Archos portable video player

Not too long ago, Archos released its 20GB Multimedia Jukebox, model number AV120, quite an impressive peace of electronics. Archos has now released the next generation of AV120, the AV320. This unit has a 20GB hard drive (40GB also available as the AV340), like the AV120, but it has a much bigger display screen. This unit is about the size of a hard drive, measuring 1.25 by 4.5 by 3.75 inches, weighs 12.5 ounces, and the display has been increased to 3.8 inches, from 1.5 inches. If that screen size isn’t big enough for you then through the provided connectors, you can view your media on a bigger screen.

Some Features [via ABC News]

• Store and view tens of thousands of digital photos (JPEG, BMP) and slide shows.
• Cinema to go: Play up to 40 hours of video (MPEG-4, AVI) at up to 640×304 and 30 fps. Extra modules let you capture photos and video as well as record other video sources in MPEG-4. We recorded one of our DVDs directly from a DVD player and watched the movie lying in bed with headphones on — a real treat.
• Play, store, and record MP3s (30 Kbps to 320 Kbps CBR and VBR) and WMAs.
• Use the device as a USB 2.0 hard drive and store any type of file. No drivers are necessary with Windows XP.
• Is a 3.8-inch screen not enough? Use the included AV cable to output video and audio onto a television or stereo system. MPEG-4 files typically have a compressed look but are still very watchable.
• Use the AV320 as a voice recorder. It has a built-in microphone under an old-school protective grill.
• Create music playlists on the go.
• Add a variety of modules such as a 3.3-megapixel camera ($200), digital video recorder ($60), an FM radio/remote, or a memory card reader.

The onscreen interface is quite elegant, with graphics, sliders, and lots of configuration options–a huge step forward from the utilitarian interface that Archos loads on its small-screened devices. Navigation is straightforward, thanks to three contextual buttons, though the mini joystick wasn’t always as responsive we would’ve liked.

In terms of connections, the AV320 has everything you need for portable multimedia: audio line in and out, S/PDIF in, and analog video out, all using the same two jacks. All in all, you can capture live music in stereo, digital audio from a coaxial S/PDIF source, voice memos (from the built-in mike), video (by connecting a VCR/DVD/TV output to the included DVR module), and live video/stills (using the upcoming AVCam 300, which acts as an MPEG-4 digital camcorder and a 3.3-megapixel still camera).

I don’t know if I would buy this to use as a movie viewer, I would treat that as an added bonus. My interest in this gadget is mainly for its storage capacity from the angle of photos and MP3. I think this is greatly suited for travel; holding a large cache of tunes and being able to store pictures uploaded from my digital camera. If a PDA could be squeezed into it I would buy it at its current price of $549.00

Archos Add-ons

Sources:
ABC News

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