Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)On paper, this device is in a class by itself. It has the largest screen (7") of any similar media player, it has a 160gb hard drive, it has wifi, it has links to content portals (such as Cinema Now), it has a touchscreen interface and it is reasonably priced.
But, as is so often the case, paper specifications are meaningless if the user experience falls short. And for me, the device had significant flaws in many important categories, so that, when taken as a whole, it left me unimpressed and searching for another player.
First, the screen, while 7" measured diagonally, displays videos that are so grainy that they look like poor analog television. I ripped xvid files at high bitrates to test the 705, and in every case, the videos were grainy and blurry, not sharp or detailed. Perhaps this has something to do with the fact that the 705 has 260,000 colors and not 16 million colors that other players have (for example, the Cowon A3 and the Archos 605). While I realize that I cannot even see 260,000 colors, the number of colors does affect contrast and sharpness, and Archos would be well advised to update its technology. Furthermore, it seems counterintuitive that Archos would have fewer colors for a 7" screen, when the Cowon A3 and the Archos 605 have much smaller screens but 60 times the colors.
Second, the audio is only adequate. In direct comparisons with other players, the 705 had very low volume, a mediocre soundstage and only average detail.
Third, the hard drive froze so many times that I lost count. I was constantly resetting it, and in doing so, I had to re-input data.
Fourth, the touchscreen interface requires the supplied stylus for many functions. Using one's finger without the stylus is a frustrating experience, since the 705 is not sensitive enough to work only with finger prompts.
Fifth, the battery, while removable, worked only for 1 1/2 hours when I watched videos. The specifications state that the battery life for videos is 5 1/2 hours. These numbers are so disparate that I'm not sure under what conditions Archos tested the battery life for videos.
Lastly, the content portal, which could be a great source of streaming media, was clearly an afterthought. I tried to purchase videos from Cinema Now, and the search function rarely worked and in most instances, I was unable to purchase videos. I ended up having to purchase the videos from my PC and sync them to the 705.
In sum, the 705 did not suit my needs. However, I will watch it closely for future developments. Archos has a potentially great product here; one that no other manufacturer makes. It is indeed unfortunate that it falls short of its promising specifications.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Archos 705 Wi-Fi Portable Media Player (80 GB)
With 80 GB of built-in memory, the Archos 705 Wi-Fi portable media player lets you surf, stream, download, and record movies for easy playback on its crystal clear 800 x 480 7-inch full-color touchscreen. With its Wi-Fi capabilities, the 705 Wi-Fi connects to the Internet for surfing the Web, accessing e-mail, and watching Web-based videos wherever you go. Its Opera Browser plug-in puts Adobe Flash support on your Archos, which enables access to and use of Dailymotion and other Web video sites on your Archos device. You can even view and post YouTube videos wherever you have a wireless connection and your Archos.
To assist in finding new and exciting media, the 705 Wi-Fi comes with integrated access to Archos' content portal, a service that features thousands of movies, TV shows, and songs for downloading wirelessly to the player. The player also sports an integrated TV program guide you can use to record your favorite TV shows for later playback. And because the device supports PDF files, you can kick back with an e-book in PDF format while on the road or review important PDF documents while away from the office. The 705 Wi-Fi supports MPEG4, AVI, and WMV video files and audio files in MP3, WMA, Protected WMA, and WAV file formats.
Bridging the gap between the PC and the TV, the 705 Wi-Fi allows you to stream content from a PC or the Internet directly to a TV or the 705--all through a wireless home network and an optional DVR station. It also features a sophisticated touchscreen, no-button design to ensure simple navigation with your fingertips or stylus. In the absence of a Wi-Fi network, content can be transferred to the device via USB 2.0. The player supports Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. The 705 Wi-Fi measures 7.05 x 4.96 x 7.75 inches, weighs only 22 ounces, and features a music playback battery life of up to 25 hours and a video playback life of up to 5.5 hours.
New Free Widget Pack Archos has launched a new widget pack that is free for the 705. A widget is a piece of software that adds new features to your player. It gives you fun, quick, and easy access to hundreds of tools, right on the device. The package contains seven widgets, including a calculator, a currency converter, a unit converter, news, weather, a note writer, and a data vault.
To be able to use the widgets, you need to purchase the Web Browser plug-in (about $30). Then, you can download the free widget pack via Archos.com.
New Dish Network Plug-in With a new plug-in, you can transfer recorded movies and TV shows from your Dish Network set-top box directly to your Archos 705. Play back Dish Network-recorded movies and TV shows on the go or on TV--in DVD quality.
Multi-language is supported. The plug-in is compatible only with Dish Network STB models 622 and 722.
What's in the Box Archos 705 Wi-Fi, headphones, USB 2.0 cable, USB 2.0 host adapter, DVR station saddle, two styli, remote control with built-in keyboard, power adapter and charger, protective pouch, quick start guide, and legal and safety notice. NOTE: The Archos 705 manual states that a UK/European adapter is included; however, this adapter is not included in the box. To obtain the adapter mentioned in the manual, contact Archos Customer Service at 866-489-4718--available seven days a week, 7AM to 11PM CST.
Click here for more information about Archos 705 Wi-Fi Portable Media Player (80 GB)
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