Archos
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| Archos Electronics | |
 |
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| Type | Public FOREX: ACOSF |
|---|---|
| Founded | France (October 4, 1988) |
| Headquarters | Igny, France |
| Key people | Henri Crohas, Founder & Executive Chairman |
| Industry | Electronics Manufacturer |
| Products | Hard disks Portable media players PDA |
| Employees | More Than 200 (2006) |
| Website | www.archos.com |
Archos (IPA pronunciation: [a:rkoʊs]), is a French portable electronics company, (FOREX ticker ACOSF), established in 1988, by Henri Crohas. Archos manufactures electronics products - portable media players and portable storage devices.
These devices range from standard MP3 players, to PVPs (portable video players), USB flash and hard drives, digital video recorders to a Portable Media Assistant (PMA) which consists of the features of players as well as wireless Internet capabilities (Wi-Fi) and PIM applications.
Contents |
[edit] Company Information
[edit] Brand Information
The Archos name is an anagram for the company founder's surname (Crohas), also the Greek translation for the name Archos (αρχος) means master. The slogan has changed from 'Think Smaller' to 'On The Go'.
The 'Think Smaller' brand was the company's responses to describe the product they are providing - compacting the biggest of features into the smallest of devices. After the launch of the Archos AV700 portable media player, the slogan was seen as inappropriate for the purpose due to its size, so they decided to change this to a more generalistic, suitable slogan, 'On The Go'.
[edit] Product Line
Archos manufactures a variety of products, each briefly explained below:
- USB Portable Hard Disk Drives (For connecting to computers and aiding data portability)
- Portable MP3 Players (Listening to music on the go)
- Portable Video Player and Recorders (Record from a visual device and play back out and about)
- Portable Digital Video / Photography Snap-Ins (Turning portable video players into cameras / camcorders)
- Memory cards (Previously produced, now ceased)
- Digital Media Player and PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) (Providing feature rich applications on a portable device)
[edit] Portable Storage Devices
[edit] ArcDisk 4GB
ArcDisk 4GB is a 4 Gigabyte portable USB disk drive, which provides data transfer to personal computers while on the move. The device plugs into the computer's USB socket and will be recognized as a "Mass Storage Device", enabling the user to transfer data to and from the unit and the computer.
The ArcDisk 4GB was introduced Friday, May 13, 2005 and weighs 40g (Grams).
The USB plug is retractable to the unit and neatly folds down to the disk to prevent protruding edges and possible damage. The device is Microsoft Windows, Apple Macintosh and Linux compatible, and is complete with a keyring attachment to ensure pure portability.
[edit] ArcDisk
Featuring a choice of 2 capacities, 20GB and 40GB, (gigabyte), the fast USB 2.0 interface will provide quick transfers for documents, music, video and data. The unit does not require a power supply, and is fully compatible with Microsoft Windows®, Apple Macintosh® and Linux.
The ArcDisk 20GB was introduced Tuesday, May 17, 2005, and weighs 96g. The 40GB model was also released the same date.
Due to the capacity and the size, this has been used mainly for laptop computers.
[edit] MiniHD
MiniHD is a fully featured portable disk drive with unique looks - the attraction to this model has come from its clear blue design and slender looks, long gone are the days of ugly beige boxes. This product uses an AC adapter to provide power to the unit, and given the size and capacity, it's no surprise.
The Archos MiniHD was released Tuesday, June 4, 2002, and weighs 180g.
This 20GB Model was at this point the world's smallest and lightest mini HDD, (Source: emailwire.com), and according to this source does not strictly require a power supply to operate.
[edit] FireHD
The Archos FireHD is an extremely small and portable Hard Disk Drive that comes in 20 and 40GB capacity. This unit uses a (FireWire) connection, and is Hot swappable.
It is possible to chain up to 63 of these devices together, and is both Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh compatible. This device also uses an AC adaptor.
This device was introduced Tuesday, October 17, 2000, and weighs 750g.
[edit] ArcFire Zip
The ArcFire Zip is a portable Zip drive that runs on FireWire. Supporting both 100 and 250MB (Megabytes) zip disks, the unit does not need a power supply to operate. Like the above device, the ArcFire Zip is completely compatible with Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh.
