Archos AV500 Mobile DVR (100GB)

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Archos keeps cranking out the portable video players (PVPs). The latest, the AV500 Mobile DVR, has roughly the same compact form factor as Creative's slightly sleeker Zen Vision but manages to squeeze in a roomy wide-screen LCD. When you add its 30GB hard drive (or whopping 100GB drive), unsurpassed video-recording features, terrific battery life, and all the amenities of a good audio player and photo viewer, the AV500 looks like a surefire PVP champ. However, before you pull out your credit card, keep in mind that getting video on to the device is a lot more complicated and time-consuming than with iTunes and the new iPod. Indeed, the AV500 is best suited to tech-savvy users who have patience for its manual, VCR-like recording process. But for that crowd, this is one awesome traveling companion.

Design
With its brushed-metal exterior, sharp corners, and engraved silver buttons, the Archos AV500 has a decidedly industrial look, and the casing is durable and well put together. Whether you prefer that to the more elegant design of, say, the Creative Zen Vision is largely a matter of personal preference. We like the look well enough, but we think its odd, Tetris-like controls hurt the aesthetic.

	The Archos AV500 Mobile DVR next to the 30GB Creative Zen Vision.

The Archos AV500 weighs 315g and measures 76 x 124 x 24mm, meaning you can pocket it with only a bit more bulge than you'd get from a full-size PDA. It's actually a tad big to be carrying around like you would an MP3 player, though. The real news is the 4-inch wide-screen LCD, which provides quite a bit more viewing area than the Zen Vision's smaller 4:3 display. However, the latter's 640 x 480-pixel resolution trumps the AV500's 480 x 272. But does pixel count really matter in a device this small? Skip ahead to the Performance section to find out.

Along the top of the Archos AV500, you'll find a TV/LCD button, which toggles video output; a USB A port for connecting digital cameras and compatible accessories; a USB B port for connecting to a computer; a DC-in jack; and a multiconnect jack for headphones, A/V connections, and remotes, including an optional FM tuner/recorder. Sorely missing from the device is a kickstand. While watching video, you'll have to hold the AV500 at a comfortable viewing angle or find something to prop it against. On the plus side, the battery is removable, so at least you can stock a spare for long trips.

Operating the Archos AV500 is relatively simple, thanks to its lovely icon-driven interface, though the controls aren't immediately intuitive. The D-pad is easy enough to figure out, but what about the two extra buttons in either corner? (They're for rapid scrolling through lengthy song lists.) Equally mysterious, at least initially, are the four buttons below the D-pad. They're used with context-sensitive Action menus that appear in the neighboring corner of the screen. Ultimately, there's nothing complicated about using the AV500, especially after you learn the controls, but the lack of meaningful button labels creates unnecessary confusion.

To simplify the connection of the AV500 to your TV or home stereo, Archos supplies a TV docking pod. This disc-shaped unit provides A/V-in, A/V-out, S-Video-in, power, and IR-blaster ports, the last of which is used for attaching an included sensor to your VCR or cable/satellite box. However, the dock doesn't cradle the AV500, and its curved top makes a poor platform for the unit. Cowon's new A2 PVP also records video but doesn't require the A/V breakout pod. Whether or not the dock is connected, you can control the AV500 via the included full-size remote, which seems almost comically large compared with the AV500 itself.

	The AV500 with its bundled full-size remote control and A/V docking pod.

Archos will soon release the Mini-Cam, a lipstick-shaped video camera that plugs into the AV500's main A/V socket. The camera's cable has an in-line remote control for easy MPEG-4 recording and a built-in microphone; the camera itself is mountable. The Mini-Cam, despite its cost, is way cool; it can be used in a variety of situations, such as extreme sporting activities. In terms of sharpness and low-light performance, video quality on this color CCD camera is decent too.

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