157 responses so far ↓

• 1 JJ // Dec 4, 2008 at 12:20 am

  It is obvious that you are just an Archos slappy. So many things you wrote are COMPLETELY FALSE and are just trying to pump up interest by lying.

  “The Archos 5 can record HD content too (720p), although you will need to purchase a separate HD plugin before you can playback HD content.”

  The Archos 5 CANNOT record HD. It records in a max resolution of 640×318. How is that HD? And Archos even says that this is the highest that this unit will ever record in reliably.

  “video playback time–up to 7 hours”

  This one I am not going to blame you for, because Archos claims this BS stat also. Even when using a low quality bitrate and the LCD dimmed way down, you are lucky to get 5 hours. Pathetic. I am not going to go on; you get the point. Archos and its supporters do nothing but exaggerate and even lie about these units to try to make them more appealing then they actually are. Stop over selling these lemons.

• 2 Dean // Dec 4, 2008 at 8:54 am

  I appreciate your comments. I was not trying to deliberately hype up this product. I am not one of their supporters. I like to provide honest down to earth reviews on this web site. If I don’t like a product then I will say so.

  I never, repeat, never intentionally lie on this web site. If I make a mistake then I will put my hand up and say so. In this case you are correct on several points.

  Yes I did quote some figure from the Archos web site, like the battery length. The figure they quoted seemed reasonable based on our testing, we tested a variety of things, watching videos, playing music, web browsing, etc. We didn’t try charging the battery and then watching nothing but videos until the battery ran out.

  Your tests show that the battery does not last as long as the manufacturer claims.

  As for the HD content that part of the review is just plain wrong. That is my mistake and I will remove that from the review. Looking at the Archos web site again it is HD video playback that it supports up to 720p. That is what it claims on the Archos 5 web site anyway.

  If you have any other feedback on these systems then please leave another comment so our readers can learn more. Thanks.

• 3 Dean // Dec 4, 2008 at 9:35 pm

  I ran another test on the battery today. I endured 5 hours of QVC watched via Web TV before the battery ran out. That was with the LCD brightness set to the default factory levels. I’ll try some more tests over the next week or so and will report back any findings.

• 4 JJ // Dec 5, 2008 at 2:26 pm

  I appreciate you admitting that, that part of the review was wrong. I apologize for being harsh. So many Archos fans keep sweeping major issues with these things under the rug. How come the battery life bar does not work? It goes from 5 to 4, to 3, to 2. What happened to 2? How come the back light now never turns off when you use the music player, on the new firmware? It is killing the battery life. How come the unit cannot consistently record TV with the audio and video being out of synch? And most importantly, why is my $500 gadget UNABLE TO KEEP TIME? This is suppose to be a DVR. How can it be used as a DVR if it loses time after one minute? Go set the time (manually or automatically – won’t matter). It will start to lose around one minute every hour. A $2 watch can keep time better than this. This is why I think these positive reviews are giving a false impression. I thought it was awesome when I first got it also. But once you really start to consistently use the features, you start to see more and more major issues. The ones I listed are just a drop in the bucket.

• 5 JJ // Dec 5, 2008 at 2:26 pm

  I meant that the battery bar goes from 5 to 4, 4 to 3, 3 to 1. There is no 2. Sorry about the typo.

• 6 Dean // Dec 5, 2008 at 10:53 pm

  Sorry to hear you’ve had so many problems. I’ll keep an eye on the battery indicator and see if I get the same issue. No problems with the music player so far, the backlight goes out after a few seconds. I’m using firmware 1.1.1 (WMDDRMPD: 10.1). The clock has kept accurate time too.

  As you say, it is only after you’ve had a device a while that you can really make a good judgement. I’ll see if any issues start to creep in over the coming weeks.

  The only thing I would say is that a couple of times I’ve seen the Archos reboot itself unexpectedly and tonight when trying to configure the DVR station it froze on me and I had to do a reset, so the firmware still has a few bugs that need ironing out.

• 7 JJ // Dec 6, 2008 at 6:01 pm

  The backlight with the music issue, has only started to occur with the very latest firmware. The clock loses time, when left in the DVR station (which is when you really need it to be accurate, because you are telling it to do something at so-and-so time). The battery indicator has never worked and still doesn’t (there is no 2nd bar). The audio synche problem when recording with the DVR is a 50/50 thing. Record like 6 shows and a good few of those should be out of whack. Let us know what you find.

• 8 JJ // Dec 6, 2008 at 6:02 pm

  Also…try setting the unit to record back to back shows on different channels (example: 8:00-9:00pm on ABC; then 9:00 – 10:00pm on CBS). The unit will not work either. It will either go crazy or just keep recording on ABC.

• 9 Adrian // Dec 7, 2008 at 11:27 pm

  I just recently bought the Archos 5 and have no idea what you are talking about, JJ. Maybe your unit is defective or something, but mine keeps time fine, the backlight works fine. I cannot comment on the DVR station as I have not bought that.

  You are bashing the battery life, but all considered it really not bad. Better than the iTouch (if you go by user reports not what Apple claims). 22 hours for music is not bad at all. I admit that there are some things wrong with it, mainly being all of the expensive add-ons, but overall I think its quite a good device. By the way, I am in no way an Archos fan, as I have had an ipod nano and a cowon D2 in the past.

  I have not had any freezing/rebooting problems, and I expect that even those will be fixed with time, as more firmware is released

• 10 JJ // Dec 8, 2008 at 2:39 pm

  It keeps time fine???

  http://forum.archosfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=18911&hilit=clock

  You are the only person I have heard that has one that does keep time.

  As for the backlight:

  http://forum.archosfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=19638

• 11 Armen Shirvanian // Dec 8, 2008 at 11:44 pm

  The amount of functions that this navigational unit performs is quite high, as there is little that it doesn’t do. It is quite similar to having a personal computer that is portable, in addition to the navigational features. Using Opera for browsing the internet on it was probably a good idea, as Opera’s speed and flexibility are well-suited for the position.

• 12 JJ // Dec 8, 2008 at 11:58 pm

  Totally agree this thing does a HIGH number of functions. But I am also wondering if that is part of the problem. A $500 hand held video player, should have NO problem keeping time. Maybe if they didn’t try to squeeze so much into it, WITHOUT Beta testing it, things as little as this would have been noticed. Just unacceptable for something as easy as that to find, slips through their so called product testing.

• 13 Mike // Dec 10, 2008 at 12:25 am

  I would be grateful for some advice.

  1. Archos 5 or Apple iTouch – which is better for watching BBC iPlayer?

  2. Is there a quick way of putting a DVD onto Archos 5 or do you have to play it on a DVD player and real time record onto the Archos?

• 14 JJ // Dec 10, 2008 at 4:14 am

  I cannot answer in reference to the BBC iplayer. I have heard some people say they get it to work with the 5 and others say they won’t. Give me a day or two and I will try and let you know. As far as DVD’s go, the simplest process is pretty much the same on the Archos as the Apple; use a decrypter/encoding program to set up the video file accordingly. In all honesty, everyone I know with a Archos loves them for about 3 weeks. Then they start to see all the 10,000 annoying problems that I have found and start to loose patients quickly. The Apple is WAY more stable. Just look around at such forums as forum.archosfans (which even though the moderator is HIGHLY bias, because he has stock in Archos, the rest of the community will tell the truth), or check out the far more realistic and honest site, http://www.unofgadgets.com

• 15 Mike // Dec 10, 2008 at 11:19 am

  Thank you for your advice JJ

• 16 JJ // Dec 10, 2008 at 2:31 pm

  I live in the states, Mike. And unfortunately, it will not allow me to open the BBC player, even on my laptop or desktop (regional thing). So you are going to have to see if someone in the UK, can test this for you. There are some really friendly and helpful guys over at http://www.unofgadgets.com . Just go to the Archos section and ask. I know for a fact that a few of them are from England.

• 17 Paulski // Dec 10, 2008 at 3:32 pm

  Hi there, got the Archos 5 and I luv it. But can any1 tell me when I can use it as a GPS? Ive seen cradles on Ebay for the 605, is this all I need or do I have to pay to download the software from Archos as well?

• 18 JJ // Dec 10, 2008 at 4:45 pm

  Don’t bother with the GPS. It won’t work. This is another annoying arse thing Archos does. They advertise for add on’s and snap on’s that don’t exist. Then you just have to pray that they come thru. They will keep telling you it is coming, but it never does. And before some Archos slappy comes and tells me I am full of it; ask all the 605 owners where their FM tuner and HD plug-in is. Never, ever came. Just more lies from Archos.

• 19 Dean // Dec 10, 2008 at 4:49 pm

  I briefy covered using the iPlayer in the review. I found it too laggy/picture juddery to watch programs on the Archos 5. Listening to radio on the iPlayer was fine though.

