos Introduction - Archos was founded in 1988; originally it was a company dealing with only digital media storage; as the digital market grew so did trends into new technologies, and Archos became a well-known brand within this market. This was a natural progression. Archos got into portable media players (PMP) and specialised in storage data for entertainment in audio and video. Archos now is a below market price retailler in portable technologies, the reason being is due to Archos not being such a marketable brand like Apple but still highly regarded. If, you are not aware of Archos; it is highly likely that you have been using an Archos product without your knowledge. For example, anyone who has been... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: PMP Great entertainment
Disadvantages: 2GB - not a lot of storage for the device capabilities

...CIAO Review on the Archos 105 - Colour: RED - 09/06/2008 Archos 105 2GB of Storage Available RRP date - 06/2007 - Archos Introduction - Archos started out in 1988; originally it was a company dealing with only digital media storage; as the digital market grew so did trends into new technologies, and Archos became a well-known brand within this market. This was a natural progression. Archos got into portable media players (PMP) and specialised in storage data for entertainment in audio and video. Archos now is a below market price retailer in portable technologies, the reason being is due to Archos not being such a marketable brand like Apple but still highly regarded. If, you are not aware of Archos; it is highly likely that you have been using an Archos product without your knowledge. For example, anyone who has been through... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Amazing picture quality, easy to use software, attractive product and interface
Disadvantages: Long video conversion software, very expensive!

...I decided that I'd try and top my friends' new Ipods by buying a multimedia player. Looking at the market, the new Archos AV400 series easily came on top. They brought out two models, the AV420, the 20gb model, and the AV480, the 80gb model. Thinking of all the mps and films I intended to put on there, I decided to go to the 80gb model, added expensive, but definately worth it. All the software needed to convert files so they are compatable with the Archos come on the system, and are easy to install and use. I did find, though, that converting a full length film does take a few hours, which can be a bit of hassle. The Archos comes with its own little docking station that allows you to connect it to a television. So if you don't have a computer, yo can record programs, dvds or videos straight from or via your television. Similarly you...