Features And Ergonomics : You Say You Want an Archos PVR Revolution?

Features And Ergonomics

By Stéphanie Chaptal, published on November 9, 2005
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: you, say, you, want, an, archos, pvr, revolution

Contents

2. Features And Ergonomics

AV 500
Manufacturer	Archos
Storage capacity	30 GB
Size	3 x 4.9 x 0.7 " (76 x 124 x 18 mm)
Weight	8.99 oz (255 g)
Power supply	Lithium-ion battery, rechargeable via USB port or AC
Display size (diagonal)	4" (100 mm)
Battery life	25 hours audio, 3½ hrs video
Formats	MP3, WMA, WAV, DivX, (4.0, 5.0, 6.0), xViD, WMV DRM, JPEG, BMP
Encoding	Yes
FM tuner	No
Voice recorder	Yes
Functions	MP3 player, video player, video recorder, voice recorder, game console (downloads from Archos Web site)
Connections	USB 2.0, USB OTG, infrared, TV input/output
Accessories	User guide, audio/video cables and SCART adapter (EU), USB 2.0 cable and USB Host adapter, charger, earphones, TV Cradle, IR remote control, protective case

The AV 500 is a simple, brushed-metal rectangular-shaped device that looks more like a portable hard disk than like the latest techno-fashion statement. Yet with a weight of 9 oz. (255 grams) and at a mere .7" (18 mm) thick, it packs 30 GB of music, photos or video in a device that can fit in your pocket. The real progress, for right-handers at least, is in its ergonomics. Holding it in one hand, you can make all adjustments and navigate through the menu with just one finger. And the buttons - while still small for some people, as is often the case with Archos - are well located and easy to handle. If you've never used the Archos interface before, the only thing different is the location of the On and Off buttons - the "O" is in the middle of the navigation pad and the "X" is a little farther down. But you get used to them pretty quickly.

All the connectors are located on the top edge of the player. (See the photos below.) They include, from left to right in each picture: (View A) a headphone jack that also serves as an audio connector to the TV, a DC-in connector, a USB 2.0 port (called "USB B") and a microphone input; (Picture B) a button for toggling the picture between the player and a TV set and a USB Host port (called "USB A"). Only the connector for the docking pod is on the lower edge. The advantage of this layout is simple but essential: When you connect the player to a computer or a video camera or plug in the earphones, no cables get in the way of your viewing the screen.