• 20 Mike // Dec 13, 2008 at 4:10 pm

  I have a Argos 605 wifi which for a while I thought was great for recording TV, the internet is terrible (you can’t access menus on most sites.) But Archos have now left me high and dry after the battery failed on it I had it repaired only to get it back with my plugins not working after a week this was finally half sorted but it looks like I will never again have access to the TV programme guide which and no one at Archos can even begin to help me get it working again. Really Archos just aren’t worth the trouble they have made it too complicated with all the stupid codes and plugins etc they don’t even understand it all.

• 21 AB // Dec 24, 2008 at 8:53 pm

  im getting one soon and i want to know what i should look out for when i do and what you can do about

• 22 Dean // Jan 4, 2009 at 7:12 pm

  JJ,
  I’ve been playing around with the DVR station recently.

  Regarding your comment about back-to-back recordings. I can’t get this to work at all here in the UK, at least using my Sky HD set top box.

  When I record a TV program, 2 minutes is automatically added to the start and end. So a program running from 8 to 9 will record from 7:58 to 9:02. This means I am unable to record a second program from 9 to 10 since the Archos says it conflicts with the earlier recording.

  I presume this is a problem with the Archos? Do you know a way to get round this problem?

• 23 JJ // Jan 5, 2009 at 12:29 am

  To get this to SOME WHAT work, you have to go into the settings, and set the pre and post time recording buffers to zero. It will then allow you to record back to back shows, but NOT on seperate channels. If you tell it to record two shows that are back to back on different channels, it will just record the second recording on the same channel as the first recording. This is just one of 5,000,000 glitches I have found, that they refuse to acknowledge let alone fix. This is why I get so mad about all the glowing reviews. After you use the thing for a week or two, all of these problems start coming out. What is the point of a mobile DVR, that can only record two shows, if they are not back to back??? Completely ridiculous.

• 24 Dean // Jan 5, 2009 at 9:03 am

  I tried recording 4 programs last night. When I took the Archos off the DVR station this morning it had frozen and required a factory reset.

  I checked the recordings I did overnight. The first 3 recorded OK but the last one did not, it says the file is damaged or incomplete. My guess is there some bug in the recording software which caused the Archos to freeze up. I’m also seeing the Archos occasionally freeze up when removed from the DVR station.

  My early tests seem to suggest that recording a single program works OK, but try recording a few together and you may run into issues. I agree with JJ that the software in its current form is buggy.

  BTW – which part of the settings page allows you to change the pre and post recording times?

• 25 Yvan // Jan 9, 2009 at 12:56 pm

  I have had three archos 5 since the beginning of dec 2008. The first one had to be replaced because of a weak battery after having spent 3-4 days on the phone with technical support. The second unit failed 3 weeks later because the on-off button got stuck. I now have the third unit. Every unit required that I re-buy the plug-ins because archos never re-sent me ones that would load onto the machine and I ran out of patience waiting for technical support. As for videos, the machine freezes regularly on formats that it is supposed to handle. The address book package is weak and is not intended for commercial use. the Calendar package is also weak and not intended for commercial use. They shoudl have a CRM or Outook. Skype is not functional on the unit nor is Yahoo Messenger. Finally, the HSPDA does not work. I have one from rogers along with the mini-dock but the plug-in is not available. It’s really too big to be an MP3, not really functional enough to be a portable laptop although it has lots of memory. What it does best is play videos and movies but even then, it freezes. I got fed-up and bought an acer aspire. Lots cheaper, runs windows, plays movies, I use Skype on it and the rogers HSPDA actually works. First chance I get, I am returning the ARCHOS 5.
  Yvan

• 26 Dean // Jan 9, 2009 at 5:42 pm

  Some good comments Yvan.

  I found when reviewing the Archos 5 it was great for quickly checking emails whilst away from the home, or for doing a quick browse of the internet. The on screen keyboard is OK for these types of activity, but for extended periods of time then entering a lof of text using the on screen keyboard is tiresome.

  I experienced no problems with the unit freezing watching videos or listening to music. In this department it performed well for me. It only used to freeze for me when used in conjunction with the Archos DVR station.

  Next time I go away from home though I’ll take a Notebook with me rather than the Archos 5. Although a lot bigger, it has a dedicated keyboard and standard USB ports allowing me to do stuff like uploading photos, etc.

  I still think the Archos 5 is a nice handheld device if they can iron out the firmware issues, but the price is too high at the moment.

• 27 colin // Jan 12, 2009 at 8:52 pm

  I was thinking about getting a archos 5. I work nights and need something to watch/listen to as spend alot of time sitting around. I was all so interested in the satnav as my job of work takes me all over. How much does the satnav add on cost/how good and are up grades free. would very much appreciate your view thanks colin

• 28 Dean // Jan 12, 2009 at 9:31 pm

  According to the Archos web site it says the GPS receiver is coming soon, so doesn’t look like it is available yet. I’d be wary of purchasing a GPS add-on though. It’s not likely to be as good as a dedicated GPS system like Garmin or TomTom.

• 29 colin // Jan 13, 2009 at 3:57 pm

  Thanks for your reply.IS there anything like the archos (watching movies/music) with a built in satnav which is portable and compact thanks colin

• 30 Dean // Jan 13, 2009 at 5:14 pm

  There is the Archos 605 but I’ve no idea if it is any good. It might be OK for occasional satnav use. If you intend to use a satnav on a regular basis I’d suggest looking at a dedicated satnav system.

• 31 colin // Jan 13, 2009 at 6:45 pm

  sorry to be a pain but what about the archos 7 ? colin

• 32 Dean // Jan 13, 2009 at 10:01 pm

  I had a look at the Archos web site and it doesn’t show a GPS add-on for the Archos 7.

• 33 colin // Jan 14, 2009 at 2:51 pm

  thanks for taking the time to help many thanks colin

• 34 john swan // Jan 15, 2009 at 8:01 am

  hi i have all of the archos machines. ie the av 700 the 605the 705 the 405 the 5 the best one is the 605 the 5 is not very good apart being a 250 gb machine can you tel me the best way to put a dvd film onto the 5 or any archos machine i use clone dvd mobile with media player can i try some think else regards john

• 35 Kathryn // Jan 15, 2009 at 3:26 pm

  My DVR station is hooked up to the same cable box as my Tivo, and I record simultaneously to both devices (that way I can watch on the go or at home, whichever is more convenient). I realized early on that the Archos had trouble recording back-to-back shows on different channels, and I worked around this by telling the Archos that my cable box was a different brand than it is (meaning that the Archos cannot control the cable box). I let the Tivo change the channels, and I program the Archos to record (for example) Criminal Minds on CBS at 9:00 and CSI NY on CBS at 10:00 even though I will really be recording Law & Order on NBC at 10:00. The Tivo changes the channel, and the Archos just records an hour-long show at 10:00, thinking it has remained on CBS. Fooling the Archos is the only way I’ve discovered to make it do what I want.

  I have recently started having the problem discussed above regarding “damaged or incomplete” files. The first show will be fine, the second will be “damaged or incomplete,” and all subsequent shows will not record at all. I think I’ll try working around this by setting the Archos to record from 8:00 to 11:00 in a block on a single channel. Perhaps if it doesn’t think it’s recording more than one show, it will function better.

• 36 Dean // Jan 15, 2009 at 9:46 pm

  John Swan – The Archos web site says it supports MPEG4 and WMV movie playback, so if you can get your movie into that format, then you could transfer the movie to the Archos hard drive. I think there is a Movies folder on the Archos hard drive, if you drop the movie in there it should show up under the Play menu.

  Kathryn – Thanks for the tips!

• 37 Archos DVR Station Review // Jan 22, 2009 at 9:35 pm

  [...] Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet [...]

• 38 Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet Review // Feb 7, 2009 at 11:08 am

  [...] the reviews in question are the Archos 5 review over at Technical Itch, and the Archos 7 review at Trusted [...]

• 39 James houston // Feb 19, 2009 at 2:11 pm

  the archo is a big peice of S**T. the apple touch is so much better!

• 40 Paulski // Feb 19, 2009 at 4:01 pm

  Don’t be a dick James. Just because you don’t like the Archos it doesn’t mean its shit. I have over 1000 songs on the Archos, I don’t have to muck about with itunes, i just illegally download them along with films (obviously while funding terrorism et al lol) and stick them on the Archos. It’s each to their own. deal with it

• 41 James houston // Feb 20, 2009 at 12:33 pm

  u can put illegal songs on itunes u stupid pole!

• 42 paulski // Feb 20, 2009 at 6:51 pm

  Aaaah, your still being a dick. Guess you werent breast fed as a baby. And by the way I was born in Slough so dont be a twat all your life.

• 43 Dean // Feb 20, 2009 at 6:55 pm

  Let’s try and keep the comments on topic please. Thanks.

• 44 Paulski // Feb 20, 2009 at 9:54 pm

  luv to mate. I was only joking about the illegal stuff. at least we now know that James is a terrorist supporting criminal. Does anyone know of a torrent site that I can download any archos plugins that actually work?

