Archos MultiMedia AV320, AV340 and AV380 AV300 series Information and Full Review

This range of MP3 players has been superceded by the Archos AV700 and the Archos AV500. Multimedia Players.

Archos have been making small Hard Drive and other storage and peripheral devices for years. They have taken the technologies behind some of the smallest hard drives (used in laptop computers) and applied them to portable personal Music and Video to make the Archos Jukebox range.

The thought behind the AV series development:

"People also want to record music from their stereos or video from a TV, but they do not want to have to go through a PC. ARCHOS has created the perfect solution with the Video AV300 series -- a single personal device that does it all."

The first thing that hits you about the 300 series jukebox is the size of the built-in viewer screen. It is massive. In fact it is a perfect size. If the screen was any bigger, the whole unit would have to be bigger, which would mean that the unit would no longer fit in your pocket. '3.8 inch screen' is the phrase that everyone keeps quoting. That's 9.7 cm, measured diagonally (the only use for the hypotenuse outside of secondary school maths) as all screen measurements are.

This Multimedia Jukebox range is yet another Quantum Leap by Archos. This time the leap forward is from the AV100 series. Several sources, including some marketing guff from Archos, claim that the AV300 is the "Industry's First Handheld Personal Video Recorder/Player" - this is patently untrue as the AV100 series and the MMJB020 all had similar Video Record/ Play capabilities. Let's not spoil the moment with marketing pap.

AV300s can play music, like the other Jukeboxes can. Not only MP3s: this is the first range of Archos jukeboxes that can play both MP3 and WMA music files. They can also record audio from digital and analogue sources, like some of the other Jukeboxes can. This range is geared up for video as well as audio, like the other Archos Video Jukeboxes. It also has optional modules that allow all kinds of top notch extras. On-the-fly digital video and digital photographs through a good digital camera/ camcorder; an FM tuner with a wired remote, etc. See the modules section below or the individual module pages for more information.

There are many similarities to the Archos AV100 range, including

1. Vast storage space. 20GB and 40GB available
2. The ability to play and record MP3s
3. The ability to play back videos, either on the LCD viewer, or through a cable to a TV, just like a video player - no extra module required. The base units can do this!
4. The ability to make digital videos just like a camcorder, using the camera module.
5. The ability to take high quality digital photographs, using the camera module.
6. The ability to transfer all of the images and sounds that the Multimedia Jukebox can either make or store to and from a computer.
7. The ability to record about 40 hours - 80 hours in the case of the 40 GB units - of 'live' video off your TV, or other video source - with a DVR 100 module. It comes with your AV300 - no separate purchase necessary.
8. Fit in your pocket.

Even WITHOUT the optional accessory Modules (all of which enhance the unit's video/ imaging capabilities, apart from the FM tuner and wired remote module) this Jukebox range is capable of storing and displaying video, both on its screen and through external displays, like a TV.

The 300 series is not just the 100 series with a different coat, though. There are some fundamental differences between the ranges. Lets start with the obvious:

AV 300 display Screen

We've said it before, but it bears repeating: The screen is massive. If it was any bigger it would be one whole side of the player and it would be difficult to hold the player without getting 'grubby paw prints' all over your viewing area. The screen itself is 320 x 240 pixels (one of the most common sizes for internet video) and it is an LCD running the RGB colouring that most computer displays use.

The big screen on this model does by pass one of the problems faced by earlier models: several people can watch it at the same time. The screen is big enough and does not take offence to people slightly to the left or right of it.

Here is the real breakdown on 'screen-size' and video capabilities:

At 352 x 288 Pixels you can get 30 Frames Per Second (FPS). It's worth pointing out that this is the maximum screen size for the AV100 series (not the maximum size on a TV screen). You can record video on the AV300s at 640 x 368 pixels at 25 fps - a normal TV runs at about 25 fps.

Like the other Archos Jukebox Video modules you can hook these Video jukebox players up to TVs, projectors, etc. In addition you can also hook the AV300 series up to any normal computer screen to watch the video. Video output quality on TV screens is high. In fact its very good and has been favourably compared to DVD quality.