This product was released Thursday 9th November, 2000, and weighs 550g.
[edit] QDisk
The Archos QDisk is an external hard drive that comes in many capacities, the most popular being the 250GB model. Featuring lights on the side, this enables users to see exactly what is going on with the device. The device is easy to carry and features a USB 2.0 interface.
The Archos QDisk was released Tuesday, September 17, 2002, and weighs 780g.
This model also uses an AC Adapter to operate and comes in 40GB, 60GB, 80GB, 100GB, 120GB, 160GB and 250GB.
[edit] ArcFlash
ArcFlash was one of Archos' earlier inventions, providing the user the possibility to transfer files within a small device. Although this is not very technological nower days, at the time this was a big thing. The device enables users to transfer users to and from a computer with ease, and as it is solid state memory, unlike hard disk drives there are no risks of the internals moving and skipping and causing errors. The ArcFlash is 128MB (Megabytes).
The Archos ArcFlash was introduced Tuesday, September 5, 2000, and weighs 14g (Grams)
[edit] Portable Audio
[edit] Gmini XS 202
The Gmini XS 202 is a fairly popular model supplied from Archos. This model supports MP3, WMA, protected WMA, and WAV files, and also contains what's known as ARCLibrary, a feature that organizes all digital media on Archos devices. The model also supports gapless playback.
The model also supports Windows Media PlaysForSure standards, so purchased music can be synchronized with the player. The Gmini XS 202 is Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh compatible, and uses the USB 2.0 interface to transfer music to its 20GB built in hard drive.
The player is also ID3 tag compatible.
The Archos Gmini XS 202 was released on Friday, October 28, 2005, and weighs 120g.
[edit] Gmini XS 100
The XS 100 group of players features a 1.5" screen, full PlaysForSure capabilities, and supports MP3, WMA, protected WMA, and WAV files. It also features the ARCLibrary for organizing media files within one's media collection.
Like the above player, the Gmini XS 100 players boasts functionality with Microsoft Windows® and Apple Macintosh®, and uses the USB 2.0 interface to transfer music quickly.
They come in 4 colours, Ice Grey, Volcanic Black, Funky Pink and Techno Blue. The devices are 3GB or 4GB.
The Archos Gmini XS 101 was released on Friday, November 12, 2004, and weighs 120g.
[edit] Gmini XS 200
Archos' Gmini XS 200 is a previous model to the XS 202, with a monochrome screen, no PlaysForSure support, and a 20GB hard drive.
The Archos Gmini XS 200 was released on Thursday, October 14, 2004, and weighs 120g.
[edit] Gmini 120
This particular model plays MP3, WMA and WAV files. It cannot play DRM-protected WMA files. Its capacity is 20GB.
This model also uses the ARCLibrary to organize music and media on the device. There is also a browser feature within the unit to enable users to copy, move, and rename files, and has a battery life of 10 hours.
The Gmini 120 features a built-in microphone and a line-in jack, and can record audio straight to MP3 format.
There is a slot in the top of the device that accepts CompactFlash cards. This allows digital camera images (or any files) to be uploaded to the device, thus reducing the requirement of carrying round many memory cards. The device does not support image viewing, however.
This player was released Saturday, November 1, 2003, and weighs 244g.
A version of this player was released as the Archos Gmini SP. There is also an optional FM Radio attachment available for this player so users can play and record directly from FM radio.
[edit] Jukebox 6000
The Archos Jukebox 6000 was one of Archos' very first portable media players. Comprising of a 6GB Hard Disk Drive, this was one of the first of its kind. This player is only MP3 compatible, and was bundled with Musicmatch Jukebox to allow users to rip their music collection onto the jukebox.
This was the world's first Hard Disk based portable audio player, and around its time proved to be quite costly. The robust and chunky design did somewhat hinder its portability but due to the capacity proved popular.
The player came in metallic silver and metallic blue. This device also has a greyscale LCD screen with two lights above showing power and HDD activity. Also, like Archos' other products, this is also connectible to a hifi with its line out source, which was ideal for portable DJs.