• 45 Davey // Mar 3, 2009 at 8:37 pm

  I see it mentions USB (host) in the spec. I’m not quite clear on what that means, but does that mean I can use it to transfer files directly from a camera? If so that means I can use it as storage/viewer for my SLR and it suddenly becomes a fantastic device when you consider what else it can do as well.

  On a similar (and even nerdier) note, I see that RAW isn’t listed in the photo formats it recognises. Does that mean I wouldn’t be able to transfer RAW files to it, or simply that I wouldn’t be able to view them if I did (assuming I can transfer them in the first place).

• 46 Dean // Mar 3, 2009 at 9:10 pm

  Davey,
  The Archos uses a proprietary USB port which means you can’t use a standard USB cable found on devices like digital cameras, camcorders, etc. So you can’t transfer files directly from a camera to the Archos. You would have to put the photos on a computer first and then transfer them to the Archos.

  I see no reason why you couldn’t store RAW photos on the Archos, you just won’t be able to view them as you mention.

• 47 Davey // Mar 4, 2009 at 9:49 am

  Thanks for the responce.

  So, in the spec it has USB 2.0 High-Speed Device and USB 2.0 Host as two seperate ports. I guess I’m not clear on what the difference between the two is. If I bought the right cable might I be able to directly transfer files from a camera, or is there literally no way to do that?

• 48 Dean // Mar 4, 2009 at 10:01 am

  You can’t connect a camera directly to the Archos 5. The only workaround would be to buy an Archos docking station (which has a standard USB port). You would then plug the Archos into the dock and then connect the camera to the dock using any standard USB cable.

  More info on this forum.

• 49 Davey // Mar 4, 2009 at 10:17 am

  Ah ok. Feels like Archos have missed a trick a little there, but I suppose it’s not so awful having to use the dock. Still seems better value for money than most of the photo viewers out there.

  The only other thing that slightly bothers me about it is the fact you can’t easily put a new battery in. That was one of the best features of my old 704 beast. I got a couple of cheap batteries from Hong Kong and then I could use it on really long journeys. I think that’s the only barrier for me getting a 5 now, but I’m still very tempted.

  Thanks for all the good advice.

• 50 Dave Hughes // Mar 4, 2009 at 4:23 pm

  Could I use this to view my Yahoo Mail account over wifi and download any attachments, even if I couldn’t open the attachments on the Archos?
  I’d then transfer the files to my PC for viewing.

• 51 Dean // Mar 4, 2009 at 5:43 pm

  Hi Dave,
  You can view your Yahoo mail account over wifi no problem. Depending on the attachment you might be able to open it on the Archos or save it to the hard drive for later transferral to a PC for viewing.

• 52 Davey // Mar 4, 2009 at 5:50 pm

  I’ve taken the plunge and gone for one.

  I’ve had an Archos before so I know how flakey they can be, but in my experience if you simply use them as a media player, they’re solid as a rock. Once you start getting into the internet and recording features they are not so stable, but really I just want an ipod with tonnes of storage and something I can transfer my photos from my SLR to when travelling. Hopefully it will suit my needs.

• 53 Dave Hughes // Mar 4, 2009 at 6:30 pm

  Is it possible to download web pages for offline viewing?

• 54 Dave Hughes // Mar 4, 2009 at 7:29 pm

  Is there an application such as notepad, so I could write emails offline and send when online. Whilst online could I copy and paste my received emails into a text file?

• 55 Dean // Mar 4, 2009 at 8:59 pm

  Dave Hughes,
  I don’t know about offline viewing of web pages.

  Regarding your second question I don’t remember seeing a notepad application on the Archos 5. It’s possible you might be able to find a widget with similar functionality you could download.

  Your other option is to use an online writing tool like Google docs. One word of warning though, the Archos 5 on screen keyboard isn’t really designed for inputting large amounts of text. You may find the keyboard fiddly to use for writing emails more than a few sentences long.

• 56 Dave Hughes // Mar 4, 2009 at 9:26 pm

  Hi Dean, thanks for the info, much appreciated!

• 57 Dan // Mar 5, 2009 at 12:31 am

  I am about to purchase the Archos 5 60 GB, but before I do I have a few questions; I have researched the Archos 5 for the past three months; and it seems compared to the i touch / cowon Q5 & S9 /that this device offers better bang for the buck; currently selling at $349 at Best Buy.

  What is the battery life with the new firmware released, I have read 22 hrs audio & 7 hrs video is this accurate?

  I am going to purchase the battery dock for faster charging & USB connections for pic & file transfer; which dock do I require for the
  Archos 5 60GB.

  I am very impressed with the fact that you can drag & drop into this device without having to convert files I have read that this can be done either through the Archos USB & PC or via the dock, is the dock quicker to drag & drop.

  I am also keen on the Helmet cam does anyone have any knowledge of this item?

  Does anyone know what the new Archos Google Android will be like; it’s suppose to be out in the third Q; will there be additional firmware updates compatable on the 5.

  And lastly how are your units holding out; are they as impressive as you all thought they would be or does anyone have any regreats with their purchase.

  Thank you in advance for any imput; I want to ensure that I have made the right decision.

  I also plan on getting an extended warantee is it worth it or not?

  Cheers Dan

• 58 Dean // Mar 5, 2009 at 9:51 pm

  Dan,
  In my tests I was getting about 5 hrs battery life when watching videos.

  I don’t think it would be any quicker using the dock to drag and drop files.

  The only two things I don’t like about the Archos 5 is the lack of a standard USB port, meaning you have to use a dock or PC to transfer photos onto it. The other thing is the on screen keyboard which is fiddly to use for typing large amounts of text.

  Personally I now use a Netbook when I go away for these two reasons, but if you want a smaller handheld device the Archos 5 isn’t bad, and watching videos on the Archos 5 is pretty good.

  Hopefully with more firmware releases they will be able to iron out some of the bugs I saw when I reviewed it.

• 59 Computer Service Provider // Mar 10, 2009 at 9:00 am

  This has been an interesting blog and the comments were very informative as it enlighten us users of Archos 5 for some of its issues and deficiencies. Thank you for all the post and the comments. Now I know its capabilities and limitations.

• 60 bigm // Mar 27, 2009 at 2:23 am

  anyone know why i can only record 1.99GB thats aprx 1h 40 mins of video it plays back ok on the archos but i want to back up tv progs from from my v+ box to my pc using the archos so i can only do this for progs not longer than 99mins.

• 61 James // Mar 27, 2009 at 7:20 am

  It’s because the archos 5 is crap.

• 62 Dean // Mar 27, 2009 at 8:58 am

  Browsing the Archos forums it does seem that others have run into issues with large file sizes in excess of 2Gb.

• 63 Dean // Apr 12, 2009 at 7:07 am

  For anyone who is interested. Archos have just released their latest firmware update which makes it compatible with the optional GPS car holder. The GPS car holder sends GPS data to the Archos 5.

• 64 Afrochap // Apr 14, 2009 at 12:05 pm

  Hi Dean, thanks for putting this up, its really brought up a lot about this device.

  I have the Archos 605 and the Archos 5 and I have to say the 5 is way better than 605, in looks and everything.

  I never need the DVR station as I have Sky+ HD and also have a pioneer DVR with Hard drive, which I can set to record any time and all I have to do is connect my Archos 5 to the pioneer and simply transfer the files to my Archos.

  For the individual who asks how to transfer DVD files to the Archos using Clone DVD, you have various options, you can either clone on to your desktop then change the USB preference on your Archos to PC Hard Drive (Please remember to manually update your ARCLibrary afterwards), or you can simply clone the DVD directly onto your Archos, it works both ways for me. Please don’t think I’m an Archos fan, I’m not anything’s fan, I only concentrate on fuctionality.

  For the people who complained that Archos never delivers on promises, well eat your words because the HD plugin has now been released and the GPS dock and plugin are now out.

  I have still to see what this baby can’t do I was even able to open a Microsoft Word document (Read only) using the opera browser, y’all can try it too. The only issue I can say I have is that it sometimes freezes or reboots when i tru to do too much on it, like opening more than 7 tabs on the Opera browser.

  This device even supports Substitles just make sure its in .SRT format, its in the same folder as the video.

  I’ve also noticed that most (not all) people that gives this device a bad review are fans of other devices especially iPod touch and iPhone, they will only see the beauty of Archos 5 if they’ll only set down the Apple kool aid for 1 second and be impartial, iPod touch and iPhone can’t do half of what this device can do, and more importantly I’m not locked down iTunes.

  Thanks again Dean for this page.

• 65 Daniele // Apr 19, 2009 at 2:22 pm

  Don´t buy Archos unless you are very lucky.
  I bought and after a few weeks I had to return it to the reparation center.
  After 8 weeks they still have to start repairing it.
  The worst possible customer service.
  (they are french, i could hardly expect something better)

• 66 Gaz // Apr 20, 2009 at 11:01 am

  Hi all, I was about to go out and buy one of these bad boys! but after reading the comments on this website im abit scared now, it seems like the Archos 5 has some big problems. I have an iPod touch but hate going through iTunes all the time!
  I mainly want the unit for recording tv, watching videos and web tv.
  After reading what Daniele said “Don´t buy Archos unless you are very lucky” well im not very lucky! so does anyone think its worth buying the Archos 5?

