- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 190 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
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56 out of 77 people found this review helpful
2.5 stars
"Video Ipod + $1.99 per download = Archos AV420 minus numerous features"
Pros: Gives me the opportunity to throw away $48 on an entire season of LOST
Cons: Paying for free TV, Non-user serviceable battery AGAIN?
Summary: Let me start by saying that I'm not an Apple hater. I think they are a smart company and make a decent product. What I'm trying to understand is... Why there is so much hype surrounding this "video capable" IPOD ?
I think people should do some research before they shell out hundreds of dollars on a unit like this one. I know I did before I made my decision and I couldn't be happier.
I own an Archos Av 420, and have for over 6 months now.
I have thousands of songs on the unit, numerous photos and a bunch of TV shows. And Yes folks, the shows I have were free. I didn't pay $1.99 for each show. The Archos AV420 allows the user to set it like a TIVO. I have my unit turn on several times throughout the night to record numerous shows on different channels. I then watch those shows during my commute into NYC the next morning. Try doing that with the new IPOD. If I get tired of my TV shows and I don't wat to listen to any of my Mp3's, I can listen to FM radio. I guess Apple forgot to include that feature too. The Archos AV 420 has a 3.5 inch screen and a user serviceable battery. Do I need to keep going ?????
There are options out there people Apple is not the only game in town.
- 34 replies to this review
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ok i agree that the ipod sucks. But instead of pointlessly criticizing the archos pvp, id like everyone to check out the creative zen vision:m before taking the side of the ipod. unlike the archos zv420 the zen vision:m is the EXACT same price as the 5G ipod ($300). The zen also has a much more colorful and brighter screen and also boasts some extras that ipod does not have- fm radio, fm recording, and voice recording.
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Ok, I have 3 reasons why you make NO sense...
1) Archos is a PVP, iPod is a MP3 player with VIDEO CAPABILITY.
2)This Archos thing STARTS at $600!!! iPods start at $300!!!
3)Being a PVP, if the Archos did not have those features, then the thing would be off the market -
you compare the archos to the ipod? you're out of your mind. the archos is a PVP the ipod is an mp3 player with video capability. like you said it has TIVO like capability. woop-dee-doo, of course it should, its a PVP. you cant bash the ipod for that. you said it has a bigger screen. of course it should, its a PVP. i cant stress enough about this. stop with the ipod hating and realize you cant compare apples and oranges.
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does anybody know if they have come out with the simpsons tv show for itunes yet? thanks for your help
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Simply put, you reviewed a product that you don't own. You compared it to another product that costs $100 more, and you glossed over the fact that $1.99 gets you commercial-free shows, while the Archos 420 records only what's on TV, meaning shows full of commercials and banner ads for what's coming up next. Not to mention you'd also have to wait for the network to show a particular episode that you want. Currently, the iPod+iTunes combo doesn't have many shows, but it's potential is much greater than any of the video content schemes thought of by any other companies.
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You know what i'm just gonna come out and say it. I AM A APPLE HATER!!! I think Microsoft should've just killed them when they had the chance!
There are so many better players than the stupid ipods. For example the Archos. THE IPODS LACK FEATURES! The only good thing on their side is itunes and a slim, sexy look. Besides that these things are crap! -
Are you comparing a 20GB pocket video recorder for $400.00 to a 30 GB mp3/video player for $300.00?!? This was supposed to be a review for the 30GB iPod, not the Archos. If you want to post a review of the Archos for the other 5 Archos fans in the UK, go for it. This was a review for the 30GB iPod Video. While Bill Gates may appreciate your input, I'd wished for a more relevant review. Thanx.
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Heya man, ur right... I mean, this is from 250 to 300 bucks, right? Well, here in korea u can buy a PMP, ranging from 20g ~100gigas from prices 200~600 bucks...
Generally, the good PMP's that are around 300~~, have satelite maps, free TV, video recording, voice recording, movie viewing, mp3, mp4, etc.
