Entered CNET Catalog: 08/31/2004
SKU: 0690590506565
Manufacturer: Archos Technology Inc.
Manufacturer description
Recording off the radio directly into Digital format could not be simpler by using the FM Radio & Remote Control. Connect it to your AV400 series to play your favorite Digital format songs or listen to the FM radio in stereo, quickly find your selected station with the tuner and press 'REC' to start recording off the radio directly into your device. Too late! You pressed 'REC' after the song started. Not a problem with the retro-record buffer. This allows you to record the 30 seconds previous to pressing 'REC'. And when you are done recording you can even edit any unwanted beginnings out of your recording. Now you want to record a memo: switch off the radio, press 'REC' to start recording using the built-in microphone. Capture thousands of hours of voice recording: meetings or ideas that come to mind while on the go. Everything will be stored onto the AV400 hard disk . Finally the Remote Control function allows you to operate your device easily through fast forward, rewind, play/pause/skip and volume control. Take this tiny add-on with your AV400 series wherever you go. Use its built-in clip to secure it to your clothing. Explore this advanced add-on for work and play.User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 User Rating:
4.0 stars
out of 1 user reviews
Great product
Pros: Small, light, allows controlled listening of FM radio and MP3's, and record voice/radio
Cons: One line of text, reception is ok, makes a "humm"ing noise when back light is on
Review: The pros. This unit is attached to my AV-500 100GB, and the provided case the AV-500 comes with has a cut big enough for this radio to plug into without having to remove the case, so now you can change your song without exposing your Archos to the elements/damage/dust/ect., and, best of all, when you use the radio's buttons, the backlight of the Archos DOES NOT turn on, making your battery life go a lot further 
. The buttons include next/previous song (hold in either direction for FF/RW), play/pause, and “hold” with green backlight buttons and a blue backlight screen, a very stylish mix. You can also turn the Archos off with the remote, but not back on. From the remote, you can select the "Music," "Browser," and "Resume" icons on the Archos’s main screen, and all the files under each icon. When watching videos, you can use the remote to control the action, too, though there is no super FF/RW, which I have grown accustomed to. Also, the remote only covers the AV/headphone jacks, not the DC input, so you can be in the car charging your Archos and using the remote at the same time (BTW, any 4.5v POSITIVE INSIDE TIPPED car charger under 1200mA will charge the Archos without blowing it up, so save the $30 Archos wants for the 5v car charger, and send it to me ) Also, you can listen to FM radio and pre-set 20 of your favorite channels, and record off the radio with a 30sec buffer added to the song when you hit "rec," allowing you to be sure you recorded the whole song. Your headphone's cable acts as the antenna, so I figure the cheaper your headphone, the worse your reception (You can use any headphones, none are provided). Don't expect this thumb-sized remote to get the reception your giant car radio gets. Apart from recording off the radio, you can also record from the built-in microphone on the remote, which is MUCH easier to point at someone than the broad side of the Archos, and it draws less attention, too ! Lastly, dimensions at longest lengths: 3"x3/4"x1" with a 2ft cable connecting it to the Archos.
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Now, for the bad. Yes, there is a VERY SLIGHT hum in the headphones when the remote's backlight is on (timed duration, about 5 secs), but the noise is louder when you put your head to the remote compared to through the headphones, so the people around you might be more agitated than you, IF they hear it. It has to be a very quiet quiet to hear it, and you won't notice it while the song is playing unless you are listening for it. Also, there is only one line for text, but really, you should know what songs you have on your Archos just by hearing the beginning of it, and how much room does "FM 107.5" take up? The text will display the whole title once, then show what all fits on the screen without it having to scroll. No author, no duration, no "next playing". Again, you should know all this, though I will grant you the duration part. The buttons are all over the remote, so you might have to switch between holding it veridically and horizontally.
Please email me with any questions.
. The buttons include next/previous song (hold in either direction for FF/RW), play/pause, and “hold” with green backlight buttons and a blue backlight screen, a very stylish mix. You can also turn the Archos off with the remote, but not back on. From the remote, you can select the "Music," "Browser," and "Resume" icons on the Archos’s main screen, and all the files under each icon. When watching videos, you can use the remote to control the action, too, though there is no super FF/RW, which I have grown accustomed to. Also, the remote only covers the AV/headphone jacks, not the DC input, so you can be in the car charging your Archos and using the remote at the same time (BTW, any 4.5v POSITIVE INSIDE TIPPED car charger under 1200mA will charge the Archos without blowing it up, so save the $30 Archos wants for the 5v car charger, and send it to me ) Also, you can listen to FM radio and pre-set 20 of your favorite channels, and record off the radio with a 30sec buffer added to the song when you hit "rec," allowing you to be sure you recorded the whole song. Your headphone's cable acts as the antenna, so I figure the cheaper your headphone, the worse your reception (You can use any headphones, none are provided). Don't expect this thumb-sized remote to get the reception your giant car radio gets. Apart from recording off the radio, you can also record from the built-in microphone on the remote, which is MUCH easier to point at someone than the broad side of the Archos, and it draws less attention, too ! Lastly, dimensions at longest lengths: 3"x3/4"x1" with a 2ft cable connecting it to the Archos.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, for the bad. Yes, there is a VERY SLIGHT hum in the headphones when the remote's backlight is on (timed duration, about 5 secs), but the noise is louder when you put your head to the remote compared to through the headphones, so the people around you might be more agitated than you, IF they hear it. It has to be a very quiet quiet to hear it, and you won't notice it while the song is playing unless you are listening for it. Also, there is only one line for text, but really, you should know what songs you have on your Archos just by hearing the beginning of it, and how much room does "FM 107.5" take up? The text will display the whole title once, then show what all fits on the screen without it having to scroll. No author, no duration, no "next playing". Again, you should know all this, though I will grant you the duration part. The buttons are all over the remote, so you might have to switch between holding it veridically and horizontally.
Please email me with any questions.