The Jukebox 6000, and it's successor the Jukebox Studio (see below), used standard USB 1.0 technology, transferring data at a maximum rate of 1MB per second. These models transfer data at a comparably slow rate compared with succeeding Archos devices using the USB 2.0 standard.
This device was released Saturday, December 9, 2000 and discontinued as of Friday, May 16, 2003. It weighs 350g.
[edit] Jukebox Studio
The Archos' Jukebox Studio succeeded the Jukebox 6000, the main difference between the two models being the larger hard drive sizes offered. The Jukebox Studio was available as a 10GB, 15GB, or 20GB model. (The 15GB version was shortlived.)
The Jukebox Studio was released Thursday, October 4, 2001 and discontinued in 2003. It weighs 350g.
[edit] Jukebox Recorder
Archos' Jukebox Recorder was similar to the Player/Studio models, but featured a 112x64 bitmap LCD and recording capabilities. This model is sometimes referred to as the Recorder v1 to differentiate it from the later v2 version which looks quite different. Some confusion exists regarding the speed of the Recorder's USB port. An earlier version of the Recorder contained a USB 1.1 port and a later version provided a USB 2.0 port interface (source: rockbox.org). The two can be somewhat differentiated due to the fact that earlier Recorder models came with the smaller hard drive capacities: 6, 10, or 15gb. The later version came with 15 or 20gb sized hard drives. Owners of Jukebox Recorder 15's thus may or may not have USB 2.0, a significant concern for prospective buyers. Although discontinued, the Jukebox Recorder with USB 2.0 interface remains in some demand because of the enhanced speed of the USB 2.0 connection (in contrast to USB 1.1), the capability of the device to be flashed with the free and open source Rockbox firmware, the device's recording feature, easy to replace AA-sized NiMH batteries, and it's use of upgradeable 2.5" standard laptop hard drives.
The Jukebox Recorder 20 was released around January 2002. It weighs 350g.
[edit] FM Recorder
Archos' FM Recorder was similar to the Recorder model, but featured a Li-Ion battery, an FM tuner and a slightly different case. 60 grams less weight.
[edit] Recorder v2
Archos' Recorder V2 was strikingly similar to the FM Recorder model, but featured no FM tuner (some of the earliest V2 models did in fact feature an FM tuner although it was not advertised nor used by the original firmware).
[edit] Ondio SP
Archos' Ondio SP is a flash-based MP3-player with bitmapped 112x64 LCD. Powered by three AAA-cells. Features an MMC expansion slot.
[edit] Ondio FM
Archos' Ondio FM is similar to the Ondio SP model but also features an FM tuner and recording capabilities.
[edit] Portable Photo/Video
[edit] Gmini 400
The first audio device to hold a color LCD screen as well as photo, audio and video playback capacities, the Gmini 400 was introduced October 2004.
The player featured MP3, WMA and WAV playback facilities and also loaded user-placed, APIC album covers on the display while the appropriate song was playing. The device was ID3 Tag compatible, and organized users music collection by reading this meta-data. This feature, called ARCLibrary, was intended to provide non-tech savvy users of the device a simple means of organizing audio collection.
The device contained an MPEG-4 player, enabling users to watch MPEG-4 encoded video files in DivX AVI format. The Gmini 400 also had an image viewer compatible with PNG, BMP and JPEG image file formates. There is also functionality built in within the device to play games available from the manufacturer's website.
In addition to these other features, the Archos Gmini 400 contained a CompactFlash reader enabling the user to slot in a memory card, increasing the unit's capacity, play files stored within the card, and transfer files from the card to the unit (and vice-versa).
This device was first released Tuesday, August 31, 2004, and weighs 225g.
A firmware exploit discovered by user GliGli (of the website gmini400.com) provided the possibility for product enhancement by the community of Gmini 400 enthusiasts. The Gmini 400 has become a haven for emulator gaming, with an emulator for Sega Master System/Sega Game Gear[1], Nintendo GameBoy/GameBoy Color [2][3], and the Nintendo Entertainment System[4]. Doom has also been ported [5] to the Gmini 400, as well as various other homebrew applications [6].