I dont know y u wuldn't buy a PMP paying about 30 bucks more than this apple to get better colour, more functions, and... MORE SPACE FOR MOVIES!!
(u can store about 6~8 movies on this apple -.-) -
Finally a smart guy who can write a nice balanced review about something.
Two Thumbs Up!! -
The focus on the ipod was to make a great audio player, not a great video player. Also, this thing is built very well, out of metal and polycarbonate (not plastic, like the archos). Try actually OWNING a product before you review it. If you love your Archos so much, write a review on IT, don't make fun of other portable media devices just because you like yours better. And by the way, the hype on the video was caused by the fact the Steve Jobs had said that he wasn't planning to make an iPod video, so it was a big suprise to everyone when he did. Do a little research before you right a review on a product that you don't own.
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Does the Archos have the form factor of the iPod? *cough*BRICK*cough - does the Archos have the simplicity of the iPod user interface? *cough*CUMBURSOME*cough* - does the Archos sync nearly as gracefully as the iPod does with iTunes? *cough*CRASHES*cough - is it nearly as user-friendly as the iPod? As beautiful as the iPod? As Mac-friendly as the iPod? You're comparing a huge, bulky, ugly 1995 set-top television with a 2005 plasma screen display. They do *many* of the same things, only one does one much better - and prettier - than the other. I prefer form on the SAME LEVEL as function - and no I'm not computer illiterate, I code and build my own PCs but I can say without a doubt I'll take Apple engineering over Archos any day.
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i'll probably be getting this ipod in the future when my old one dies since it's replacing all them anyways. but i'll be getting it primarily for the audio and not the video which i think is more of an extra feature and not the main marketing gimmick for it.
i'll be getting a separate gadget to play videos on the go just like you. and i agree, i don't understand why apple hasn't included an FM tuner in their ipods yet! i enjoy listening to the news in the morning and i end up having to carry a separate device for that. -
That carrying an archos in your pocket is like having a tank in there. We love this new IPOD because of its sleek design, and we use it mostly for listening to songs. THe new video feature is just a bonus... as I don't intend to watch t.v. shows in in... perhaps just download my favorite music videos. There's more to life than watching t.v. shows wherever you go. One more thing, ever tried jogging or walking with your Archos strapped on your shorts or arms? That alone would be a good weight resistance training, LOL!
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I too had the Archos AV420 because I agreed with you on how it had free video and music, but I ended up returning it because of a battery problem. So then I waited for the Archos av520, which also let me down. After just three days, the unit crashed, and I lost EVERYTHING on it. After two Archos products, I have decided to go ahead and give Apple a shot. The 30 GB is the same size as the ARchos av500, which I will primarily use for music, then yes some music videos and movies. I was very hyped up for ARchos, but they really let me down.
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well, after all this information i have gathered from reading all these comments, i have concluded only one thing, it doesnt matter which one is better!! the ipod has 75% of the mp3 player market in its pocket, or something very close to that...(dont try to disprove this because it is a known fact). and the archos pretty much dominates the pvp category mainly because of its outstanding features and price. and let me tell you, i was looking into this archos player for a looooooong time deciding if i should get one. the main thing i was looking for in a mp3 player was its ability to play video, its size, and user interface. the thing i later decided was a pvp was not for me. they were simply too big and emphasized too much on their screen size and recording ability. an mp3 player that was not a pvp and had video playback was the iriver h320. this mp3 player had it ALL. fm radio, video playback, photo viewing, etc. but the thing that killed it was its size and user interface. i actually played around with one for a while and loved it. but still, it didnt beat the ipod. it was very hard for a person to navigate through easily. this is one of the most dominating features of the ipod. it is sooo easy to navigate. for me, the screen size does not matter one bit. the screen of the iriver was the same size as the ipod and i watched movies on it comfortably. i mainly want to have a mpeg4 playing mp3 player so i can put movies on them and play them on my TV. so i dont have to spend it on a dvd.
