Archos DVR Station (7th Generation)
by Archos
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Category: Network Media Player
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: ArchosBrand: Archos
Edition: Electronics
Model: 501429
Publisher: Archos
Studio: Archos
Music Label: Archos
Product features:
- Connect your ARCHOS 5, ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet or ARCHOS 7 to your television--compatible with Gen 6 players
- Easily record your favorite programs with the included TV program guide
- Play back HD videos up to 720p from your ARCHOS to your TV with the optional Hi-Def plug-in
- Browse the Web comfortably and write your emails using the included remote control
- Discover a large library of movies, documentaries, music albums and games to purchase or rent
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Archos DVR Station (7th Generation)
Customer Review: Good and Bad Aspects...
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm a recent Archos convert... and I bought this device for specific purposes, which is fulfills very nicely. There is one major drawback, however... and I'll get to that in a moment.
First off... the device is terrific for connecting your Archos device to, for example, a home entertainment system. In my case, I've got the AV interface set up so that I'm outputing component video and audio from my home receiver to the device (I have a free channel available, since most of my home theater system is using HDMI) and outputing directly to my TV by HDMI. It outputs 720p "hidef" video and good sound. The quality isn't as good as a full-scale device is going to produce, but that should come as no major surprise (considering how much capability is packed into the hand-sized Archos device).
The device has a USB Out (permitting it to be used with any PC with USB), and a USB In. Oddly, these can't be used at the same time... there's a sliding cover so you can use only one of them - the "host" for other devices, or the "link" to a computer. I have no reason to plug other devices in, since I can plug them into my home theater PC or directly into my receiver... but it's there if you want it.
It has a little "mini-remote." The mini-remote works nicely enough. It permits me to run a large number of "Flash9" based applications which can't be run on the base unit. It's not FAST, but it's very useful. It does require direct line-of-site, however, and the range isn't "terrific" but is acceptable for most setups. (Regarding Flash apps... realize that with the base Archos unit, the touchscreen will only be recognized as "mouse move" and "left click." Most Flash apps require more controls - typically at LEAST the other mouse buttons and the arrow keys, and often the whole keyboard. You can't pull up the "virtual keyboard" in Flash, as far as I know, and if you did, the app would be largely useless anyway (since it would be covered by the virtual keyboard). Also, note - the Archos 5/5g/7 do not currently support Flash10, so not all current flash apps work anyway. At the moment, ONLY Windows-based PCs and "Android" based mobile devices support Flash10, as I understand things. This should change in the near future, though. Even given that... using this little keyboard, you gain access to a much larger range of applications and games and so forth, so that alone is a major "adder" for this device.
So, what's WRONG with the DVR Station? Nothing, from a hardware/software basis, really. The main defect with the unit isn't a "defect" at all, in the technical sense. But... there's a big problem anyway, which most of the reviews here are making note of.
You see, Archos has discontinued the "Program Guide" service for regions outside of Europe... and yes, that means "no program guide within the USA."
There is an alternative, which may be implemented in a later version of the Archos firmware (it seems pretty straightforward, really). I'm waiting to hear if Archos will choose to implement it or not. It may be possible to convert the "guide" from using an Archos-proprietary interface to a more "industry-standard" interface. For example, web-based services like "TitanTV" work beautifully with almost all PC-based PVRs. They're simply web pages, and when you schedule a program to record (or to "watch now" or to do several other tasks) simply send a basic text file (with a specific format, and specific content, of course) which tells the tuner hardware what to do and when.
It should be simple for Archos to implement compatibility with this "industry standard" approach, since they've removed the (really rather foolish) proprietary support already, at least for the USA.
In the meantime, you can "work around" the limitation of the DVR station by simply going to "TitanTV" (or your channel-guide of choice) online, and manually setting up your recording settings (which still works perfectly fine).
It's an annoyance, but it does NOT mean that the device won't do what you want. Only that the Archos "Menu pick" for "Program Guide" is useless.
