Archos's new 04 series of portable video players

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James Kim, 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.

Features
Product name	Close Archos 404 (30GB)	Archos 404 camcorder (30GB)	Close Archos 504 (160GB)	Close Archos 604 (30GB)	Close Archos 604 WiFi
Price	$159.00 to $244.99	$259.25 to $349.99	$538.99 to $1,385.00	Check Prices	$279.00 to $409.00
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	4.0 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.
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PC interfaces	Hi-Speed USB	Hi-Speed USB	Hi-Speed USB	Hi-Speed USB	Hi-Speed USB IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11g
Supported still images formats	JPEG BMP PNG	JPEG BMP PNG	JPEG BMP PNG	JPEG BMP PNG	JPEG BMP PNG
Device type	Digital AV player	Digital AV recorder	Digital AV player	Digital AV player	Digital AV player
Key multimedia features	Digital audio player Voice recorder Digital video player Digital photo viewer	Digital audio player Digital camcorder Voice recorder External HDD function Digital video player Digital photo viewer	Digital audio player Voice recorder External HDD function Digital video player File transfer operation Digital photo viewer	Digital audio player Voice recorder Digital video player Digital photo viewer	Digital audio player Voice recorder External HDD function Digital video player Digital photo viewer
Video capture formats	Info unavailable	MPEG-4	MPEG-4 SP	Info unavailable	Info unavailable
Sensor	Info unavailable	1.3 megapixels Mpix /	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable
Supported audio formats	WMA AC-3 WAV Protected WMA (DRM) MP3 AAC	WMA AC-3 WAV MP3 AAC	WMA AC-3 WAV PCM ADPCM MP3 AAC	WMA AC-3 WAV Protected WMA (DRM) MP3 AAC	WMA AC-3 WAV Protected WMA (DRM) MP3 AAC
Battery technology	Lithium polymer	Lithium polymer	Lithium polymer	Lithium polymer	Lithium polymer
Weight	6.7 oz	6.7 oz	9 oz	9 oz

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