Interface

The interface is really nice. It uses an icon based navigation system (similar to windows, etc.) so using it is easy. E.g. for music, click the music icon.

Browsing

Archos have made some real advances with the ways in which you can organise, browse through and select your music, video or pictures. Easy to use.

Video

There are 2 ways in which you can make video recordings for your Multi media Jukebox: The first method is to capture (record) the video to your computer. You need to have some kind of Video Capture capability on your computer to do this. If you have a video capture card you can plug your TV, or your VCR into your computer and save the films as files in a similar way to the way that MP3 sound files are made (i.e. digitised and compressed). If you don't have a capture card we sell some Video Capture Devices.

The alternative is to record video directly to your Jukebox. For this you need the DVR100 module (not to be confused with the DVR020, which is for the original MultiMedia Jukebox only). The DVR100 comes with the AV300s so you can record video off your TV straight away.

Once the video is captured you can edit it and compress it for use on your Video Jukebox. The editing process and 'post production' for your films, or copied videos can take a while, but normally its a fairly rewarding experience. Especially as you will be able to show off your prowess to everyone. Anywhere.

After you have captured the video from a source (e.g. your favourite Video) and done the editing that you deem necessary (edited out the adverts, for example) you need to encode the film as a type of file that this range understands. Once again that's MPEG 4, DivX from www.divx.com, or XviD.

Editing and converting video files can, as mentioned, take a while, but once it's done you can carry the video with you everywhere.

Modules

The most important module for all the Archos Video Jukebox recorders is the DVR 100 module that enables your jukebox to record video directly from the TV, or from other video sources. More information about this module here. Just to reinforce: you do not need to order a separate DVR module for your AV300 - one comes with it.

You can also get media card readers for the AV300 series that allow you to download digital picture from your digital camera (a separate standalone digital camera , not the digital camera mentioned below). Card readers are available for Compact flash and Smart Media cameras (but not Memory Stick or Multimedia). They enable you to take as many pictures as you like with your 3rd party digital camera without having to worry about running out of space. Use these card reader modules to transfer the pix from your camera's media card to your jukebox. Then you can just reuse the media card as you have saved a copy on your jukebox. It can store approx. 200,000 so there should be little chance of most people running out of space.

Both of those modules sets are the same as those available for the AV100 series. For the AV300 series there are some additional options not available for the earlier models. These include:

Archos 300 Camera

The card reader modules (above) have nothing to do with this camera. This camera records film and digital pictures direct to the AV 300 Hard Disk.

This is a big jump up from the earlier 100 camera module for the AV100 range. Its got 3.3 mega pixels for a start - that's not bad at all! Very respectable really. Anyone should be able to take relatively good (or at least fairly clear) digital photographs and digital Video - it works as a digital camcorder too. Go to the 300 Camera page for more information on this module.

Archos 300 FM and Wired Remote

The FM tuner is a great idea. It is a really good feature to have because 1) radios use less power, so you can get a longer battery life and 2) it gives you a change from your own music stock and adds an element of randomness to your listening pleasure.

Other accessories that you might like

These Jukeboxes can record direct from a video source using the DVR100, but sometimes its still nice to capture the video via your Computer first using a capture device. Its a lot easier to manipulate the files using your PC e.g. edit out the adverts! 'Produce' your home made films with a little more finesse etc. Do whatever processing you want on your PC and just keep the polished and refined end product on your Jukebox.

All Archos Video Jukeboxes

All Archos Jukeboxes can be used by computers as external drives to carry normal data files.

The Multi-standard Adapter is not an accessory for the Archos Multimedia Jukebox because they have managed to build Multi-standard Adaptability into the range. The jukebox's AC-in (power in) can take 110 - 240 Volts. All you need is an adapter to plug into the wall and it should work in most countries. Most countries that have a fairly consistent electricity supply at least.

Unlike all other Archos jukebox before this series, the AV320 and the AV340 can easily cope with playing WMA music files as well as MP3.

Recording.

