The Archos 605 WiFi is the flagship model of the fifth generation of portable media players from French manufacturer Archos. Available in 30GB and 160GB hard disk and 4GB flash versions, the 605 runs on a modified version of Linux and supports an optional Opera Web browser for full Web access. Archos' latest PMP can even support 5.1 surround sound if you buy an additional dock.
Prices start at £150. We got our hands on the 30GB model, which is available now for £200.
Design
Unlike Optimus Prime in the funked-up new Transformers movie, the 605 doesn't look particularly different to its predecessor, the 604. Its buttons still reside on the right-hand side of its display, but this time they're more plastic in their appearance. A handy kick-stand flips from the back panel allowing you to prop the player up at an angle for hands-free viewing.
Build quality is excellent -- it's a solid device and feels resilient to the knocks and bumps of frequent use on the move. The touch-sensitive 109mm (4.3-inch) screen is large and unusually resistant to grubby finger marks that plague so many similar devices. A pair of styluses come as standard anyway -- though there's no slot to hold one in the player.
One hand is all you'll need to hold this media-hoarding contraption, and although it can get hot with extended use, it's pretty lightweight and comfy to carry in a trouser pocket.
Features
When you're looking at the Archos 605 WiFi's main menu, several of the menu options don't work unless you purchase extras. Recording TV requires a docking station and you need to buy the Web browser and several codecs separately.
The 605 mounts into Windows as an external drive over USB, allowing drag-and-drop management of files. Media player functions are painless, and the transitions and slide shows through image libraries were impressive. The 605 handles folder-based sorting, really high-resolution JPEGs, BMPs and PNGs, and an Adobe PDF reader handles your documents.
WMV and MPEG-4 (Xvid included, though not DivX) are supported up to DVD resolution (although the screen is 800x480 pixels), along with MP3, protected and unprotected WMA and WAV audio files. AAC, MPEG-2, H.264 and AC-3 formats will only play after you pay for extra plugins, each of which cost €20 (about £13.50).
An optional docking station lets you display video content on your TV as well as allowing you to use the 605 as a DVR TV recorder. We didn't have a dock to test as we wrote this review, but expect an update after it's reached us from France. The Web browser also needs to be purchased separately, but more on that shortly.
Android App 
RSS Feeds 
iPhone App 
Newsletters
User reviews10
Add your review
Haggis 2 October 2010
Good: Excellent display, easy to load and use, ideal for mobile use.
Comment: I am pleased I bought it.
motoringmitch 20 April 2010
Good: A great unit, good screen nice player.
Bad: Too many gadgets and add ons needed to make it versatile.
Comment: A nice looking unit and relatively easy to use. Adding extras like a camera for video is a nightmare. Docking station looks horrible and ugly, the atachments to fit a camera are ill fitting and fiddly. What's more they do not lock securely, terrible if you are thinking of doing action sequences like motorcycling, climbing or active sport. Great unit for the bedroom, there are so many wires for the docking station, which also requires a powerpack, (more wires) and more add ons. No memory card slot either, as a player great, as a mobile video recorder it doesn't even get 1 out of 10. I have used a cheap chinese recorder and it has been much easier to set up and use in comparison to the Archos 605
jmt29 8 June 2008
Good: DVD resolution screen
Bad: web browser costs extra
Comment: On balance this is a great product. I have the 4gb version which allows me to expand the memory of it.
See all 10 user reviews