• 67 sam // Apr 20, 2009 at 11:06 am

  first of all that coment is completely rasis. This post is about a french made item. I am not french but i am sure alot of french people would be insulted. The other thing is everyone here is just saying the bad things about the archos 5. However there were just as many bad things if not more on the ipod touch when it first came out. And it is still not perfict. If someone can name any mp3/mp4 player that doesn’t have any issues i will be happy to by it. Also before you look at the bad points you should look at the good points. They out way the bad points. Even if you ipod touch fans want be bias, and say how bad the archos 5 is, some people just want an unbiased reveiw so they don’t waste money. If you are an ipod touch fan go to a different forum. This is for the archos

• 68 Gaz // Apr 20, 2009 at 11:52 am

  I am not an iPod only person! I added this comment so I could get peoples ideas of what owning an Archos 5 is like? as I dont own one I wouldnt know what the good points are! im not saying the iPod touch is perfect! I wanted people to tell me what the good points are and if everyone is having the same problems.
  If you own an Archos 5 can you let me know how your getting on with it please, oh and just because I own an iPod touch doesnt mean I love it and nothing esle

• 69 Afrochap // Apr 20, 2009 at 12:22 pm

  Gaz,

  I own an Archos 5, and I can guarantee you that its a very good device. As Sam said, every device have there bad points, its just that you’ll see more complaining than praising on the internet.

  The Archso 5 does a lot of things the only reason people bashes it is because Archos charges more for plugin, but that to me is a non issue as you can always convert files for free on net (Try Zamzar.com), so if your Archos doesn’t support a format out of the box, simply convert it, its free.

  For everything you said you want it do i.e recording, video and internet TV, you won’t get a better device for all these, the Archos does not only support WiFi it also have HSDPA capability but you’ll need to have a dock (£19 fom Amazon UK) or get mobile internet dongle. Archos 5G supports HSDPA out of the box without the need for the dock as you can put your mobile phone’s SIM into it and have 7.5 MBPS instantly, but the 5G only have 30GB HDD and costs a bit more than 250GB Archos 5. I have the Archos 5, and also the dock and all I have to do is connect my Samsung Omnia to it anywhere I am and presto I have broadband internet., when I’m home I use my Wifi to go online and this thing is lightning fast, the Wifi even allows you to stream media from you UPnP devices (Computers, laptops and whatnots). Get an unbiased review here http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/10/15/review_media_player_archos_5/

  If you buy the Archos from Amazon UK you can get the 250Gb version for £263.40.

• 70 Dan // Apr 20, 2009 at 7:28 pm

  Hi all,
  i think you really do not understand the point. I have 2 archos. The device is wonderful, but i´ve been unlucky. I had a fault, i sent it back to the repair center. After 2 months they still have to start with repairation.7Every blog report that their customer support stinks, so buy it only if you are lucky. Otherwise if you have problem is better to throw the device out of the window then asking them. It is a very small company, clearly not even making profit, but if you ask a wrong department they do not put the question to the right one. they simply reply: not my responsibility, email dept xy.
  I´m waiting 2 months for a shitty reparation, and what did they say ? We are waiting spare parts. Probably from the moon, after 2 months….

  And by the way some comments like “Afrochap” are not from standard user. All that positive bla bla is clearly piloted by customer relations of archos

• 71 Dan // Apr 20, 2009 at 7:34 pm

  By the way, Archos is the best device I´ve seen. Much better then IPOD. But if you have problems, you will regret having bought!!!!
  if you dont trust me check out at
  http://www.repair.archos.com
  insert this code
  EAD-01-09020432275
  you will see that they received it 18/2 and there is no progress. Not even fault identified

• 72 Afrochap // Apr 21, 2009 at 9:49 am

  Dan,

  What in my post says anything about customer support? I only wrote about functionality, its you that don’t understand the point, I answered someones question based on what they said they want the device to do. Also how do you know Archos is small company, not making a profit, have you been to its HQ and have you seen its accounts book? Also how do you know I am customers’ relation, all these things you said just shows you jump to conclusions – no hard fact and you have drawn your opinion.

  I myself have a RMA with Archos, my Archos 605 failed after using it for 14 months and its still with them at the moment. My advice to anyone who thinks they are “Unlucky” is to buy it from Amazon, then if it fails you can send it back to Amazon for a free exchange or full refund, Amazon will even refund the postage returns cost, I know this because I’ve done it before, and before anyone starts saying I work for the Customers’ Relationship dept of Amazon, let me put it straight I DON’T.

  You can check my EAD too
  EAD-04-09022433527 . Note that I also have the Archos 5, which works beautifully well, although I sent the first one I got back to Amazon, but the one sent back to me has been trouble free. Every device breaks, every company ships defective device and yes, Archos customer support sucks, but you can get past them by buying the device from a very good and trustworthy retailer.

• 73 Dan // Apr 22, 2009 at 6:18 pm

  Fine
  then any buyer should hope to have only major faults so he can send back to retail avoiding ARCHOS support at all. For all other minor issues good luck with archos support

• 74 Afrochap // Apr 22, 2009 at 7:43 pm

  For the love of cup cakes who said anything about major faults?? You are free to send it back to Amazon, for any reasons, major faults or minor faults. I really doubt youreally understood my comments.

• 75 Phate // Apr 24, 2009 at 7:42 pm

  Just found this website while looking for some Info on problems I got with my Archos 605.

  Dean – a nice review – even better that you were open to comments and admitted that mistakes have been made during testing. Thumbs up for following it through and carrying out additional tests to verify JJ claims. Gonna check this site more often in future.

  Afrochap – re: the link to the unbiased review you posted
  Have you ever had a look at the comments posted to this review? You might want to have a look.

• 76 Afrochap // Apr 27, 2009 at 10:20 am

  Hiya Phate,

  Yeah, I’ve read every post word for word and have no problems with them, however most of the complaint on here centres around old firmware, customer services and the DVR station. What a lot of people doesn’t get is that this review is for the Archos 5, not the DVR station, the customer services of course I am aware of Archos’ buggy firmwares, but a lot of these firmwares are old most new firmwares are stable.

  What really irks me though is the comment on here saying I am customer relations for Archos, simply because I a gave a positive comment and if you look at the comment I gave (which was simply to answer someones question) I only talked about functionality.

  I am not an Archos’ fan or any other thing’s fan for that matter, I am simply a very logical individual, i.e I deal in facts and not speculations.

• 77 Chris // May 8, 2009 at 9:40 pm

  Any chance that with the new Firmware update (1.6.53) that Pandora will now work with the Archos 5?

• 78 Afrochap // May 8, 2009 at 10:11 pm

  If you reside in the US, you should be able to listen to Pandora on your Archos 5. Unfortunately due to licensing issues, Pandora is no longer available outside the US. Hope this helps

• 79 Tonga // May 13, 2009 at 2:19 pm

  Hi Afrochap,
  You said above that you can connect an Archos 5 to mobile Broadband with an Amazon dock, or a Dongle.

  I already have a mobile dongle for my Laptop. Will this plug straight into an Archos 5 (Not 5g) and work?

  PS Dean,
  Great review, but it has left me undecided.

• 80 Afrochap // May 14, 2009 at 12:55 am

  Hello Tonga,

  You will be able to connect your broadband dongle to the Archos 5, but you’ll first need to get the Archos mini dock or battery dock, both docks comes with a standard USB socket. The battery dock is the same as the mini dock, the difference is that it’s got inbuilt battery to extend the battery life of your Archos for around 100%, and its about £10 to £15 more than the mini dock, the docks also allows you to fast chargebthe Archos through mains, instead of only relying on the USB that comes with it for charging. You can buy any of them from anywhere, but experience has shown me that Amazon is almost always cheaper. If you decide to invest in one, make sure you buy the one for Archos 5 and not Archos 605.

  Hope this helps, any other questions please let me know.

• 81 Tonga // May 14, 2009 at 9:09 am

  OK Cheers Afrochap,
  Still not entirely sure whether to go this way or just get a netbook for the money. Obviously not as portable.

  I’ve got N95 8G, which is really just too small to watch anything on. But when I get the chance for a free upgrade I might go for iphone or whatever else is on offer then.

  It always takes me ages to weigh up the pros and cons on this sort of thing, and even when I make a decision, I’m never sure. It is nice to get the phone and everything on one gadget, the trouble is it is never quite good enough at everything.

• 82 Afrocahp // May 14, 2009 at 11:04 am

  Hello Tonga,

  I understand your plight, there seems to be a million and one gadgets out there, and when it comes to choosing one, its like pulling a needle through the cheek.

