Archos AV700 review

The Archos has plenty of useful features, and judging from the number of accessories in the box, it'll take a long time to try everything out. The one feature that's likely to be used most often is the video input, which allows you to record programmes automatically. Because most TVs don't output their television signal (a few Sony TVs have a third Scart output that can be set to output video, but you'll need an adaptor), you will need to connect the Archos to a set-top box. The other great thing is that the package includes an IR transmitter. This allows the Archos to change channels on your set-top box when you set up more than one recording schedule. This feature is usually only seen on high-end DVD recorders.

You can also output video to a TV from the device, although both input and output functions require the included dock, which in turn needs a power supply. If the size of the player limits just how portable it is, then the included accessories will certainly weigh your bag down. If you want to be a terribly flash traveller, you can also carry the Archos remote control, so you can plug it into the TV when you get back to the hotel, lie back and use the player as a massive DVD movie library.

Another nice touch, and new to the AV700, is the USB connection to digital cameras. You can link it directly to your digital camera without the need for a PC and preview your photos on a bigger screen, or just make some more room on your flash memory. It's a useful touch that will make sense to anyone with a digital camera.

We've had so much trouble with the Archos AV400's hard drive that we feel compelled to mention it here too. We've had too many problems with crashes, and while the same could be said for our trusted iPod, the Archos seems much more fickle about when it feels like fixing itself. Time will tell with the AV700, but if we see any similar problems, we'll be sure to update our review.

Performance
The AV700's screen may be huge, but it's not particularly bright and it has a flickery quality that's off-putting. The low resolution is poor for overall video quality, but it does mean that DivX files look passable, as they are often squeezed down to a low resolution anyway. When recording from TV, the results are impressive.

The Archos only has composite inputs (the lowest quality video connector, in AV terms). The resolution on the AV700 is low, so even though video is compressed when it is recorded from a TV source, the compression isn't very noticeable. Video output isn't a good idea though. First of all, DivX files tend to be highly compressed, and look like VHS quality on a large TV. Secondly, the AV700 only has that same composite video output, making the video look even more blurred.

The audio has been much improved over the AV400 -- instead of one tinny mono speaker, you now get two ok-ish stereo speakers. The included bud-style headphones are very nice, but for comfort's sake you might want to upgrade to some that completely cover the ear.

The battery offers nearly four hours of charge when playing video. That's very good given the size of the screen. If you're just using the Archos for audio playback, you get a much better battery life -- some 30 hours is possible if you're not using the LCD screen.

Edited by Mary Lojkine
Additional editing by Nick Hide