Archos Generation 4
Archos Generation 4 were a series of Archos portable media players released from 2006 through 2007. The Generation 4 series is an upgrade to the previous [Archos Archos AV series|AV series|AV] and [Archos Gmini Series|Gmini series|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
DVR Station
The DVR station 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-4 format. You can record instantaneously or make scheduled recordings using a program built into 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.
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-1. Not all video codecs 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.
Versions
Portable Video
604
The 604 is the flagship model, and the main successor to the AV500. 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, 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.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 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 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.