Archos 605 WiFi (160GB)

By Nate Lanxon, CNET.co.uk
Aug 13, 2007

The Archos 605 WiFi is the flagship model of the fifth generation of portable media players from French manufacturer Archos. Available in 30GB and 160GB harddisk and 4GB flash versions, the 605 runs on a modified version of Linux and supports an optional Opera Web browser for full Web access. Archos' latest PMP can even support 5.1 surround sound if you buy an additional dock.

We got our hands on the 30GB model, which is available now for £200 (US$403.30).

Editors' note: This review first appeared on CNET.co.uk. Prices stated are valid only for the European market. The 30GB version retails for S$695 (US$503.73) in Singapore. Contact your local retailer for more information about the availability of accessories and their prices.

	The brushed aluminum finish is professional and impressive.

Design
Unlike Optimus Prime in the funked-up new Transformers movie, the 605 doesn't look particularly different to its predecessor, the 604. Its buttons still reside on the right-hand side of its display, but this time they're more plastic in their appearance. A handy kick-stand flips from the back panel allowing you to prop the player up at an angle for hands-free viewing.

Build quality is excellent--it's a solid device and feels resilient to the knocks and bumps of frequent use on the move. The touch-sensitive 4.3-inch screen is large and unusually resistant to grubby finger marks that plague so many similar devices. A pair of styluses come as standard anyway--though there's no slot to hold one in the player.

One hand is all you'll need to hold this media-hoarding contraption, and although it can get hot with extended use, it's pretty lightweight and comfy to carry in a trouser pocket.

Features
When you're looking at the Archos 605 WiFi's main menu, several of the menu options don't work unless you purchase extras. Recording TV requires a docking station and you need to buy the Web browser and several codecs separately.

	A USB socket sits beside one for use with the optional PVR dock.

The 605 mounts into Windows as an external drive over USB, allowing drag-and-drop management of files. Media player functions are painless, and the transitions and slideshows through image libraries were impressive. The 605 supports folder-based sorting, really high-resolution JPEGs, BMPs and PNGs, and an Adobe PDF reader handles your documents.

WMV and MPEG-4 (Xvid included, though not DivX) are supported up to DVD resolution (although the screen is 800 x 480 pixels), along with MP3, protected and unprotected WMA and WAV audio files. AAC, MPEG-2, H.264 and AC-3 formats will play only after you pay for extra plugins, each of which costs €20 (about US$27.30).

An optional docking station lets you display video content on your TV as well as allow you to use the 605 as a DVR TV recorder. The Web browser also needs to be purchased separately, but more on that shortly.

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