Sure honest, no gimmick (Archos 605 WiFi 160 GB)

Member Name: roktimdutta

Product:	Archos 605 WiFi 160 GB
Date:	01/11/09 (16 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Read the reaview

Disadvantages: Price, lots of hidden cost

It will be probably not improper to say that when you talk about media players the name of a Sony or an Apple immediately captures your mind. At least it does to me. But not after I saw Archos 605 Wifi. I don't think it lacks behind any of those two if not better (Please keep reading this review, don't take a decision). Archos 605 Wifi is designed for elegance per excellence.
Just have look at the immaculate specification :

Vital Statistics:
Height: 3.2"
Width: 4.8"
Depth: 0.8 inches.
Weight: 9.2 oz
Features:
Display: TFT 4.3" (color)
IAR (Image Aspect Ratio): 16:9
Touch screen
Capacity 160 MB (Built in HDD)
Digital Audio file supports: MP3, PCM, WAV, WMA, ADPCM, Protected WMA (DRM)
Digital Audio feature: VBR

Video play back formats. WMV, MP-4, Protected WMV (DRM)
PC Interface : Hi-Speed USB , IEEE 802.11b , IEEE 802.11g

As a video player Archos 605 Wifi is nearly incomparable and way ahead of the pack even if you take into account Creative Zen, Vision W or Cowon A2 for that matter. It probably has got the best video resolution and add to that it's capability to download movies wirelessly and in fact work as a perfect DVR.

Archos 605 Wifi's audio quality can be compared very favorable with any MP3 player of repute. It is equipped with an excellent customizable 5 band equalizer and Bass Boost control which is totally independent. You can grumble that as an audio player it is on the heavier side.

Please note that the sound enhancement applies both to Video and Audio play back. The best part is that it is capable of booting in multiple USB modes, MSC and MTP, helping those interested in pulling media files from both Mac and PC. It works as both, a Windows Media Player device and drag and drop to hard drive.
Now talking about battery life, there is a problem there, since it gives you around four and a half hours of video and just around thirteen hrs for audio file play back. But again 605 Wifi's power demands for the Wifi antenna must be taken into consideration.

But the real expenditure begins now. The Opera Web Browser at $30 dollars is a must to have real feel of the Wifi, then there is no problems with Flash Videos. Another $20 each for formats like H264, MPEG 2/VOB files Get the Archo hardware accessory DVR Station for another $100 which coverts it to a very sophisticated Digital Video Recorder and gets you an excellent home entertainment system. The DVR Station also allows 605 Wifi to display its content on your television using the 605 Wifi's remote control.

The basic price is $299. Do you think that's all to get the best out of Archos 605 Wifi? As I have mentioned above, it boils down to spending $299 plus $30 plus $ 20 plus $100 so how much does real Archos 605 Wifi cost? $449, it not at all cheap as it looked in the beginning ! That's why I said before hand (please read the review don't take a decision). A bit of marketing gimmickry ? I don't know, may be, may not be.

Excellent product but before jumping into it delve a little bit deep inside just not get impressed by tech specs.

(First published at ciao.co.uk under the same user name)

Summary: Get sitisfied then go for it

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