Archos releases a large 80GB capacity portable Video/MP3 player

November 21, 2003

Archos which is a well known MP3 Jukebox manufacturer have released an 80GB Hard-drive based MP3/Video Jukebox. Like the 20GB and 40GB versions of its Archos AV300 series , this player also features a 3.8" 320x240 colour LCD display for the playback of MPEG-4 encoded video. It has enough storage for up to 100 hours of near DVD-quality video, up to 1,200 hours of MP3 music or around 800,000 digital photos.

The player also has the features of an 80GB compact external hard drive with a USB 2/optional FireWire PC connection. For video playback, it supports XviD and DivX v4.0 & v5.0 AVI formats up to a resolution of 640x365 at 25 frames per second, MP3 decoding up to 320kb/s CBR/VBR and JPEG & BMP image formats. For recording it supports up to 320x240 at 25fps (PAL) or 304 x 224 at 30fps (NTSC) and MP3 up to 160kbps VBR or 192kbps CBR. It is very compact at 60 x 54 x 30mm (2.3" x 2.1" x 1.2") with a light weight of only 45g (1.5oz). Its AV connections feature stereo and SPDIF Line in/out's, Composite video/S-video in/out and a built-in microphone. Battery life is 10 hours on MP3 or 3.5 hours on video playback from its internal rechargeable Lithium ion battery. GristyMcFisty submitted the following article from I4U news via our news submit :

We reported in June about the Archos av300 series. Back then only the 20GB and 40GB version have been announced. Now Archos already features the av380 with an amazing 80GB Hard-drive.

I do not know of any other 80GB MP3 Jukebox (email us
if you know a bigger MP3 portable Jukebox), and of course the Archos av380
also is a Personal Video Player.

Of course that much storage capacity has its price. The Archos av380 sells for $ 899.95 at Amazon.com.

Features:

The all-in-one MPEG-4 & MPEG-3 multimedia solution that fits in the palm of your hand. Enjoy your entire collection of videos, photos, music and data wherever you go.
Store up to 100 hours of your favorite movies in near DVD quality and view them on the high resolution 3.8" color LCD or on a TV
With the Digital Video Recorder, your AV380 becomes a portable VCR. Record directly from VCR, DVD or camcorder or from TV thru VCR or DVD connection.
Store up to 1,200 hours of MP3 music
Digital photo wallet: store up 800,000 digital photos

The full specification can be seen here.

It seems like a well featured AV player & recorder on the move by combining the features of a mini-disc recorder, an HDD based MP3 player, portable video player, portable hard drive and a personal VCR in to one device. With so much hard drive space, it seems a pity that it does not support uncompressed wave recording and playback as I could not imagine anyone having a collection of over 1,000 CDs to fill it with MP3s let alone 100 DVDs. One drawback is its proprietary battery as one would need to have a power outlet handy to continuously use it, particularly when going on holidays or camping. Pricing is on the expensive side at $ 899.95 on Amazon.com.

Source: I4U Future Technology News