Archos 705 Wi-Fi Portable Media Player (160 GB) |  | Brand: Archos
Category: CE
List Price: $499.99
Buy Used: $280.00
as of 9/9/2010 15:39 CDT details
You Save: $219.99 (44%)
Seller: prit patel
Rating:  86 reviews
Sales Rank: 36957
Format: CD
Platform: Windows
Color: Grey
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: Yes
Operating System: Windows
Hard Drive Size: 160
Display Size: 7
Removable Memory: Unknown
Size: 160 GB
Shipping Weight (lbs): 4
Dimensions (in): 7.2 x 0.8 x 5
MPN: 501016
Model: 501016
UPC: 690590510166
EAN: 0690590510166
ASIN: B000W0Q2PU
Release Date: November 20, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Robust and portable 160 GB multimedia device with Wi-Fi | | • | Download movies, TV shows, and songs via the integrated Archos content portal | | • | Surf the Web; share content; and view and post videos to Web video sites, such as YouTube | | • | Stream and watch videos from your PC | | • | Record your favorite TV shows |
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| Accessories:
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Product Description
Archos 705 - No buttons, 7" HiRes Touch Screen, WiFi & Web Browser Support, Content Portal
Amazon.com Product Description
With 160 GB of built-in memory, the Archos 705 Wi-Fi portable media player lets you surf, stream, download, and record movies for easy playback on its crystal clear 800 x 480 7-inch full-color touchscreen. With its Wi-Fi capabilities, the 705 Wi-Fi connects to the Internet for surfing the Web, accessing e-mail, and watching Web-based videos wherever you go. Its Opera Browser plug-in puts Adobe Flash support on your Archos, which enables access to and use of Dailymotion and other Web video sites on your Archos device. You can even view and post YouTube videos wherever you have a wireless connection and your Archos. 
The Archos 705 delivers sharp visuals, Wi-Fi capabilities, and advanced audio/video playback. View larger. | 
Download your favorite podcasts with the ArchosLink Software.View larger. | To assist in finding new and exciting media, the 705 Wi-Fi comes with integrated access to Archos' content portal, a service that features thousands of movies, TV shows, and songs for downloading wirelessly to the player. The player also sports an integrated TV program guide you can use to record your favorite TV shows for later playback. And because the device supports PDF files, you can kick back with an e-book in PDF format while on the road or review important PDF documents while away from the office. The 705 Wi-Fi supports MPEG4, AVI, and WMV video files and audio files in MP3, WMA, Protected WMA, and WAV file formats. Bridging the gap between the PC and the TV, the 705 Wi-Fi allows you to stream content from a PC or the Internet directly to a TV or the 705--all through a wireless home network and an optional DVR station. It also features a sophisticated touchscreen, no-button design to ensure simple navigation with your fingertips or stylus. In the absence of a Wi-Fi network, content can be transferred to the device via USB 2.0. The player supports Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. The 705 Wi-Fi measures 7.05 x 4.96 x 7.75 inches, weighs only 22 ounces, and features a music playback battery life of up to 25 hours and a video playback life of up to 5.5 hours.
 New widgets for the Archos 705 include a calculator, currency converter, unit converter, news, and weather (above) as well as a note writer and data vault (below). |  |
New Free Widget Pack
Archos has launched a new widget pack that is free for the 705. A widget is a piece of software that adds new features to your player. It gives you fun, quick, and easy access to hundreds of tools, right on the device. The package contains seven widgets, including a calculator, a currency converter, a unit converter, news, weather, a note writer, and a data vault. To be able to use the widgets, you need to purchase the Web Browser plug-in (about $30). Then, you can download the free widget pack via Archos.com.
 New Dish Network plug-in for the Archos 705. |
New Dish Network Plug-in
With a new plug-in, you can transfer recorded movies and TV shows from your Dish Network set-top box directly to your Archos 705. Play back Dish Network-recorded movies and TV shows on the go or on TV--in DVD quality. Multi-language is supported. The plug-in is compatible only with Dish Network STB models 622 and 722.
What's in the Box
Archos 705 Wi-Fi, headphones, USB 2.0 cable, USB 2.0 host adapter, DVR station saddle, two styli, remote control with built-in keyboard, power adapter and charger, protective pouch, quick start guide, and legal and safety notice. NOTE: The Archos 705 manual states that a UK/European adapter is included; however, this adapter is not included in the box. To obtain the adapter mentioned in the manual, contact Archos Customer Service at 866-489-4718--available seven days a week, 7AM to 11PM CST.