PHEW, that surely was hard to type... anyway from all this you can gather that... IT DOESNT MATTER WHICH ONE IS BETTER, it all matters what you are going to use it for. the archos is more for movie watchers and the ipod is mainly for music listeners. so please stop this senseless arguement and realize they are two totally different things.
p.s. i am getting an ipod.
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you actually watch tv while you're DRIVING to work??? in NYC?!?! talk about moron-proof, I dont think any of us iPod lovers would do anything like that....i hope you dont get into any car wreck, like driving off the side of brooklyn bridge or something like that
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If you want a portable device to watch videos - iPod video isn't for you. Steve Jobs said it himself, this is a music FIRST, video SECOND device. So obviously from your perspective, yes iPod video wouldn't meet your standards because your priorities are not what the iPod video offers. Looking at it as a MP3 player, it is fantastic - 30/60GB, very small size for capacity, very sleek design and big screen, AND you can even watch videos!
And by the way, you can put your own videos on it too.
Though I do not own an iPod video, it seems like a very nice mp3 player; however I'm going to stick with my iPod nano because its just better than the iPod video according to my priorities.
So chris131, just keep in mind that not everyone has the same (ugly) taste as you. -
If Apple just "doesn't get it" then why do they rule the market like a god? I keep hearing the Apple-haters (who claim they aren't) ranting about how inferior the video is on the new iPod (which I seriously doubt any of the reviwers actually own!) But the real question is: what do you want? 99% of the population wants to plug in their iPod, push one button in iTunes, and download their music with no problem. That's why iPod rules the market and Windows and all other MP3's beg for scraps -- because they can't figure that out. Now we have video. 99% of the population wants to just hit one button in iTunes and download a video. They don't want or even care about having an extra inch of screen space (which makes the entire product bulkier and less attractive) nor do they care if the video quality is HDTV level. Paying $2 bucks for an episode of LOST I missed three weeks ago? How exactly is that a "huge" rip-off? Sounds resonable to me. I think its the reviewers who can't reconginze what the MAJORITY wants are the truly the ones who don't get it.
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The reason why iPods (including this one) is so popular is because it is basically moron proof. The dial is user-friendly and the menus are the same. I agree, there are other players with better features but more times than not, "extra" features just confuse users. People are just technology illiterate. Something that may seem as simple as setting your player to record shows may be trivial to you, but there are people who still couldn't set a VCR if their life depended on it.
I'm willing to bet that most people who buy this product spent zero time researching reviews. They'll just buy it off the hype. I don't blame them either. It's sexy and extremely trendy. -
I have an iPod (4th generation Non-Colored Screen) and an Archos AV420. When it comes to performace, iPod wins. But when it comes to quality of sound, Archos wins(better bass, but some people don't like that, so who knows...). Screen? Obviously Archos wins with a 3.5 inch screen than iPod's 2.5 screen. I was actually planning to sell my Archos to buy that iPod, I think that would be a waste. I bought my iPod for music and I bought my Archos for videos. I have a question... Would this new ipod be considered a 5th Generation iPod???
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First off, if chris131 did any research at all and watched the premier revealing of the product you would have heard them say. When it comes to apples ipods "Music comes first"
You people need to stop giving ratings that bash the product all because the video feature lacks some needed concepts.
THE PRODUCT IS MADE FOR MUSIC!!! Video is a second. It is there as an added feature. Its not there because thats what an ipod is. Ask anyone in the united states and you say "Can you tell me what an Ipod is" and I could almost assure you that 90% of them will reply in one way or another that it is a device to play music.
If Apple was making a VIDEO PLAYER or (pvp/pmp) they wouldnt have given it their tradmark name!!!
I do agree with you though. Archos and Creative have made their video players, but when i look at the ipod. I rate it as a MUSIC PLAYER first... and a video player second. Not the other way around. -
But i think we have failed in one aspect in that we are calling this product a video ipod...that was not to my knowledge the Apple's emphasis even when they released it. The video features were meant to be basically added features not the main selling point of this thing (which to most consumers it probably would be). I don't know i think some of us have missed the plot of the objective in the release of this product, which has lead to some opinions being out of context.
