Archos AV380 80 GB Personal Video und MP3 Jukebox Player / Recorder w/ Digital Video Recorder

[Archived in Archos, Archos, Inc., Digital Media Players, Digital Voice Recorders, MP3 und Digital Media Players, Over 21 GB Jukeboxes, Products, Video Capture und Editing Devices]

Manufacturer: Archos, Inc.
Price at amazon.com: $684.90
Usually ships within 24 hours

Product Features:

• The all-in-one MPEG-4 und MPEG-3 multimedia solution that fits in the palm of your hand. Enjoy your entire collection of videos, photos, music and data wherever you go.
• Store up to 100 hours of your favorite movies in near DVD quality and view them on the high resolution 3.8" color LCD or on a TV
• With the Digital Video Recorder, your AV380 becomes a portable VCR. Record directly from VCR, DVD or camcorder or from TV thru VCR or DVD connection.
• Store up to 1,200 hours of MP3 music
• Digital photo wallet: store up 800,000 digital photos

Product Description:

The Archos AV380 Video Recorder is the first handheld personal entertainment center. The AV380 combines a modular MP4 video player and recorder with an MP3 music player and recorder. The AV380 also functions as digital photo wallet or a data storage device that fits in the palm of your hand. As an MP4 video player, you can now enjoy up to 160 hours of near-DVD quality video with MP3 sound... approximately 100 full-length movies. The AV340 comes bundled with the Archos DVR 100 Digital Video... read more
From J&R Music and Computer World The ARCHOS AV380 takes handheld entertainment to a whole new level. This compact device combines a modular MPEG-4 video player and recorder (via included DVR module), MP3 music player and recorder, digital camera and camcorder (via optional AVCam 300), digital photo wallet, and data warehouse. All this in a device that fits in the palm of your hand! 80GB hard disk holds up to 160 hours of near-DVD quality MPEG-4 video with MP3 sound Click included Digital Video Recorder onto your AV380 and record off your television, VCR or camcorder directly into MPEG-4 Included remote makes recording even easier Playback is an AVI format file with MPEG4-SP VHA quality video und MP3 stereo sound Complete MP3 functionality -- built-in mic makes the AV380 a voice recorder with 4000 hours capacity! 3.8 QVGA LCD USB 2.0 - 1.1 interface Rechargeable Li-Ion batteries + external AC charger / adapter Dimensions: 1.2"H x 4.4"W x 3.2"D



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Average Customer Rating:

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Comment: Great gadget but let down by poor aftersales service Rating:
The preceding reviews of this product already adequately describe the benefits of the product.

For what it's worth, I concur: the AV-380 is indeed function-rich, eminently useable and a top buy. I'd also add that its upgradeable firmware renders it reasonably future-proof. Archos have already demonstrated their willingness to improve the player through this means.

If rating the product alone, 4.5 stars.

That said, woe to those of you unfortunate enough to have to turn to Archos for post-sale service.

My unit developed a minor power problem four months after purchase, in Feb 2004. It is now June and I still have not received my repaired unit.

I have contacted Archos on several occasions, to no effect.
The fact that their customer service centre is completely separated from their RMA processing centre does not aid matters.

Quite frankly though, I don't care about the cause of their non-reponsiveness. Any such debate only distracts from the fundamental point that no modern retail company should be operating a warranty repair service with a 14 week (and counting...) turnaround.

All of this makes for a bitter aftertase that threatens to ruin an otherwise very tasty piece of kit.

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Comment: Nice! Rating:
Great sound, the video isn't bad either but it is not perfect. Forget about viewing videos outside unless you have some sort of hood or filter to shade the screen. Some videos look a little dark even with the LCD brightness turned up. I am impressed with it though. The more I use it the more I like it.

The video timer function is very nice but you have to hook it up to a video source such as a VCR. I think a great accessory would be an add on TV tuner.

If you have the money buy it, try it and I think you'll love it also.

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Comment: Mother of all gadgets! Rating:
This is the ultimate toy. The Mother of all Gadgets! The best I have come across so far. Will bring friends with Ipods to tears. Bought the AV Unit first, than the AV Cam as well. What can I say that hasn't been said yet. Well, there's one downside; you can start throwing away your digital camera, MP3 player, portable HD, VHS player and half your stereo. The damn thing does it all. Still waiting for my credit card to stop smoking though and would love to see Archos come out with an underwater housing, so I can take the thing diving.

Posted at November 11, 2003 05:56 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)