You can record sounds form an any analogue or digital source (that has standard connections). The AV 300s, like all Archos models with the ability to record, comes with a built-in microphone, but there is an optional external mic available for those times when you want to record, for example, an interview.

Boot-up time for the base unit is just over 5 seconds. This is a marked improvement on earlier model Jukeboxes (the older Creative DAP models took about 35 seconds).

Potential problems include:

We have racked our brains for something to criticise about this range and this is the best we can do:

Big Screen - This is speculative -i.e. not based on facts, or tests or anything, but based on experiences with laptops that have LCD screens. The large screen size does mean that the screen would be more prone to damage from knocks and scrapes than a smaller screen. Purely based on the fact that a bigger screen is more likely to get hit, if for no other reason.

The knock stopping plastic corners that have been a feature of all Archos jukeboxes have evolved into funky, low profile corner crenellations, which will help, definitely.

Using any of the modules (you cannot use more than one at the same time) prevents you using the Jukebox as a Jukebox player until you are finished. E.g. you cannot listen to your fav playlist while shooting a video with the camera module.

Here is some very important information that is not really focused on in other reviews:

The AV 300 series use both XviD and DivX CODEC to drive the jukebox's video capabilities. Don't panic if you don't really understand what a codec is. We can explain the basics in simple terms. CODEC stands for COmpression DECompression - stay with me - MP3 is a type of Audio Codec that most people will have come across and actually used too.

How much do you know about how MP3 compression actually works? Exactly. Ignorance, in this instance, is nothing to be scared of and it makes a good starting point.

Using XviD and DivX is a little more involved than making MP3 files. One reason is that you can actually choose some of the settings that the video is being Codeced with. Another is that you don't usually have to edit the music before you make them into MP3s - unless you record a lot of music off the radio. Anyway, the point is this: there is plenty of help available online on web sites dedicated to the XviD and DivX codec. Don't let the fact that you will have to learn some new information put you off the AV 300 series.

If you want to use the Video component (!?) you need to get the DIVX codec - it does not come with the jukebox. There are currently 3 versions of the software available:

Free, with lots missing. Not particularly useful as the bulk of all features are disabled. In fact it's frustrating to use after a while because you are so limited in what you can do.

Free Pro: it is full featured, but it also comes with 'Adware' - or spy/ scumware, depending on your perspective. Not recommended for anyone who does not want their every Internet move tracked and Everest-sized mountains of junk e-mail. We could not in all conscience recommend a product loaded with Adware to anyone.

Not Free Pro, (cost at time of writing about $35) but full featured and minus the pesky Adware. This is the one that will give people the most freedom and least hassle.

Just to reinforce a slightly incongruous bit of information: this codec is vital to the use of the Jukebox, but it does not come with the jukebox. You have to download it yourself independently.

More and more online movies are being released in DivX and XviD MPEG4, but at the time of writing most movies that you can find online are generally MPEG 1 or MPEG 2 (they have the file extensions .mpg or .mpeg). This Jukebox cannot play them as they are - you need to convert them to AVI; MPEG4 DivX, or XviD.

If you are thinking about buying an Archos video Jukebox or would like more information about DivX then go to www.divx.com. If you would like more information about XviD then go to www.xvid.org.

Battery News:

For all the Archos AV range we recommend batteries are only used for music play back. All the other features and activities require a lot of power, so you could easily find yourself disappointed if you depend on batteries alone for filming or video recording.

The Range

Overall this range is expensive, but in terms of what you actually get for your money it's worth it. The only thing that even comes close is the AV100 range. If the AV 320 or AV340 are too rich for your blood then the AV100s are the best alternative. If you can afford it then this is the top of the range.

Everyone should be able to find a million uses for their AV300. These are no toys; no fancy baubles. Batman, James Bond, ... erm ... Inspector Gadget, all had some very cool devices. None of them had a handheld workhorse like this.

Little features like clock, timer, resume from last etc. round out what will probably be the most popular device of the next 3 - 5 years. G3 mobile phones have nothing on these.

This series is ahead of its time and it works beautifully. What's more it's available right here, right now