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also how much does it weigh? also how much did it cost? just keep these things in mind.
id like to carry it in my pocket without my pants falling down thankyou... -
iPod Video 30gb: $299 (From apple)
Archos AV420 20gb: $360.99 (From amazon)
Conclusion: iPod has more memory for less money. Simple as that. -
Yes the Archos can record and watch free TV on a larger screen, but your'e paying for that, in both size and cost. The Archos is a lot bigger than the iPod, and it would be kind of hard to slip in a pocket. Also, it is another $250, and you could almost buy 2 iPods with that.
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I love the fierce rivalry between the two camps - we all benefit and of course we all have our favourites, In the latest "battle" the Archos fans are actually doing themselves no favours - they should be comparing the video iPod with the Archos Gmini 400 series. The specs are almost identical but the Archos shines because of it's superior audo quality and the built-in compact flash card reader. When you consider that the Gmini has been around for some years now, and was the "original" compact PVP, you'll see there's nothing clever in the "new" iPod. I own a Gmini and it is an amazing little device which still raises huge interest from iPod owners. The FM radio remote is also pretty nifty. Come on Apple keep Archos on their toes with clever innovation rather than making inferior "me too" products!!
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First of all Archos cost 400 dollars for 20gb of memory while u can get 60gb on the ipod for the same price the shows are mor expensive with ipod so if u r looking for mainly tv/video by the archos but for a combo by the ipod because archos simply doesnt have the corporate fire power or accesories to compete so upgrades will probably be offered for the ipod later
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You don't HAVE to buy TV shows from iTunes. It will play any kind of mpeg file that you can download for free from many places. Just like you don't HAVE to buy music from iTunes. Please understand the product before you make a comment.
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There are USB connected devices available to act as a PVR, capturing cable/broadcast TV and storing it on the HD.
You then Transfer the video to the iPod.
Same as you do with music-rip from CD, buy from iTunes or steal it off the net and put it on your iPod. -
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-Z_D_KdgyaK9Ou.Ieuqtd?p=61
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Whoever thinks the Apple Video Ipod is a better than the Archos AV420 or some other similar products is a fool. Sure it is not Apple; it does not have the Apple name or the click wheel, but this does not mean the ARCHOS AV420 is not a superior product.
What owning an Archos AV420 (iRiver, RCA LYcra, Creative Zen) does mean is YOU HAVE OPTIONS. Who in the world wants to pay $2 for a show that they can watch for free or worse yet are paying for monthly with their cable bill? The Archos AV420 may be slightly larger, but it has a much larger screen, it allows you to record live TV, VHS or DVDs, or can be hooked up to your camcorder to transfer your home videos FOR FREE, NO EXTRA STEPS - plug it in and hit record. Apple's new Ipod requires you buy software, capture your video to you computer, compress the video and transfer it to your Ipod.
If you are a film lover and want a portable unit for watching films on the go the Archos Av420 is a great option. As listed above, there are other similar portable video units that work in a similar fashion you will have to research this site to find out more (I have an Archos so I will only write about it). One thing I know for sure is the Apple Video Ipod is not the answer for someone looking for an all-in-one portable video/MP3 solution, that is unless you can find enough suitable selections from their limited libary and have a ton of extra cash (season 2 of Lost will cost you $50 alone) to spend on free tv.
I could go on and on, but in the end the misinformed, uneducated consumer will purchase the Video Ipod, while the brighter consumer will look outside the box. -
$375 for 20 gigs
4 (estimated, most likely less) hours of video playback
still not an iPod
no iTunes
recroding your TV is pretty cool though -
all Jobs wants to do with this one is sell copy protected movies on i tunes.
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I had this product trying not to fall in the apple hype, but all I got was constant frozen screens and huge copyright protected signs when you put DVD movies into it!
Plus the Archos AV420 is the size of a House!! I returned my Archos and I will be buying this New IPOD!! LOOKS GREAT!!!!
Where to buy
Apple iPod 5G (30GB, video):
$399.99
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$399.99 | See Site |
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