Archos's new 04 series of portable video players

James Kim, Senior Editor

August 18, 2006

Archos, the unofficial king of portable video players, has updated its current lineup with the 04 series, which includes a total of seven models: the impressively petite 404 (30GB) and the 1.3-megapixel camera-equipped 404 camcorder (30GB), the thicker 505 (40GB, 80GB, and 160GB!), and the sleek wide-screen 604 (30GB) and the Wi-Fi and touch-screen-enabled 604 Wi-Fi (30GB).

Read our full review of the Archos 604 to get an overall impression, since the devices share the same basic design, feature set, and interface. We'll have full reviews of the rest of the players soon.

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Product name	Archos 404 (30GB)	Archos 404 camcorder (30GB)	Archos 504 (160GB)	Archos 604 (30GB)	Archos 604 WiFi

Review date	August 28, 2006	March 07, 2007	October 03, 2006	August 17, 2006	November 10, 2006

CNET editors' rating	8.0 Excellent	7.7 Very good	8.3 Excellent	8.3 Excellent	8.0 Excellent

Users' rating	7.4 Very good ( from 36 users)	7.8 Very good ( from 4 users)	7.5 Very good ( from 19 users)	8.0 Excellent ( from 39 users)	7.4 Very good ( from 55 users)

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Review summary	The attractively priced Archos 404 is a PVP in an MP3 player's body. If you want a better screen and a removable battery, spend $50 more for the wider 604.	The uberversatile Archos 404 camcorder is a good option for anyone looking to buy a compact portable video player with a nice screen. It's an OK convergence device, but it makes a far better video player than camcorder.	Measurable bulk and pricey 160GB version aside, the do-it-all Archos 504 is an awesome A/V performer.	The do-it-all Archos 604 with its improved design and a low base price is an amazing PVP. Just make sure to figure in the cost of some essential extras.	The do-everything Archos 604 WiFi is completely stacked with awesome video playback, Web surfing, and other useful features, but the sluggish processor keeps the experience from being totally satisfying.

Product series	See all products in this series	See all products in this series	See all products in this series	See all products in this series	See all products in this series

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Basic Specs
Device type	Digital AV player	Digital AV recorder	Digital AV player	Digital AV player	Digital AV player

Key multimedia features	Voice recorder , Digital audio player , Digital photo viewer , Digital video player	Voice recorder , Digital camcorder , Digital audio player , Digital photo viewer , Digital video player , External HDD function	Voice recorder , Digital audio player , Digital photo viewer , Digital video player , External HDD function , File transfer operation	Voice recorder , Digital audio player , Digital photo viewer , Digital video player	Voice recorder , Digital audio player , Digital photo viewer , Digital video player , External HDD function

Hard drive	30 GB	30 GB	160 GB	30 GB	30 GB

Display type	TFT 3.5 in - Color	TFT 3.5 in - Color	TFT 4.3 in - Color	TFT 4.3 in - Color	TFT 4.3 in - Color

Supported still images formats	BMP , PNG , JPEG	BMP , PNG , JPEG	BMP , PNG , JPEG	BMP , PNG , JPEG	BMP , PNG , JPEG

Supported audio formats	AAC , MP3 , WAV , WMA , AC-3 , Protected WMA (DRM)	AAC , MP3 , WAV , WMA , AC-3	AAC , MP3 , PCM , WAV , WMA , AC-3 , ADPCM	AAC , MP3 , WAV , WMA , AC-3 , Protected WMA (DRM)	AAC , MP3 , WAV , WMA , AC-3 , Protected WMA (DRM)

Video playback formats	WMV , MPEG-2 , MPEG-4 , Protected WMV (DRM)	WMV , MPEG-2 , MPEG-4	WMV , MPEG-2 , MPEG-4	WMV , MPEG-2 , MPEG-4 , Protected WMV (DRM)	WMV , MPEG-2 , MPEG-4 , Protected WMV (DRM)

PC interfaces	Hi-Speed USB	Hi-Speed USB	Hi-Speed USB	Hi-Speed USB	Hi-Speed USB , IEEE 802.11b , IEEE 802.11g

Battery technology	Lithium polymer	Lithium polymer	Lithium polymer	Lithium polymer	Lithium polymer

Included accessories	USB cable , Carrying pouch , Stereo headphones	USB cable , Carrying pouch , Stereo headphones	USB cable , Carrying pouch , Stereo headphones	USB cable , Carrying pouch , Stereo headphones	USB cable , 2 x stylus , Carrying pouch , Stereo headphones

Width	3.9 in	3.9 in	5.1 in	5.1 in	5.2 in

Depth	0.6 in	0.6 in	0.7 in	0.7 in	0.6 in

Height	3.1 in	3.1 in	3 in	3 in	3.1 in

Weight	6.7 oz	6.7 oz	9 oz	9 oz	10.2 oz

Sensor	Info unavailable	1.3 megapixels Mpix /	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable

Video capture formats	Info unavailable	MPEG-4	MPEG-4 SP	Info unavailable	Info unavailable

Product name	Archos 404 (30GB)	Archos 404 camcorder (30GB)	Archos 504 (160GB)	Archos 604 (30GB)	Archos 604 WiFi

Full specifications	Full Specifications	Full Specifications	Full Specifications	Full Specifications	Full Specifications

Price range	Check latest prices $280 from 1 store	Check latest prices $180-270 from 9 stores	Check latest prices $539 from 1 store	Check latest prices $350 from 1 store	Check latest prices $183-480 from 3 stores

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Archos's new 04 series of portable video players

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