  To be sincere with you the only 2 things that iPhone got on Archos 5 is the screen and the size, unfortunately its the size that also kills iPhone, Archos got a 4.8 inches screen and its capable of playing HD up to 720p (Once you purchase optional plugin), the screen is sharper than that of the iPhone too, and it plays almost everything and the good thing is you are not locked down to any software. When I got my own Archos 5, I loaded 5 albums and 10 music videos onto it within 10 minutes of opening the box.

  The Archos 5 is not that big either, at least it fits in the back pocket of my jeans with only a slight budge (Although I won’t advice people to put it in there back pocket)

  However please don’t let my positive attitude to the Archos sway your decision, you really need to sit down and think of what you want your device to do and then look around for the best device that suits your need. Also don’t restrict yourself to iPhone or Archos, there’s Cowon and there’s also the beautiful Samsung P2, but one thing though is that its only Archos that gives you high density HDD at an affordable price (up to 250gb on the Archos 5 and up to 320gb on the Archos 7).

  Also you might want to hold on to your money till around September cause Archos will be releasing the new Archos Android, it will run on Google’s Android operating system and its also a phone (Well that’s what I read), and the HDD is up to 500gb.

• 83 Satchy // May 27, 2009 at 9:29 pm

  Hi
  Has anyone got an archos 5g and managed to get it working on 3g/hsdpa in the UK?
  It asks for GSM settings and neither O2 or archos can supply me with any.

• 84 ramone // Jun 1, 2009 at 5:35 am

  i just got an archos today. it keeps freezing especially when i use the web radio and is just being generally difficult. do i have a defective product or is this typical?

  thanks

• 85 Afrochap // Jun 1, 2009 at 2:26 pm

  Hello Ramone,

  Have you updated your firmware to version 1.6.53? If you are not sure follow the steps below to check you firmware version.

  1) Select tools, then Settings.
  2) Scroll down to Firmware and Plug-ins and select

  Your firmware version should be at the top of the screen. If the version is not the same as above, select Online Firmware Update, on the same screen (Please make sure you are connected to the internet). If you don’t have Wi-Fi connection just go to Archos’ website and download the update file to your computer then follow the installation instruction on the website. PLEASE DO NOT shut down your Archos until the firmware is installed, else you will mess your system up. I can confirm to you that Archos’ earlier firmware are very buggy, but the previous one and the latest one are fairly stable.

• 86 JoshLloyd // Jun 13, 2009 at 4:38 pm

  Helle everyone,
  Could somebody please tell me the easiest way to put my DVDs onto my archos 5, I’m really having problems as I have had the archos for 3 days now and am starting to get slightly pissed off!!!!!! Ive heard about the DVR station but A) How does it work to put DVDs on and B) Is there no way to do it on the computer without having to pay anymore as have already payed loads and as I said am starting to get really pissed off!!!

  Please reply to me soon,

  Many thanks,

  Josh

• 87 Nicos // Jun 13, 2009 at 5:12 pm

  Hi,

  Do I need a adapter to connect a bullet camera (helmet cam for biking) to the Archos 5? Actually, I have the Archos 605, but assume it’s not that different in set-up.

  Thanks!
  Nicos

• 88 Afrochap // Jun 13, 2009 at 5:34 pm

  Hello JoshLloyd,

  If you just want to be ableto put your DVDs on the Archos 5, don’t waste almost £100 on a DVR station. One way I do this is through Clone DVD and AnyDVD, you can get these software from http://www.slysoft.com. AnyDVD is an utility that runs in the background on your PC (Don’t worry it won’t slow your PC down cos it will only run when it detects a disc in your DVD or Blu Ray drive). AnyDVD removes the copy protection on the media you want to copy. Once this is done you an then use CloneDVD to copy the contents of the DVD (including menu, subtitles etc) onto either the HDD on your PC or directly onto your Archos 5 (Make sure your Archos 5 is set to PC Hard Drive if using Windows or PC Hard Drive (auto-ARCLib) if using Mac or Linux, you can even copy the DVDs, Blu-Rays or HD-DVDs to other discs for Backup purposes. Please only copy/backup DVDs/HD-DVDs and Blu-Rays that are yours and not rented. The software will give you free usage for around 21 days, then you must activate pay to activate both of them. Hope this helps if you have any more questions or you encounter a problem, get in touch. Cheers

• 89 JoshLloyd // Jun 14, 2009 at 11:25 am

  Thanks afrochap, i’ll try that

• 90 Nitram // Jun 23, 2009 at 5:09 pm

  Hi People, I am thinking to buy an Archos 5 to put my music, videos & use Skype or MSN because my company dont let us install chat programs on it. Could someone tell me if it is possible to install Skype on it?
  Thanks

• 91 Nitram // Jun 23, 2009 at 5:10 pm

  Sorry, I was trying to say that my company dont let us install chat programs on the company’s PC.

• 92 Afrochap // Jun 23, 2009 at 5:24 pm

  Hiya Nitram,

  Sorry but the current Archos 5 will not allow you to install Skype or MSN, maybe you wanna wait till between late July and Sept when the new Archos that be running Android will be released.

• 93 Phate // Jun 23, 2009 at 6:21 pm

  Hi Nitram,

  If this new Android based Archos will actually include this functionality – it wouldn’t be the first time Archos didn’t own up to their promises.

  You might consider a decent phone as an alternative – the N97 maybe. 32GB memory internal, all standard messengers should be working – they did on the N95 at least. As an added bonus you could be sure to have a network at all times and not rely on a company wifi that you might or might not be able to access. Granted – its not the cheapest solution and the screen size might not be what you have in mind – worth a look anyway imho.

  Phate

• 94 Royster // Jul 13, 2009 at 1:11 pm

  Hi All,

  Firstly, a great honest review and thanks.

  Second, I have had mine now for only a few days and already explored all it has. I also bought the DVR station.

  I own 2 iPods, one for home to use with the home entertainment system I have buit and the other to travel with. They are the best and I thought I would never ever need an Archos, I was wrong! (Although I wont be getting rid of them just yet).

  What the Archos does is play video content batter, even through the DVR (although it does make the picture/sound out of sync with the Sky box). But best yet, I found an old video of a family event and hooked the VCR up to the dock and recorded it. The quality was great! I was even able to edit the AVI direct on the Archos and crop it as I let it over record.
  So there is one more device I will now be throwing in the dump, the VCR! And you can also do the same from most analogue devices, tape decks etc etc.

  So I am more than looking forward to playing with this part more!

  I also have a network HDD which I browse to over WI-FI from the bedroom and use the DVR to watch movies from this without having to copy or have other hassles. This is slightly out of sync at times, but video quality was great and also the sound quality, just a shame it was slightly out of sync but still very watchable. It did stop at one point but then a quick reboot and move the bar to where the movie was at, and all ok again. Have patience!

  On the music side, web radio is cool, also internet radio stations that are not on the list can be played through the browser and these can open the player once you allow it to, even through the WI-FI its pretty good!

  So all in all I think it is pretty good, not the best but for what I paid I am happy for now.

  What I would like to see is WI-FI improved so it is “alwways connected” instead of connecting each time.
  An RJ45 connection on the DVR would have been better as well as WI-FI.
  Movies from the Media Club to be cheaper and better content.

  Despite what the DVR claims, not all cameras can connect via the USB, my new Tosh P10 Camileo, little miffed about that! But my wireless Cam can and that will be used as a baby monitor haha! or you could add a set of WI-FI cameras for security and use the Archos (event without the DVR station) to view or record as required, I love the conectivity the dock has!!

  So yes at the moment I am a “lucky one” I guess, hope that continues!!

  Royster

• 95 Dave - Surrey -uk // Jul 20, 2009 at 4:36 pm

  Great information

  I’ve had the Archos 5 for 6 months and put i back in the box, its not been a good purchase. Just bought the HiDef plug-in and about to give it a second go.

• 96 Afrochap // Jul 20, 2009 at 8:33 pm

  Dave,

  Can you enlighten us on why you think its not a good purchase?

• 97 ToriaOxford // Jul 23, 2009 at 11:05 am

  Afrochap

  Thanks for your comments. I’m intrigued as to how you copy recordings from your Panasonic DVR to your Archos – is it just a case of drag and drop and if so, how? I have a JVC DVR and if it’s easy to get recordings onto the Archos that way, that would solve a lot of my problems with recordings overlapping/not recording etc… Thanks for all your help everyone – seriously considering ‘risking’ it again (have already returned two faulty units but those wonderful chaps at QVC have always been very helpful and supportive, sadly unlike the idiots at Archos itself (at least those based in France!).

