Archos's new 04 series of portable video players

Add to my list
Print
E-mail
Share

James Kim, Senior Editor August 21, 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.

More Resources: MP3 players and PVPs,; Editors' top PVPs,; CNET Music Center,; Quick Guide to Online Video,; MP3 Insider podcast,; Archos Family Album (Nov 2005)

Features
Product name	Archos 404 (30GB)	Archos 404 camcorder (30GB)	Archos 504 (160GB)	Archos 604 (30GB)	Archos 604 WiFi
Price	Check Prices	$299.10	Check Prices	$353.99	$249.00
CNET editors' rating	4.0 stars Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)	3.5 stars Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)	4.0 stars Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)	4.0 stars Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)	4.0 stars Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
Average user rating	3.5 stars	3.5 stars	3.5 stars	3.5 stars	3.5 stars
Review date	August 28, 2006	March 07, 2007	October 03, 2006	August 17, 2006	November 10, 2006
The Bottom Line	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.
Similar Products	Compare more products	Compare more products	Compare more products	Compare more products	Compare more products
PC Interfaces	Hi-Speed USB	Hi-Speed USB	Hi-Speed USB	Hi-Speed USB	Hi-Speed USB IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11g
Product Description	Archos 404 - Digital AV player	Archos 404 Camcorder - Digital AV recorder	Archos 504 - Digital AV player	Archos 604 - Digital AV player	Archos 604 WiFi - Digital AV player
Supported Still Images Formats	BMP PNG JPEG	BMP PNG JPEG	BMP PNG JPEG	BMP PNG JPEG	BMP PNG JPEG
Device Type	Digital AV player	Digital AV recorder	Digital AV player	Digital AV player	Digital AV player
Key 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
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)
Weight	6.7 oz	6.7 oz	9 oz	9 oz	10.2 oz
Dimensions (WxDxH)	3.9 in x 0.6 in x 3.1 in	3.9 in x 0.6 in x 3.1 in	5.1 in x 0.7 in x 3 in	5.1 in x 0.7 in x 3 in	5.2 in x 0.6 in x 3.1 in
Hard Drive	30 GB	30 GB	160 GB	30 GB	30 GB
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
Battery	Internal Rechargeable - Lithium polymer - Internal - Rechargeable - Lithium polymer	Internal Rechargeable - Lithium polymer - Internal - Rechargeable - Lithium polymer	Internal Rechargeable - Lithium polymer	Internal Rechargeable - Lithium polymer - Internal - Rechargeable - Lithium polymer	Internal Rechargeable - Lithium polymer - Internal - Rechargeable - Lithium polymer
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)
Display Type	3.5 in TFT	3.5 in TFT	4.3 in TFT	4.3 in TFT	4.3 in TFT
Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications
Buying choices	E-mail me when this product is available	Amazon.com Marketplace $299.10 In stock: Yes Price from 1 CNET Certified store	E-mail me when this product is available	Amazon.com Marketplace $353.99 In stock: See Site Price from 1 CNET Certified store	Amazon.com Marketplace $249.00 In stock: Yes Price from 1 CNET Certified store

Reviews & advice: Site map; Editorial policies; Meet the editors; How we test; Forums; Internet speed test

Popular topics: Apple iPhone; Apple iPod; Cell phones; Dell; GPS; LCD TV

CNET sites: CNET Site map; CNET TV; Downloads; News; Reviews; Shopper.com

More information: Newsletters; CNET Mobile; Customer Help Center; RSS; CNET Widgets; About CNET

Archos's new 04 series of portable video players

Archos 404 (30GB)

Archos 404 camcorder (30GB)

Archos 504 (160GB)

Archos 604 (30GB)

Archos 604 WiFi