Archos AV400 20 GB Video Player/Recorder and MP3 Player AV420

• Archos 500619 AV420 20 GB Video Player / Recorder and MP3 Jukebox Player
• Record your favorite video programs--up to 80 hours on 20 GB hard drive
• Connects to TVs, VCRs, and cable/satellite receivers
• Watch video on 3.5-inch LCD screen
• Store and play MP3, WMA, and WAV digital audio files

The Archos AV420 is very nearly the perfect personal multimedia device. If you want to be able record videos from your cable or from non-copyrighted DVDs and play them back in near DVD quality, this is the device to get.

The fit and finish of this device is very good, an order of magnitude better than its predecessors in the AV100 and AV300 series. The controls are easy to learn and solid. The screen is clear and super bright.

I agree with the reviews that caution that if you're not into video, there are devices that offer better price performance. Even with the 20G model (AV420), I can store hours of recorded TV programs and other video material to keep me happy while my commuter bus lumbers through heavy NYC-bound traffic.

The built-in compact flash slot allows me to show off my digital pics on the bright, clear 3.5" screen. I don't miss having to have a laptop always at the ready to act as an intermediary for file transfers.

Adding to the versatility is the built-in mike for recording meetings and conferences, and the USB-2 connecion that allows me to use the hard drive to bring home files from my work computer. And of course, the MP3 capability is a given with excellent organization software for playlists, viewing album covers, etc.

What's missing? Nothing I care about --The predecessors offer camera attachments; I guess Archos figured most people wouldn't want to add that functionality option so they've dropped it. No biggie.

The reason I bought the 420 vs the bigger models is two-fold: cost and the fact that you can get a spare battery for the AV420 for those long flights.

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I got this as a present from my mom, she was supposed to give me an Ipod, but when I learned that she's going to , I asked her to give me Archos AV420 instead because I'm more into videos than music. And I love this product, this is one of my all time favorite possessions.

The Good:

The style was good enough for me, elegant with its grayish color, probably not as hip as the Ipod, but this is more appropriate for professionals becasue it has a more sophisticated look. And the style is miles better than AV 300 because it's lighter and smaller. The screen was larger compared to others so it's really convenient to watch movies. Easy to follow instructions I practically did everything the first time I tried it. It can store based on my calculation about 160 20 min TV episodes in video in the lowest quality but still very clear. The best thing of all is it can record from practically any source, tv, dvd, vcr etc without a hassle. It has also a scheduler that records your favorite show when you're not home (like a vcr). It can also record music/sound with it's built in mic or analog source which means you can record speeches, commentaries in dvd, concerts etc. and you can also edit them when you're done recording. It can store practically all your photos because of it's 20 GB capacity.

The Bad

Sometimes when I'm recording for a long time, moist builds up in the center, it's minor but noticeable flaw. But don't worry after a while it's gone. Sometimes also when the source is not very clear in recording, the result is a little jerky in the sides, minor flaw but noticeable. But I guess it depends on the source because the movies I copied from DVD's are clear even in the lowest quality bitrate. Another bad thing is that you can't play the movies you copied from DVD or VHS in your TV or computer, in short those that you copied that are copyright protected can only be played in the Archos device. It's not really a big deal since you have the DVd so just use it when you want to watch it in your tv. But of course TV shows and your own personal videos can be played anywhere TV or computer.

Bottomline: If you want to carry your videos with you and have an mp3 player, buy this thing. It will change your life.

Grade: A

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This apparatus is nice great screen, you know the works. To carry it around, though, is a different story. It's just too big, in my opinion. If I attach the enclosed holster to my belt, I'm suddenly retro. I'm not retro-man.

Anyway, this thing will record ALL copy-protected DVDs onto it, but, IF IT RECOGNIZES the signal that designates the DVD as copy-protected, it puts a little 'P' icon which means it's protected. It will play BEAUTIFULLY on the Archos that just made the recording absolutely beautiful screen. Howevere, it can ONLY be played by the player, so once you copy it to the hard drive of your computer all 700 or whatever megabytes it opens up in media player with a big "COPY RIGHTED" label on the screen, but you get full audio for the entire length of the movie.

Now, here's the funny thing. Because there's so many motion picture companies, they don't all have the same code for copy-protecting DVDs. Most VCRs and DVD recorders recognize ALL signals that designate a DVD as copy-protected by the individual motion picture companies. The Archos AV420 only recognizes some studios like Paramount and Dreamworks. It does not recognize the signal from MGM, Warner Brothers, Columbia Tri-Star, and others. So what this means is that you can copy a DVD from these studios it does not recognize right into this device and then download it to your local hard drive on your computer and play it there, too in perfect MPEG-4 format. You could also download it from there onto another player, like the Archos Gmini, and it will also play. So, the point is, the copy-protection on the Archos AV420 is not all there, in case you were wondering.

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4 hours of video on 1 battery, $50 for a spare battery makes long trips bearable. The IR transmitter on the cradle controls my JVC Dish Network receiver, changes to the channel I've programmed in my Archos AV420 and records automatically. I could spend all day talking about how great this little device is. The only drawback I've found is HD space, the manual says "record up to 80 hrs of video" you can get that but it's at 500KBS and pretty poor quality. I've found 1000KBS on LCD gives you about 35 hours of video that is good quality. 2500KBS is the highest setting and that brings you down to about 8 hours but is DVD quality.

This is a really great device. I just received it yesterday. So far everything that I have tried to use has worked perfectly. I

spent some time reading everything I could find in user groups and bulletin boards on line prior to purchasing. This was very helpful and I think helped me avoid some pitfalls. The manual explains some things well--and does not touch on others. The quick start guide is not that well prepared either. Some things I just figured out by trial and error.

The recorded video is crisp and clear everything worked perfectly. Music downloaded quickly from my computer. I love the memory card slot for viewing digital photos.

The real selling point for me was a removable battery. I invested in an extra battery so that I will always have plenty of power on trips--this (and price) is why I did not buy the 480 model which does not have a removable battery.

The only suggestion for improvement with this model would be to include a stand that could be used to place the device upright for viewing.

I would highly recommend!!!