When I opened the package at home I was again impressed: There is a USB cable that is also used for charging the battery, an ordinary fixed leathery protective cover - open up an Archos headphones with volume adjustment (I find the sound very good), a User's Manual, an adapter for the optional docking station and a few extras. Sometimes I read other information about pocket or headphones. It could be that the accessories are delivered in different ways.
After the first charging the battery, you can restart the device. The complete instructions are available as PDF in about 8 languages installed (pages load very slowly - but it works). There are a lot of sample photos, some videos and music files pre-installed, so that you have something equal "to play". The navigation is a little more complex than the iPod, but it offers more possibilities in the various applications. If you have once occupied 10 min with the ARCHOS 504 but it is just as easy.
I then transferred the same pictures videos and music files from your computer. That was quick and easy with a quick glance at the manual in the file browser.
For music only use MP3 files, my folder structure I was able to copy with and can look at the Archos both for ID tags and for folders. Tip! The sound through headphones or speakers connected I find very good - the built-in speaker is more of a stopgap.
In the pictures I was delighted with the quality. I compared to the displays on cameras (eg Canon EOS 400D) is more than twice as large and you can zoom in amazingly far.
Then came the video: I am not a specialist, do not take anything on the TV, no rib DVDs and know nothing about competences, different formats. So I just downloaded a few free files from different podcasts or free video platforms on the Archos: Of 10 files I could 2 play - otherwise came reports that the format can not be read or a plug-in is required.
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with optional expansion dock adapter: (approx 20EUR)
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I mainly want to download images directly from cameras I have the dock adapter with USB Host function. Works fine with me, however, is a bit trickier. Here sometimes one wishes for a touch screen because that is sometimes a bit tedious to navigate. You can freely connect external hard drives or MP3 player and slide files anywhere along or copy. Caution: you can also connect external disk or on what device we delete data .... Very good: The package includes a power supply, so that you no longer have to load via USB interface!
with optional extension DVR Station (about 70 EUR)
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I had never been so well labeled cables in hand! Even the remote control is very cool and small. However, I took a long time to find the right setup for my TV / DVD. Now I can moving images from TV or DVD on the device to bring in real time. Goes smoothly, good quality (except for occasional stuttering on the hard drive - about 2-3 times in 90 minutes). Watching pictures or movies copied on a connected TV set is about VHS quality.
with optional plug-in "cinema" and "Video Podcast" (15 per EUR at Amazon)
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The documentation was once again incomplete and so did not work the download of plug-ins. My first email to Archos was ignored at the Technical Support Hotline was told that did not have jurisdiction. First my third reminder e-mail, this time on the German support was then finally answered promptly - 3 weeks after my order from Amazon ...
Now I can watch podcasts and pull of non-copy protected DVDs, the vob files via drag & drop onto the Archos. On the Archos 504, however, only run the movies and the navigation through menus is not working. On the DVD, it is sometimes not clear which files contain the actual movie with the desired language. Due to the amount of data it takes to copy quite long (100 min film about 40min). Once the sound was not mikopiert in a file - have not figured out why that was. Most annoying, I found that most DVDs are copy-protected and the simple copy does not work - a shame because I have legally purchased films just watch and not multiply further.
The video plug-in can only recommend limited so I - you should previously on the DVDs that you want to invite to your Archos after pointing looking copy. If neither is it has a tremendous speed advantage when recording the Archos at top Qualitäe.
By PODCAST plug-in I actually thought that now most video formats work, but some movies but did not run, can not remember which. Can recommend as podcasts so far all ran it anyway. [More info at [...]
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CONCLUSION: Those who enjoy the art, wants more than just listen to music and for the size and weight (130x78x23mm, 315g) takes into account gets an excellent device with a huge range of services. Depending on personal needs should calculate the optional extensions equal in the purchase decision. The only thing that has been really disappointed me is the documentation: Some topics such as trimming video recordings, move files etc ... is to leave his inquiring mind.
PS: There is a newer model Archos 605 30GB (same price range as the Archos 504 80GB), later there will be the even larger memory. (Thinner, lighter, higher resolution, touch screen, WIFI, more optional modules such as Internet browser ....)