The Archos Content Portal provides easy access to the latest movies, TV shows, and music directly to your Archos device. | 
The device comes with photo-viewing capabilities, supporting JPEG, BMP, and PNG files. |
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 86
 Pleased with Archos 705 January 24, 2008
Robin B. Moore (San Jose, CA)
41 out of 47 found this review helpful
I got this for Christmas (after a number of hints to my wife!) and was playing with it as soon as I got it, and the DVR attachment. I wanted it mostly for travel but also wanted the DVR functionality and the ability to watch movies or view pictures on my TV screen.
I like this model over the 605 because when I watch a video or movie, I don't want to have to peer at a 4.5" screen. The seven inch screen makes all the difference.
I have to say it lives up to my expectations 100%! (Even my wife's impressed!) I put four or five DVD's on it, in both the DVD native format and condensed MP4 formats and they all look good, although the native DVD formats have slightly better resolution when viewed on the TV screen. I got the 160GB version because DVD's typically use up 3-4GB in their native format. I have over 50GB of movies on it at this point so it looks like a good decision.
I bought the plug-in's I needed and they downloaded flawlessly and I had no problems at all with them. One plug-in I bought was the browser and I haven't used it that much but it does work and will be useful when traveling if I don't have my laptop with me.
The DVR functionality works fine, although you have to make sure that the IR port on your cable box can "see" the IR port on the DVR adapter. This might be a problem if you have your equipment stacked vertically on a shelf. I haven't found a decent way to reflect the light from one IR port to the other but I'm still working on it.
Streaming from my home PC seems to work fine - I've watched a few movies that way. Occasionally it will act jerky but I assume that it's something to do with my wireless network because I've fixed it by rebooting the computer the video was streaming from. Viewing pictures works fine and doesn't have any problems.
I like the case that comes with it. It's not leather like some of the aftermarket cases, but it protects the unit and stores the stylus and that's all I really need. I also like the remote control, which works well and does exactly what you'd expect. (If you buy the DVR accessory, you'll find that it comes with a remote as well so now I have a spare!)
Cons:
1. The touchscreen works as advertised but needs a firmer press than most.
2. The menu system is conteXt sensitive and so you have to learn where things are to take best advantage of it.
3. The manual could use some improvement in organization and readability. There are menu items that aren't mentioned and the organization leaves you looking through page after page until you find what you want.
4. Paying extra for the plug-ins sort of rubs me the wrong way but not enough to matter.
5. It's NOT an iPod .... but who cares. I like it better!
705 Rocks January 10, 2008
Xan77 (Boston, MA)
19 out of 20 found this review helpful
I just got a 705 Archos (160g) and I'm loving it so far. It's a really beautiful piece of machinary. Everything works really well so far and i love the touch screen. I had read some review somewhere where a guy said the touch screen doesn't work?? I have no idea what he was talking about. Thinking he never read the directions, which clearly say that you have to tap certain icons once to highlight them and then tap again to open them. You don't need to have a stylus but i can see how it would be helpful when web browsing because you're getting a regular full page view of the internet so some links are small (again, you're getting a regular full page view of the internet not some mobile version like a blackberry!). I find that a pencil eraser works pretty good, whatever's laying around honestly. The device seems very sturdy and well built.
I have an ipod and i plan to keep using that for music mostly. It's a little too big to use for everyday music listening. I would have gotten the 605 if I wanted to completely replace my ipod. I primarily got the 705 for movies and web browsing. I'm going on a month long trip and i think it will be wonderful to have while traveling. Portable DVD's players are now pretty much extinct! Also it will be great to have an internet link on the road that actually works well and is easy to navigate. Folks that travel a lot will love this thing. I also really like the kick stand which is a really smart idea because who wants to hold something the whole time you're watching a movie?
The Wi Fi has worked great so far. I bought the DVR accessory but haven't set it up yet. It looks pretty simple although I don't intend to use it as a dvr per se, I'd really just like to transfer movies from the archos to the TV.. although who knows, maybe I'll end up doing the opposite too!.
If you're torn between the 605 and 705 like I was last week, and you really want to be able to enjoy movies and videos and the internet then I'd go with the 705. The screen is the perfect size to watch.
Dish Network Fans....The 705 is your answer!!! January 30, 2008
Chris Cook (Texas, USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Hello Dish Network Fans! I just purchased the 705 to replace the PocketDish player which I have had in the past. The 705 is an excellent and easy to use media player for Dish Network DVR models 722 and 622. (The 722 is HD DVR).
