Archos AV 500 (100 GB) Digital Media Player

The Archos AV500 has a nice wide-screen LCD with great viewing angles yet is compact enough to fit in a pocket. It supports PlaysForSure audio and video and has superb audio quality, and with it, you can record audio and video from external sources, including TV at scheduled times. The AV500 also has excellent battery life and a good printed manual, and with the included plug-in, it will work within iTunes.

Archos AV500 Review

As many of you have probably done, I have researched and read the few limited reviews I could find on this item, but finally i purchased it yesterday from the Sharper Image. So far its amazing, I did have the Archos AV420 but returned it because the battery failed on me. The AV500 is truly an amazing machine. The screen is so much sharper than the AV400 that it is indescribable. You can record directly from your DVD player, VCR, Satellite or Cable Box, which I am doing as I type this. I already put about five different cd's on the AV500 from my collection from Windows Media Player, and that took a mere twenty seconds for each cd. Also, the AV500 displays the album cover for each cd. The AV400 did not recognize many of the album covers that the AV500 does. The "TV Pod" is much easier to hook up on your tv than that of the AV400, and it seems that there are many less wires coming out from the pod. The built in speaker is good if your sharing with someone else, but the included earbuds have very good audio quality. In the case comes a user guide, 2 sets of audio and video cables, a USB 2.0 cable and USB host adapter, AC adapter and charger, Stero headphones, the TV cradle and IR emitter cable, Remote control with batteries, and the Protective Case. All in all the AV500 is a must buy for anyone who likes music, photos, and videos. I am in luck too because I am going to Washington in a few days which is an eight hour drive. On average the AV500 probably will have about 4 hours of playback on the battery while on video, and 10 hours of playback for music, but I have yet to test that. I am very happy i purchased the AV500 from The Sharper Image.

Archos Technology AV 500 Portable DVR / Player, 30GB Reviews

saved by monica | reviews.compusa.com

This product is, hands down, the best DVR/Player on the market. It is easy to record programs from the TV and the recorder allows the user great flexibility in specifying size of file versus quality of the recorderd picture. Interface with the computer is also simple, with the DVR acting as an external hard drive or a as a Windows based device. Even at low quality recording the videos look great on the player. Archos obviously puts a lot of thought into their products and they equip them with most of the features anyone would want.

Ratings and Reviews - AV500 30GB Portable Media Player

saved by monica | pricegrabber.com

This is a great media player. It plays all kinds of videos with excellent picture quality. It's light weight and the screen is just about the right size for a portable player. Very impressed with the quality. Highly recommended.

Archos AV 500 - Review by PC Magazine

saved by monica | pcmag.com

Start saving your pennies: This portable media player/recorder is worth its high price.

Archos AV500 Mobile DVR (30GB) Review

saved by monica | reviews.cnet.com

The bottom line: The well-appointed Archos AV500 puts wide-screen video in your pocket, but we're still waiting for a point-and-click way to get video into the device.

Archos AV 500 (30GB) Review by LAPTOP Magazine

saved by monica | laptopmag.com

The AV 500 is dressed to impress, with solid construction, direct recording of TV with a built-in scheduler, and a long list of supported file formats. When you’re on the go, the AV 500’s 16:9 aspect ratio screen is perfect for watching widescreen television shows and other recorded video.