Archos 500856 DVR Docking Station for Archos 404/504/604 Media Players

• Designed to be used with your Archos 404, 504, or 604 series portable digital media players
• Allows your media player to connect to your computer
• Lets your media player record television and most video sources
• Includes multiple audio and video input and output connections
• Runs on 5.2 volts and 2 amps via the included Archos power supply

I found the docking station to be very easy to use. It's great for recording TV or movies onto your player to watch later and the AVI format allows you to store lots of stuff. You can also set a timer to record TV shows like you would on a traditional VCR or DVR. The recorder even comes with it's own universal remote to use on your cable box or TV (I admit I haven't quite figured it out yet). Also, the station charges your player while you record so it won't die on you in the middle of recording a show. Apparently it will record up to 2 gig before making a new file which means it shouldn't break up your DVDs into more than one file. The station automatically formats protected media into special locked files. My only complaint is that copy protected files can't be played back on a TV or computer which can be annoying if you want to enjoy your saved DVDs on a normal sized screen. And it's tricky to rename those files on the computer because you can't open them to see what's what if they are protected. What does it mean? You aren't going to be able to share the movie watching experience on many files because of the protection. However, it's great for recording for personal use and you can even use it to entertain the kids in the car. I threw a couple of Spongebob's on my player via the station and my son was absorbed for the 40 minute ride to my parents. If you want to get the most out of your player you should buy this product.

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I bought this docking station for my 404 and have been using it for about 5 months. It is an extremely useful gadget.

It has got video & audio in and out sockets at its back. It also has composite video and s-video sockets. So you can choose between using one of them depending on whether you are connecting them to a TV, DVD Player, VCR, DVR etc etc. It comes with 2 pairs of video/audio cable.

It does have 2 USB ports. On the unit, one is the normal A type and the other is a mini USB. But the box does not have the USB cable to connect to your PC to download content into the player. The USB cable which came along with the player will not be useful while using the docking station. You either need to buy the USB cable seperately or use an USB cable which came with your printer or camera if it is compatible.

I was able to record TV programs into my Archos 404 and play them back in the TV through this docking station. The remote control provided makes it easy to operate the player from sitting in your couch in the living room.

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I love my Archos 604 media player and will only make reference to it in this review. Archos 604 30GB Ultra-Slim Portable Digital Media Player and Recorder (500860) However, this station works with other Archos Media players. I bought this unit to give me ultimate flexibility for recording and viewing. It works great, exactly as advertised, but for what it is (essentially a plastic box with various input and output jacks, 2 inexpensive RCA cables and a power plug), it should cost around $30 or $40 instead of $79 (which is why I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5).

First off, download (from the Archos website) and print the recording section in the the PDF user manual for the Archos Player you purchased since this comes with no user manual in the box, only a one page sheet on how the unit hooks into your entertainment system. The hookup is easy but setting up the recording function on the 604 player will require most of us to reference the manual. The two sets of RCA cables run from your satellite or cable box into the station and out to your tv. Next, put the battery in the remote and plug in the dock with the power cord and snap your Archos 604 in place. Using the remote, set up the unit to recognize your box to change channels (this is done onscreen on the 604 player; also make sure you have the right date and time programmed in the player.) That's pretty much it. You can record directly from the TV, your DVD player (or outside your entertainment system, from a portable DVD player.) If you don't have a cable or satellite box, you can hook the unit right into the TV if you have standard RCA jacks available. In essence, it works like a DVD recorder (or if you will, a VCR). So, depending on how hard or easy it is for you to set up one of those, you will find this a similar experience. This unit also has S and component video capability (the cables are NOT included) to facilitate the highest quality video input. You could also set it up to record music from your FM stereo receiver or your cd player. You can plug it into your tv and show home movies or your digital pictures (via a nice slideshow feature) loaded onto your 604.

Nifty, right? But still overpriced. I'd buy it again, though, because it definitely enhances the enjoyment I receive from using my 604.

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I bought the Docking Station to go with my Archos 504. To really make the 504 useful, you need the docking station. It should have been included with the player as was the case with the Archos AV480.

The docking station is a pass-through unit that you insert into the signal path. In my case, I have it connected between cable box and receiver. When the 504 is off or out of the docking station, the cable box feeds directly into the receiver. When the 504 is in the docking station and set to TV mode, the cable box is disconnected and the signal from the 504 is fed to the receiver instead. This eliminates a seperate set of connections to the receiver from the 504.

The docking station/504 combination can control a cable or satellite box to select a program to record. The only problem is that each time the docking station wants to set a channel on the cable/satellite box, it turns the box on first. If the box is already on, the docking station actually shuts it off and you end up with no recording. Read my review of the 504 for a work-around.

The "Archos DVR Docking Station" is awsome! It recharges my Archos 504 verry quickly and gives me many possibilities to record Video and even audio! It's also a must have...