As soon as I opened the box, all I had to do was download the DISH NETWORK PLUG-IN which is FREE for Dish customers at the Archos Online store plug-in section. After downloading the plug in, you simply connect the USB cord (Supplied free by Archos in the box) into the Dish Network DVR usb port and the Dish DVR automatically detects the Archos 705 device. The screen then prompts you to "Manage your device" at which point you can send all of your saved television programs, movies, etc. from the Dish Network DVR to the Archos player. The USB transfer is incredibly fast with several hours of t.v. programming easily transferred in just a few minutes. The playback is incredible. This is truly a "Plug and Play" device as far as using this media player to watch Dish Network progamming on the go.
Now for the negatives (Nothing in the world is perfect). I have read several recent negative reviews as far as the cost of additional plug-ins, etc. The Dish Network plug-in is free so that should not be a problem. I do not use my Archos player for the internet so I cannot comment of browser speeds etc. What I can tell you is this: My Archos player automatically detected my home wireless network and downloaded the Dish plug-in without having to spend any money on the opera browser plug-in.
Another negative is obviously the battery life. With the addition of a car charger this will help to conserve the limited battery life. The screen is vibrant and sound is adequate.
In conclusion, if you want a portable Dish Network device to watch your saved television/movie programming, then this is the device for you. Dish came out with the PocketDish players (manufactured by Archos) a few years ago but they have been sold out for some time and were slow to transfer programs. There is a press release on the Archos website from December 2007 announcing the partnership from Dish Network and Archos. Overall, I am extremely satisfied with the 705 and find it a great bargain with regards to pricing.
Great Media Player February 1, 2008
Jeff Chesser
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is a really great media player. I had some difficulty at first connecting to a wireless internet connection, but I finally got it to work.Surfing the web is fast and easy. It does freeze up occasionally but restores itself when you turn it off and on. With the DVR docking station it is very easy to transfer dvds or shows from cable to the unit. It says 160 gigs of memory but it actually has only 145 or so. I guess the demos and operating software take up the rest of the space.The touch screen and the small wireless keypad are both fantastic. The unit is a liile large so it isn't all that great if you just want to listen to music, but the large screen is great for viewing videos.There isn't alot of content to download on the archos content portal, but when you can transfer dvds and shows from cable tv you don't really need to buy alot of downloaded movies. If you are looking for a great device to carry your movies around in and surf the web wirelessly on this is the device for that. Also customer support is very helpful when you have any questions or problems.
Versatile device, but has a learning curve February 8, 2008
Michael Brydon (Vancouver, BC Canada)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This device is extremely flexible and can do many things well. The reason I bought it, however, was to avoid having to carry around DVDs for the kids in the car, on vacations, and so on. Of course, transferring commercial (that is, encrypted) DVDs to any device requires a bit of trickery. Many use programs such as DVD Decrypter and DVD Shrink to rip video files off their DVDs to make backups (any one with kids knows that making backups of fragile, easily scratched DVDs is less a question of intellectual property rights than one of economic common sense). The Archos 705 will play these ripped files using the Cinema plugin (which you have to purchase from the Archos site). I am okay paying extra for the plugin (see the caveat below); however, the problem I encountered (and many others also, judging from other postings around the Internet) is that the volume level for ripped DVDs was too low to be useful, even with better headphones (not recommended for those with three young kids) and an auxiliary headphone amplifier (recommended since it gives you multiple headphone jacks for multiple kids).
Based on my experience to this point, it seems the best answer is to transcode the ripped VOB files (from the DVD) using software that allows you to increase the volume in the process. I know this sounds like a lot of effort: Not only is the whole world of codecs and framerates complex, but it the transcoding process itself is very time consuming--creating a high-quality copy can take several hours depending on your computing horse power). However, until we can transfer videos directly to the device (I am not holding my breath), some level of effort is going to be involved. Plus, the transcoded files can be (if you want) much smaller than the VOBs on the DVD.
I have had good success using Jesterware's DVD Ripper Professional to rip, decrypt, and transcode commercial DVDs on Windows. Note, however, that the software is not free (roughly $30). Think of it this way: You can buy transcoding software instead of the Archos' Cinema plugin because the transcoded AVI files play without a plugin.
For those who care, I have had even more success with DVD::Rip on Linux (which is, of course, free). Indeed, DVD:Rip plus MediaTomb (an open source streaming program for Linux) makes the Archos 705 a truly incredible little device. For example, I can store hundreds of gigabytes of music and video on a Linux server (visible to iTunes through Samba, by the way) and stream it all wirelessly via MediaTomb and the Archos "Universal Plug and Play" feature to any TV or stereo in my house (you can also do this using Windows Media Player 11 on a Windows server, of course). Then, if we are going on a trip, I can copy a subset of my digital content to the Archos' hard drive.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 86
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