[edit] Gmini 402
The Gmini 402 is the next model up from the Gmini 400. Featuring PlaysForSure compatibility, the owners of this model can download purchased, protected music, in WMA format, and play them back on the device. This player supports DRM protected WMV video files, as well as MP3, WMA, AVI, JPG, PNG, and BMP.
As with the Gmini 400, the unit also displays images with its built-in image viewer. The Gmini 402 also connects to an external audio source for out-aloud listening, and also connects to external video sources too, for watching videos from the device on televisions, etc.
The player includes a built-in game engine, Mophun, for 3D style games.
Playback autonomy on the device is stated at 4 hours, when viewing videos, and up to 8 hours when listening to music. This depends on the usage of the device, such as reading/writing/copying or deleting files.
The unit connects to a personal computer as a "USB Mass Storage Device" for drag and drop mobility.
This player was released on Tuesday, July 12, 2005, and weighs 160g.
[edit] Gmini 402 Camcorder
The camera is 1.2MP (Megapixel), and has video recording capabilities, with up to a 2x zoom. The player also holds 3 resolution modes, which enables users to choose size over quality, as well as recording directly into MPEG4.
The Gmini 402 Camcorder is Microsoft Windows® and Apple Macintosh® compatible, and is recognized instantly as a "Mass Storage Device".
This unit plays AVI, WMV, MP3, WMA, DRM WMV, WAV, JPG, BMP and PNG.
This unit was first released Friday, November 11, 2005, and weighs 160g.
[edit] Gmini 500
Just after the release of the AV500, the Archos Gmini 500 was born. This device, along with a lot of Archos' latest devices, has full support for Windows Media's PlaysForSure system which allows users to download purchased music onto the player and play back.
This unit is classed more as an "entertainment centre" than an MP3 player, and includes a built in speaker for listening out aloud. Even though the speaker may not be the best quality, there is also functionality to be able to connect the device up to an existing external Hi-Fi system and listen outward that way.
The player supports all the standard formats, and also contains a photo viewer - images and videos can be viewed on the 4" colour screen within the unit. The Gmini 500 is fully USB 2.0 compliant.
This device was released Tuesday 20th December, 2005, and weighs 320g.
[edit] Portable DVR (Digital Video Recorder)
[edit] Jukebox Multimedia 10/20
The Jukebox Multimedia was one of Archos' first ever multimedia players that enabled users to record straight from a camera attachment. Also featuring an audio player, an image viewer and video player, as well as the correct cables supplied straight from the box.
The player also has the ability to record audio from a line-in source (cables supplied) straight into MP3 format. The player features a 10GB Hard Disk Drive (Jukebox 10) or 20GB (Jukebox 20) and uses DivX MPEG4 format for video recording and playback.
The player uses USB 2.0 technology, to ensure quick transfers of files and data, and is recognized as a USB mass storage device.
This player was released on Friday July 5, 2002, and weighs 290g.
[edit] AV300 Series
The optional AVCam 300 turns the device into a digital camera and camcorder, with other selective addons available such as an FM radio remote control (which also enables radio recording) and a memory card reader.
The device plays the standard formats (AVI, MP3, WMA, AVI, JPG, PNG, and BMP) and also comes in three sizes (20GB, 40GB and 80GB).
The unit also features a line in source for audio and video, enabling users to record video from external sources, as well as recording audio from the line in or through its built in microphone.
The player was criticized for its low battery performance and lack of DRM playback facilities. The battery playback on the device is stated at 3 and a half hours when watching video or 10 hours when listening to music.
This device was released Monday March 22, 2004, and weighs 350g.
[edit] AV400 Series
Running the same software as AV300, the camera has been removed and a CompactFlash card slot has been built into the product directly. Image preview slides and DRM WMA support, as well as WMV access are also included.
The unit is sold in many hard drive sizes, 20GB (Gigabytes), 40GB, 60GB, 80GB and the AV4100 which is 100GB in size. The actual size of the unit depends on the capacity, the AV420 (20GB) was smaller than all of the other models and also has a smaller screen size.