  Toria

• 98 Afrochap // Jul 23, 2009 at 9:26 pm

  Hi Toria,

  I don’t use a Panasonic DVR I use Pioneer DVR-940HX, which supports external HDD through eSATA and USB connection, so I just change the HDD settings on my Archos 5 to PC Hard drive, then hook it up to my DVR, after this a message appears on my Archos asking if I’ll like enable USB, I tap on Yes, once this is done, the Pioneer recognises the Archos as external HDD, and I simply use my remote control to go into the Pioneer’s menu and transfer anything from Pioneer to Archos or vise versa. If your JVC DVR doesn’t support external HDD youcan either shell out £100 on the DVR station (which I won’t really advise) or you get a blank DVD RW disc copy from your DVD onto it, then put the DVD disc into your computer (Must support DVD playback and RW), then copy from the disc to your Archos. I know that sound long but it really easy and straight if you use Clone DVD (see http://www.slysoft.com). Hope this helps, any more questions please holler. Cheers

• 99 ToriaOxford // Jul 24, 2009 at 6:28 am

  Hi Afrochap

  Many thanks for your detailed response to my query – it’s greatly appreciated. I’ve had this Archos before, along with the docking station but had to return it as it was faulty – that is to say, unsure if it was the Archos or the docking station that had the fault. I’m not sure if my JVC offers HDD support – I doubt it does though as it’s quite old! I’m thinking of getting the Archos from QVC and they only do the 250gb version with the docking station – though I guess I don’t have to use that, I could sell it on. The route of copying to DVD then to Archos does sound quite long-winded, though not complex so thanks for that!

  I think I will go ahead and purchase, though might check the price elsewhere just for the unit minus the dock. Are you convinced then that the dock is the cause of a lot of the problems? I had, initially anyway, problems with setting up wifi but that’s another story. I loved the Unit but was disappointed when it started freezing pretty much from day one and also gaining time despite setting the time manually – perhaps something to do with the docking station? I know that Archos regularly update the firmware and when I had my old Unit, I did ensure that that was up to date but thankfully those lovely chaps at QVC are very good about taking back faulty goods – or anything you don’t like within 30 days and I’m not sure if the ‘other’ supplier (ending in …zon) offer the same thing.

  Thanks again for all your invaluable input and your great review – I think you were being very honest and succint (goodness, a big word for me at this hour of the morning!).

  Best regards,

  Toria

• 100 MrB // Aug 18, 2009 at 1:32 am

  Hello.
  Got the Archos 5 160GB unit two months back and here is the story:

  Buggy software is key.

  I got the docking station and I cannot get the HDMI output out. S Video is just crap.

  I chose not to pay for Apple plugins so all video that is encoded as an mp4 has to be reencoded so I can watch it (divx, xvid)

  Battery life is about 5 hrs. Good for a plane ride.
  I really like the unit and I hope Archos fixes must of the problems.

  Web browser is slowwwww and buggy too.
  It re-starts unexpectedly. I used to that; using Windows anyway.
  Good transfer rate using USB cable.
  Web TV is good.
  Worth paying NOT retail for it. Better than an ipod touch. Way more storage and functionality.
  Hope it helps.

• 101 Toria // Aug 18, 2009 at 10:43 am

  Hi Mr B – thanks for your email. However, when you say that you say it’s not worth paying retail for it, then may I ask, how did you get hold of it or please can you clarify what you meant by that comment. Sorry, probably being a thick, dumb blonde! I returned mine to QVC – they’re fab but do miss it, just not the crappy buggy software. Would you recommend trying one last time to see if I get another dudd or waiting for a while for Archos to pull their fingers out and supply items with final versions of software as opposed to beta software?

  Best regards,

  Toria

• 102 Toria // Aug 18, 2009 at 10:44 am

  Hi Mr B – thanks for your email. However, when you say that you say it’s not worth paying retail for it, then may I ask, how did you get hold of it or please can you clarify what you meant by that comment. Sorry, probably being a thick, dumb blonde! I returned mine to QVC – they’re fab but do miss it, just not the crappy buggy software. Would you recommend trying one last time to see if I get another dudd or waiting for a while for Archos to pull their fingers out and supply items with final versions of software as opposed to beta software?

  I don’t travel a huge amount by public transport so I also have to figure out whether it’s worth the purchase in the first place! A lot of pondering to do me thinks!!!

  Best regards,

  Toria

• 103 Mike // Aug 22, 2009 at 5:09 pm

  I’m looking to get a Archos andI am wondering if anyone who has owned has actually tried to use it to take notes. Will it save text files, and can I transfer them to a computer or external hard drive? Is the Keyboard functional? I would like to use it to take notes during classes or writing down random thoughts, and as a calander. Would it work well enough for that purpose?
  Thanks in advance.

• 104 toria // Aug 22, 2009 at 8:33 pm

  I’m afraid that’s a no to all your questions! I’m sending mine back as its to unstable and arrived with a dead pixel which is a common problem with these units. Don’t waste your money,

  Toria

• 105 Afrochap // Aug 22, 2009 at 8:44 pm

  Hello Mike,

  Yes you can, do all these things?

  Although it will only display microsoft office documents, you can not edit, but you can download the NoteMessenger for free and take notes, I do all these things you specify on my Archos 5. There’s also a Calender widget. The keyboard is functional too. Don’t listen to the that other post. If you need proof I can take pictures and send it to you. As per dead pixel, all the Archos I’ve used and seen never suffered from them. I’ve got mine for months now and I’ve got no problem with it.

• 106 toria // Aug 22, 2009 at 9:00 pm

  My apologies, didn’t think there was a mike on the Archos.

  With regards to stuck/dead pixels, I’m afraid this is true, read the reviews on, for example, amazon.

• 107 Afrochap // Aug 22, 2009 at 9:13 pm

  There’s no microphone on the Archos, but its FM remote have one.

  Re dead pixels, this unfortunately is reality with every electronic that’s uses LCD, its not specific to Archos. Mobile phone, LCD TVs, PC monitors all suffers from this. And please remember that not everyone who review on Amazon or anywhere for that has tried or tested the system, in fact a lot of people review things based on just hear say.

• 108 Toria // Aug 23, 2009 at 8:14 am

  Hi Afrochap, many apologies about the note taking issue – didn’t think about the FM remote!! You’re absolutely right about dead and/or stuck pixels of course – as you say, any LCD screen can be susceptible to this. I think I’ve just been really unlucky with this unit (I’ve had 4, now on my 5th (not yet opened it yet!) and will see how I get on with that. I know that a lot of people review things that they’ve never tried which is really stupid but I can assure you, I’ve tried 5 so a little disillusioned with the units and Archos customer support is non existent! Sounds like you’ve had far better luck with your unit and you use it an awful lot. I’m trying to figure out now whether it’s a worthy purchase for me as I don’t travel a lot (I drive a motorbike so can’t watch it then!!!). Would you say it’s of any use to the home user at home?

  Thanks for all your input Afrochap.

  Best regards,

  Toria

• 109 Toria // Aug 23, 2009 at 8:35 am

  Hi Afrochap, it’s the pain in the butt again! You say you wouldn’t recommend the DVR station – may I ask why? I’ve tried in the past to set up the Archos with Sky Plus but my Sky Plus box isn’t listed so you don’t get all the correct listings from the TV scheduler. Is that why you don’t recommend the DVR station? Sorry for all the questions but you seem to know what you’re talking about!

  Best regards,

  Toria

• 110 Afrochap // Aug 23, 2009 at 9:06 am

  Hello Toria,

  Thanks for being blunt and sincere, few people exist on this planet with your candour.

  With what I’ve read from your posts, I know you bought yours from QVC, a lot of people shop on QVC mostly because its cheap. I haven’t bought anything there before. But do you realise that maybe QVC got the first generation of the unit in their warehouse? We all know that first generation of gadgets always suffer faults, and you are more than correct that Archos customer service are piss poor at best, but I’ve managed to get a direct number that if I ring it a human always picks the phone at most the 4th ring, I will look around for the number and post it here, and its a good old 0207 number. If this 5th one goes the way of the rest, I will advise you to try another supplier (My own choice is Amazon UK, or Com).

  I use my Archos every day, for all kind of things so you are right I use it an awful lot. I don’t have any major problem with the DVR, but in my own opinion its not worth the money, but this is because I don’t really need it, because I have my SKY HD +, and also a Pioneer DVD recorder with internal hard drive, so my statement that “its not worth it” is more price based and not functionality based.

  It is useful for the home user, I use it as my main music player in my bedroom, instead of buying a micro or mini system, I hooked it up to my gear 4 BlackBox speaker, and its really wonderful. Also if I need to go online fast and don’t want to wait for PC or laptop to boot up, I use it, I use it to back up the documents on my computers in case my computers fail. I also play games on it when I get bored, and its good for those long plane, bus or train rides.

  Regarding connecting to Sky Plus, there must be more than one way to do this I’m sure. Your Sky Plus have different outputs and the Archos DVR have diffrent inputs try them and see what happens. I may get the DVR, just to try it out, but the only thing I might say it will be useful to me for is its ability to allow me to surf the internet on my TV. I can always buy it try it and return, if I change my mind.

  By the way you are not a pain in the ass lol.