A quick edit here... I spoke to the tech guys at Archos yesterday. It seems that the issue with the loss of the "Program Guide" functionality in the USA isn't a technical one at all, but rather a "contractual" one. Archos' prior provider changed their system, and in the process disabled the interface to the Archos devices. Archos... who, remember, are in the midst of a MAJOR product launch at the moment... are negotiating with an alternative guide provider. I was given reason to believe that we'll be seeing this up again in about a month. Archos is STRONGLY incentivized towards getting this up and running now, as the first major production run of the next-generation Archos devices begins to hit the street.
In the meantime, the DVR functionality continues to work just fine (albeit, bear in mind, it's not HD, it's only "standard TV resolution") for me.
Final Edit: Obviously, Archos has never followed through on getting a new US-based cable guide provider. In fact, as of today, I was told that this product is "no longer supported" and we're basically on our own.
So... I've never had the "channel guide" functionality, ever, and never will. Still, it's a great docking station, charges the device very quickly, provides USB in and USB out, and provides complete A/V input and output - Composite, component and S-video input and output, stereo audio input and output, digital (coax) audio output, and HDMI output (video plus multichannel audio - normally just stereo obviously, but I can output 5.1 if I've ripped a DVD using the 5.1 audio track, for instance).
It can control my cable box (though some newer ones can't be controlled... the "device code list" isn't being updated, obviously), and I can manually program it to record. I simply can't browse the "channel guide" and have it do it all "automagically." A little frustrating, but no worse than it used to be, programming a VCR, is it?
Description of Archos DVR Station (7th Generation)
Turn your ARCHOS Internet Tablet into a Digital Video Recorder; The DVR Station is the perfect bridge between your TV and your ARCHOS 5, ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet or ARCHOS 7: record your TV programs and turn your TV into a real multimedia platform connected to the Web. Just insert your ARCHOS into the DVR Station and enjoy all the functions of your ARCHOS tablet on your home TV.The DVR Station is the perfect bridge between your TV and your ARCHOS 5, ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet or ARCHOS 7: record your TV programs and turn your TV into a real multimedia platform connected to the Web. Just insert your ARCHOS into the DVR Station and enjoy all the functions of your ARCHOS tablet on your home TV.
 The perfect bridge between your TV and your ARCHOS 5, ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet or ARCHOS 7. Click to enlarge. |
 Plenty of outputs, including HDMI for full HD video. |
 Remote control with a built-in keyboard and a mouse pointer lets you experience Internet on your TV just like on your PC. |
With the Electronic TV Program Guide, scheduling and recording from your satellite receiver, cable box, Digital TV adapter has never been so easy. You can also surf the Web or stream web video to your TV while comfortably laid back on your couch using the included remote control as a keyboard and mouse pointer.
You can also play back on TV in DVD quality through the composite, S-video, RGB or YPbPr video outputs. And with HDMI output, on compatible TV sets, you can watch films or any content in HD quality. The DVR Station includes a remote control with a built-in keyboard and a mouse pointer that will let you experience Internet on your TV just like on your PC. You can navigate through the web directly, write and send emails without booting up your computer. Or pick your evening's movie on the Media Club. From your couch, on your TV.
TV Recording
Easily record your favorite programs. Record from nearly any external analog video source such as your satellite receiver, Digital TV adapter (DVB-T), VCR or cable box.
HD Content Playback
Playback HD videos up to 720p from your ARCHOS to your TV with the included Hi-Def plug-in and the HDMI output.
Full Internet Experience
Browse the Web comfortably and write your emails using the included remote control.
Faster Charging
Charge your ARCHOS quickly (not available for ARCHOS 7).
Media Club
Discover a large library of movies, documentaries, music albums and games. Buy or rent your content in just a few clicks and get instant access to it on your TV.
Stream from PC
Stream any of the music, movies or photos from your PC to your TV using your Wi-Fi home network.
Multi-Channel Sound
Enjoy your films with 5.1 Surround Sound on your home cinema system through the SPDIF output.
Unique Remote Control
The DVR Station includes a remote control with a built-in keyboard and a mouse pointer that will let you experience Internet on your TV just like on your PC.
What's in the Box
DVR Station, Remote Control, Power Adapter/Charger, US Plug, Two S-Video cables, Two Audio RCA Cables, Hi-Def Plug-In Card, User Guide
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