The cradle enables users to connect their device to their television, DVD players and stereos with ease without having loose wires or problems locating the right sockets.
Archos built a copy protection system into the video recording software to make sure that while protected videos can be recorded on the device, they can't be transferred onto computers or the Internet. One feature of the AV300 was its lack of security and ability to rip movies but this was disabled for the AV400. If one records a protected DVD, then one can only play it back on the device.
An included remote control enables one to control the entire device.
The device plays all the standard formats as the AV300 with the addition of DRM protected WMA files and standard WMV files. The device also supports Windows Media's PlaysForSure platform.
This device was released Wednesday June 30, 2004, and weighs 290g (20GB model) or 320g (higher capacity models)
[edit] AV500 Series
There was plenty of confusion over this model. Just before the PMA400 was released there was a name conflict within the models and was claimed that the PMA400 would be the AV500. But just after that was confirmed incorrect it was corrected. The Archos AV500 Series is just like the GMini 500, only it has extra facilities (Video recording and the new AV Pod).
Looking exactly identical this model plays all of the standard formats, (AVI, MP3, WMV, DRM Protected WMV, WMA, DRM Protected WMA, AVI, JPG, PNG, and BMP). This device is a metallic silver color and plays back audio and video to external sources.
There is also an additional camera attachment available for this model (Mini Cam) and records video directly to the Archos' Hard Disk Drive. This device also comes in 30GB and 100GB (Gigabyte) models.
This device was released on Friday June 10, 2005, and weighs 255g (30GB Model) and 315g (100GB Model).
[edit] AV700 Series
The Archos AV700 was the turning point for Archos to change the way they sell these devices to the public. The previous slogan, "Think Smaller" was seen as inappropriate for the purpose, so they then changed it to "On The Go".
The AV700 comes in 100 or 40 gigabyte models.
The Archos AV700 is also a digital video recorder so it is possible to record video from an external source, too.
This device was released Monday May 23, 2005, and weighs 590g.
[edit] Pocket Media Assistant
[edit] PMA400 Series
The PMA400 is a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) with a Hard Disk Drive and audio and video playback capabilities. The PMA400 is the most expensive within the line of products that they supply.
Based on the Linux Qtopia Embedded operating system, the device is more like a miniature computer than a normal media player. The PMA400 features the following:
- Video Playback (Inc. to external source) - AVI
- Video Recording (Into AVI) from external source, like a cable or satellite television feed
- Audio Playback (Inc. to external source and built in speaker) - MP3, WMA, Protected WMA, WAV
- Audio Recording (Into MP3 or WAV) from external source
- Image Viewer (Inc. to external source) - JPG, GIF, BMP
- Touch Screen (LCD)
- Help browser throughout every program on the device
- Application support (inc. SDK) to make one's own programs)
- Agenda, Calendar, Clock, World Clock, Stopwatch and Alarm clock
- Contact Directory
- Scientific Calculator
- Text Viewer and Editor
- PDF Viewer
- Opera Web Browser
- Wireless Internet Connectivity (Wi-Fi)
- Games (Downloadable from manufacturer's website), and the Mophun engine
- Standard Configuration Controls
This device features a large battery life (about 8 hours), infra-red connectivity, as well as a USB Host for connecting other devices and LAN connection straight to the unit for data transfer.
The unit was released on Thursday May 26, 2005, and weighs 280g.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Manufacturer's Website
- News's website Archos
- Open Source Archos Jukebox Firmware
- Open Source Firmware for Av and Gmini
- Review: The Archos Jukebox Multimedia October 2002 MP3 Newswire review
- Review: The Archos AV320 MediaBox
- User Forum: Archosfans.com
- User Forum: Gmini400.com
- (French) Biggest french-speaking Archos community : JBMM.fr
- openPMA project: Open Source Archos PMA Firmware
- Archos PMA430 on PointLisse.com
- User Forum: goarchos.com
- Archos Accessories
- Archos Accessories on DataMind.co.uk
- (Spanish) Spanish forum
- over 100 accessories for one's Archos