• 111 Toria // Aug 23, 2009 at 9:18 am

  Hi Afrochap

  Thanks for your reply. I usually buy from QVC because of their excellent returns policy and customer care but they are not cheap, at least, not in the case of the Archos – Amazon are about £100 cheaper for the same package, i.e. Archos unit AND DVR station!! With regards to the Sky Plus box, it’s not a question of inputs etc… – it’s just that when you set up the DVR, the DVR station doesn’t list my particular Sky Plus box (Pace) so you have to set up the DVR station to think you’re hooking up to a digital TV! Archos keep on saying that they are going to address this problem but no joy yet! It means that all the channels that should be listed on the TV guide are not and some channels are ‘greyed’ out which means you cannot select them!

  Thanks again for your detailed and succinct reply.

  Regards,

  Toria

• 112 Afrochap // Aug 23, 2009 at 9:24 am

  You are welcome.

  Amazon too have a great returns policy, they either send a courier to come pick it up, or they refund your postage costs. And there products are cheap.

  Regarding Sky +, I’m afraid this is not Archos’ fault, I have a Logitech Harmony remote control that won’t list my SKY HD Box too, and it gives me headache considering I have a lot of units to control.

• 113 Toria // Aug 23, 2009 at 10:27 am

  Hi Afrochap

  Thank you so much for all your very prompt and detailed responses. I will try the fifth unit tomorrow (it’s at work!) and see how that goes but if that too is faulty (I won’t bore you with the faults I’ve experienced here!), I will return it to Amazon. You are right – Amazon do seem to offer a very good returns policy, though I have to say that I thought only QVC offered this but it seems that that is not so! Thanks for the heads up. Wish me luck with this one )

  Toria

• 114 Toria // Aug 23, 2009 at 12:22 pm

  There appears to be a ‘copy’ feature on Sky Plus and I will check to see if I can copy to the Archos and post here as that may solve any potential problems with the DVR docking station. This may sound like a rather convoluted solution but you could leave this to record overnight for example if you can’t record the program you want directly to the Archos. As I understand it, and indeed have been told, Sky don’t really want their consumers to record their broadcasts to any other source other than the Sky Plus box which is OK in theory but eventually you will run out of space on the Sky Plus box if you don’t delete programs you’ve watched! I will be plugging my Archos directly into the Sky Plus box so hopefully it will work. I will add another review when I’ve tried this.

  Best regards fellow Archosees!

• 115 Toria // Aug 25, 2009 at 3:13 pm

  Dear Afrochap

  I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all your helpful input into my issues with the Archos. I’m afraid to say that I have given up – there were just too many bugs and things going wrong with the unit (loss of wifi signal when everything else in the house is fine, inability to change the pre-/post- record time on the unit (despite thinking I’d changed it – it wouldn’t save the new setting meaning I cannot record back to back programs). I know that you can use the copy facility on Sky as detailed above but this kind of defeats the object of what I bought the unit for. The sound from the built-in speaker is also really poor, though I appreciate that these are not really designed for have particularly good built in speakers since most people will use the headphones.

  I don’t want these comments to put anyone off purchasing the unit – I think I’ve just been very unlucky but with this, the fifth unit I’ve tried, I have to give up – it’s just too time consuming and frustrating (and I’m not a technical idiot – I love my ‘gadgets’ and usually have no problems)!

  Best regards,

  Toria

• 116 Mr B // Aug 25, 2009 at 5:22 pm

  Hey guys.

  My biggest problem with the DVR station is the HDMI output not working. I am frustrated since my TV does not have a lot of inputs other than HDMI. The other ones are used by either DVD or game consoles (Wii, Xbox)
  I have been looking for a comment to see if my unit is bad but nothing so far.

  I purchased mine thru Amazon. The unit itself does not look like the one shown on the video. The on/off button is in the opposite side so I am not sure if I got a first generation or not. So far I have found some software glitches that are annoying such as the web browser not being that fast and sometimes hangs. I have not purchased any video plug-ins and I am not planning either unless of course they are needed to have the HDMI output enable.
  Can anyone shed some light on the matter?
  Thanks again.

• 117 Afrochap // Aug 25, 2009 at 8:14 pm

  Hello Mr B.

  What problem are you actually having with your HDMI?

  Also there are few differences in the “Archoses” The Archos 5 60gb is thinner than its 250gb counterpart and has the on/off switch on the other side. There’s only one generation of the Archos 5, only different generations of firmware.

  Please make sure your firmware is upgraded to the most current version, cos most other firmware are very buggy. I use the latest version and have experienced no issues whatsoever. Look through this comment threads I wrote a comment on how to upgrade the firmware. Any problem please post on here.

• 118 MrB // Aug 26, 2009 at 3:36 am

  Afrochap,
  As I mentioned, the HDMI output does not work. No video/audio out. Zero, zilch nada. The other outputs do work just not the HDMI. I happen to hate Apple products and do not own one by choice. I was looking for a candidate and came across the Archos 5. My unit is a 160GB HDD purchased thru Amazon.com . It is not mentioned on the web site at all. Maybe it is a discontinued product.

• 119 MrB // Aug 26, 2009 at 11:46 am

  Update. The HDMI DOES WORK!
  I was an idiot. I was assuming that the HDMI output will switch automatically. I found to change to HDMI by messing around w/ the settings. It was there all along and to think that I consider myself a geek. Shame on me.
  I will be doing some heavy testing in the next week or so pushing the unit to everything it is supposed to do. The more I play with it, the more I like it.

• 120 Dave Smith // Sep 2, 2009 at 6:58 pm

  I have the archos 5 and finding it great. Although, i cannot MSN messenger to work. Anyone have any ideas how to fix this or am i wasting my time

• 121 AACAD // Sep 24, 2009 at 5:54 pm

  Hello, I had an Archos 605. It died after 2 months. I got it from BB. I sent it to repaire. After 3 months I am getting it back. It is upgraded to Archos 5. Now any one has any idea if the 605 mini dock or DVR travel adaptar can be modified to work on Archos 5 or not. I would like to thank in advance.

  BTW. it is not a good buy. .

• 122 Davey // Sep 24, 2009 at 6:01 pm

  After my 3rd Archos 5 broke (this time after about 6 months the ‘on’ button became permanently stuck in) “I’ve decided to cut my losses, get a full refund (gotta love Amazon), and get something else.

  I really wanted to get on with my 5, it had all the functionality I wanted and most of all I desperately needed something with a really big hard drive so I could use it to transfer photos to from a shoot, and the 5 appeared to be everything I needed and more.

  However, everytime one dies I lose valuable time, and this time I lost precious files that I didn’t have stored elsewhere, so that’s that for me. I need something I can count on, and although an Archos is many things, it’s not that.

• 123 Simon // Sep 26, 2009 at 9:55 pm

  Hi all

  i am considering buying the archos 5 or 7. I have a sky + hd box so i want to know if i need the dvr station in order to copy shows onto the archos or can this be done using the dvr snap on?

  Also can anyone tell me if the website http://www.atdhe.net works as i like watching alot of sports?

  Thanks for the help.

• 124 AACAD // Oct 5, 2009 at 1:46 pm

  No, Archos 605 output pins are different than the archos 5. So the snap on for archos 605 would not work on archos 5.

  Simon, I think the dvr snap on just dose some basic recording. You should buy the dvr station to value your money. I think you are not going to use them for long anyways.

• 125 Pete // Nov 7, 2009 at 1:54 am

  You’re kidding, right?

  You really think Frenmen in French sweatshops are cranking these things out? LOL.

  Everthing is made in China by little kids with knarled fingers. Come on. This thing is about as French as Sweet & Sour Pork

• 126 Kris // Nov 22, 2009 at 10:37 am

  I wish to respond to the comment by bigm “anyone know why i can only record 1.99GB thats aprx 1h 40 mins of video it plays back ok on the archos but i want to back up tv progs from from my v+ box to my pc using the archos so i can only do this for progs not longer than 99mins.”

  the problem is not in the Archos itself, it is formatted using FAT32, which will only allow files up to 2gb in size, normally I’d say reformat it to NTFS, but of course we need not be messing with the system and possibly brick it.

• 127 Coldchicken999 // Nov 23, 2009 at 10:26 pm

  I got the archos 5 a few days ago and was wondering if it would play a language application, I.E to learn spanish. what are the capabilities of this device in that sort of area?

  i am also finding it difficult to locate a decent variety of Widgets on the internet. does annyone know a good site?

  Any help would be appreciated.

• 128 kostas // Nov 26, 2009 at 8:01 am

  Hello. Trying to play an .avi file, the error message I got was “File is damaged or incomplete”, although the same file plays regularly in the laptop. Anyone has an idea what’s it all about? Thanks in advance

• 129 Afrochap // Nov 26, 2009 at 10:23 am

  Hello Kostas,

  Can you let us how big the AVI file is? The Archos is formatted using FAT32, and this might not allow files bigger than 2GB to be transferred if you are transferring via synchronising with Windows Media Player. If you want to transfer anything bigger than 2GB, make sure your Archos is switched to PC Hard Drive, via Tools > Settings > Storage. Then use the Right and Left buttons to toggle. Once you connect your Archos to your PC, it will be recognised as and external HDD and you can just transfer any type and size of file to it as if you are transferring to external HDD. Once this is done make sure you go back to the storage menu as describe above and press update ARCLibrary.

