• On The Insider: Judge Bans Real Housewives Sex Tape
advertisement

The Archos MP3 and PVP clan

James Kim
James Kim
Senior editor
November 15, 2005

Many of you have viewed the Apple iPod family album, but there are certainly other tightly knit tech families out there. Take Archos, the undisputed champion in the growing world of portable video players (PVPs). Since the release of Jukebox Multimedia 20, Archos has evolved from "that esoteric French company with a strange but affordable product" to purveyors of portable multimedia. Archos products were among the first portables to record video, including the first to record DVDs. Now, the premium AV500, the gargantuan AV700, the sleek Gmini 402, and the hot new Gmini 402 Camcorder (not shown) are considered best of breed, though Creative and others have some nice devices too. Archos's MP3 players--the stylized XS100 and the affordable XS202--are pretty decent as well.

More resources
 CNET's Music Center
 Editors' top PVPs
 Track your favorite PVP
   CNET On the Go
 Apple iPod family album

Remove from list Remove from list Remove from list Remove from list Remove from list Remove from list
Product name Archos AV500 Mobile DVR (30GB)
Archos AV500 Mobile DVR (30GB)  
Archos Gmini 402 (20GB)
Archos Gmini 402 (20GB)
Archos Gmini XS202
Archos Gmini XS202
Archos Gmini XS 100 (3GB, Techno Blue)
Archos Gmini XS 100 (3GB, Techno Blue)
Archos AV700 Mobile DVR (100GB)
Archos AV700 Mobile DVR (100GB)
Archos Pocket Media Assistant PMA430
Archos Pocket Media Assistant PMA430







Review date November 11, 2005 October 5, 2005 October 3, 2005 August 11, 2005 October 11, 2005 April 5, 2005







Editors' rating
(Editors' rating explained)
6.7 out of 10 6.7
Good







Buying choices
Prices from online stores:
processing...

Searching for pricing data...


Prices from online stores:
processing...

Searching for pricing data...


Prices from online stores:
processing...

Searching for pricing data...


Prices from online stores:
processing...

Searching for pricing data...


Prices from online stores:
processing...

Searching for pricing data...


Prices from online stores:
processing...

Searching for pricing data...









Product videos   Watch video Watch video
 
  Watch video Watch video
 
    Watch video Watch video
 
  Watch video Watch video
 
  Watch video Watch video
 







Review summary The well-appointed Archos AV500 puts wide-screen video in your pocket, but we're still waiting for a point-and-click way to get video into the device. Archos's supercompact Gmini 402 portable video player adds DRM-protected media to its long list of features. Although identical in appearance to the Archos Gmini XS200, the still-economical XS202 offers better features under the hood. If you're looking for a small MP3 player with a stylish and ergonomic design--and you don't need a ton of storage--consider Archos's Gmini XS 100. Proof positive that bigger isn't always better, the Archos AV700 fails to make the most of its wide-screen LCD. Sticker shock and minor problems notwithstanding, Archos has crafted the most capable, enviable PVP we've seen yet with the PMA430.







Product series See all products in this series N/A N/A See all products in this series See all products in this series N/A







My Products







User comments Be one of the first to rate this product! Be one of the first to rate this product! Be one of the first to rate this product! Be one of the first to rate this product! Be one of the first to rate this product! Be one of the first to rate this product!
Basic Specs
 
Full specifications

Full specifications
• 20 GB
• 4.2 oz
• 128 x 128
• No built-in memory
• Lithium ion
• 17 hour(s)
• 2.3 in x 0.8 in x 3 in
• Hi-Speed USB

Full specifications
• 3 GB
• 2.8 oz
• 128 x 128
• Lithium ion
• 14 hour(s)
• 1.7 in x 0.5 in x 3.6 in
• Hi-Speed USB

Full specifications

Full specifications

Full specifications