EmailBest Reviewed
Portable Media Players
- Best portable media player Apple iPod Touch *Est. $300
- Budget portable media player Archos 405 *Est. $150
- High-capacity media player Archos 5 *Est. $420
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Budget portable media player
- Inexpensive
- Built-in memory card slot
- Mediocre display quality
- Accessories needed for some features
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Average Customer Review
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Who would buy an iPod over this???, May 10, 2009I've owned the 405 for over a year now - it goes everywhere with me. The 405s have a huge, (compared to iPod, Zune, etc.) bright, sharp 320x240 LED screen for viewing mp4 movies & mp3 song info/cover art.… In addition, its ample screen lets you view PDF & jpg files without a magnifying glass. The sound quality of mp3 files is quite good. 2 GB of on-board storage isn't a lot, but the inclusion of an SD card slot (something you won't find on most mp3 players) gives you unlimited capacity for video & music. The biggest attraction of the Archos 405 compared to the iPod is not having to fool with any iTunes or equivalent software. Just connect it to your computer via USB, & transfer any mp3 or mp4 file via Windows Explorer (which recognizes the Archos as a hard drive). Battery life is about average. I can get through a couple of movies before it dies, but using an inexpensive, generic, second-party DC cigarette-lighter/AC adaptor allows me unlimited viewing/listening. I can't say enough about this unit - highly recommended.
Archos 405 - Digital AV player - SD 8 GB - flash 2 GB - 3.5" |
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Our Sources
1. CNET
CNET gives the Archos 405 a positive review, with Donald Bell calling it a good value for the money, though he notes that if you want Internet access and wireless downloads of movies, you're going to have to upgrade to an Archos 605. Still, he says, the Archos 405 "holds its own as one of the best portable video players for under $200."
Review: Archos 405 (2GB), Donald Bell, Aug. 30, 2007
TechRadar.com publishes a roundup of its top 10 portable video players, with the Archos 405 coming in seventh (the Archos 605 WiFi is the winner). Reviewer James Rivington says the video screen resolution "is very disappointing, but what can you expect" for this price?
Review: Top 10: The Best Portable Video Players, James Rivington, Oct. 24, 2007
3. PC AdvisorDetails/Subscribe
PC Advisor editors like the Archos 405 in relation to its price, but say that its video display is "grainy" and that the battery charging is "sluggish." In the report, editors mention the Creative Zen and the Apple iPod Nano and say that the 405 offers the best user experience.
Review: Archos 405 Digital Audio and Video Player, Editors of PC Advisor, Nov. 21, 2007
British publication Computer Buyer magazine likes the quality of the Archos 405's video screen well enough. Reviewer Chris Finnamore's main gripe with the 405 is that its display isn't widescreen.
Review: Archos 405, Chris Finnamore, January 2008
5. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org tests everything it evaluates, and digital video players are no exception. But ConsumerReports.org falls short on these products by offering only a chart of ratings (the Archos 405 is included) and a very brief discussion of each.
Review: Video MP3 Players, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, January 2008
Portable Media Players Runners Up:
4 picks by top review sites.
Archos 605 Wi-Fi Portable Media Player (80 GB)
 from Amazon.com New: $265.00 In Stock.
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