• 130 kostas // Nov 26, 2009 at 1:20 pm

  The file is very small about 200MB

• 131 Afrochap // Nov 26, 2009 at 2:32 pm

  What method are u using to transfer the file? In my own opinion transfering directly and not synchronising is the best way. Try it if u haven’t. Also make sure all transfer are completed before disconnecting.

• 132 kostas // Nov 26, 2009 at 2:58 pm

  Unfortunately nothing worked. If someone has any idea, please help me

• 133 Dean // Nov 27, 2009 at 2:56 pm

  Coldchicken999,
  I know the Archos 5 can run flash applications, I’m not sure about other types of apps though like the ones you’re looking for. You may struggle to find one.

  As for widgets, you can try Opera Widgets and Archos Lounge. The second site is in French but hopefully you can navigate around.

• 134 Alex // Dec 27, 2009 at 6:33 am

  I gotta say, this is a fair review. I don’t belive you’re hyping the product at all. JJ- no product is perfect and obviously this one has its own faults, but it isnt a “lemon” by any means. I have had no problem with mine, and on a full charge the unit lasts for 5-8 hours for me. I had an ipod touch, and this is just better for preformance. The extras are pricey, but they come with a lot. Much better value than Ipod in my opinion. The option to dowload your own flash apps is great! Anyways, I recommend it, its great for storing extra files (sort of like an portable hard drive) and you get way more storage than ipod for the same price.

• 135 Diane // Dec 29, 2009 at 11:23 am

  Have an archos 5, when try using a 3 mobile dongle with a mini dock, it just says storage device and nothing happens, does anyone know if it is compatable.

• 136 Dean // Dec 29, 2009 at 7:40 pm

  Hi Diane,
  I had a search around a few forums. I couldn’t find an answer for you. My guess is that it is not compatible or Archos needs to release a firmware update to support it in the future.

  I also found details of an Archos 5G which has 3.5G built-in which means you don’t need a dongle, although that won’t help you.

• 137 Diane // Dec 29, 2009 at 10:37 pm

  Thanks for your reply Dean, so far i am impressed with the archos, it was a christmas present, lets hope they do an update to make a mobile dongle compatable.

• 138 K // Dec 30, 2009 at 7:13 pm

  I had the 605 and loved it.

  so I just got the 5 for xmas and with 250 gigs of memory I look forward to filling it up but I can’t figure how to put new widgets on it. I go to the opera website and it won’t let me save the file so I can put it on my archos. anyone know how?

• 139 Dean // Dec 31, 2009 at 10:08 am

  When I reviewed the Archos 5 I found some of the widgets could not be downloaded. Some worked whilst others did not. It might be worth trying to download a few other widgets to see if you can get any to work.

• 140 zwend // Jan 15, 2010 at 5:44 am

  it will be diffrent if archos apply nvidia tegra on it, maybe this is the best solution for batery life and 3d echantment

• 141 jax // Jan 30, 2010 at 2:28 pm

  Have an archos 5 IMT with a dvr snap on. Please tell me step by step how to connect it to my DVD/Video reorder/player so that I can record DVD’S videos on to the archos. It says in the manual and on qvc presentations that the DVR snap on permits recording such media, but when I connect up currently it is obvious that there is some link in the process that I’m missing- any ideas? Ta

• 142 rich scales // Mar 5, 2010 at 5:53 am

  its easy to put dvd on your archos. rip the dvd with dvd shrink and save as a single vob and rename then drag to archos as long as you have the cinema plugin. the plugins can be bought as a complete set on ebay, around $30 also, you dont need itunes for ipod, use floola its drag and drop.
  main issue with my archos 7 is constant rebooting on web or email

• 143 rich scales // Mar 5, 2010 at 5:56 am

  if archos dont sort out the reboot issue with a firmware update, and make it compatible with full 9 and 10 flash support, im selling it

• 144 Cloughy // Mar 6, 2010 at 3:22 am

  Interesting read this, I’m now on my second Archos 5 because I dropped and damaged my first one. Dunno why but the new one seems more responsive to the tough and a little faster, could be the firmware which I updated first thing I guess.
  I have had iPod’s previously to the Archos and have to say itunes did my head in, just too much messing about … drag and drop wins everytime for me.
  I have the DVR Station as well and although I’ve not recorded TV with it as I find it easier to download, I really like the Wi-Fi & media streaming options it offers, not to mention it charges the unit much quicker.
  I have a program I use for converting DVD to avi files before I transfer them as it saves on space.
  I never really had any issues or problems with my old unit and hope this one is just as reliable, maybe I’m “just lucky” lol or maybe they are getting better.
  Archos = Marmite …. you either love it or hate it lol.
  Hope everyone finds as much success as I have so far ….. oh yeah …. NO I don’t work for customer services ha ha

• 145 Afrochap // Mar 7, 2010 at 11:28 am

  @ rich scales. Is your Archos, Archos 5 Android? If so what’s the condition and how much do you want for it?

• 146 rob // Mar 30, 2010 at 5:30 pm

  Hi Afrochap – I was really interested in your comment above about using the Archos 5 with the Pioneer 940hx-S.

  I have both of these. As I understood it, the pioneer will only copy to certain esata disks – are you saying that it will also copy to the Archos via usb?

  I also understood the pioneer only used usb to play photos from???

  Any help appreciated.

  rob

• 147 Afrochap // Mar 30, 2010 at 8:11 pm

  Hi Rob,

  The 940HX-S, will copy to any HDD only if you have eSATA on the HDD, but as Archos only supports USB, you need to get an eSATA to USB adaptor, youn can get this from ebay for less than £5. Once connected, 940HX-S should recognise it as an external HDD.

• 148 rob // Mar 30, 2010 at 8:33 pm

  Thanks for that.

  I’ve tried a number of external esata drives, but none were recognized by the Pioneer.

  Their website lists a number of comapatible drives, but if the Archos works with an adaptor, that would be great. What brand of adaptor are you using?

  A couple of questions – once connected, does the pioneer not insist in formatting the Archos to its own file system?

  Also, what file systme is used?

  rob

• 149 rob // Apr 4, 2010 at 6:14 pm

  Hi Afrochap – any thoughts on my post, above?

  rob

• 150 rob // Apr 15, 2010 at 4:13 pm

  I guess not

  rob

• 151 Afrochap // Apr 19, 2010 at 8:55 pm

  Hi Rob,

  Sorry for the late reply. I’ve been away.
  I got my eSATA to USB converter on eBay, can’t really remember the make (its got no markings on it).

  The Pioneer will not insist you format the Archos to its own file system, if your Archos is formatted to FAT32, however Archos comes with NTFS, but the latest firmware now supports FAT32 (This is for Archos 5 Android though). If you are gonna do that, you’ll need to backup all data on your Archos, and please be aware that you do this at your own risk. I’ll advise you to play with an external HDD formatted to FAT32 first, so that you know what to expect when you finally connect your Archos.

• 152 faheema // Apr 21, 2010 at 3:44 am

  Hi all, I thank you all for these coments. I like to buy one of these devices but I have few questions.
  1- Does this device support Arabic pages on the net?
  2- Can I read Arabic pdf on it?
  3- Can I watch all the web tvs?

• 153 rob // Apr 28, 2010 at 10:24 pm

  Hi Afrochap – apologies for my impatience!

  I’m struggling to get my head round this. The Pioneer website suggests a limited number of compatible eSATA drives, but you seem to suggest any FAT32 formatted drive will do?

  I’ve tried a number of eSATA drive enclosures. usb ‘bridges’, etc, but the Pioneer refuses to recognize any of them….

  rob

• 154 Shah // Jun 27, 2010 at 3:03 pm

  I bought Archo 5 with 250GB. I am trying to listen to a local radio station which also has a website. However, when I connect it, it ask Moonlight download. Please help.

• 155 tdb1 // Aug 27, 2010 at 7:15 am

  I have purchased the Archos 5 tablet 500 gig and the only problem i have encountered is that videos i used to play no bother with my AV 500 become juddery also i have not tried the dvr station very expensive add on will just continue to use my av 500 which has been rock since i bought it four years ago.

• 156 Afrochap // Aug 29, 2010 at 7:42 pm

  @ tdb1, did you update your firmware to the most recent one ( OS v 2.0.28 )? If not you might want to. Cos the video quality on mine is flawless on both standard and HD (720p) videos. Even when I use it on 50″ Plasma, it looks delicious. If you need any help gimme a shout.

• 157 Afrochap // Aug 29, 2010 at 7:47 pm

  And for all you game lovers, there’s a seller on eBay who sells over 130 flash games for Archos for £12.99 or Best offer. Just go on eBay and search for – Archos Flash Games (Over 130 games for your Archos). The games he sells are great.

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